Videography Basics To Start Filming

July 18, 2019

As the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) takes over our city’s cinemas once again, it's time to get into the spirit of filmmaking. Whip out that dusty camcorder, or your DSLR from 2010 and start making those movies and documentaries you’ve been dreaming of. We’ve put together some basics that you can use to help you get started.


  1. It’s not your gear. It’s how you use it. 

Sure, professional-quality cameras are incredible to own, but if you only have access to an older DSLR, compact camera or the camera on your phone, that's enough to begin shooting. If you want your films to have that polished feel, a tripod is a great place to start to keep your footage steady and looking amazing. Audio is particularly important in filmmaking, so, if your camera has a microphone input port, adding a microphone will make a huge difference to the final result.


  1. Storyboarding and planning your shots.

Creating a storyboard is an important step in making any film. Storyboarding offers a basic visual outline of how your entire production is going to go. Storyboarding helps you plan the logistics behind each shot and gives you a strong idea of how each frame is going to look as you move from one to the next. There’s plenty of storyboarding software out there, from free smartphone apps to professional, feature-packed tools. But, for the more traditional-type, you can  grab a sheet of paper and simply sketch out your plan!


  1. Storytelling: Your photographic skills will help you make films

There's plenty of crossover between photography and videography (and some  obvious differences too). From using similar photographic gear like tripods and LED lighting, to the way you frame each shot, the art of storytelling essentially stays the same. With a little bit of planning and practice, you’ll be ready to make your next blockbuster in no time. 



My Cart (0)