Cuts and Transitions 101

Lots of great examples of cuts and transitions in this video...

Using Your Slider as a Jib

There are a number of ways you can get a jib or crane type shot using just your slider and a tripod head.

One way is to put your slider at an angle on your tripod head and then put your camera at a 90 degree angle on a tripod head (or ball head) on the slider. This allows you to level out your camera as the movement goes up and down.

That allows you to get a shot like this...

Or like this...

Notice that there is always a foreground element that helps the viewer see the vertical movement. 

Using a Slider to Get into a Dream

To get into a dreamer's head try pushing forward on a slider towards the subject. Put your camera on the tripod head at 90 degrees to normal so that you can get rotation (Dutch angle) on the push forward. It gives you the sense that you're entering the weirdness of a dreamer's mind.

How to Use Split Screen

Here are some interesting examples of split screen that I like.

In this scene from Jackie Brown, Max Cherry goes about his evening after a date with Jackie when he realizes his gun is missing from the glove compartment. At that moment, we hear the sound of a gun cocked as Ordell (Samuel Jackson) is trying to strangle Jackie. It's a nice use of split screen for a dramatic reveal.



This scene from Indiscreet (1958) stars Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. It reminds me of Skype conversations with my girlfriend, but the split screen device was likely used to circumvent censorship laws. It provides a sense of intimacy while keeping the characters separated.



I've seen this next device from The Rules of Attraction used in a number of films in a variety of ways. Essentially the two characters start their days in split screen until they end up in the place where they meet.

The 3 over 1 rule - Wrapping a present

Here is a great approach to shooting for dynamic effect: http://stillmotionblog.com/h234hs23dkw21/

Here is a short video I did in this same style:

How to Make a Web Series

Developing a web series may be the way to start producing film and getting recognition. Here's an article that outlines some of the basics by the producers of  the award winning Perfect Girls series:

http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/tutorials/how-to-make-web-series-people-will-watch/

Also take a look at this article on how to create music for your web series:

http://bananamanafilms.com/how-to-write-music-for-your-web-series/

Types of Shots - A Visual Guide

Here's a good visual reference to various types of shots...

With Close Up (version 2) I like framing with the top of frame above the eyebrows so that the eyes sit at the one third line below the top of the frame and the bottom of the chin about a third from the bottom. When we are talking to someone, this is the area of the face we focus on - eyes to lips - and this should take the center stage in the frame (vertically, but not necessarily horizontally).

See LA Filmmaker for a nice blog post on framing closeups.