Filmmaking Techniques: Camera Settings for Storytelling

Filmmaking allows us to capture stories that matter and, a great story deserves to be captured with sound filmmaking settings and techniques. This is a part of what makes them look cinematic (Just another way of saying it looks like the movies). It’s incredibly important that we learn how to use our cameras and their settings in order to create cinematic imagery to assist the stories we want to tell. In this class, we will do just that!

I’m Sean Dykink, and I’ve been in the filmmaking field for just over 10 years in all aspects of production. Throughout my life, I’ve always had a passion to tell stories, ideas would flood my mind, essay assignments would turn into filmmaking projects. My natural curiosity for filmmaking pushed me to discover filmmaking techniques to accompany and enhance the stories I was telling. 

Perhaps you have the same passion? You are filled with ideas, and a desire to make them happen, yet, when you pick up your phone, mirrorless, or DSLR camera to film your brilliant ideas, they fall to pieces, don't reach their full potential. and you get discouraged that the quality vision in your mind’s eye doesn’t match the end result. Don’t be so hard on yourself, try again, and take this class while doing so!

In this class, I want to help inspire you to gain a deeper understanding of camera settings, and how to practically apply them to your work and storytelling.

What will you learn in this class?

Get in-depth learning of essential camera settings

• Understanding the what and why of camera settings
  • Aperture, Shutterspeed, ISO, Frame Rates, White Balance, Focus, Picture Profiles, 

• How to apply these settings practically for filmmaking

Learn how camera settings assist in storytelling

• What is a story?
• Manipulate depth of field, shutter speed, frame rate, white balance, and focus for creative storytelling

Practical Steps for a successful image

• Step by step process for deciding the best settings for your story sequence
• Tips and tricks to get you a great looking image

Who is this class for?

This class is mainly for beginners, who want in-depth knowledge and understanding of camera settings. If you do have some knowledge of how to use your camera already, you may find the storytelling aspects and tips scattered throughout to be helpful.

What do you need before taking this class?

• A mirrorless, DSLR, or cinema camera capable of shooting video
• iPhone or android equipped with an app that allows manual mode

After taking this class…

You will have a much deeper understanding of using your camera, its settings, and how they play into storytelling. Having a deeper understanding will help you feel more comfortable when approaching different challenges in filmmaking, and give you the tools to practice, practice, practice!