"we only show about 5-10% of the images we shoot" I feel so vindicated with that statement, I thought it was just me discarding the majority of my footage. 🤣
Appreciate the points. Just wanted to voice my impression, that your background music was at times at the same audio level as your voice which makes it hard to understand as I am not a native. When the music was off your audio was great. And I am listening on my stereo set.
The music note is so true. I've definitely had to grow in dropping music out of certain scenes, and also going with more subtle tones/synths vs always having a "hero" track that is fully composed.
I used to do that all the time - trying to make things feel more compelling than they actually were. But not every scene needs to be the climax - haha.
So many good points! I just made a short film, and I regret to admit that a couple of these mistakes appeared in it. Thanks for the advice and encouragement to us beginners!
You are so good at this Curren, the only thing that will stop you from getting a million plus subs is you. And when you find yourself struggling in letting your potential come through...find me...all the best
Thanks for the video! One of the hardest things -- at least in my opinion -- is to get good audio on the fly. And hiding a LAV mic properly is no easy task. It takes a skilled audio tech to make it happen. But, we don't always get to have that luxury. As a suggestion, maybe do a video on mic hiding techniques.
True that having a professional audio person is always the best option, but I would advise most filmmakers that may be doing their own audio to learn how to hide a lav and the tools needed to do so. I still do it quite a bit in my work.
While there are plenty of tutorials on hiding "traditional" wireless VHF lavs and packs. I don't see many hiding the newer Bluetooth-style mics as you show. Sometimes they can be a vital tool when shooting a documentary and you really don't have the time to say "Hold on while I search for the best frequency and sync transmitter and receiver." The Bluetooth mics pair almost instantly and some even do backup local recordings. Perhaps it's worthwhile doing a tutorial on how to hide one of those new Bluetooth lavs packs (if it's at all possible).
I second this. There is a real need to be able to hide these things like the DJI lav mic or the rode wireless pro. There just is, because these things do have a place.
Use a lav mic plugged into the transmitter, these are at least much smaller. If you really can’t, most or all of these systems have magnets as a good solution. The Hollyland that Curren showed is a discreet magnetic lav, and the DJI and Rode kits allow you to hide the transmitter pack under clothing, only showing a small magnet on the outside.
That's true that there aren't any videos about hiding these transmitters. But, I honestly think they may be too big and clunky to really do so effectively. Something like the Hollyland I show in the video is your best bet as it is tiny and magnetic, so you could black it out and make it look like a button. For the larger transmitters (Rode and DJI Mic), your only real option is to add a lav and then use them as a normal body pack. One area where it would work would be when it's cold and people are wearing jackets or scarves. I have hidden them effectively in those situations, but t-shirts are pretty tough.
Just use a proper lavalier microphone and use them as a recorder which you can hide in any pockets. Lavlier mics are easy to hide and sound better. And in addition: lavalier mics, even when you can see them in the frame, do not have blinking red, green or blue lights. These lights are an absolute no go!!!
Just came here to say that I loved Heroin(e) as a fellow documentary filmmaker... and I'm looking forward to learning more from your insights. Keep up the great work.
for autofocus, my recommandation is to go hybrid. autofocus is a great way to quickly get a subject as a starter, but I feel it's better if you make ajustements in shots manually. Video camera should have a way to disable constant autofucus while you're filming.
You’re in luck because cameras can do that with the right lens. My Sony FX3 allows me to control my focus on my sigma 24-70 II lens. I can autofocus through the camera change focus are via the touchscreen but at the same time I can pull focus from the lens. Same with the F stop which I can change directly on the lens or let the camera do it and switch back and forth.
@@wotiluv I use a lumix g7 currently which has autofucus but also allows for manual focus so I use it with my olympus lenses - with an electrical adapter and both the auto and manual focus works so no complaints there. (Otherwise I just use a manual lens, my preferred lens is this 10mm fisheye lens from brightin star. Great value for it's prize.)
I really enjoyed watching this video. Very helpful. I'm just an amateur hobbyist and will remain so, but there was a lot to learn from this. Thanks for creating it for us.
We decided to show our lavs for the filming of our show. We wanted to get across the rawness of our paranormal investigation. Showing the lavs helped in this situation. In any other situation i never show the mic.
Great video, on tips that a lot of filmmakers and professional filmmakers don’t know about. With the new lav mic sets from DJI and rode. That I see near enough every decently sized RU-vidr use and DON’T hide it, which massively bugs me, and a lot of them can afford the extra lav attachments. I do agree with you that autofocus is a great tool and I have learnt that it works wonders for interviews on the Eos R and the C70 which is one of my favourite cameras I’ve ever used, my question is that when using a cheaper camera that doesn’t have that good of autofocus like my canon 700d would you recommend using manual focus? Since I’ve mainly got a action sports background and I pretty much use manual for everything since my cameras auto focus is terrible in video.
Yes if I am using a camera whose AF I do not trust, then I just use manual focus. If I am doing it solo, then I may stop down the lens to f2.8 or f4 to give myself a bit more leeway.
From some of the comments I think perhaps one thing people do is try to find a hard and fast rule out of the things people say. I would contextualize it this way, if you're moving from amateur to professional, the details are important and making sure that everything is your intention is what will matter. Lavs, sure, but if you're going to show them, then that should be a decision. Same with music, I frickin' hate when they pump the music. It comes off like a subtitle: "intense emotion happening, start crying now!" Perhaps something needs music, but moving between diegetic and music allows us space to breath as human beings. Which way too many movies don't allow for these days. Once these choices are natural, then, like most things, learn the rules, then break 'em. Professionalism results from intention.
Well now I need to rewrite the end of my video to say exactly this and re-upload - haha. Great points! And I think you’re spot on. No, these aren’t necessarily 100% of the time amateur mistakes, but they all require a level of refinement and professionalism that amateurs often overlook. Thanks for watching!
There are instances where having the lav visible is the only option. Yes, it's not ideal, but it happens especially for live events. It would have been nice to hear your solution for this as you did point out exactly the scenario it occurs.
There are definitely some situations where a visible lav is not the end of the world - depending on what type of live event it is, you still might be able to hide them. What specific type of live event are you referring to?
@@CurrenSheldon an event where they client wants you to film random people giving quick testimonials etc. In that instance I guess the pin-on mics are ideal.
@@CurrenSheldon This is a fantastic suggestion! I've been working for a couple decades, now; the first in news, and the second in production. This is the first I've heard of Bubblebee, but they also have just the videos on their site to show how to use their products to hide mics. These are just good tips, no matter what products are used. I think some of these are going to go on the next gear shopping list. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You mentioned audio music constantly playing in the background as a mistake, and yet this informative tips video has a constant audio bed running throughout its duration. Does the audio bed enhance the delivery of information? I would say the music is a distraction.
Music is too loud while you are talking..! I'm sorry, it may just be me. I personally don't like music with talking head videos. I understand pulling up the music for "B' roll, but prefer it pulled back to nothing or almost nothing. You are the professional, not me. Just let you know how I feel when watching RU-vid videos. I have clicked away from so many video due to music too loud. Granted I'm older the most watching your videos, just me voicing my concern. Keep on doing what your doing, the info you provide is greatly appreciated..!
Thanks for sharing. Have a question about lighting choice. Why did you choose to light from camera left in your PTC shot rather than light from camera right using the window behind you as motivation. I’m asking because the shot looks good but I think I would have chosen differently so trying to understand where my thinking may have gone wrong.
You definitely could do it that way and I bet it would still look great. My thinking was that because the window is almost directly behind me, it doesn't need to motivate my key light. Instead, I use the window as a back light and interesting background element - it's giving me a nice edge light on the left side of my face. Whereas, if I put the key on that side, all the light would be coming from one direction and possibly look a little flat and unbalanced. But, I could be wrong! I should test it out and see.
Excellent - great work as ever! visible Lav.. thats me all over and ive been shooting for 20 years! No excuse and Mark Bone says the same thing repeatedly. I will sort this I promis. Now a quick gear question: at 0:49 there is some sort of collapsable diffuser panel attached to something... please could you share that kit? I can see it being exceptionally useful for some of my mobile setups
For great and easy to use lav tape, check out Bubblee Industries. Really helps in making it easy to hide your lavs. The diffuser is just a simple 5-in-1 diffuser. This one has a handle on it that you can screw into the top of any light stand: amzn.to/4fjJ96n - I do that a lot of my minimalist travel lighting kit.
@@CurrenSheldon Thank you for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate it. Lav positioning, I actually have tape, covers, foamies and so on. its just solo shooting and time poor setups mean I end up just sticking the thing on the subjects although, I do a tight job of hiding the cable. Usually it's just below the frame line but on a b-cam wide, you can see it. Diffuser; thank you. that is idea for my simple setups when i'm on the train with kit
@@CurrenSheldon So... I'd not actually used any of the Bubblebee products but I ordered from PRO AV and everything arrived yesterday morning and yes, this is what I will be using from now on. So much easier and quicker to fit which has always been my issue with solo work. Thank you for this!
Hi, as always great video. Thanks for sharing. A while ago I seem to remember you mentioned a Mamiya lens that you felt may be one to look out for. I can't seem to remember where you mentioned that. Do you remember what lens it was? Thanks for all your wonderful advice.
Your list of 5 is fine, but overblowing highlights screams nubee more than a few of your 5... IMHO. Unconscious non cinematic camera movement, especially with a gimbal says beginner too. My professional focus is more on shorter 3-6 min features for businesses rather than docs and films, so often wall to wall music works fine...it's more of a problem if the music you select doesn't support the emotion or vibe of the piece..when they use a poor quality track because it's free.... or your shooting does't match the feel of your piece. For example, if you shoot dreamy 120fps and you try to make an edgy film. It's better to decide the feel of your feature, pick the music ahead of time and match the shooting style with the music.Lastly, not balancing your perspectives...some of the older shooters shoot EVERYTHING too close. We live in the world of 4k and 6k so shooting wider and adjusting the composition in post is preferred rather than being stuck with a too tightly composed shot. I realize shooting docs and narratives is swimming in a different pond.. but nubee mistakes are nubee mistakes...
Great tips - I'm pretty much good on these but my boo boo here is the lav. I know it already, I'm just lazy on that one item. I remember watching prison break years ago and seeing the lav leads under their shirt. Very poor, totally kills the moment (lots of other stuff in teh story did the same after season one too!) I enjoyed this video a lot thanks °¬)
Exactly - visible lavs definitely kill the illusion that you're watching a real story rather than a production. Fine for RU-vid stuff, but no-no-no for feature docs, series, and (definitely!) fiction.
No, not necessarily - you put the key on the opposite side of the light. If you think about it in interview terms, the diagram would go: key light > interviewer (or where the focus of the speaker is directed) > camera.
Another mistake would be overusing one piece of gear because thats all you know, and not because the shot requires it to serve the story and convey a specific feeling. I see so many beginner filmmakers using a gimbal for every shot - specifically in the wedding videography scene (I specifically used the term videography because most people don't make it to the point of learning everything you just talked about to create wedding films that are audio-visual experiences). It bothers the snot out of me when people say they're just on gimbal all day because "it's faster", when in reality it actually is slower, and it looks terrible. Terrible when you should have a handheld or tripod shot and you're trying to hold something steady with a gimbal and it has a weird robotic look to it.
I did have this on the list (shooting everything on a gimbal)! But, lots of very professional films are all shot on gimbals/steadicams/tracks - but using a gimbal for EVERYTHING may be more of a "trap" to not fall into all of the time.
i have been self learning cinematography and lighting don't have hands on experience . but know theory about staging,camera,lighting,color grading,basic editing, how can i move forward. currently dont have enough confidence plus money to buy a camera . plus i live in a city where majority of productions are being made but don't know how to approach. whereas on instagram many dops are looking for demo reels, porfolio. what should i do.
when I first started I just started making stuff - short documentaries about fascinating people, mostly. That's what I would recommend - just start creating with whatever tools you have (phone, old camera, whatever).
The best advice I will give anyone is that, cameras on phones are getting so good that you don’t need to buy a camera to start, I would start with your phone that could be a iPhone or android and start creating stuff. Then move on from there once your ready, but don’t rush it.
@@JanWilliamsBailey I agree with you. I am planning now to create scenes from scripts of films, I am also trying to narrow down the visuals, story genre I like by using my letterboxd. I am in a good spot already because I know many things in theory. Just the execution and exhibition is what I have to focus on. Panasonic S5 is what I want to buy with kit lens.(1750$ with storage, tripod,battery) It's just I don't have confidence to take the leap.
@@Vikash_singh_. It's less about the equipment and more about the craft. As Curren replied, start with what you have. Once you get the repetition in, and learn how to make the tools you have work for you, then you can worry about getting better gear when you start getting paying work.
Ok im sorry but I was literally watching a Netflix show and a current PBS show and they were using lav's that showed. "Professional" does not determine hiding mics although it's a great technique to do but don't let that stop you from thinking you're not a professional for not hiding it, mistakes happen and sometimes, you simply have NO TIME. Now that one lady with the rope of Lav... yea that was horrid otherwise. Also, the majority is not shooting for no Netflix that everyone seems to go straight too only, not Amazon or Tubi not even Freevee. A documentary is 100% ok for this and you shouldn't be laving if you shooting actual movies anyways, you boom that ish. This wall to wall this... THOUSANDS of movies utilize music front-in between-end. The viewers is going to know how to feel, the music is only there to insinuate the cause, choosing the RIGHT music or selected track will deter them or keep them in their seats. It's not used as a crutch, it's used as a tool for beginners AND professionals. some people especially beginners just tend to not make the right choice in music/tracks like youtubers having ultra loud cinematic tracks obliterating my ears and it's only a 240fps of them panning a camera or something.
Thanks for your thoughts! Not hiding a lav may not prevent you from getting paid for your work (making it "professional," I suppose), but it certainly won't help. Some films succeed in spite of low production quality, but never because of it (except Blair Witch?)
Interesting points, man. Although lavs are still used in feature films and short films all the time. Yes, the boom is best but lavs are a fail safe for the audio mixer. I just got off working on a feature film and the location mixer was using a boom and two lavs hidden on talent. So, that idea that narrative films don't use lavs is wrong. But otherwise I can see and agree with the other points to certain levels depending on the person and/or material.
The art of hiding mics is primarily for film and TV shows. For something like the evening news and even some interviews and documentaries seeing the lav is almost part of look now days. Many RU-vidrs have taken it even further by wearing the mini mic pacs in plain view and foregoing the lav all together. Personally I see it as lazy and unprofessional but when they aren't doing that they are showing off their SM7b. 😅
Thanks for watching and good luck on the short doc! Just get out there and do it - I have an early video about how to make a short doc in two days (so that could have some good tips on the channel.
I have to agree with this criticism. As a viewer, I want the main subject to start no later than 10 seconds in. This video could have started at the 1:35 mark. Everything before that adds NOTHING to my understanding of the 5 ideas.
@@AlanBerry This video has 10k view; I'm sure the retention isn't too bad! I skip over recaps and titles (if that's what you mean) because it's redundant information. Here, his intro is NEW information; he's summarizing the video, introducing himself, and pitching why he's qualified to talk about this stuff and why you should watch the video - and it's done with clean edits and B-Roll! I've heard the "long intro's are bad" nugget of wisdom before, we all have; it gets regurgitated and repeated endlessly by all the RU-vid experts and gurus out there. Like all generalizations, it can be a useful guideline, sometimes, but it's not an immutable law ;) People can start to get so obsessed with analytics and retention that they sometimes start to lose the forest for the trees.
You have made a terrible mistake yourself! You have added som background sound that is terrible! If you are professional, NEVER use background music while talking!
