Videos

Matching Action Cuts Like the Pros

One thing that separates amateur videos from professional videos is shooting a scene from multiple angles and cutting on the action. Cutting on the action is an editing technique where the editor cuts from one angle of a shot to another, while maintaining the continuity of the action in the scene. In this segment, we'll show you how we cut four different camera angles together to form one continuous scene.

Explode with Trapcode

Particle generators are a powerful tool for motion graphics. Go behind the scenes as we recreate the exploding Videomaker logo used in the open of some of our web videos. We use Red Giant's Trapcode Particular to create this effect, which is a third party plug-in available for Adobe After Effects.

Production Tip: Know Your Adapters from Converters

There's a difference, and every member on a production crew should understand that adapters and converters are not interchangeable. One changes a physical connector, the other changes the signal.

Camera Moves and Intense Lighting in the Dark Knight

scene from the dark knight where batman interrogates the joker

The interrogation scene between Batman and the Joker in “The Dark Knight” is a bold twist on a typical interrogation scene. Using dolly moves, handheld shots, and intense lighting, director Christopher Nolan and cinematographer Wally Pfister created a memorable scene that captured fantastic performances.

Color Grading and Intense Lighting in the Aviator

Released in 2004, Martin Scorsese's film “The Aviator” used color grading, original news footage, intense lighting, and compositing to create the Hell's Angels movie premiere scene. Cinematographer Robert Richardson won the academy award for his work.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera Sample Footage

We took the Blackmagic Cinema Camera into various shooting environments to test its crop factor, dynamic range, resolving power, aliasing, moiré, color reproduction, low light, rolling shutter and audio. Here is some of our footage.

Production Tip: Setting Mic Levels

Getting proper mic levels is essential to capturing good audio. These simple tips will help make sure your audio sounds as pristine as possible.

Neon Lights and Slow Motion in Blade Runner

Ridley Scott's cult classic “Blade Runner” has been a work in progress that has spanned 25 years. Cinematographer Jordan Cronenwith took the film noir look to new heights and created a gritty, neon filled future. While continuity errors plagued the first version of the film, “Blade Runner The Final Cut” took advantage of modern technology to fix them.

Visual Storytelling in Road to Perdition

Still frame from the movie Road to Perdition, dead bodies on the ground, Paul Newman's character standing alone

Released in 2002, “Road to Perdition” won the academy award for best cinematography. Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Conrad Hall created a bleak style to represent Chicago in the 1930s, and used stunning imagery and beautiful camera moves to bring meaning to an intense murder scene.

Documentary Style Shooting in Children of Men

Screenshot of fire erupting on a car windshield

To achieve a raw documentary feel for Children of Men, director Alfonso Cuaron and cinematographer Emanuel Lubezki created complex choreographed scenes with long takes and custom camera rigs to bring the viewer into the story. Released in 2006 the film received and academy award nomination for best cinematography.

Creative Lighting and Camera Work in the Assassination of Jesse James

Screenshot of a train coming toward the camera

Directed by Andrew Dominik, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” uses creative lighting and camera work that results in effective visuals to enhance the story. Released in 2007 this film's cinematography earned Roger Deakins an Academy Award nomination.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera: Unboxing

Blackmagic Cinema Camera with no lens on

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera just arrived! Let's crack open the box and take a look at what's inside.

Using a Switcher for a Multiple Camera Shoot

Live switching an event can be a little overwhelming if you've never sat behind the controls of a switcher before. But if you keep it simple, you can nearly eliminate the need for post-production. In this segment we talk about getting video and audio into a switcher, the basics of switching, and adding live graphics over your shots. If you prepare properly and practice a bit, live switching can be an exhilarating experience.

Editing a Multiple Camera Shoot

You've captured stunning footage and pristine audio, and now it's time to tie everything together into a cohesive edit. In this segment, we talk about labeling your clips, syncing your audio and video, setting up a multi-camera clip, and using the multi-camera editing tools. Knowing how prepare your clips and utilize the tools properly can help streamline the post production process, and get your project completed on time.

Shooting and Directing a Multiple Camera Shoot

With intensive pre-production and tight budgets, you're all set up and ready to shoot. Now the pressure is on to get great footage and capture the event. In this segment, we talk about last minute preparations, shooting techniques, and how to direct a crew. This is where the real fun begins, and all your skills will be put to the test.