From Photographer to Filmmaker in 16 Minutes

Name: From Photographer to Filmmaker in 16 Minutes
Rating: 4.5 (19 reviews)

All you need to know to make the picture to motion picture transition and start shooting cinematic, story-driven films.

Created byDandan Liu

Last updated 1/2022

English

What you'll learn

Know how to build on your photographic knowledge and learn the additional essentials needed to make cinematic motion pictures and edit with Adobe Premiere Pro.
Know how to approach the key differences in visual storytelling between photography and filmmaking in your shot planning, particularly with emphasis to continuity.
Learn how to capture high quality sound, enhance your audio recording environment, and two essential audio tricks you'll need for smooth editing.
You will have all the knowledge and a complete roadmap to make the photographer to filmmaker transition.

Course content

2 sections • 28 lectures • 1h 2m total length

Course Intro1:42
Learn to transition from photographer to filmmaker with concise lessons on cinematography. These practical, straight-to-the-point lessons cover editing and planning, making films in under an hour.
From Photography to Cinematography: 3 Main Differences in Camera1:43
Explore three differences between photography and filmmaking—exposure, image stabilization, and camera movement—and manual exposure with exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). Standard cinema uses 23.97/24 fps to yield motion blur.
Cinematic Shutter Speed1:08
Set the frame rate first and keep shutter speed fixed at twice that rate, such as 24 fps and 1/48, then use aperture and ISO, with ND filters to darken.
Image Stabilization0:46
Keep shots stable to maintain continuity of frames by using a tripod and leveling, and use a slider or gimbal to compensate for shake, unless a handheld look is intentional.
Focus1:09
Master focus in cinematography by understanding focus direction, practicing pre-roll focusing, and using focus picking to keep moving subjects sharp at high focal lengths.
Differences in Visual Storytelling3:38
Discover how to translate photography into filmmaking by prioritizing continuity, shot planning, and shooting for the edit with emphasis on close-ups, longer takes, and smooth transitions.
Intro to Audio0:50
Master audio to elevate your film by recording great sounding audio with mics, optimizing your recording space, and applying two essential tricks to smooth audio in the edit.
How to Record High Quality Sound2:00
Clip left mic at the sternum, 6–8 inches below the mouth. Point up; use external recorder, set wav 48 kHz 16 bit, test levels -12 to -6 dB.
How to Optimize Your Sound Space1:16
Choose a quiet recording space and minimize competing noises by turning off appliances and doors. Use carpeted rooms or soft surfaces, rugs, and thick fabrics to absorb echo.
Two Essential Audio Tricks for Editing1:36
Master two essential audio tricks for editing: record 30 seconds of room tone before and after scenes to smooth cuts, and clap at scene start to sync audio and video.

Intro to Editing0:24
Learn the editing process using Adobe Premiere Pro 30-day free trial, with a step-by-step walkthrough illustrated by a tofu maker video.
Editing Case Study0:44
Edit a crowdfunding video for a Maine tofu company using a transcript and a paper edit to guide story, blending Jeff's talking head with supporting b-roll in the edit suite.
The Premiere Pro Interface1:09
Explore the Premiere Pro interface, featuring the preview window, timeline, monitor, project panel, toolbar, and audio meter, and learn how to place, cut, and arrange clips while monitoring audio levels.
Importing Footage3:21
Create a new project, organize imports into video, audio, and assets folders with subcategories like interviews, then import footage and audio, handling import failures and continuing.
Setting Up A Sequence1:02
Import your footage and drag it onto the timeline to start the edit, then create a rough cut sequence that auto-matches camera settings at 23.976 fps and 1920x1080.
Placing Clips on Timeline2:07
Drag interview footage from the project bin onto the timeline, mark in and out points, and drag video and audio separately onto their tracks to prepare for syncing.
Syncing Audio with Video1:42
Sync external audio with video by placing clips on the timeline, using synchronize with audio and mixdown, then fine-tune timing by nudging 1-2 ms.
Making Cuts3:31
Learn how to create a rough cut by selecting talking points, cutting clips into a new sequence, and labeling each clip with a slug to organize your timeline.
Adding B Roll6:08
Add b-roll to your a-roll to enhance the story and create visual engagement, using clips like soybeans and farmer's market shots, timed with music.
Adding Music4:19
Choose music by emotion and rhythm, matching pace to the video and avoiding a single track; explore Audio Network for mood-aligned, licensed pieces that enhance the story.
Cutting Music3:54
Match the b-roll to the music track by cutting to the beat, using bell and cello cues to guide transitions from outside to inside shots, and optimize dialogue timing.
Adding Transitions4:19
Smooth choppy footage by adding video transitions like cross dissolve and dip to black, and apply audio transitions such as exponential fade to soften music and dialogue.
Level Your Audio4:07
Keep audio levels between negative 12 and negative 6 decibels, adjust using waveforms, and use the pen tool to balance music and interview for consistency.
Export!1:49
Export your video by marking in and out points, export media with the H.264 YouTube 1080p HD preset, and export with maximum render quality to a QuickTime file.
Bonus: Ken Burns Effect2:49
Learn to bring photos to life with the Ken Burns effect by adding subtle left-to-right movement and scale changes through keyframes in your timeline.
Bonus: Adding Titles2:17
Add text or subtitles by creating a new title, naming it, choosing fonts and sizes, and placing it on the timeline; save titles to your assets folder for reuse.
Bonus: Warp Stabilizer1:43
Learn to stabilize handheld footage using Premiere Pro's Warp Stabilizer, access the effect in the effects panel, apply it to clips, and use the analyze button to smooth the shake.
Course Conclusion1:10
Finish the photographer to filmmaker transition and deepen filmmaking and storytelling skills. Explore additional courses, including a modern cinematic documentary with soul, to study character driven storytelling and engaging visuals.

Requirements

A foundation in photography, namely, familiarity with manual exposure and composition.

Description

Are you a photographer wanting to get into filmmaking?

While you may feel intimidated by the filmmaking process, as a photographer, you already have most of the foundational essentials needed to make motion pictures. There are just a few other things you'll need to learn to make the photographer to filmmaker transition. This course presents this essential knowledge, from camera, to audio, to visual storytelling, to teach you how to make cinematic, story-driven films and make the transition to motion picture. Unlike other filmmaking courses, which start at ground zero with camera basics, this course is tailored to photographers who already have a firm foundation in manual exposure and composition.

All lessons in this course are designed to be applicable, get straight-to-the-point, and use minimal equipment.

By the end of this course, you will have a complete roadmap and all the knowledge needed to go out there and start making films!

Who this course is for:

Photographers who want to learn how to make motion pictures and make cinematic, story-driven films that resonate both visually and emotionally.

From Photographer to Filmmaker in 16 Minutes

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

From Photography to Cinematography: Key Differences in Shooting10 lectures • 16min

Editing18 lectures • 47min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: