Film 101 Tips

#1 Lights

Filmmaking is a visual medium, and so it’s important that the images you capture look their best! The easiest way of doing this is making sure you have lots of light!

• Natural light from the sun (either by filming outside, or near large windows) is your best bet, and often looks better than indoor lighting.

• Avoid filming at night if possible.

• Make sure that you have your camera pointed away from the light source (the window or lamp is behind you as the camera operator) instead of filming into the light.
  

#2 Camera

Shows you watch on TV and movies you watch in theatres are always filmed with a landscape orientation, versus the portrait orientation commonly used when FaceTiming and doing Instagram/Facebook story posts. We’re making a real-deal movie, so make sure to turn your phone/camera so that it looks just like the stuff you see on TV or at the theatre!

• If you don’t have someone to hold the camera for you, propping it up against some books, a can of soda, or a rock is a great way to get it to stay put!

• Filming in selfie-mode can ensure you’re capturing exactly what you want to in real time.

• Don’t hold the camera too close or too far away for your subject, and double-check to make sure the audience will be able to see everything you see!
  

#3 ACTION

The MOST IMPORTANT part of filmmaking is to capture the story. Don’t take it too seriously, and remember to HAVE FUN!

• Be silly, be courageous, be authentic - don’t worry if it’s not perfect - we love happy accidents! In “the industry” we call them bloopers!

• Not sure if something is worth capturing? Do it anyway! Some of the best moments of films are things captured “on the fly".