Cinematography Masterclass: Videography + Cinematography from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Cinematography masterclass: learn video production, video lighting, filmmaking on any camera
Shoot beautiful video with any camera - from professional cinema to your iphone
Get paid to shoot video as a cinematographer / videographer
Expose properly with iso, shutter speed, and aperture

Light your set like a professional director of photography
Work and navigate a film set
Choose the right tools (camera, lights, stabilization)

Cinematography masterclass: learn video production, video lighting, filmmaking on any camera
Shoot beautiful video with any camera - from professional cinema to your iphone
Get paid to shoot video as a cinematographer / videographer
Expose properly with iso, shutter speed, and aperture
Light your set like a professional director of photography
Work and navigate a film set
Choose the right tools (camera, lights, stabilization)

Syllabus

Students will dive into some great tips on shooting better videos, and learn what this course is all about.

Welcome to the best online cinematography course. In this video, you'll get to meet Will Carnahan, a professional Hollywood cinematographer with a number of music videos, narrative films, documentaries, commercials, and corporate videos under his belt. Learn what this course is all about!

Let's dive right into learning to be a better cinematographer - how to shoot better video. This video tutorial shows you the top five tips for better cinematography. Right off the bat, you'll learn some very crucial tips to shooting better videos.

In this cinematography tutorial, let's cover the basics of what a cinematographer (also known as a director of photography) is and does.

The philosophy of a cinematographer is a great one. This is what Will shares with you in this cinematography course lesson.

Welcome to a new section on understanding the basics of the camera. Phil will introduce what you'll be learning in this section.

Here is a list of equipment that we use every day to make our own videos. Take it as suggested equipment that we love and trust. Of course there are other options out there, but we want to provide some direction to you.

In this video, Will covers the basics of choosing a camera in terms of film versus digital. While most people will be using digital cameras, it is important to understand the history of film because so much of what we do with digital cameras comes from how we used film cameras.

In this cinematography tutorial, we talk about the difference between DSLR, cinema, and mirrorless cameras. While DSLR cameras like the Canon 5D, Canon 7D, Nikon D800, and others changed the game in terms of taking digital video quality to the next level, now cameras made by Arri, RED, and Sony show the full capabilities of digital cinematography. The new kid on the block is the mirrorless camera like the Sony A7S, which makes shooting in low light possible unlike before.

This cinematography tutorial, we cover video resolution. As cameras get more and more powerful, the resolution of video gets better and better. But better resolution comes with more data and isn't always necessary. After watching this video, you'll know what resolution to choose and why.

In this cinematography tutorial, we talk about frame rate in the film and digital age. Understanding frame rate will help you get the cinematic quality you want or shoot for slow motion.

The lens is a very important part of your camera. Using a camera that allows interchangeable lenses like DSLR, cinema, and mirrorless cameras, gives you high quality cinematography with whatever camera you are using. Do you want a prime or a zoom? How does a lens speed affect depth of field? this is all covered in this video.

Since most of us don't shoot on film anymore, we need something to record the digital data that our camera reads. We use memory cards to do this. Memory card type - like SD and CF - and speed is important. We'll cover these topics in this video.

Throughout this course, we use the term latitude frequently. We'll explain what this means in this video.

Welcome to a new exercise lesson. We ask you to take action, which will help you learn. In this exercise, we ask you to put together your camera kit. It doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to be available for you to use for future challenges.

In this bonus lecture, Will goes over a typical cinema digital camera (the Sony FS7) with our friend Caleb who will be using it on a documentary/commercial shoot in Italy. Will goes over the main functions of the camera including all of the manual buttons Caleb will need to know. Now, we know this is a specific camera that most of you will not be using. But we thought it would be interesting for you to see an in depth camera overview. Most of the functions and buttons on this camera will appear on your camera in some shape or form. So try to understand the concepts behind the buttons, rather than just focusing on where the buttons are and if your camera is exactly the same or not. Hope you enjoy!

In this cinematography tutorial, we learn what ISO is and how it affects your exposure.

In this cinematography tutorial, we learn what the aperture is (also known as f-stop and iris), and how this affects exposure.

Please take a little break to leave a review for this course. Even though you are still in the middle of the course, we would appreciate a review so that other students can get your initial impressions. You can always change it later! Thanks!

Here is a downloadable guide to aperture sizes.

Now you know what ISO, shutter speed, and aperture are, we need to understand how to use your camera to adjust the exposure. In this video, we'll talk about using the waveform and exposure meters.

When you walk onto a set (or anywhere you film), how do you go about adjusting exposure. Here is how!

In this cinematography tutorial, we talk about shooting RAW video for better color correction.

Welcome to a new exercise lesson. We ask you to take action, and practice shooting video in two different situations.

Welcome to a new section on how to compose a better video shot. Phil will introduce what you'll be learning in this section.

In this cinematography tutorial, Will teaches you about what composition is. Composition is another key skill for all video creators to have. Let's first learn what composition is.

In this cinematography tutorial, we show you the different types of shots you can get. It is important to understand the differences, so that you can fully cover a scene with enough footage - whether you are shooting a documentary, wedding, commercial, or narrative.

In this cinematography tutorial, you'll learn how to get better rack focuses.

In this cinematography tutorial, Will gives advice on how to get better shots for narrative and commercial videos.

In this cinematography tutorial, Will gives advice on how to get better shots for documentary and event videos.

Here's a little bonus lesson that we shot with a good friend Caleb, a professional film producer who is learning how to be a cinematographer himself. In this video, we get to see Caleb ask Will about a project that he will be working on in the near future.

Taking your cinematography skills to the next level includes adding movement to your shots. In this video, Will will share the reasons why this will improve your videos.

In this video lesson, see some great examples of tripod shots to learn how to get better shots with your tripod.

In this video lesson, see some great examples of dolly shots and how to shoot your own.

In this video lesson, see some great examples of jib shots, which will make your cinematography top-notch.

In this video, we'll cover how we use drones as a cinematographer to really boost the quality of your video.

Welcome to a new section on how video lighting. Phil will introduce what you'll be learning in this section.

Lighting is an important part of cinematography. This video shows you why lighting can truly affect your videos.

In this cinematography tutorial, we learn about the different types of lights out there in terms of lighting temperatures.

Here's a downloadable light temperature chart, so that you can reference what types of lights you are using.

Here's a downloadable white balance symbol chart.

In this cinematography tutorial, we talk about how to power your lights. Wattage, amps, volts - this is all important to understand for cinematographers working on a film set.

In this cinematography tutorial, we look at different types of stands for lights.

In this cinematography tutorial, we talk about how to handle lights safely.

Welcome to a new section on video lighting. Phil will introduce what you'll be learning in this section.

Now that you've learned about the different types of lights, it's important to learn about why we light.

Here's a downloadable guide to help you remember how to shoot with the 3-point lighting style.

Welcome to a new section on how to make money as a cinematographer. Phil will introduce what you'll be learning in this section.

In this cinematography tutorial, Will Carnahan dives into the top ways that he finds work. These are exact ways that he is doing today to be a successful filmmaker, so listen up and take action!

In this cinematography tutorial, we give you advice on how to negotiate a rate. Choosing a rate, especially when starting out as a videographer or cinematographer can be really tough. So use these tips to get started!

This cinematography tutorial shows you how to get paid with an invoice. We've also included a sample invoice that you can use as a template when starting out.

This cinematography tutorial, we talk about taxes - and how important it is to save for taxes as a freelancer.

This cinematography tutorial covers how to charge as a freelancer - fixed price or hourly?

It is so important to have your own website and reel to get work. Will and Phil have found the most success by constantly creating videos and posting them online to share with the world. When someone is thinking about hiring you, they should ask for your website and/or video reel. So please take the time to create a beautiful website and reel of your own.

This cinematography tutorial, we talk about why networking is key. And speaking of networking, going to film festivals is a big part of networking as a cinematographer because that is where you will find directors and producers to work with.

Working for free might be the best way to kickstart your cinematography/videography career. But there are a few things to keep in mind if you do so. Learn more in this tutorial.

Learn how to use Adobe Premiere Pro's Lumetri Color to do color correction and grading.

Learn how to apply a LUT to your footage in Adobe Premiere Pro.

We appreciate you taking this course, and want to give you due recognition for following through!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches many elements of shooting video (composition, exposure, camera movement, lighting, audio), and is appropriate for a variety of skill levels, from beginners to experienced videographers

Provides opportunities to practice using equipment and techniques in exercises and challenges

Taught by two experienced cinematographers with multiple credits in a variety of video and film productions

Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee

May be somewhat expensive for some learners

Requires learners to have their own camera equipment, which may pose a barrier to entry for some learners

Reviews summary

Comprehensive videography and cinematography foundation

According to learners, this masterclass provides a comprehensive foundation in videography and cinematography, making complex topics clear and easy to understand. Students particularly praise the instructors' knowledge and teaching style, describing the course as straightforward and professional. While some find the course highly valuable for practical application and career guidance, a few suggest it might be better suited for beginners or could benefit from more advanced techniques or updated content.

Well-suited for those starting out.

"This course is perfect for anyone just getting into videography."

"I had very little prior knowledge, and this course gave me a great starting point."

"As a beginner, I found the pacing and content highly accessible."

"If you're new to the field, this provides a strong basic understanding."

Includes practical tips and job advice.

"The sections on finding work and charging clients were incredibly helpful."

"I appreciated the practical tips I could apply immediately."

"Learning about working on set and the business side was a valuable addition."

"The course provides actionable steps for improving your video skills and career."

Instructors are highly knowledgeable pros.

"Excellent course because instructor is very knowledgeable and he explained everything in a very clear English."

"The instructors clearly know their stuff and share valuable real-world experience."

"I felt confident learning from professional Hollywood cinematographers."

"Their expertise shines through in every lesson."

Covers a wide range of core topics.

"Great fundamentals, straight forward, professional."

"This course covers everything from camera basics to lighting and getting paid."

"I learned about exposure, composition, movement, and even the business side."

"It provides a solid overview of the essential aspects of cinematography."

Complex concepts are explained clearly.

"Everything they are talking about is very clear and easy to understand. The instructors do make anything boring and have really good facts."

"Excellent course because instructor is very knowledgeable and he explained everything in a very clear English."

"The explanations were precise and easy to follow, even when dealing with technical terms."

"I appreciated how the instructors broke down difficult ideas into manageable parts."

May lack depth for experienced users.

"While great for beginners, I felt it didn't go deep enough into advanced techniques."

"I was hoping for more complex lighting setups or color grading workflows."

"Experienced videographers might find some sections basic revision."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on specific advanced topics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cinematography Masterclass: Videography + Cinematography with these activities:

Read 'Made to Stick'

Show steps

This book is an excellent introduction to creating memorable and persuasive messages, perfect for anyone who wants to get their ideas heard.

View Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of... on Amazon

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Read the book and highlight key ideas.
Summarize the main points of each chapter.
Apply the principles of 'Made to Stick' to your own work.

Revise your knowledge of photography and lighting

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Revising the basics of photography will help you capture better footage and light your scenes more effectively.

Browse courses on Photography

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Review your notes or textbooks on photography and lighting.
Practice taking photos and adjusting lighting in different settings.

Review the basic principles of storytelling

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Reviewing the basic principles of storytelling will help you create videos that are more engaging and impactful.

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Read a book or article on storytelling.
Analyze a well-made film or video.

Five other activities

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Attend a workshop on filmmaking

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Attending a workshop is a great way to learn from experts and get hands-on experience with filmmaking equipment.

Browse courses on Filmmaking

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Find a workshop that fits your interests and budget.
Register for the workshop and prepare for the learning experience.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities.
Follow up with the instructors after the workshop to continue learning.

Practice shot composition and camera movement

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Practicing shot composition and camera movement will help you create more visually engaging videos.

Browse courses on Shot Composition

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Create a storyboard for a short video.
Set up your camera and practice different shot compositions.
Experiment with different camera movements, such as panning, tilting, and tracking.

Create a short video showcasing your skills

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Creating a video will help you solidify your understanding of the filmmaking process and showcase your skills to potential employers.

Browse courses on Video Editing

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Choose a topic for your video.
Write a script and storyboard.
Film and edit your video.
Share your video on social media or your portfolio.

Create a portfolio of your best work

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Creating a portfolio of your best work will help you showcase your skills to potential employers and clients.

Browse courses on Portfolio Development

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Select your best work to include in your portfolio.
Create a website or online portfolio to display your work.
Share your portfolio with potential employers and clients.

Plan and shoot a short film

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Planning and shooting a short film will give you the opportunity to apply all of the skills you've learned in this course.

Browse courses on Filmmaking

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Develop a concept and write a script for your short film.
Create a shot list and storyboard.
Gather a crew and equipment.
Shoot your film and edit it together.

Career center

Learners who complete Cinematography Masterclass: Videography + Cinematography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cinematographer

As a Cinematographer, you apply artistic and technical expertise to the filming of motion pictures, television shows, music videos, and commercials. You will often collaborate with directors and other crew members to determine the overall look and feel of a project. If you dream of working as a Cinematographer, then this course is the perfect fit, featuring lessons on everything from lighting to movement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cinematographer

Director of Photography

Directors of Photography are very similar to Cinematographers and work in the same roles for film, television, and other media. You'll have creative control over all things related to visual composition and are heavily involved in deciding how footage should be shot and recorded. If you want to pursue a career as a Director of Photography, this course provides a great overview of how to do just that.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Photography

Film and Video Editor

As a Film and Video Editor, you're a storytelling and media expert. This course helps you hone the 'storytelling' part of your skillset, teaching the basics of cinematography. Whether you're new to the field or just looking to refresh your understanding, this course provides a great foundation in cinematography for you to build upon.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film and Video Editor

Camera Operator

Camera Operators, in a more general sense, work in many fields. They use studio and motion picture cameras to shoot film and television shows. They also film live events, such as concerts, sports games, and speeches. But regardless of location or purpose, this course is a helpful start to understanding the basics of cinematography for any Camera Operator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Camera Operator

Television Camera Operator

Television Camera Operators use high-quality cameras to shoot footage for television and video programs. The fundamentals of shooting video in this course are useful for both film and television, so whether you're set on television work or not, you'll still find this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Television Camera Operator

Photographer

Photographers use their expertise in lighting and composition to take quality photos, similar to the cinematography techniques you'll learn in this course. Get a start on building your skillset with this course's comprehensive lessons and advice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Audio and Video Equipment Technician

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians install, maintain, and repair audio and video equipment. They often work on cameras and associated equipment, meaning a good understanding of cinematography basics, such as the ones you'll learn in this course, is a useful asset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio and Video Equipment Technician

Visual Effects Artist

As a Visual Effects Artist, you bring scenes to life in television shows and movies by creating digital imagery and effects. You'll need a strong understanding of cinematography techniques, such as those taught in this course, to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Effects Artist

Motion Picture Projectionist

Motion Picture Projectionists operate and maintain motion picture projection and sound reproduction equipment. Similar to Broadcast Technicians, they need to have a working understanding of cameras, and this course can help build that foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Picture Projectionist

Video Producer

Video Producers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of video production, from planning and budgeting to shooting and editing. While this course focuses on the cinematography aspect, it may be helpful in getting a start in producing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Producer

Broadcast Technician

Broadcast Technicians operate and maintain equipment used in the production and broadcasting of radio and television programs. To be truly successful, they need to understand the cameras they work with, and this course can begin building that foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast Technician

Stunt Coordinator

Successful Stunt Coordinators can direct action sequences, handle stunt performers, and instruct them on how to perform complex stunts. To do this, they need to be able to visualize action and movements, and this course may help them develop that ability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stunt Coordinator

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the design and production of movie and television sets, as well as other visual aspects of a production. This course may give you a better understanding of cinematography and lighting, which could be helpful when working in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Film Editor

While this course focuses more on the filming side of the video creation process, it may be helpful in building your knowledge for more advanced video editing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Editor

Lighting Designer

Although this course focuses on cinematography, the lighting lessons may be a helpful primer for Lighting Designers beginning their career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Designer