I used to think that directors like Wes Anderson, Jared Hess, and Spike Jonze simply broke all the rules of filmmaking. Their early work spoke to me in a way that I couldn’t quite describe. Whether it was the deadpan delivery, seemingly mundane sets, or quirky framing, they each introduced a distinct style that many of us had never seen before.  Reading & Writing The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video, by Tom Schroeppel In retrospect, though, after reading The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video, I’ve come to realize that their films didn’t break the rules …

Everything I’ve learned about film and video over the past five weeks now needs to come together for a documentary. Most projects of this type take weeks, or event months, to plan and execute. From setting up interviews to shooting b-roll and cutaways, even a short documentary can be a huge undertaking. I’ve got two weeks! With this in mind, I’ve decided to make a “mockumentary” instead. A mockumentary is a genre of film making that showcases fictional events in the style of a documentary. Usually presented as comedy, it’s basically a fake documentary. But, because it uses the conventions …

From “crossing the line” to inappropriate jump cuts, YouTube and TikTok are flooded with videos that show exactly how NOT to shoot a basic sequence. The reason? Anybody with a smartphone can create, upload, and share an online video almost instantaneously. Ironically, many of these short social videos provide a great opportunity to showcase a well-planned sequence — specifically, the ubiquitous “how-to” video. Put simply, “how-to” videos provide viewers with detailed instructions to perform a task or learn a skill. Usually, step-by-step demonstrations are used to make complex processes easy to follow. Whether it’s learning to fix a leaky faucet …

Production and post-production in a week? I didn’t think it was possible. But, after carefully planning days to shoot, record audio, edit, and revise, a light began to blink at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I was excited to see the script and storyboard take shape.  Of course, there was also quite a bit of learning to do — I’ve never used Adobe Premier Pro before. After watching a few tutorials, researching various editing techniques, and reviewing some videos for editing inspiration, I was ready to dive in. The research helped to inform my approach, and provided the necessary, …

Composition is an essential skill for any creative, but it’s especially important for videographers. It frames the story, and shapes how audiences experience the film. Of course, many of the components are technical, like knowing how aperture and focal length can affect depth of field. But there are many creative choices as well, such as unexpected angles, framing decisions, and visual balance. Every decision behind the camera helps to set the mood and influences the viewer’s understanding of the content.  Classic guides like Tom Schroeppel’s, The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video, remind us that the principles of composition remain …

When I was eight or nine, I pretended to be a radio DJ by recording myself on VHS tape. I’d record a short introduction, then patiently wait for a song. This was before John Mellencamp added the “Cougar” to his name, and “Pink Houses” was regularly on repeat. Timing was everything — If I didn’t hit “Play” and “Record” together at exactly right time, I’d have to wait until my next favorite song. I soon discovered that, even at such a young age, I wasn’t a huge fan of hearing my own voice. I couldn’t pronounce my “Rs” correctly, which resulted …

When my commute to work was 45 minutes, I listened to podcasts all the time. It was a great way to stay informed, and I would arrive at the office feeling like I already accomplished something. After I left that job, though, the daily ride fell to five minutes, and my podcast journey was over. That is, until I was invited to join, As We Create, a podcast run by the CT Art Director’s Club. I’d never been so nervous in my life. I kept emailing the host, Michael Marques, to provide some of the questions ahead of time. Of course, …