Film
“The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself.”
- Peter Jackson
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Overview
The art form of film and video has been around since the late 19th century, but like photography, has never been more accessible than it is now. Although the formal film process with a camera, crew, studio, and intricate editing software may not be a possibility for the average person, that doesn't mean it is out of reach. All you need is a video camera or phone and you can get involved in this creative process.
If you're looking to pursue filmmaking or video capture as your creative endeavor, now is a great time. Control is high with this art form as you get to control what you capture. Although you may be limited by your surroundings and venues you choose to film, ultimately you get to make those calls - you are the director. You can capture your surroundings or create a narrative by putting together a string of shots.
Depending on what video camera you use and how involved you want to get in the editing process, filmmaking can be an expensive pursuit. If you have a phone with a good camera, that is all you need to get started. If you're using a more advanced video camera, it will take time to learn its features and get up and running.
Materials
The essential materials for filmmaking and video capture include a camera and computer software for processing and editing your film. Some non-essential materials include a tripod, a microphone, lighting equipment, and specialized editing software.
Tips, Tricks, & Resources
01
Think about the message you're trying to send before filming
02
Play around with lighting and angles
03
Get more footage than what you think you need. You can always cut it down later on
04
When possible, try a few different takes of the same shot and scene