Hot Cinematography How-Tos « Cinematography

How To: See through people's clothes with a video camera

This video tutorial teaches you how to see through clothes using a blank roll of film and any video camera that has night vision. You won't see people completely naked, but you can see undergarments and the "shape" beneath...If your imagination just isn't cutting it anymore, check out this how-to video and start getting a peak at people in a slightly less clothed state.

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: Use a piece of developed film and a camera to see through clothes

The ability to see through clothing has been pursued by voyeurs for millenia, and today with the help of cheap video cameras we are closer than ever. This video will show you how to use a piece of blank developed film and IR to see through different types of shirts and other clothing. It also covers the effects of different colors and fabrics on the technique's effectiveness.

How To: Connect the Red Drive to the RED ONE camera

Learn the hard drive basics of the Red One camera. Mount and boot up the Red Drive.

How To: Use a 16mm Bolex camera

Watch this video series for a tutorial on using the various features of the Bolex 16mm camera. Part 1 of 6 - How to Use a 16mm Bolex camera.

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: 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: 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 a Lightweight Body-Mount Rig for Filming Unique Front & OTS Shots

Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out, according to director Martin Scorsese, who asserted that when describing his life's work. Getting the perfect shot can turn an otherwise ordinary scene into something great, both on and off screen.

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: 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!

How To: Create a simple low budget shoulder mount for a DSLR camera and accessories

Wow. Forget about buying an expensive pro-style digital camcorder. You can make your DSLR camera into a moviemaker camera with a simple DIY shoulder mount. The goal of this video is to give you a way to create a low budget way of mounting your camera and necessary gear onto a cheap shoulder mount. It works really well. See for yourself!

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: Set up the Merlin Steadicam

This video walks you through the set up of the Merlin Steadicam rig. For some reason a lot of the video is presented speeded up, but if you can keep up with it, this is useful info. It's not so fast that you can't follow it, but if you're trying to take notes, be prepared to hit "pause" a lot!

How To: Synchronize timecode for a multi-camera shoot

Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, gives us some quick tips on how to sync timecode for multi-camera footage. He shows you how to sync multi-camera footage using cameras that support free run and cameras that don't.

How To: Use an external monitor with a camcorder

In this video from lunawebs we learn how to use an external monitor with a camcorder. The best way is to use an HDTV and use your HDMI output on the TV. The sound can also come through the monitor if you have a headphone port on the monitor. If you want to go outdoors, it will be more of a challenge. If you do not have an HDMI out on your camera, there is a component you can use. Composite AV outs are cheaper when it comes to monitors and camcorders. If you have a composite monitor, assign th...

How To: Simulate a dolly shot with just a camera tripod

brusspup has tons of ingenious tips and tricks for everybody! In this video tutorial, he shows you how to simulate a dolly shot with just a camera tripod.

How To: Make housing for a video camera to film underwater

Expand your filming range by waterproofing your video camera! Learn how to create an inexpensive underwater camera housing. It is a good video, but it moves a bit too fast for the viewer to learn clearly.

How To: Make an underwater video camera housing

This tutorial video sequence will show you how to make a home made underwater camera housing for your camera. for under $50. This apparatus is made using a pvc pipe , a end cap , perspexs, and a screw end lid with rubber seal. This is a great way to keep your camera dry when making underwater shots.

How To: Build your own ten foot long camera dolly track

Need some smooth pan shots for your indie film? How about a cool dolly zoom effect? Well, you don't need to be a professional filmmaker to use such a device, but you do need the money for the gear. But—if you can work your way around the workshop, you can probably build your own camera dolly and track just fine. And for under $100! This video shows you how to build your own DIY dolly and dolly track, and all you need are the parts listed below. Then you just need to learn the art of the dolly...

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: Modify a Glidecam with a Steadicam arm and vest

The lady shows how to make the steadicam arm to work with glidecam stabilizer. The steadicam arm is made such as only a steadicam can be fitted on that. The video describes how to make the usable for glidecam with three simple tools ,a 10 ounce hammer ,a long nose player and a flathead screwdriver. First take out the circular clip with which the post is secured with the screwdriver unscrew and pull the post out .Using the hammer straighten the post .The post will have a scratch but the straig...

How To: Build a cheap DIY follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark

In this very basic but informative tutorial, you'll learn how to build a follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark. This method has the virtue of being very cheap, using just a clamp, nuts and bolts, a bit of wire, a rubber band and some shrink wrap. But used well, you can probably achieve some fairly professional looking results with this rig.

How To: Understand exposure when filming

This is The Substream's "The Film Lab" series on cinematography basics. This is an intro into the basics of exposure. What is the difference between exposure and shutter anyway?

How To: Use the RED ONE camera - basics

There are some essentials you need to know when shooting with the Red One camera, here we go over start/stop, SD card, AV connector board, back focus, and installing PL lens.

How To: Use shutter speed to make your video look better

Israel Hyman is a weekend videographer headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. In this video, he demonstrates how to use “Shutter Speed” to make your digital video look better. A rule of thumb is: Set the shutter speed at a rate of 1/60 of a second for normal shooting.

How To: Make a camcorder stabilizer

If shaky home videos are making your audience seasick, it's time to steady your hand. Watch this video to learn how to make a camcorder stabilizer.

How To: Use the RED ONE compact flash cards

Learn the Red One Camera basics. Installing, removing, and formating the compact flash cards.

How To: Make your own low budget camera dolly

Can't afford a camera dolly? Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make your own low budget camera dolly. The materials you'll need to construct this dolly are:

How To: Make a cheap Dutch Roll camera effect

Maybe you've never heard of the Dutch Roll camera effect, but you've seen it in movies whenever a character is delirious and the camera starts spinning crazily end over need. In this tutorial you'll learn how to set up a cheap version of the effect with a plain old hand drill. Now you can give your audiences vertigo just like the pros do!

How To: Frame and compose a shot for film

What makes a good movie good is that it is both aesthetically pleasing and has an interesting point/plot. This video runs you through how to make it visually effective, stressing how you frame and compose a shot. While the Rule of Thirds is forever a great way to make shots interesting, there are other ways you can set up a shot.

How To: Build a pro level steadicam for $14

Steadicam is important in filmmaking and can help you get the perfect shot. If you are a budding filmmaker and don't have the cash to shell out for a professionally made model, check out this video.

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: Shoot sunrise or sunsets on video

It's very hard to capture a sunrise on camera. Yes, you can get a general feeling from a single shot: the hazy, blue-orange rays of light peeking through the clouds in a sunrise or the crimson red streaks of sun dappling darkening skies in a sunset. But to truly capture a sunset or a sunrise, you have to experience them.

How To: Build a camera jib crane

In this DIY video, we show you how we built our camera crane. This was all done with a table saw, drill and hack saw.

How To: Make a camera mount on your car for under ten dollars

Not only does this camera mount take less than five minutes to make, you can do it for less than ten dollars. Mount a camera to your car for greater versatility in how and what you film for your next project!

How To: Do a simple dutch angle camera trick with a tripod

MatttChapman shows you how to add a simple dutch tilt to your filmmaking bag of tricks. Tripods conventionally only pan and tilt, but this trick adds an extra dimension. All you need is a tripod and a camera! It's just a matter of messing with the base plate to get this simple dutch angle.