Filmmaking

Exploring Cinematic Excellence with Josh Emerick: A Podcast Journey

Join us in our latest podcast episode featuring Josh Emerick, a renowned cinematographer and educator, as we delve into the nuances of film production, client management, and career growth in the film industry.

Strike a balance

“Some people may not find financial benefit in doing what they absolutely love to do. So the idea is doing something that you really care about, and that means something to you, but that also allows you to live a life and have a family. and do the things you wanna do.”

In this clip from episode 67 of our podcast, Aman Johnson uses examples in his reasoning to share why people should find a balance between doing what they love to do and doing something that financially sustains themselves.

Aman Johnson is a producer, director, and founder of Johnson Media Co., a video production company specializing in storytelling in commercial, documentary, and narrative work.

Listen to this episode again as we talk about how his experience in architecture helped him with his confidence and problem-solving skills for his business and how he attentively listens to his clients’ stories to resonate with them to help him with his process. We also share the value of learning new skills and showing kindness to others to increase personal growth.

Find episode 67 on Apple Podcasts How His Background in Architecture Influences His Creative Business, Resonating With Client Pain Points, And The Value of Learning New Skills

Framing and Composition Basics for Video Content

Do you need to practice your film composition and framing? Learn how to present the elements in your frame to create visually appealing shots, evoke emotion, and let your audience know what’s going on in your scene. Apply these framing basics: rule of thirds, eyelines, 180-degree rule, headroom, depth, symmetry, and lines to guide your audience on the story and theme of your scene. Follow our tips and guidelines for the basics of framing and composition in this clip from our video content course.

How To Light Videos Correctly with 3-Point Lighting

How can you have your subject lit properly for a shoot? Using a 3-point lighting kit will solve your lighting problem with ease. Position the three lights: key light, fill light, and back/hair light, in such a way that highlights the subject in the scene. The lights placement can be based on what you're filming and the mood you're portraying. In this clip from our video content course, we explain the 3-point lighting setup, how each light functions, and our suggestions for capturing the best light.

How To Shoot Videos Properly Outdoors

Does your video shoot call for exterior shots? Filming outdoors has many benefits to take advantage of, such as the location and lighting. However, filming outdoors requires certain elements to fulfill before filming your video. Reviewing the location, the time of day, and the types of camera equipment you may need are some factors into preparing for your outside shoot, so you will know if you need permits, an external power source, lens, or other equipment, for example. Don’t let the birds chirping, the cars driving past you, or the endless amount of rules and regulations you have to follow deter you from filming outside. In this clip from our video content course, view what gear and documents you need to secure a proper shoot outdoors.

Successful Stories Behind The Scenes Shot

Let's gather round the campfire and watch this successful behind the scenes shot and edit below by 9 Pandas and Ivan Krasnyi. 🏆

Anticipate This Before You Hire a Video Marketing Agency

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Don’t have enough time in your busy schedule to implement videos in your content strategy? Have you decided to hire a video marketing company to help tell your company’s stories but don’t know what to expect? A video marketing agency works with you to hone in on a strategy that aligns with your goals to create content that connects with your audience. As you search for a company, research their previous projects to get an understanding of their production process during the pre-production, production, and post-production of the video creation process.

In the pre-production phase, a video marketing agency will plan out the strategy for the video campaign and can collaborate on how the video can fit into your marketing strategy through a call-to-action or social media posts, for example. From the type of videos to the content in the video, the agency will help you decide the right plan for your company. Once the video is planned out and is ready for filming, the production phase takes over. The production phase with a video marketing agency is similar to if you were to hire a video production company, in the sense that the video marketing company is responsible for scheduling the shoot, hiring cast and crew, and setting up the set to film.

It is the post-production phase that, once again, sets a video production company apart from a video marketing agency. The editing is not just the main component of post-production. The video marketing agency continues to work towards your goals after the video is completed by either making the video description SEO friendly, increasing engagement, or increasing revenue. A video marketing agency understands the importance of video consumption in your business. Now that you know what to expect when hiring a video marketing agency, you won’t have to worry about if the video aligns with your current marketing strategy.

Written by Dave Grendzynski What To Expect When You Hire a Video Marketing Agency

How To Delegate Roles To Create Better Quality Videos

Video creators of today can accomplish more than massive film crews of yesterday. 

The videographer or “one man band” can do more than most film crews could do 10+ years ago. Lighting, sound, producing, directing, editing, and camera operating - it’s just part of the package these days.  Technology has made it easier for people to create awesome videos without having to hire a massive crew. From cameras to editing software, one person can create a beautiful video from beginning to end. 

It shouldn't always be like this because delegating certain tasks and roles is the best way to enhance quality, productivity, and mental health - trust me, doing everything by yourself is exhausting.  

Videos don’t have to be expensive and most videographers can handle it on their own, making it easier for some companies to work with. Just because there’s a small crew, it doesn’t mean the quality is worse than a bigger one - it’s all in the people. 

Create Videos Without Needing Film School

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You don’t need film school to be great at video content.

Have you ever stopped yourself from making videos because you thought you weren’t educated enough to create something people would watch? As a film graduate and Youtuber, I’ve found that film school isn’t necessary to create amazing video content. I’ve found that you can become an outstanding video creator if you watch classic and current films and TV shows, study trends online, find a mentor or experienced crew to teach you, and learn by practicing consistently. 

What if you just want to make videos for marketing your products?  Sometimes the most viral videos come from an iPhone - what matters is your message and if it resonates with your audience.  

Not to mention the breadth of online sources to learn from, you can become a powerful video creator without the film school debt. 

Film Lighting & Camera Department Basics, How Photography Helped Him With Lighting Films, and Using Film As a Companion

Welcome our next podcast guest, Valentin Salembier! As a director of photography and owner of Oseku Lighting, Valentin shares his knowledge of lighting in films and the roles the camera department plays in film production. He also reminisces on his journey with photography and film, and how watching movies helped him during his tough times. Listen to episode 14 on iTunes on Creative Haven here: Film Lighting & Camera Department Basics, How Photography Helped Him With Lighting Films, and Using Film As a Companion