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Activity Forums DSLR Video How to shoot a short film

  • How to shoot a short film

    Posted by Akevo Jenkins on February 8, 2018 at 1:23 am

    I am very very new to film making. i’m so use to being behind a laptop writing scripts. I recently bought a Canon T6i and a 50mm 1.8f lens (plus the 18-55mm lens that comes with it) Im looking to shoot a short film in the summer so i’m trying to practice now and be ready by then. I will shoot in 24fps and from reading i should have my shutter at 1/50. i’m a little confused on aperture though. what should i have the f-stop at if i want to video to be smooth and not as jittery. Also my ISO will be around 200. I’m still learning so any helpful advice will be much appreciated. Like i said i’m still new to all of this.

    Alex Tabrizi replied 6 years, 10 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • Steve Crow

    February 8, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    Your aperture will control how much of the image is in focus; deep depth of field or shallow depth of field. The frame rate controls how “smooth” or “jittery” the footage is – technically how much motion blur there is.

    Two or so pieces of advice:

    If you plan on shooting outdoors during bright days you are going to need an ND filter on your lens to cut the amount of light hitting the sensor or your footage may be overexposed.

    Look up articles on the “exposure triangle” to learn how to get the exposure you want.

    Finally, invest at least as much time, effort and gear purchases on SOUND issues as on the camera stuff – bad sound will ruin any film you are trying to make

    Steve Crow

  • Alex Tabrizi

    August 11, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    Keep the shutter on 50/sec, use an ND filter (either circular screw-on type or 4×4 with Mattebox), stabilize by developing rigid arm locks and being light on your feet, while hold. Also by using a tripod, cushion (if you are on the ground shooting low & upwards), monopod, gorillapod, or table/solid surface. Worst case fix in post ????

    Have fun!

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