Welcome!
Thanks for stopping by my filmmaking webpage.
This page is dedicated to anything and everything filmmaking! If you enjoy filmmaking as much as I do, then you may find this webpage useful. I thought that I would start my own webpage and talk about some of the filmmaking tips/tricks I've picked up along the way, as well as provide some personal film critiques and any other relevant information that I can.
Enjoy!
Filmmaking Tips for Beginners:
Filmmaking has always been a hobby of mine. Ever since I was a small child I was creating (what I thought were) amazing videos. Since then, my skills have definitely improved (or at least I would like to hope so). I thought I would share some of the filmmaking tips that have helped me and hopefully they will help you...
1) Select the Right Video Camera/Recorder:
This may seem easy enough, but you really want to make sure you have the right equipment. The most important piece of equipment is of course, the camera. Any camera will do, but if you want to produce high quality film and really be able to make adjustments, choose a camera that offers manual focus and exposure control. You may also want a camera with manual white balance adjustment. If you are able to manually control these settings, then you will be able to produce a higher quality picture and have much more control over your film settings.
2) Select the Right Accessories:
Technically a video camera is all you need (and some film), but if you want to take your filmmaking to the next level you may want to invest in some other accessories to make your life easier. A good sturdy tripod is always key. This will allow you to decrease the amount of "shake" from the camera. It will provide a smooth picture. An external microphone will also allow you to pick up much better sound quality than from the internal built-in camera microphone. You may also want to invest in a camera light, in case you have to shoot in dim settings (which happens more frequently than you would think).
3) Start Filming:
When you first begin filming leave the camera in automatic mode. As you begin to become more comfortable, experiment with the different settings. It's always important to get comfortable with the equipment that you use. Take a day and go around and try different things. Shoot in dark settings, light settings. Film using the tripod and without the tripod. Try everything and then watch the video to see what works and what doesn't. Trial and error are always useful.
4) Editing Software:
Once you have completed your film, it's time to edit! Editing can actually be very fun and allows you to really create a strong, professional piece. There are some great free programs now on both Windows and Macs that have basic editing features. If you do filmmaking for a hobby then these will be good enough for you. Once you have edited your film you can now share it with the world.
*Featured Article*Boston University: Center for Digital Imaging Arts
Check out this Washington DC film school.
Boston University's Center for Digital Imaging Arts is a great option for anyone looking to advance their filmmaking skills. They provide extensive, practical, hands-on, career oriented education and training in the rapidly emerging digital arts field of Digital Filmmaking.
Located in the former Foundry Theater, our Washington, DC campus includes 18,000 square feet of advanced studios and classrooms – right in the heart of Georgetown. Our students are trained using the most up-to-date software, hardware and equipment available.
CDIA courses follow a module format: intensive, one-subject study that allows students to focus fully on mastering each element before they move on to the next. Most modules run for one week on the full-time curriculum and three weeks for part-time students. The last day of each module is often set aside for special topics such as business and career issues, industry trends and special guest speakers.
Check out their website. I had a few friends that have gone there and were definitely pleased with the education they received.
This Kid is Great!--->
Check out this kid on YouTube. He really knows what he is talking about. A great video for anyone wanting more filmmaking tips.
