Learn all the secrets to operate a videocamera or a DSLR camera and create professional videos.

From the technique of holding a camera to lenses selection and picture profiles: basic and advanced skills will be covered in the program.

The aim of the course is to train professionals in the field of video production, both for commercial and private endeavours. Videomaking is a skill required in any branch of promotion, and companies are creating positions such as that of “Video Content Managers” to satisfy the new communication request.

The course is held in cooperation with the production company “Daring House”, certified video supplier of some of the most known European media outlets. “Daring House” is also a film and video production company for cinema and TV.

DSLR or camcorders are not required to attend the course but are a strong plus in order to practice. Any model is accepted. The course will be based on a Sony FS5 and a Canon 5D Mark IV.

The program is made up of 8 lessons that will be held at the “Daring House” studio in Berlin Mitte and at the Klickoo foto-studios in Mitte.

Class 1

BASIC CONCEPTS AND TOOLS

1. What is filmmaking?

2. What does a filmmaker do?
3. Choosing your camera: Videocam vs. DSLR
4. Starting with an iPhone

Class 2

CAMERA I

1. Camera technology: how does a camera work
2. The right body stance to shoot without a tripod
3. A taste for shooting: how to build a shooting frame
4. Pan shots vs fixed
5. Video recording formats I

RIGS

1. What is a rig
2. Do you need a rig?
3. Rig vs. handheld

Class 3

CAMERA II – FOCUS AND FOCAL LENGTH

1. Manual focus: why is it so important
2. Focal length: what is the mm of a lens
3. Wide lenses (14-35mm) and when to use them
4. Portrait lenses (35-85mm) and when to use them
5. Close-up lenses (85-200mm) and when to use them
6. To zoom or not to zoom

Class 4

AUDIO I

1. Basics of audio recording
2. The audio environment and the right audio recording
3. Audio recording formats

AUDIO II – EXTERNAL VS. INTERNAL RECORDING

1. What will you need
2. How to create a decent in-camera recording
3. Using a gaffer vs. Spearmount
4. How to reconnect audio to video

Class 5

LIGHT TECHNIQUE I – NATURAL LIGHT

1. Why is light so important
2. Shooting with natural light
3. Positioning yourself and/or your subject
4. It’s not just the light – pay attention to the audio

CAMERA IV – ISO/GAIN

1. What is ISO/Gain
2. How to work with ISO/Gain
3. What ISO/Gain is better for my project?

Class 6

CAMERA V – FRAMERATE

1. What is the framerate?
2. 24fps and the cinema look
3. Shooting an action scene

LIGHT TECHNIQUE II – INTERVIEW LIGHT

1. What will you need
2. How to create a set with one light
3. How to create a set with two lights
4. How to create a set with three or more lights

Class 7

CAMERA VI – HOW DO ISO/GAIN, APERTURE AND FRAMERATE RELATE

1. The formula you shall remember
2. The quality of a lens: aperture
3. How to use the formula in documentary filmmaking

Class 8

PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS

1. Commercial vs. Professional cameras
2. The concept of bitrate
3. The concept of codecs
4. Ergonomics!

CAMERA VI – ND FILTERS

1. What is an ND filter
2. How to use them to achieve the look you want
3. ND filters and backlight

CAMERA VII – PICTURE PROFILES

1. What is a picture profile
2. How to choose the right one for your project

1. Tripods
2. Shoulder rigs
3. When handheld is better