How To Make Your First Movie - Phase 7: Shooting

Make a shooting schedule so you know exactly what you are going to shoot when—and stick to it.

Learn the six basic camera movements: tilting and panning (aiming the camera up and down and side to side), trucking and dollying (physically moving the camera right and left and forward and backward), arcing (moving the camera around your subject in an arc), and craning (moving the camera vertically).

If you can afford it, shoot a scene with multiple cameras from multiple angles. It’ll make editing easier and allow for more compelling and varied scenes.

Choose lenses and filters that fit your scenes. Different focal lengths result in different depths of field and fields of view.

Select the depth of field, or the distance around the subject that will be in focus. A large depth of field creates stunning details, while a small depth allows you to focus attention on the subject.

Once you’re ready, start shooting, and always do multiple takes of a scene.

Don’t be afraid to experiment a little—the shot list isn’t etched in stone. If the creative impulse strikes you, try something new, like shooting from a different vantage point.

When you’re done, guard your footage with your life. Never leave film or tapes in a car—take it with you wherever you go. Now get editing!