Digital Cinematography Articles

• Camcorder Care
• Camcorder Controls
• Camera Angles
• Camera Movement
• Composition
• Continuity
• Format
• Shot Types

• The Divine Proportion Balancing the Golden Rule
  July, 2008
  by James Williams
  Nature created it; visual artists follow it. Using aesthetically-pleasing framing creatively draws your viewer into your shot composition.
• Tutorial - Getting That Film Look
  July, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Shooting video to look like film
• Camcorder Supports Buyer's Guide
  April, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Nothing screams 'amateur' like shaky and jerky video. Sure, there are times when you want to keep the camera moving, even erratically, but for the other 95%...
• Directing: Directing Documentaries
  April, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Documentaries are about real people in real places doing real things. Documentaries were the first films ever made.
• Lighting: Night Lighting
  March, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Winter is waning, the snows are beginning to melt in the northern states and the sun is sticking around a little longer. However, the night still rules!
• Basic Training: Controlling Exposure
  February, 2008
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Most of the time, you can't just point-and-shoot for great video design; sometimes you need to control the light going into your camcorder to get better…
• In Box
  February, 2008
  by The Editors
  Reader's Letters - Young Video Producers; Upgrading the Reader on the Changing Technologies; Double Credit; Shooting Steadier Handheld Shots.
• The Art of the Cutaway
  February, 2008
  by Eric Ossohou
  While you plan the scene and dialog details for your videos, you need to remember to plan for cutaways as you take that journey down the path to good…
• In Box readers' letters
  September, 2008
  by The Editors
  Footage vs. Bittage... 6 versus 25 Minutes of Film... and Pani's 0001 Still in Use... In Michael Moore's Defense... More on Moore... Throw in Some Spice and…
• Dynamic Chase Scenes
  January, 2008
  by Peter John Ross
  Introducing an exciting new feature from Videomaker: Interactive tutorials! Every month these articles will link to an on-line training video and clips you can…
• Basic Training: The Rules of the Grid
  January, 2008
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Knowing the technical workings of your camera is half the battle of shooting a good video. Understanding good composition can really give your work some pizazz.
• Lighting Car Interiors
  January, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Did you ever notice that in the movies we never have a problem seeing a person's features while he's driving down the road? Even at night?
• Hold On!
  January, 2008
  by Michael Reff
  A pro's look at holding your camera. There’s a lot of different ways to support your camera while shooting, many of which don't need the death grip to…
• Basic Training: Composition Tips for 16:9
  December, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Shooting for widescreen doesn't mean just shooting wider. It's how to creatively get your entire subject in frame and what will be lost if viewed on a 4:3…
• Basic Training: Focus on Focus
  October, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  There's more to getting your camera in focus than meets the eye. But what is focus?
• Wedding VideoLand
  August, 2007
  by Bill Davis
  A lighthearted Look at Wedding Video.
• Basic Training: Nine Digital Cinematography Tips
  August, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  So you know about medium shots, wide shots, closeups and even extreme closeups. But why do your videos still lack that special zing?
• Director's Chair: Back to Film School
  August, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D
  Watching films is a classroom in itself, yet you really have to have the right tools to become a critical viewer. All good directors are students of film. They&…
• In Box
  August, 2007
  by the Editors
  Readers' letters
• Video Editing: What is Multicam Editing?
  July, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  Shooting performances or group discussions is difficult using one video camera, but it can be a nightmare with several cameras and without good planning.
• Basic Training: Dive In! The Water's Fine!
  July, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  There's something about water that fascinates us. We're drawn to it, for travel, food, and entertainment.
• Multicam Shooting
  July, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Whether it's shooting a wedding, baseball game, church service or two-person interview, shooting it with more than one camera can be a time-saving and very…
• Video Editing : Plan A: B-roll
  June, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
• Basic Training: Super Vacation Videos
  June, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Oh, no! Not the vacation videos! It's time to teach your family amp; friends how to make interesting, entertaining and watchable summer vacation videos.
• Director's Chair: Maintaining Continuity
  June, 2007
  by Dr. Robert Nulph
  Even in blockbuster movies, continuity errors happen, and eagle-eyed viewers love to find the mistakes.
• Videomaker Presents Recap
  June, 2007
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Mixing it up with Videomaker Presents - Like the changing technology, Videomaker Presents is moving with the times, and once again we are in the design stages…
• Family Video Help
  June, 2007
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Some tips to help you enjoy the fun that you usually only experience after viewing the tapes. It's June; you know what that means: weddings, graduation,…
• Videotaping Sporting Events
  May, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Football, baseball, hockey, tennis. Swimming, cycling, running and lacrosse. Sports shooting is an art unto itself, and every sport has shooting hurdles to…
• Vidcast Recap: Videomaker Presents
  May, 2007
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
• Timeline: Time Control
  April, 2007
  by Morgan Paar
  As editors, we are in control of the time universe. We can stretch it, shorten it, and even change Fate by manipulatiing time.