A green screen has many uses in a production. Whether it’s for the sake of comedy, instruction, or storytelling, a green screen can increase a project’s production value. However, using one correctly can be tricky. Here are a few helpful tips for lighting and keying out green screen

Video editors cutting projects like documentaries will find a variety of video formats, file types, codecs, frame rates, and resolutions in any given project. Sometimes, you may be lucky enough that everything falls into the timeline perfectly, but odds are that some type of problem will ar

One of the advantages of working in a platform like Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premiere Pro is keyboard shortcuts. If you edit video for a living, you know how much time keyboard shortcuts can save. Here are a few easy-to-remember Final Cut Pro X keyboard shortcuts just waiting

A beautiful sky can take any image to a whole new level. However, there are quite a few challenges when it comes to capturing beautiful skies in your scenes. Most of the time, skies end up overexposed, and when they don’t, the sky is often simply uninteresting. We’ve all taken photos and v

The very first (read: fourth) Star Wars film premiered 40 years ago. And, despite exceptional advancements in VFX since then, the early installments of the franchise have stood the test of time. This is largely due to their reliance on practical effects and a sense of grounded realism. These fea

As filmmakers, we must often create the unreal and fantastical look like everyday life. One of the oldest tricks in a filmmaker’s repertoire is projection — a technology that grew from a very simple concept into an impressive application. Let’s explore the history of projection technology,

For both hobbyists and professionals, filmmaking can be very expensive. While there are some inexpensive options out there, cameras usually range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. High-quality lenses are also often expensive — not to mention everyday gear like tripods, mounts, au

From a black screen, we fade in on an aerial shot of the New York City skyline at sundown. In the background plays an atmospheric, contemporary track that matches the visual perfectly. Then finally, a warm-hued lens flare appears from the side of the frame to add a little cinematic impact. In a

Cinecom.net has brought us another helpful video tutorial on film production prep. Failure to prepare adequately before you walk on set can lead to wasted hours, money, and professional relationships. These tips will ensure you get the most of your time when it really matters.   Step 1. C

Whether you’re working on a personal passion project or capturing footage for a client, making the trek out to a location can be difficult if you don’t pack smart. Here are a few viable gear options you can use on your next documentary shoot. Tripod Whether you’re going to be

When we released our Creative Trends report in early 2017 we included four trends shaping the look and feel of video across industries. Based on Shutterstock search data and expert insights from our video team, these footage trends outline the styles and subjects that will dominate the landscape

You could make the argument that a movie’s soundtrack is just as crucial to telling the story as the actual screenplay. The score gives the audience cues for how, when, and what to feel. A good soundtrack can make a movie stand out — just like a bad soundtrack can ruin a movie. Marvel̵

Here’s a fun Oscars fact: from 1981 to 2013, every Best Picture winner had also been nominated for the Film Editing Academy Award. That’s thirty-three consecutive years that neatly ties excellence in film editing with a film’s ultimate success. From Conrad A. Nervig‘s wor

Every editor should have a variety of video assets, plug-ins, presets, and music at their disposal. Build up your video editor toolbox with all these free assets and plugins. From overlays and LUTs that change the look of your image, to transitions and plug-ins to help you edit more effectively

Have a machine that can’t handle 4K footage? Maybe you want to edit faster on a laptop while on the go. Consider an offline editing workflow to help speed up the process — without killing your computer’s processing power. What Is Offline Editing? [sstk-pullquote align=”right

One of the most important aspects of video editing is compiling and organizing all the content at the beginning of the post-production process. An editor receives a jumbled mess from the filmmakers and pieces together the end result. Although this seems like a daunting task, many editors welcome

The NAB Show returns April 22-27, 2017 in Las Vegas. The largest professional broadcast, video production, and post-production show always has plenty to offer. Here is a look at the most promising presentations, speakers, and must-attend events. There is a ton to see and do and the NAB Show, so

When jumping into a documentary project, the most important decision a documentary filmmaker has to make is which camera to use. This is because documentary filmmaking requires a much greater range of coverage than narrative or commercial filmmaking. It also requires greater flexibility and reso

Oh, the perils of documentary filmmaking. Where should one begin when trying to recommend lenses for fellow documentarians? There’s just so much to consider, and every documentary is different. So before we get into lenses, let’s narrow down a few things. Documentary filmmaking, unli

Documentaries come in all shapes in sizes. Some explore grand themes and major events, while others address intimate issues and personal stories. As such, depending on your story, documentary interview setups will range in size. To prepare for any scenario, let’s explore these tips and best prac