Hot Cinematography Posts

How To: Set up a green screen for chroma keying

Think you might like to set up a green screen? It's easy! All you really need is a big green sheet. This video production tutorial presents a complete guide and will see to it that you know everything you need to know start incorporating green (or blue) screen work into your own video productions.

How To: Build a $30 steadycam

In this video we learn how to build a $30 steadycam. Making this yourself will save you thousands of dollars and allow you to get smooth shots with your camera! First, you will need to take a round free weight that is used in the gym. After this, grab a pipe and stick it into the middle of this, making sure it's a tight fit. From here, attach another pipe to it using bolts to screw it together. Once you're finished, you can attach your cam to it and use it to take your shots whether they are ...

How To: Build a DIY wooden camera dolly with PVC railing system

If you need a dolly for your movie masterpiece, you don't need to go with a professional dolly system. You can save that money for your expensive actors and actresses by building your own DIY camera dolly on the cheap. You'll need some nuts and bolts, PVC pipes, scrap wood, drill bits and a drill, inline wheels and a hammer. This homemade camera dolly will cost you around 65 bucks.

How To: Shoot low angle moving shots from ground level with a video camera

Low angle shots are a great way to evoke a sense of panic in movies, but if you're trying to get good quality shots from ground level with just your hands, then it's not going to work. The video footage will be all shaky, unless that's another look you're wanting to achieve in your film. If you want steady, fast-tracking low angle footage, then Ritwika has a great trick on taking those ground level moving camera shots. You'll need a monopod, water bottle (with water), 2 rubber bands and your ...

How To: Customize white balance & temperature for perfectly colored photos & videos

Has white balance always been a problem in your photographs? Getting the perfect color in your photos is tricky business, even on digital cameras. This video will give you the ultimate information on customizing the white balance and color temperature for your film, video footage and pictures. Ritwika teaches how to obtain accurate color balance using various custom white balance techniques.

How To: Make movie rain without getting wet

In this tutorial, we learn how to make movie rain without getting wet. First, you will need to get a garden hose that has a spout on it and few pieces of PVC pipe. Connect the pieces of PVC pipe together, then stick the head of the hose to the pipe. Keep in mind that you will want to cut the pipe a bit shorter so it's easier to hold. Now, have someone hold up the pipe while you are taping and make sure to stay opposite of the way the wind is blowing. After this, you will have taped rain in a ...

How To: Simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks

In this tutorial, we learn how to simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks. First, take a shot of your actors moving and doing something active. Then, take a shot of the frame without the actors. After this, go frame by frame masking the actors out of each of the frames. Use radio blur to make them leave the shot, then add in evaporation. From here, you can play the clips of the background on the scene so it looks like the have been sent somewhere else. Smooth out the background...

How To: Shoot in a film noir setting

Film Noir, or black film, is a type of film that can easily be attributed to classics such as the Humphery Boggart films of old (Maltese Falcon, King of the Underworld, ect.). If you're looking on how to create the effect yourself without a big budget, check out this video! John Hess gives you some basic tips to creating the effect with lighting and more!

How To: Make video game videos for YouTube with digital camcorder

There are millions of YouTube videos out there about video games. Playthroughs, reviews, commentaries, tutorials. If you want people to see and appreciate your gameplay and takes on it, watch this series of videos. It features a veteran video-game-YouTuber explaining in great detail how he sets up, shoots, and edits his YouTube videos. It covers cameras, lighting, and many other aspects of filming yourself playing a game.

How To: Build a cheap steady cam rig or fig rig

Steady cam rigs allow you to film really great smooth footage, but they cost about $300. If you're too lazy to make one yourself that is! This video will show you how to make a cheap substitute called a fig rig using $30 dollars worth of materials. Now you can finally push beyond handheld to the world of professional-looking video.

How To: Properly use a green screen

A green screen lets you add any sort of background to your movie in post-production. Part of a successful green screen shot is properly lighting your set so you can easily add the special effects later. Teach your camera crew these tips for your next film!

How To: Improve your cinematography lighting

In this tutorial, we learn how to improve cinematography lighting. The first style is used in music videos and some film. The second is a very naturalistic lighting that is showing real world lighting. The last type is minimal, where you are using natural light only. Turning on lights can make a big difference between using normal lights that are inside. Play with the exposure of the shot to try to get the right balance. Move the light around to find the best angle, then you will be able to f...

How To: Film skateboarding

In this video, we learn how to film skateboarding. First, get a camera that fits your price range and you will be ready to start filming. Next, use a long lens so you capture the best shots of people on their boards and in motion. Next, make sure you capture the lines that the skateboarder is skating on. Use different angles to get the best shot possible. You want to get close to the action, so you will need a fish eye lens. Use your skateboard to follow the skater around. Using these simple ...

How To: Make a cheap DIY camera slider for your film

Film and television cinematographers love sliding camera shots, especially since ER made them a standard device for television dramas. A professional sliding camera setup is expensive though. Why not make one yourself? This video will show you how to turn $20 into a high-quality filmmaking tool that you can use to give your films some very professional-looking shots. Now get out there and follow that gurney with the camera!

News: Transport Yourself to THE Most Dangerous Race Track in the World: The Green Hell

Ever heard of Nürburgring? If you're an auto racing enthusiast, you likely have. According to Wikipedia, the racetrack was nicknamed "The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart (famed Scottish racing driver) and is known as "the toughest, most dangerous and most demanding purpose-built racing circuit in the world". Located in Germany, the older track was first built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains.

News: DIY RC Helicopter Rig Captures Amazing Canon 7D/5D Aerial Footage

One of the greatest innovations in the DSLR revolution is not only being able to execute shots you never dreamed possible, but you'll find it's affordable, too. I can't think of a better example than this remote controlled DSLR helicopter rig, designed specifically for the Canon 7D and 5D. Advertised as "high definition, low altitude photography and videography," HeliVideo's founder, Eric Austin combines his experience and love of remote controlled helicopters with his knowledge as a videogra...

How To: Compose a shot with the "rule of thirds"

In this clip, learn how to harness the Rule of Thirds when shooting video. The Rule of Thirds is a concept that consists of splitting a shot into thirds and keeping your subject out of the center of the shot. This adds a more interesting and realistic aspect to your filmmaking and can also be used for things like drawing and still photography.

How To: Use multiple camera angles when shooting a movie

Spice up your next movie project with new and interesting camera angles. In this tutorial, learn all about the different options for aiming your camera that you can use to convey new moods or effects. These instructions are easy to follow and are great for first time filmmakers. So, follow along, grab your camera and start shooting!

How To: Use a finger skateboard as track & dolly for minicams

In this video, learn how to create camera accessories out of common objects for travel. Sometimes when you fly, you are not able to carry heavy camera equipment like tracks, dollies, tripods, etc. In this video, Jan will show you how to take common things like toys and use them instead. These are also great because they are lightweight enough to not weigh down your luggage. Have fun!

How To: Video tape a wedding ceremony professionally

For many people, their wedding is one of the most important days of their life. Filming a wedding, as a amateur or a professional, is a weighty responsibility for any filmmaker. And, if you're doing it as a professional, it can pay very well. This video offers some tips for how to film a wedding effectively, including how to utilize a multi-camera setup, what shots to take, what equipment to bring, and how working with the still photographer can help you. Video tape a wedding ceremony profess...