10 Tips to Shooting Cinematic SMARTPHONE Videos

Full Time Filmmaker

Full Time Filmmaker

23 min, 53 sec

A comprehensive guide to filming professional-looking videos on a smartphone.

Summary

  • Covers equipment, settings, and techniques for enhancing smartphone video quality.
  • Provides recommendations for best smartphone gear, camera apps, and additional accessories.
  • Details on getting the right exposure, focus, and smooth cinematic movements.
  • Discusses the importance of lighting, composition, shooting to edit, and capturing professional audio.
  • Introduces 'Smartphone Video Pro' course for in-depth learning.

Chapter 1

Introduction to Cinematic Smartphone Videos

1:49 - 1 min, 43 sec

Jake introduces the concept of shooting cinematic videos using smartphones and the associated mini course.

Jake introduces the concept of shooting cinematic videos using smartphones and the associated mini course.

  • Jake from fulltimefilmmaker.com shares tips for shooting videos with a smartphone.
  • Mentions the 'Smartphone Video Pro' mini course for detailed learning.
  • Clarifies that while phones aren't as good as cinema cameras, they can still produce competitive images.

Chapter 2

Selecting the Best Smartphone Gear

3:32 - 1 min, 56 sec

Guidance on choosing the right smartphone, stabilizer, and manual camera apps to improve footage quality.

Guidance on choosing the right smartphone, stabilizer, and manual camera apps to improve footage quality.

  • Recommends Apple and Samsung as top smartphone choices for video quality.
  • Highlights the DJI Osmo Mobile 4 as a preferred stabilizer.
  • Suggests using manual camera apps like Moment for iPhones or Filmic Pro for Android.

Chapter 3

Additional Smartphone Accessories

5:28 - 1 min, 50 sec

Explains the importance of ND filters, lenses, tripods, microphones, and portable battery chargers.

Explains the importance of ND filters, lenses, tripods, microphones, and portable battery chargers.

  • Discusses using ND filters for motion blur and choosing third-party lenses for more shooting options.
  • Advises getting a tripod for static shots and a microphone for better audio quality.
  • Recommends having a portable charger to manage battery life during shoots.

Chapter 4

Smartphone Camera Settings

7:18 - 2 min, 13 sec

Outlines the optimal camera settings for shooting cinematic footage on smartphones.

Outlines the optimal camera settings for shooting cinematic footage on smartphones.

  • Suggests shooting in 4K resolution at 24 frames per second for a cinematic look.
  • Emphasizes manual control over white balance, ISO, and shutter speed using third-party camera apps.
  • Discusses the use of ND filters to correct motion blur and maintain natural motion.

Chapter 5

Achieving Correct Exposure

9:31 - 1 min, 11 sec

Highlights techniques for ensuring proper exposure to avoid overexposed or constantly changing footage.

Highlights techniques for ensuring proper exposure to avoid overexposed or constantly changing footage.

  • Recommends adjusting exposure based on the overexposed areas and locking it before shooting.
  • Covers challenges with backlit subjects and ways to address them with or without additional light sources.

Chapter 6

Focus and Smooth Movements

10:42 - 3 min, 21 sec

Discusses the use of autofocus, manual focus locking, and techniques for achieving smooth camera movements.

Discusses the use of autofocus, manual focus locking, and techniques for achieving smooth camera movements.

  • Explains when to rely on autofocus and when to lock focus manually.
  • Shares tips on gimbal operation and practices for smooth, cinematic shots.

Chapter 7

Lens Choices and Composition

14:02 - 5 min, 1 sec

Covers the use of different focal lengths and composition techniques for cinematic storytelling.

Covers the use of different focal lengths and composition techniques for cinematic storytelling.

  • Describes the benefits of having multiple built-in lenses or using third-party lenses.
  • Gives composition tips such as filling the frame, using the rule of thirds, and incorporating leading lines.

Chapter 8

Shooting to Edit and Capturing Audio

19:04 - 4 min, 44 sec

Emphasizes the importance of planning shots for editing and capturing high-quality audio.

Emphasizes the importance of planning shots for editing and capturing high-quality audio.

  • Encourages pre-planning and shooting with the final edit in mind.
  • Stresses the need for professional audio to accompany visuals, using external mics when necessary.

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