Tips for cinematics

[Pcinacan]

I love do cinematic videos, but would like to have some tips to improve on it. Also what are some budget/free things that can help me?

[ALwin]

I love do cinematic videos, but would like to have some tips to improve on it. Also what are some budget/free things that can help me?

1. Wrong forum to ask these things.
2. What gear do you currently have?

[Pcinacan]

 

1. Wrong forum to ask these things.
2. What gear do you currently have?

 

1. what forum should i use 

2. I have a d5100 with stock lens and 300mm lens and a eh tripod 

[ALwin]

1. what forum should i use 

2. I have a d5100 with stock lens and 300mm lens and a eh tripod 

 

Go to a forum like Creative Cow or other proper places where cinematographers hang out.  This forum is mostly tech guru wannabes and kids who watch some stuff on Youtube and repeat what they hear.  There's probably at most only 2-3 people here that has cinematography knowledge and experience.

[bob345]

I love do cinematic videos, but would like to have some tips to improve on it. Also what are some budget/free things that can help me?

i feel the best way to learn is to watch movies that you like and analyze what they are doing with the camera and then try and replicate the style of the scene in your own way. With cinematography, there are really no rules set in stone. You just have to mess around and try things untill you feel comfortable with the results you are getting. Also, composition is still key when it comes to cinematography.

[ALwin]

i feel the best way to learn is to watch movies that you like and analyze what they are doing with the camera and then try and replicate the style of the scene in your own way. With cinematography, there are really no rules set in stone. You just have to mess around and try things untill you feel comfortable with the results you are getting. Also, composition is still key when it comes to cinematography.

 

Actually there are rules.  And just like the rules in photography, the first thing to do is learn those rules before any talk of "breaking the rules" begin.  There are rules about:

• frame rates
• shutter speeds/shutter angles
• aspect ratios
• focal lengths
• color
• lighting/filters
• sound

And the rules are made more difficult in comparison to photography, because video is not a static moment in time but a series of motion and dialogue stitched together.

 

Oh and the only way to recognize what is going on in a movie by observation is to be aware of some of these rules.  Otherwise they are almost impossible to notice.  The way to become knowledgeable is:

• read
• talk/discuss with people who work in the industry*
• study

Additionally, cinematography involves not just learning how to use a camera.  But also learning how to deal with light, sound, and motion.  Which is why cinematography requires more than just investing in a camera and lens.  A camera and a lens is enough to begin as a photographer, but not as a film maker.  It can also be hard to work solo.

 

*It's going to be fracking hard to discuss cinematography here as there are so many immature babies on this forum screaming "No spoilers!".  If I start a topic to discuss the cinematographic moments in a film like Spectre, which has a lot of good examples of cinematographic techniques, it's 100% certain that there will be discussions about the plot.