Cinematic Techniques for Beginners
How to start creating more professional-looking videos and the gear to get you there.
What does it mean for a shot to be cinematic? This term comes from a combination of lighting, composition, and movement working together to tell a story visually. This technique is easy to master when you break it down into 3 categories you can dramatically level up your videos. Lets break it down and talk about gear.
Lighting separates “video” from “cinematic.” Adding depth, sets the mood.
Natural light is your friend; golden hour, window light, hard shadows, light from inside of fridges, TVs, phones, candles
Use the cinematic triangle; place the subject in between the light source and your camera. This creates a layered feel to your shot using the light and dark spots to your advantage.
Gear
LED light panels
Softboxes or diffusers
Reflectors
Composition guides your viewer’s eye and creates balance in your shot.
Leading lines that point towards your subject or the direction you want the viewer to look.
Negative space creates interesting shots that tell a story.
Rule of third for natural framing
Gear
Tripods
External monitors
Movement adds emotion and depth to the story
Reference videos of different camera movements and practice them to create more interesting shots.
Pan & tilt; smooth and controlled
Handheld; raw, immersive
Tracking; following subject creates depth
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