How Do You Get Good Film Stills?

Getting good film stills involves capturing images that faithfully represent the movie's look and feel while also serving as compelling promotional material. Based on insights regarding effective film stills, the process focuses on strategic shot selection and technical considerations rather than artistic interpretation separate from the film.

Here's how to approach getting great film stills:

Key Principles for Killer Film Stills

Effective film stills should capture the essence and aesthetic of the production itself. They are promotional tools meant to entice viewers and remind those who have seen the film of its key moments.

1. Understand That This Is Not Art… Pictures Should Look Like The Movie.

The primary goal of a film still is not to be a standalone piece of art, but to accurately reflect the film's visual style and mood. The lighting, composition, and overall look of the stills should mirror what the audience will see on screen.

2. Get THE Killer Image.

Focus on capturing one or two truly iconic shots that immediately grab attention. These are the images that are most likely to be used widely in marketing and press. Think of them as the film's visual headline.

3. Get the Supporting Image.

Once you have the main "killer" shot, aim for several strong supporting images. These might show different key moments, important characters in key settings, or convey significant aspects of the plot or tone.

4. And Then Another Ten In The Same Vein.

Beyond the killer and supporting shots, aim to capture a larger selection of quality images that maintain the same visual style and theme. This provides a good library for various uses, ensuring consistency in promotional materials.

5. Get the Star Looking Like a Star.

Ensure the lead actors are captured in ways that showcase their performance and appeal. Stills featuring the main stars are often the most marketable, so getting flattering yet authentic shots of them is crucial.

6. Images That Are Not Overly Cropped.

Avoid excessive cropping. Stills should generally be captured and delivered with enough surrounding context to provide flexibility for different layouts and uses (print, web, social media) without losing essential information or quality.

7. Only People.

While setting and action are important, the most impactful stills often feature the characters. Prioritize shots that focus on actors and their interactions or emotions. This connects the viewer directly to the human element of the story.

8. No Flash Photography.

Using flash is generally discouraged as it disrupts the film's carefully controlled lighting setup and can create an artificial look that doesn't match the movie's cinematography. Rely on the set lighting or natural light available.

Summarizing the Approach

To consistently capture effective film stills, focus on a targeted approach that prioritizes quality and relevance to the film's final look.

Remember, the goal is to produce a collection of images that serve as a high-quality visual representation of the film itself, facilitating its promotion and distribution.