The ARRI SkyPanel’s Firmware 3.0 update will streamline the setup and workflow of your next shoot. It’s no secret that ARRI’s SkyPanel is one of the most versatile LED lights to hit the market in a while. That being said, with NAB in full blast, ARRI introduces the world t

We round up the latest camera lens announcements from NAB 2017. NAB is in full swing, and news about new cameras, gear, and accessories continue to drop. While trying to sift through all the chatter from some of the biggest brands in the industry, we focus in on the latest announcements and

SmallHD’s latest touch screen monitor is an affordable and practical way to view footage on set. All images via Behind the Screens. SmallHD recently announced their latest touchscreen monitor, the FOCUS, which can improve your videography workflow by allowing you to swipe through softw

Accurately plan your next green screen shoot with this technique. Every so often, I have to shoot a group of people against a green screen to later composite with a background element. I want to share an easy way to “spec” out the screen size and stage space required to film this foreground

Choosing the right lenses for your video production can make or break your project. This round-up of EF lenses can help you prepare for your next shoot. Before I show up on set, I take several preparatory steps to ensure that I can capture everything the client needs. It starts by asking mys

These real-world indie filmmaking production tips from Micah Barber will improve your next day-for-night shoot. All images via INTO THE WHO KNOWS! and DIFF. We chatted with filmmaker Micah Barber at the premiere of his film INTO THE WHO KNOWS! at the Dallas International Film Festival abou

A polarizing filter can add clarity and drama to your image, but when should you avoid it? Polarizing filters are venerable tools in every serious videographer’s toolkit. But how do they work, and when should you use one. First, the science. How Do Polarizing Filters Work? Visible lig

How-To videos are in demand. Learn how to secure clients and take advantage of this growing medium. The how-to video is changing the landscape of online video, and we, as filmmakers, no longer have to limit ourselves to old-school 30-second television ads. Since 2014, searches related to “h

Moon Shot, from executive producer JJ Abrams, is an exercise in compelling web content. The documentary web series Moon Shot covers the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a $30 million-dollar race to land a robot on the moon. Once there, the robot must travel 500 meters and send back HD video. All teams m

The best way to bring an entire crew together behind a single project is to share a vision. That’s where storyboards come in. Storyboards have been around for a long time. Think prehistoric cave paintings. In fact, some of my drawings look just like some of those ancient pictograms! On

Lean filmmaking is the successful budget formula for Oscar-nominated Producer Jason Blum. With hits like Whiplash, Get Out, and Paranormal Activity, Blum turns tiny budgets into blockbuster financial returns. By being unashamedly cheap, Jason Blum disrupted the classic Hollywood filmmaking

Unlock the hidden powers of cinematography by learning the three layers of shot composition: foreground, middleground and background. When you first pick up a camera and frame a shot, you instinctively look for certain things. You line up your subject and position them in their environment.

Some of the best demo reels of 2017 showcase the future of filmmaking. Its that wonderful time of year again where we take a look at the hard work of the top creators in the business. Whether it’s a big-budget commercial, a personal project, or an under-the-radar short film, the work

The long-awaited successor to the GH4 is finally here. Get the most out of your GH5 by adjusting these settings. This month the long-awaited successor to the GH4 finally became available. While there are some fantastic improvements to the model, we’re going to look at a few default settings

Background objects can create symbolism in your shot. Be aware of your framing and avoid unintentional messaging. Lines When your subject overlaps an object in the background, it can appear as if the two are connected. For example, a background object such as a pole or lamp can look as if i

Facebook is quickly becoming the future of online video. Learn how to get the most out of your Facebook video posts. To say Facebook is the future is an understatement. It’s the here and now of online users and digital audiences. And it’s only growing as a video hosting platform. Face

Create temporary title placeholders in Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X with these simple keyboard shortcuts. When you’re working with a deadline, it’s frustrating to interrupt your workflow to figure out the placement of titles or subtitles. Luckily, Premiere Pro and Final Cut

You’ve got an idea for a documentary, but you need funding. Writing a treatment is an essential part of fundraising.  Writing treatments is not the most glamorous part of the filmmaking process. However, they demonstrate your grasp of the story and its production. As such, a quality treatme

Here are five pieces of advice for managing gear — and yourself — when traveling internationally for a shoot. Traveling internationally is stressful enough. Passports, visas, even the proper toiletries in the proper toiletry-sized bag can all be causes of stress when you’re in that mile-long

Not just for streaming, 360-video creators can now sell 360-degree content on Vimeo. All images via Vimeo.  The major Vimeo updates just keep coming. Following the new video review pages and Premiere Pro panel, Vimeo has now gone full 360! Today Vimeo takes on immersive storytelling with su