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: 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: Convert a car LCD screen into a portable video monitor

When you're shooting a film, being able to see what you're shooting well and adjust on the fly is crucial. With the tiny screen on most cheap cameras, this is kind of a crapshoot. This video will show you a cheap way to solve this problem: converting a car $50 car LCD screen into a portable video monitor that you can attach to your camera and run off of batteries on set. The screen is probably bigger and nicer than the one on your camera, and will improve the quality and productivity of your ...

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: 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: 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: Load the Arriflex SRII magazine

Check out this instructional cinematography video to learn how to load 16mm film into the Arriflex SRII magazine. Professor Plow demonstrates the process of loading the Arri SR2 mag. To start loading the feed side, it needs to be done entirely in the changing bag, in a light tight environment. This cinematography tutorial video is ideal for serious film enthusiasts and professionals alike.

How To: Use "Depth of Field" to make your video look better

Israel Hyman is a weekend videographer headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. In this video, he demonstrates how to use “Depth of Field” to make your digital video look better. Yes, learn how to achieve "dreamy" and film-like quality on your video!

How To: Change lenses on a camcorder

Make sure you have the appropriate lens for your digital camera. Look for markers on the lens that correspond with any mark on the camera body. Different brands have different markers. Some have square dots while some have red dots. Line these marks In one hand, hold your camera body firmly pointing to you. While holding it, push the lens button. Firmly hold the bottom of the lens (where the lens meets the camera body), and twist. Some cameras let you twist clockwise, others counterclockwise....

How To: Create a DIY Camera Rig (Ultrapod)

This video is going to teach you how to create a video handheld rig that will help stabilize your videos

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: 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: 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: Achieve smoother pans on a camera with a rubber band

brusspup has tons of ingenious tips and tricks for everybody! In this video tutorial, he shows you how to achieve smoother pans on a camera with a rubber band.

How To: Create a DIY Studio Light Equivalent to 800 Watts at 5000k

This video is going to teach you how to create a DIY studio light that is the equivalent to 800 watts at 5000k

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: 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: Use the JVC GY-DV5100U professional camcorder

Check out this cinematography tutorial video that demonstrates how to use the GY-DV5100U Professional DV Camcorder. JVC has upgraded the camera's features and digital processing circuits to meet the requirements of a growing number of broadcasters looking for cost effective alternatives to the over-priced tapeless solutions of other manufacturers. This video is great for cinematographers and filmmaking aficionados alike. Learn all the functions and settings on the GY-DV5100U with this instruc...

How To: Assemble the RED ONE camera into a light weight mode

Here we assemble the RED ONE camera into a 22 lbs ultra light hand-held version, perfect for documentary filmmakers and ENG crews.

How To: Make super smooth pan shots with your camera tripod

Want to have super smooth pan shots? Yes? Well, all you need is some simple, stretched out, rubber bands. That's it.

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: 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: Set up your ambient lighting to look like a movie theater

Movie theater light can sometimes be difficult to replicate, since it is always dark and you have to reproduce the effect of the flickering lights coming from the screen. Here's a great lighting trick you can use to replicate the effect of movie theater lights.

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: 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 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: 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: Install and set up the Birger Mount for the RED ONE

DreamWelder Productions presents this video tutorial from their show Info Tech, hosted by Jay A. Kelley. They take an exciting new look into new equipment for the film and television industry, showing you the best gear for your movies and shows.

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: Adjust audio on the Canon XH-A1 Digital Camcorder

Do you own the Canon XH-A1 Digital Camcorder? If so, you might want to check out this lengthy video tutorial that shows you the ins and outs to the Canon XH-A1, the High Definition digital camera for the professional and serious non-pro alike. Learn how to make manual adjustments to fine-tune your audio by setting the mic mode with the onboard microphone or an external mic, along with alternative microphones. This shows a bunch of tips and tricks for you cameramen and sound pros.

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: 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: Balance a GlideCam using a Canon XL2

Watch this quick instructional cinematography video that shows how to balance a Canon XL2 professional HD digital camera on a GlideCam 4000 Pro. Learn how to secure the camera using this handheld camcorder stabilizer to prevent unwanted swaying, shoot fluid traveling shots, and produce professional works.

How To: Reveal how Michel Gondry solves Rubik's Cube with feet

This is a debunk video to show how Michel Gondry faked a video to look like he solves a Rubik's Cube with his feet. There are camera tricks and visual cues you can find to solve this trick.

How To: Use the Letus Extreme depth of field camera adapter

See how to use the depth of field adapter, the Letus Extreme, for your digital camcorders. Also see 35mm adapters for your digital cameras. Great for that professional look you need in your film.

How To: Create the zero budget 3D Pulfrich effect

3D with one camera? With no computer manipulation? With one lens from some sunglasses? How is this possible? Pulfrich Time Parallax, my friends...

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: 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.