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Although I grew up in a pre-YouTube age, by the time I was a teenager the number of channels dedicated to filmmaking and visual effects had grown exponentially. They have since evolved in sophistication and can rival even the best paid classes. Some of my favourite videos can be found below, sourced from three great creators: Film Riot, In Depth Cine and Studiobinder.
Film Riot: iPhone filmmaking – great to see how you can use even the most basic tool to create films; the iPhone app mentioned is out of date but you will find similar apps (like Blackmagic Camera) with the same principles. Studiobinder: low budget filmmaking production - good overview of how to work within limitations and make sure you are getting the most out of what you are doing even when bound by what’s out of your control. In Depth Cine: A Guide to Pre-Production - as with everything, preparation is key and this gives a good idea of how to get ready for a shoot from a cameraman’s / cinematographer’s viewpoint. The main thing is doing as much thinking before you turn up, not just pointing the camera at things and hoping for the best. In Depth Cine: 6 Basic Camera Settings You Need To Know - simple but effective video, again it’s not too technical and keeps it simple, which you can apply to working with any camera whether cheap or expensive. In Depth Cine: 5 Lighting Concepts Every Cinematographer Needs To Know - excellent overview without being too specific, peppered with some lovely examples from classic films and an easy “do it yourself” attitude towards applying these techniques. In Depth Cine: 5 Techniques for framing cinematic shots - some nice tips here on how to stay creative while framing, which can get repetitive if you are executing many setups per day. Film Riot: The Theory of Editing – there’s a lot to take in, but the video gives a good overview of what is commonly taught in film school. Film Riot: Color Grading 101 – this is quite a technical video, but good to watch to understand how colour works and how you can prepare your shots and workflow for success. |