Make Your Boring Life Cinematic

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses overcoming creative burnout and the process of filming oneself. The key takeaway is that cinematic content doesn't need perfection, especially with lighting—natural light and practicals can be enough. The video emphasizes the importance of finding unique perspectives, using the 'shot it' acronym to guide your shots, and adding small set design tweaks to enhance the environment. It also highlights the power of music to match the video's vibe and the use of b-roll to create engaging content. Finally, color grading is crucial to give the footage a polished, cinematic look.

Takeaways

• 😀 Filming yourself can help reignite creative passion and make you a better filmmaker.
• 😀 Overthinking, especially about lighting, can be a major obstacle to creating content. Focus on using natural light and practicals instead of artificial lighting.
• 😀 When shooting yourself, prioritize lighting the space rather than focusing on lighting the face to achieve cinematic results.
• 😀 Adjust your camera angle to make the most of natural light, especially in tight or medium shots where the lighting needs to be creatively adapted.
• 😀 Unique and unexpected perspectives, such as shooting from low or high angles, make your content more interesting and visually engaging.
• 😀 The acronym 'SHOT IT' (Standout, Hero, Opening, and Texture) helps to remember key shots: capturing the hero, establishing the scene, and highlighting small details.
• 😀 Set design doesn't need to be perfect. Small changes, like adding props or practical lights, can elevate the scene without requiring a large setup.
• 😀 Filming in your own environment is a unique advantage, as it adds personal branding and authenticity to your content.
• 😀 Choosing the right music to match the vibe of your video is crucial. Music creates emotional connections that make your content resonate with viewers.
• 😀 Building a personal b-roll library by filming everyday activities allows you to have flexible footage for future projects without needing to plan every shot.
• 😀 Color grading is the final touch to make your videos look cinematic and professional. A signature look or LUT can further enhance your content's visual appeal.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the creator faces when filming themselves?

The main challenge is overthinking the process, particularly with lighting. The creator initially struggled with making everything perfect, which led to creative burnout and not filming at all.

How can natural lighting be used effectively when filming yourself?

Natural lighting can be used by relying on windows and practical lights. The creator suggests using natural light and eliminating the need for artificial lights in personal projects to simplify the process and avoid overthinking.

What is the key concept to remember when lighting a scene for cinematic videos?

The key concept is to focus on lighting the space rather than just the subject's face. A well-lit environment will naturally highlight the subject without needing excessive lighting equipment.

Why does the creator recommend filming from unique angles?

Filming from unique angles adds unpredictability and interest to the video. It breaks the monotony of standard shots and makes the video more visually engaging for the audience.

What does the acronym 'SHOT IT' stand for, and how is it helpful in filmmaking?

'SHOT IT' stands for Standout, Hero, Opening, and Texture. This acronym helps filmmakers remember to capture a variety of shots that will add clarity, depth, and creativity to the video.

What are 'hero shots' and why are they important?

Hero shots highlight the subject or action in an epic, clear way. They are important because they visually emphasize key moments or actions, helping the audience understand the significance of the scene.

How can set design be simplified when filming yourself?

Set design can be simplified by using your existing environment and adding small props, like plants or practical lights, to enhance the scene. You don’t need a perfect setup to create cinematic content.

What camera equipment does the creator use, and why is it mentioned?

The creator uses the Sony FX3 camera with a 20mm lens and a simple tripod. This is mentioned to show that expensive gear isn't necessary for creating high-quality cinematic content—creativity and technique are more important.

How does the creator recommend choosing music for videos?

The creator recommends using Musicbed, which offers curated tracks from real artists and composers, ensuring the music matches the emotional tone of the video. This avoids the use of generic stock music that can feel disconnected from the video’s vibe.

What is the advantage of building a personal b-roll library?

Building a personal b-roll library allows you to quickly access and incorporate footage from everyday moments, making it easier to add context and depth to your videos without needing to reshoot.