So you want to become a new cinematographer? Read here

Dec 29, 2010

Lately the number of cinematographer from Malaysia is increasing rapidly and I am sure that some of it are reading this. Here I will share with you what it takes to join in to become a cinematographer.  I may looks easy and enjoyable, but to let you know it is not as easy as you think. I will explain why. In my case, I would share with you in term of vDSLR videographer.

Know the equipment first

Im not going to introduce you one by one the video equipment for this vDSLR thing. Simple tips, you just go to any online shop that sells video thing such as directphoto and EOS Boutique and learn from there. Why they use the thing, what is the function, all are included when you google the thing. Now you start to wonder if you buy all the video things and do the video like a pro. haha. just the main thing is you got no money. rite? Now comes up the well planned investment.

Investment

Of course anything regarding video needs investment. Choose equipment that the most important and cost effective for your future use. The first thing, video camera itself. I am choosing Canon as I am using it right now and specifically 550D. Not too bad but its okay for any videographer. RM2000 – RM3000 for the camera. The quality is of course not so good as 5D mk2 and other in line camera with it, but I am sure that along the process of learning, you will find that 550D is good for you. When you gets enough experience with 550D, I am very sure that you can make money and add some more money to have a better camera such as 7D and 5D mk 2. You just need patience. Its cool to starts anything with a basic so that u will know every single detail along the process of learning. Don’t be too shy, just go with it and have fun!

One more thing about investment is your creativity. To get a very smooth video with great cinematography, you need a high quality equipment. Tracker, stabilizer, monitoring system, jib arm/ crane; all of this require a very high cost. Of course you can find a very good equipment such as glidecam, kessler crane, varavon slider and so on. But it is advisable if you can make it DIY. The main thing about DIY is just a lot cost effective compared to others equipment. You can just Google the basic concept of all equipment and everything there. Just that the difference is your idea and creativity.

As an example, I am get to use with basic idea of panning. To buy slider or tracker is of course expensive. Just use any smooth cover books and put your camera on top of the books, then you just slide it. Not so smooth? Add some powder on it and it will be better. Further trial will gets you better. Also same with my stabilizer, last time I just used the tripod that act like a monopod. The main concept of stabilizer is you just need to hold it at the middle point of the weight. When you get the point where the weight is same, everything will get smooth. Well, not so smooth but I believe it is better then nothing.

Now I starts with a not so expensive flycam 5000. You can get about RM1.1k around EOS boutique. Dont worry if you got tight budget, you can go for flycam nano. It is suitable for light camera such asa Canon 550d. Just in my case, I bought for further investment which is I want in some day to buy a better camera (7d of 5d) then flycam nano is not suitable anymore.

Get in a team

This is important. Why? First of course in video production you can’t work alone. Don’t be master in everything of you will find yourself a looser. It is good to have you know everything but it is nicer if you focus on some part and master it. The quality will be there. Getting in a team will also increase the interest in you area. You will get better discussion and surrounding.

PS: Maybe this post dont really helps you a lot. But this is what I learned during my first stage of handling camera. Trust me, I wrote with my experience.