Hot Cinematography How-Tos

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: 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: 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: 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 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: Film in a moving vehicle

Jennifer demonstrates an in car video camera techniques by showing different ways to shoot video from a moving vehicle.

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: 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: 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: Build a 3D camera rig for recording and shooting 3D videos and films

This guide goes over the basics of 3D video recording and the mechanics behind it before delving into something a little more specific. The host discusses how to build a rig that allows for adjustments to be easily made to the interaxial distance and convergence of the two cameras.

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: 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: Make polarization filter from 3D Glasses and lens cap

If you're a serious film buff then these glasses will totally give you a cinemagasm. This polarization filter uses a pair of 3D glasses as a base and combines the glasses with a lens cap to reduce glare and any reflections that could tamper with your viewing experience.

How To: Build a cable mounted camera rig for overhead shots

Filming can get REALLY expensive, especially if you're just out of film school and starting on your first major short. It requires not only a camera, but a crane for swooping panoramic shots, a mounted camera rig for overhead shots, lens filters, and moving ground camera mounts, among other things.

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: Use the Milo Motion Control system rig

This gem, an extensive cinematography video tutorial on Motion Control systems by Mark Roberts Motion Control. In some ways this video is an advertisement for the systems they create, but there is a lot of useful knowledge shared that transfers to planning, shooting, and compositing with lesser tools. This instructional video explains what motion control is and the features of the Milo Motion control system rig. A ton of fantastic commercial and music video creative work is shown, with shot b...

How To: Operate a steadicam

A steadicam can mean the difference between a professional and steady wide shot of Victorian era London or a wobbly, user-generated content-esque portrayal of some old lamps and streets. Having control over how your camera moves is so vital to good film production.

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: Balance and fly a Canon 5D Mark II on a Steadicam

One of the great innovations of Canon's DSLR technology is the relatively inexpensive ability it gives to any filmmaker to make professional quality video. This video is a great demonstration of a Glidecam and Steadicam mod designed to carry the Canon 5D Mark II and give any image a slick, professional look.

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: Make a time-lapse video with a DSLR and Intervalometer

See how to shoot a time-lapse video using a DSLR and intervalometer. This video tutorial covers everything from settings you should use to making the time-lapse video in QuickTime.

How To: Make a Steadicam flying camera support

Garret Brown's original Steadicam® is an icon that revolutionized filmmaking. Being the first and the best, it naturally and justifiably commands a premium price. It is for this reason that homemade DIY Flying Camera Supports have been around since at least 1977, just one short year after Mr. Brown's invention. With this tradition in mind, learn the two fundamental principles behind the Steadicam and how to build your own Flying Camera Support by watching this video filmmaking tutorial.

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: Make your own steadicam

Steadicams are mounts used in film making that helps the cameraman capture smooth shots independent of his body's movements. Unfortunately, this equipment can be very costly. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make your own steadicam for approximately 9.50 pounds.

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: 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 and light a blue/green screen for filming

You will see a great way to light and set up a blue/green screen for your next video. There are a lot of tips that will come in handy if you want to film on a blue/green screen and don't want to pay outrageous fees to do so. The key in setting up is to block out all outside sources of light so you have just the desired amount of lighting coming just from your own sources and also setting up the screen and stretching it out as tight as possible so you won't see any creases or snags in the mate...

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: 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 car rig camera mount for cheap

If you're a filmmaker with bigger ideas than your budget, Indy Mogul is here to help with Backyard FX. Learn how to build a camera mount for a car that costs less than 40 dollars. Using suctions cups, you can rig a camera on the front of a car.

How To: Make a motorcycle camera mount

Make your own motorcycle camera Mount for less than five bucks! You won't believe how easy it is. This video tutorial will show you how to make one hell of a motorcycle mount. I wouldn't put a Canon XL2 on this or anything, but it's sure good enough for you palm-sized digital cameras, for a cheap look and feel to your new motorcycle gang film.

Your Brain on Music: How to Turn an MRI Scan into a Music Video

Ever wonder what your brain looks like while you're singing? No? Neither had I, but as this music video for the song "Better Man Than He" by SiVU (aka James Page) will show you, the answer is "pretty cool."

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: 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: 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: Make your own track dolly

Build a track dolly for about £80. This is great for getting professional dolly shots when making your own films.

How To: Take Time-Lapse Photography on a Digital SLR with a Timer Remote (For Beginners)

This tutorial is for complete beginners to time-lapse photography and will show you all the settings and equipment you'll need to start taking time-lapse videos with a DSLR camera relatively cheaply. Although this tutorial focuses on the Canon 7D, the steps outlined and equipment discussed also applies to other models available on the market.

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 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 bicycle camera mount

Shoot an action-packed close up, or film while you're biking around. All you need to do is build a simple bicycle camera mount. You'll need a tripod mount, PVC pipe, pliers, bungee cord, a U bolt and a bike. Watch this video cinematography tutorial and learn how to build a bicycle camera mount.