Do you aspire to be a professional filmmaker? Some individuals think they can pick up any camera and call themselves a professional. However, filmmaking is a much deeper topic to understand than what you may think. You will need the essential supplies to get started, such as a suitable camera along with all the right accessories.
Beginners are often confused about the process of becoming a filmmaker. They are uncertain about the necessary equipment or the professional filmmaking techniques. Fortunately, there is a myriad of tactics you can implement to capture the right footage. As long as you have the proper guidance, along with the right knack for filming, you will be good to go.
Follow this handy guide on how to get started as a beginner in filmmaking:
Film Equipment Rental
Every filmmaker needs film equipment to get started. Filmmaking dictates that you have the correct tools on hand for your shooting day. The camera on your phone is not enough for filmmaking, especially if you are shooting for something more professional. That is why you will have to consider renting professional filming equipment for your projects.
For example, your camera should be secured on various apparatuses to be used correctly. A tripod will be the way to go in terms of getting the right visuals. Audio tools should have the requisite boom arm so that microphones can pick up sound in a clear, audible way. If you need better lenses for your camera, you should consider this for your film equipment rental.
Separate Shots
When you are starting out, filming might seem more convenient once you are standing still. Although you will generally find this to be the easier position, it might produce mundane shots at the end of the day. With this in mind, you should film your video using separate shots to capture an assortment of footage.
Take your camera and physically move into different positions, so that you can take different shots. If you feel that your captured footage does not justify your intentions, move around again! You’d be surprised as to how effective simply moving around can be for your projects. Elevate or lower your position as well, for various perspectives.
Steady Shooting
No matter how much you want to move around, there are always a few rules to keep in mind as well. For starters, aligning your camera with a straight shot will produce the most optimized footage. Always do your best to keep your camera as straight as possible, since this will provide you with what you want.
If you need additional supports for keeping your camera straight, use your tripod! This handy little device will be able to lean against a table or wall without disturbing the video being shot. Moreover, many cameras will have some form of stabilization option to maintain a steady footage capture.
Lighting
While ensuring that your shots remain steady is important, external factors will also have to be considered. One of the most important aspects to take into account is your lighting. Natural lighting sources can be convenient, especially if you are filming a project with brightness in mind.
When those moody, dark days inevitably come, lighting becomes much more important to think about. In this vein, artificial sources of light will need to be sought out and positioned accordingly. Cameras that shoot video with improper lighting will result in blurred-out footage, which you should avoid at all costs.
Framing
Internal factors are just as important to think about as their external counterparts. When it comes to framing specifically, your shots need to be focused as much as possible. Try your best not to put too much into one shot, especially when starting out. This can prove to be a disservice when editing comes around.
Keep things simple by showing one or two things in each shot. The background will also matter since it will impact what is currently being framed. When you are diversifying your shots, ensure that this rule is maintained. That way, everything will look different from each other.
Sound Check
Filmmaking is not just about visuals. It’s important to pay attention to the audio components as well. The last thing you want is to shoot a film with no sounds recorded. As a result, be sure to do a sound check of all your devices before filming your footage. Microphones should be adjusted, along with your camera being attuned to these settings.
Additional Seconds
Before planning out your shots, it is important to film five seconds of blank footage before and after every attempt. That way, any action in between these parts of the footage will ensure that it was recorded correctly. All of your projects should have this extra cushioning, just in case. By doing this, you will always set yourself up for success in your filmmaking!
