Shooting outdoors brings a series of unique challenges with it, whether you’re making a short video for YouTube or shooting a scene for your next movie. Outdoor environments cannot be controlled or altered as easily as studio setups, so you have to think on your feet and solve potential problems before they interfere with your shots. Whether you’re a total novice to filmmaking or have been making your own movies for a while, mastering outdoor cinematography is a highly valuable skill. Learn the dos and don’ts of shooting in the great outdoors, and experiment with equipment that will enhance your...

The SnorriCam is a type of body mount that produces the opposite effect of a Steadicam. It goes on the actor’s body, producing a wobbling effect as it follows their movements. It’s grown so popular in Hollywood that “SnorriCam” has become the name of the technique as well! Learn more about what a SnorriCam is and when you should use one in your movie. What Is It? A SnorriCam is also called a chest cam, body cam, or body mount. Two Icelandic filmmakers named Eiður Snorri and Einar Snorri (no relation to one another) first developed the mount. The SnorriCam...

The movement and angles of your camera are powerful storytelling tools. If you’re accustomed to leaving your camera on a tripod in one place for the duration of a shoot, why not try these unique camera angles in your next film? These shots can help you achieve the mood you’re going for and subtly influence your audience’s emotions as they watch your movie. Tracking Shot If you want to follow a character as they walk down a long hallway or approach another character, affix your camera to a dolly. The dolly will help you move your camera smoothly down a...