Hot Cinematography Posts
How To: Set up the lighting and camera angles for a music video shot
This tutorial shows you how to set up a very stylized shot that's ideal for shooting music videos. Choose and set up the right kinds of lighting setups, and then make sure you get just the right camera angle for your project.
How To: Design your shot setup to make it look more like film
The equipment only does about half the work when it comes to making your shot really stand out - the other half is setting up your shot just so. This is a quick video that gives you some good tips for making your shot look amazing, no matter what you're filming with.
How To: Troubleshoot your Arriflex S camera
Will your camera refuse to run? Is your viewfinder just one blank screen? This video takes some common problems users might experience when trying to film with the Arriflex S camera, and shows you some easy and quick solutions for all of them.
How To: Load the Arriflex S 16mm camera properly
The Arriflex S is a high grade, professional quality 16mm camera. It can shoot steady, consistent film footage. This tutorial shows you how to properly load your film into the camera and a few other tips for getting the most out of your equipment.
How To: Quickly and easily clean a focusing screen
If your focusing screen gets too dirty, the quality of your picture will suffer. This tutorial shows you a quick demonstration on how you can quickly and easily clean your focusing screen without cleaning it. Watch out for static charge!
How To: Create a stabilizer for a point and shoot handheld camera
Even a small point and shoot camera has it's strong points, but being able to get a steady shot with one can be challenging. This tutorial shows you how to create your own DiY stabilizer for a small handheld camera.
How To: Make a cheap body harness out of a camera stabilizer
Start with a Targus Monopod, and then follow along with this tutorial to create a BodyPod - a body harness that will let you 'wear' your camera. This modification costs less than fifteen dollars, and lets you cut down on the gear you'll need when filming.
How To: Drill the angle iron correctly for a DiY track dolly
If the track isn't perfectly straight on your camera dolly, it won't work the way you need it to. You can use a basic hinge from any hardware store, and use that as the template when drilling holes for your angle iron.
How To: Make an easy and inexpensive DiY camera dolly out of PVC pipe
This is an easy and simple dolly you can make with just a few lengths of PVC pipe and some wheels taken from a pair of Rollerblades. You'll also need a few pieces of hardware to attach it, like screws.
How To: Make your footage look like you're shooting with a Steadicam
This tutorial shows you an easy technique you can use to make your footage look like you've shot it using a Steadicam... even if you don't actually own one! All you'll need is a steady tripod and some open space.
How To: Load and film with your Bolex H16 Reflex camera
The Bolex is an amazing professional quality camera. This is quick tutorial that shows you how you can load film into one, and a few more basic features that you can take advantage of to get the best film quality possible for your projects.
How To: Make your own Spider Trax dolly at home
Don't spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive Spider Trax dolly when you can make your own at home for just a few dollars and an hour or so of your time. Make sure you build something that will work with your own camera!
How To: Set up ten different lighting styles for your film projects
This tutorial shows you a quick rundown of ten different lighting setups for films. Whether you're looking for a silhouette, a documentary or confessional style look or something else entirely, you'll be able to find something useful in this tutorial.
How To: Make your own HD/HD-SDI capture station inexpensively
This is for the semi-pro or professional filmographer who wants to get the best picture quality out of their digital cameras possible. Get broadcast or film studio quality for your footage without needing a film studio budget by following these easy steps.
How To: Use 35mm film adaptors with your digital camera
What's the best film adaptor for your digital camera? Digital cameras are great, but they dont' always get the right 35mm film look you want. This tutorial shows you how to pick just the right adaptor for your project and camera.
How To: Use the Skater mini dolly to film low to the ground
The skater mini dolly is a great little tool you can use when you want to film something close to the ground. To get the best shot possible, it's critical that you align your three wheels precisely. Make sure they're calibrated properly.
How To: Shoot a moving shot at a camera low angle
Trying to get that perfect ground shot done, but just can't seem to make it work? This is the tutorial for you! This video covers a few techniques any cinematographer can use to pull off a stunning movie shot with a low camera angle.
How To: Film a stop motion effect with any digital SLR camera
You don't need a rotoscope or special lip syncing equipment - you can create the stop motion effect with any digital SLR - even a webcam! All you need to do is add an adapter, as shown in this tutorial.
How To: Make your own affordable underwater camera rig
Want to film underwater, but can't afford the expensive professional camera rig? This tutorial shows you how you can construct your own functional underwater camera rig for about sixty dollars. You will need: small ankle weights, threaded seal tape, waterproof sealant, Velcro, a rubber washer, a sheet of plexiglass, PVC pieces, metal ring clamps, hot glue and a dremel.
How To: Record your audio separately when shooting video with a Canon DSLR
Many professional videographers record their audio separate from their video. This tutorial shows you the best equipment to make your finished clips and film as professional as possible. Make sure you have a post production program like Final Cut Pro which will allow you to sync up your tracks.
How To: Adapt your Glidecam to fit with your Steadycam Vest
You have a great Glidecam and a Merlin vest fit for Steadycam... now what? You can easily adapt your two pieces of equipment to help them sync up. All you need is a few pieces of extra hardware to make it work.
How To: Balance your camera stabilizer, flycam or glidecam
If you're still having problems balancing your camera stabilizer, whether it's a Glidecam, Flycam or other piece of equipement, this tutorial is for you. There are a couple tips you can use to keep your camera steady while you're filming.
How To: Get a macro shot with any lens when using a DSLR camera
This is a great tip that will save you quite a lot of money on camera lenses. No matter what lens you are using, this video shows you how to get a good macro shot. All you need are special filters that go on top of your lens.
How To: Frame an interview shot for maximum effectiveness
This tutorial focuses on framing your shot, especially when you're planning to film an interview. However, this also touches on how you can frame people for the greatest effectiveness in your shot. Be aware of what is both inside and without the frame, as well as headroom.
How To: Build a DiY rig for your DSLR when filming interviews
How to film an interview properly? This tutorial shows you everything, from tripod to audio to accessories, that can maximize effectiveness when you're filming an interview. This is a top-heavy rig, so is really idea when you don't have to move it.
How To: Set up the presets on your Canon 7D for filming video
Your Canon 7D camera can film in video as well as take still photographs, however, the settings will be different. To get the best picture quality possible, here is how you can set up your camera's presets when filming in live action.
How To: Shoot a time lapse film with a digital camera
Time lapse photography is a common film technique to capture subtle processes, such as star movement or sunst. This tutorial shows you all the equipment you'll need, how to set your camera up properly, and how to string it together for a film.
How To: Set up and properly operate your MiniDV Steadycam
Get a MiniDV Steadycam recently? This is a lightweight, easy to use and portable stabilizer usable with most camcorders on the market today. Set it up quickly, and learn how you can use it to best effects when filming your next project.
How To: Use a follow focus or z focus when filming with a digital camera
Still wondering why you need a follow focus for your digital camera? Curious about how it works, or how you can get the most out of yours? This video has the answers! Learn everything you need to know about the z focus.
How To: Shoot a time lapse shot in high definition using the Stage Zero dolly
Time lapse is a dynamic filming technique, and can be even more interesting if the camera is moving while it films. You can achieve this effect by using the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly, MX2 DollyShield and Pentax K7, and this tutorial shows you how.
How To: Choose the right lenses and equipment for filming a wedding or special event
Filming a wedding soon? What if you can only bring one lens with you to an event? This tutorial shows you the various video camera lenses you can use, and which ones are the best to use when filming a wedding or other special event.
How To: Use an EOS stabilizer with your digital cameras
Are stabilizers worth the investment? Which one is the best? How can you get the most out of the stabilizer you already have? This tutorial provides the answers to all these questions, and more! Decide which stabilizer is right for your camera and budget.
How To: Shoot a wedding ceremony in a church
Most weddings happen in churches, and of course everyone wants to capture the moment on film. If you're going to be the photographer for an indoor church wedding, this tutorial is for you. Choose the right kind of camera and settings to make your pictures and film as professional and memorable as possible.
How To: Get the best sound when filming with a DSLR
Digital SLRs are known for their high image quality, but what about audio? This panel discussion shows you how you can set up your shots and equipment to ensure you get the best possible audio for your next film project.
How To: Use FD lenses with your high definition digital cameras
This tutorial goes over the Canon manual lenses that are produced with film cameras in mind, but you can buy an adapter to fit them to your digital cameras. This tutorial shows you how to use these FD lenses, and why you would want to.
How To: Use a test card to master the focusing on your digital camera
Focusing can be tricky to get just right, but you can use the Letus mini card to help! This is a quick tutorial that shows you what a test card is and how you can use it to quickly and easily bring your shots into proper focus.
How To: Achieve a shallow depth of field effect in your films
This video shows you how to achieve the 'film look' for your digital projects by adjusting your depth of field to become more shallow. It also demonstrates the difference between the 60i and 24p modes of filming (the video says 30i, but the correct mode is 60i).
How To: Use the Manfrotto 394 quick release plates when shooting on a tripod
This tutorial shows you how to use the Mafrotto 394 quick release plates, which allows you to quickly move or change cameras on your tripod. This saves you a lot of time you'd otherwise spend screwing and unscrewing your camera from the tripod.
How To: Use the EX1 and Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter when filming outdoors
This is a quick tutorial on a few pieces of film equipment that are especially well suited to filming outdoors - specifically, the Sony EX1 video camera, and the Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter, as well as the hardware you'll need to be able to use it.
How To: Shoot high definition video with a Flip camera
Professional quality, high definition video cameras are now getting within the grasp of independent film makers, and this tutorial shows you how you can use the Flip camera, or other small HD cameras, to shoot your own high quality projects.