For a 1-on-1 consultation to address any topics covered in the class or to help with one of your projects, email mrim86@gmail.com with the subect line "Course Consultation". My rates are $40 for 30 minutes or $60 for 1 hour, payable through Venmo or Paypal.

Before You Begin...

Welcome to my class! I hope you will learn many film tips that will stick with you throughout your filmmaking career, whether you are an aspiring professional or active hobbyist.

If you're interested in my color grading LUT pack, use the code "ClassDiscount" to receive 60% off all downloads.

If you're part of Skillshare's Membership program, you can sign up for my other classes completely free of charge! I recommend going ahead and doing that now, even if you're not planning on immediately jumping into the other courses. That way, if you ever have questions about other topics, you will be able to access these classes more quickly. It will take two seconds and is completely free!

Once you've signed up for the other courses go ahead and continue your work on this unit.

If you are still lacking any camera equipment for this class, here are some helpful links!

Video production is a very collaborative process. Use Fiverr to work with musicians, photoshop artists, voice over talent, and other creatives for only $5 per gig.

Consumer Cameras

Sony A6000
Sony A6300
Sony A6500
Nikon D3500
Nikon D3400
Canon Rebel T6

Professional Cameras & Lenses

Sony A7s iii
Sony A7s ii
Panasonic GH5
Canon 5D iv
Sony to Canon Lens Adapter
Canon 28-70mm Lens
Canon 70-200mm Lens

And you're always going to need an SD Card (slow motion may require a high write speed like this one)

Camera Options

Secure a Camera
If you have yet to purchase or rent a camera, mull over the camera option resource and pick a camera which fits your budget & intentions.
Research your Camera
Research your camera. Read up on the manufacturer's website as well as independent reviews to understand its pros and cons.

Resolution and Frame Rate

Pick a Frame-Rate & Resolution
Decide the frame rate and resolution in which you would like to film for the duration of this class.

I recommend 1080HD at 24 fps.

White Balance

White Balance Test Footage
At proper color temperature, film something outdoors and something indoors.

Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed Test Footage
At proper exposure, film a person performing any type of action at a shutter speed of 50, 60, 200, and 2000 (or your camera's maximum).

Aperture

Discover each of your lens' maximum aperture
Discover each of your lens' maximum aperture. Note that zoom lenses may have different maximum apertures at different focal lengths.
Aperture Test Footage
At proper exposure, film a close-up of a person or object at your lens' maximum aperture, 5.6, 8, and 22.

ISO / Gain

Research your camera's ISOs
Research your camera's ISOs and corresponding noise levels.
ISO Test Footage
At proper exposure, film anything at an ISO of 100, 160 (if possible), 400, and your camera's maximum ISO.

Exposure in Practice

Exposure Test Footage
At proper exposure, film something outside during the day, inside during the day, inside during night, and outside during night. Don't worry if the 'outside during night' footage doesn't turn out well. This is only an exercise, but still try to do your best.

Picture Profile & Additional Firmware

Profile Picture Test Footage
If possible, film something using the standard profile picture, a neutral profile picture, and a custom profile picture of your choice.

Lenses & Filters

Lens Test Footage
Film a close-up of a person, once using a wide lens and once using a tight lens.

Framing & Screen Direction

Framing Test Footage
With proper framing, film both sides of a basic conversation scene.

Utilizing Shapes & Colors

Shapes & Colors Test Footage
Using the lesson as a guide, shoot footage with shapes & colors in mind.

Movement & Ancillary Equipment

Movement Test Footage
Mimicking a dolly or jib, film an action that would benefit one of these camera movements. If you have access to an actual dolly, jib, or slider, feel free to use it.

Conclusion

Shoot additional footage for final project
Revisit units and mimic previous test footage.
Edit together the montage
Utilize iMovie, Windows Moviemaker, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere.
Export & Upload the Montage
Share the link with the rest of the class!

Additional Resources

Sample Final Project

Here is a Lyric Music Video that I created for the band Atomic Tom. This is very similar to the final project that you're creating in that it is a series of "beauty shots" set to music.
Important Files

Some people have been having troubles with individual links, so here is a ZIP folder with many helpful documents.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwVFn7SKrpc-MVhJWVZUS0MtMmM/edit?usp=sharing

Canon 7D Manual

Canon 5D mkII Manual

Canon 60D Manual

Canon 500D Manual

Nikon D3200 Manual

Common Video Resolutions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwVFn7SKrpc-VW9NUGR0TGdTUFE/edit?usp=sharing

Canon Menu Location

Most canon DSLRs have a menu option labeled "Live View/Movie func. set." This is where you can change the "Movie rec. size" to the resolution and frame rate of your choice.

Note that while it is common to refer to 1920x1080 as simply "1080", some Canon cameras refer to it as "1920".

Kelvin Chart

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwVFn7SKrpc-UFNUc3U3SjFGTFk/edit?usp=sharing

MANUAL OPTION

Make sure that your camera is in a manual mode and not an automatic one. At the top of Canon cameras, there will be a small wheel with many options. Make sure that either the M or the Video mode are selected (depending on the camera).

Exposure Tips

When parts of an image become so bright that they lose definition and become purely white, it is known as overexposure or blown-out.

The trick is for you to allow your image to be bright and lively without the subject losing definition.

According to a histogram (where overexposure is 100%), most people expose their main subjects at 70-75% while allowing bright parts of their background to be 90-95% and dark parts to be 10-20%.

Canon 5D mkII Quirk

For whatever reason, the 5Dii has a setting that won't allow you to adjust aperture. On the switch from "off" to "on", make sure that the switch is pushed all the way up, essentially the second "on" option. If you switch this to the middle option, you won't be able to adjust aperture.

Canon 7D Optimal ISOs

160, 320, 640, 800, 1250

Canon ISO Noise Levels (advanced)

MANUAL OPTION

Make sure that your camera is in a manuel mode and not an automatic one. At the top of Canon cameras, there will be a small wheel with many options. Make sure that either the M or the Video mode are selected (depending on the camera).

Magic Lantern for Canon

Technicolor CineStyle for Canon

Marvels Cine Picture Style for Canon

Additional Info on Canon Picture Profiles

Flat Picture for Nikon

Other Picture Style Options

Canon Recommended Max Aperture

7D, 60D, 500D

2.8 for most every shot

2.2 for close-up beauty insert shots

5D

5.6 for most every shot

4.0 for close-up beauty insert shots

Best Canon Zoom Lens Options

EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6

EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II

EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon Lens Lineup
Pro Canon Zoom Lens Options
- EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS II
- EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Crop Factor Tips

Depending on your cameras sensor size in relation to a full-frame sensor, a crop factor may exist. What this essentially means is that the image you will receive by using a 50mm lens on a Canon 7D may appear similar to an image you would receive by using an 80mm on a Canon 5D.

Crop Factor Wikipedia Article

Crop Factor Chart

Crop Factors

Canon 7D = 1.6x

Canon 60D = 1.6x

Canon 500D = 1.6x

Variable ND filter for Exteriors

The King's Speech

An interesting write-up on the screen direction used in The King's Speech.

Affordable Jib Option

Affordable Slider Options

Keep in mind that most sliders to not include a set of legs. You will need to purchase either 2 tripods or 2 light stands depending on the model of the slider.

Free Editing Softwares

Free Editing Softwares (Windows)

Sam Hainsworth

Digital & Graphic Designer

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