This is one of the best videos i've seen that properly explains ISO and how to become more comfortable changing up your ISO. I've worked with so many new videographers and photographers who are stuck in the ISO trap.
I did not make this video but I do think its the best explainer i've seen to date.
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Top 20 Tips for Making Your First Film (from a Croydon lad) If you can survive a night out in Croydon, you can make a film. Making your first film is a bit like cooking a fancy dinner for the first time – ambitious, fraught with potential disaster, but well rewarding when you don’t burn the kitchen down. Here’s how to serve up a cinematic feast without setting off the fire alarm. 1.Crystal Clear Vision Think of your film idea as the first pint on a Friday night. It’s got to be refreshing, exactly what you need, and the perfect starter to a memorable night. 2. Script That Sizzles Your script should be as compelling as gossip at a family reunion. Make sure it’s something everyone wants to lean in and listen to. 3. Planning Like a Holiday Treat pre-production like planning a holiday. You wouldn’t book flights without checking your passport’s expiry date, right? Dot those i’s and cross those t’s. 4. Budgeting Like a Pro Imagine you’re buying rounds at the bar but only have a tenner. That’s your budgeting challenge. Make it stretch without watering down the fun. 5. Sound Matters Bad sound is like a rock in your shoe – annoying and impossible to ignore. Invest in good audio to keep your film’s feet comfy. 6. Know Your Gear Familiarize yourself with your equipment like it’s a new smartphone. Play around until you discover all the hidden features. 7. Lighting: Set the Mood Lighting can make or break your film. Think of it as setting the mood for a romantic dinner – too much and you’re in a fast-food joint, too little and you’re basically in the dark. 8. Team Spirit Making a film is a team sport, not a solo marathon. Find your squad and keep the communication as clear as a bartender’s pour. 9. Feedback Is Your Friend Critique might sting like lemon in a paper cut, but it’s essential. Listen, learn, and thank your stars someone caught that blunder before your audience did. 10. Stay Organized Keep your project more organized than a cat herder. Chaos is for the screen, not behind it. 11. Be the Bamboo Flexible, strong, and able to sway with the breeze. When problems pop up, be like bamboo and adapt. 12. Safety First Remember, no film is worth a trip to mayday hospital. Keep your set safer than a padded cell. 13. Shoot, Then Shoot Some More Having too much footage is like having too much chocolate. Is there such a thing? Always shoot more than you think you need. 14. The Art of Editing Cutting your film should be as precise as a good skin fade. 15. Sound and Music: The Secret SauceGreat sound and music are the secret sauce to your film burger. Don’t serve it dry. 16. Be Unapologetically You Originality is your ace. Play it like you’ve got the winning hand, even if you’re bluffing. 17. Study the Greats (and the Not-So-Greats) Learn from others' triumphs and faceplants. It’s like watching dance floor fails – educational and entertaining. 18. Patience, Padawan Good things come to those who wait... and hustle. Think of your film like a slow-cooked stew – it’s all about the simmer. 19. Fuel Your Passion Keep the fire burning, even when it feels like you’re just making smoke. Passion is your best producer. 20. Reflection Is Key After it’s all said and done, reflect on your journey. It’s like reading your drunk texts the next morning – cringe-worthy but enlightening. Why Even Bother?Because, my friends, making your first film is a rite of passage. It’s your chance to tell a story, to make people feel, think, and maybe even squirm in their seats. It’s about putting your mark on the world, one frame at a time. So go out there, be bold, and remember: in the grand cinema of life, you’re the director. Make it count. 1. Speak up! If there is anything that they or you would like to change in the copy let the prompter operator know. They can edit the text right there on their laptop. Or, If you need the font size changed, or something phonetically spelled or abbreviated, or you feel like the scrolling is too fast or too slow, let the teleprompter technician know. The operator is there to help you! 2. Be Natural. Maintaining a natural conversational tone really helps the audience or viewer. 3. Know the material. The more familiar you are with your script, the more naturally you're going to come across. This will allow you to use the teleprompter as a safety net instead of having to follow it word for word. This way the prompter gives support and allows you to feel confident. 5. Have good energy! Granted there may be some subject matters that call for a more subdued tone, in general more energy is the best policy, especially when you are delivering the script on camera. The camera really tones down the energy level, so it's usually best to be a little more upbeat and positive than may feel natural. Trust me, the camera loves it. 6. Read into the lens. When you're using a camera mounted prompter, you'll want to maintain eye contact with the lens, which is just behind the glass. In order to help do this, the teleprompter operator will show what place they are putting their cue point to keep pace with the speaker. Generally this will be in the center of the glass, and not at the top. That way they can keep the eye-line directly in front of the lens. 7. Practice. If you have never worked with a prompter before try to arrange some rehearsal time with the prompter before the shoot. That way you and operator will have the time to get in synch. You can experiment with different font sizes and colors, and format the text for the reading style that suits them best. 8. Choose the right prompter size. If you are going to stand close to the prompter ask the operator to either bring an appropriate sized prompter or to adjust the screen size smaller so that on camera so that your eyes are not seen to be moving back and forth as in a tennis game. 9. Relax. Remember the prompter will make life easier not harder. It takes all the burden of memorization off you so you can concentrate on communicating your copy in the most effective way possible. 10. In Summary... Be confident and take time to breathe. If they ad lib or go off script, the prompter will be there when they come back. If you stop, it will wait. Have fun. and remember that this is so much easier than trying to remember a whole script. Think of all the time you're saving, and enjoy it! Alright folks! Let me tell ya about the time I turned a cheeky holiday with my mates in Scotland into a full-on movie-making mission, all with nothing fancier than me old iPhone. Who needs swanky cameras when you've got a phone and a cracking backdrop like the Scottish Highlands, eh?
1. The DIY Director
So there you go, my Scottish adventure with nothing but an iPhone and a bunch of mates. Just goes to show, you don’t need a load of fancy gear to make some memories. Grab your phone, grab your friends, and just have a go. You never know what you might end up with. Hello, brave souls! Are you gearing up to shoot a wedding for the first time? As someone who’s survived the wedding videography battlefield, I’m here to share my top 10 tips that are as funny as they are true. So, grab your camera, and let's dive into the world of 'I dos' and 'don't you dares.'
1. Dress Like a Ninja, Move Like a Cat
There you have it, folks! Shooting a wedding can be as unpredictable as a rollercoaster, but with these tips, you’ll be more than ready to capture every laugh, tear, and crazy dance move. Remember, it’s about finding the joy in the chaos and immortalizing those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Now go out there and make wedding video magic! Hey everyone! Are you ready to dive into the whirlwind world of shooting a blue light series? As a self-shooting A/P/, you're about to enter a realm where 'expect the unexpected' is your daily mantra. Here's my top 10 tips for someone shooting in this environment for the first time.
1. Become a Camera-Toting Octopus
Congratulations, you’ve just had a crash course in surviving (and thriving) in a blue light series as a self-shooting AP. Remember, it’s a rollercoaster – buckle up, enjoy the ride, and maybe scream a little. It’s all in a day’s work! Last year I had a job in Argentina to film some shots for a documentary and I wanted to get something that would highlight the city feel and I knew i wanted a skyline so I booked an airbnb in the middle of town and made sure i was on the top floor of a building to ensure a great viewpoint and then picked through images on airbnb to see if any of the apartments had a killer view of a city structure. Heres a few tips that may help you if you decide to do anything similar. I shot this test with an Iphone 14 pro max because I was conscious of walking around the city with a big rig might not be the best of ideas. That's a piece of advice for any city really, especially if you don't know it and its your first time visiting.
Hey, Have you ever found yourself wondering which camera to use for a particular event? Well, you're not alone! I faced this while gearing up to shoot a live drag wrestling performance. Spoiler alert: I went with GoPros, and it payed off! In this post, I'm gonna share my top 10 tips to help you nail your camera choice, hopefully.
1. Match the Camera to the Action
Choosing the right camera for an event doesn't have to be a daunting task. With these tips, you're well on your way to making informed decisions that'll elevate your videography game. Remember, it's all about understanding the event's needs and how your camera can meet them. Got any stories or tips of your own? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Until next time, keep shooting and have fun capturing those unforgettable moments! We do lots of shooting in the USA and I thought i'd give a few tips on things yoou need to consider if your planning a trip over the pond to film.
There are several important factors to consider to ensure a successful and smooth experience. Here are ten key points to think about:
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