5 More Filming Tips & Tricks to Help You Become a Smartphone Video Pro

Mar 10

We’ve shown you the basics, but there are plenty more tips & tricks you can easily master and utilize to maximize the quality of your smartphone-shot footage. Check out a few new lessons below:

1. Fundamental Shot Types:

Selecting the correct shot type can seem intimidating if you’re new to the production game, but there are a few common ones you can use repeatedly to make sure your final product looks as dynamic as possible. They’re easy to memorize and just as simple to pull off. Check out need-to-know shot types here:

2. Frames Per Second or “FPS”

Crucial but often sidelined is the elusive production nuance that is frames per second, more commonly known as “FPS.” Different rates of FPS are typically suited to certain purposes and neglecting the optimization of FPS can make for headache-inducing footage or slow-mo shots that look like they were filmed on a gas station security cam. But wrapping your head around FPS is MUCH easier than you’d think. Here’s proof:

Cinebody Filming | Tips & Tricks | What is FPS?

3. Filming Angles

Don’t worry, this isn’t a geometry lesson. Angles and motion of your footage have an unexpectedly sizeable impact on the overall look and feel of your final product. So why not learn how to mix things up a bit? Here are a few for you to recognize and try:

Cinebody Filming | Tips & Tricks | What is Angle?

4. Exposure

But not in terms of distribution. When we say “exposure” filming context, we mean how much light the camera lens is letting in, which determines how dark, bright, and/or colorful the captured image ends up looking. A little known fact is that you have control over your smartphone camera’s exposure and can perfect the looks of certain shots with the slide of a finger. Here’s how it’s done:

Cinebody Filming | Tips & Tricks | iPhone Exposure

5. The Golden Hour

It sounds like a cool movie title, but it’s actually a time of day that is best for filming stunning footage. As the sun sets and outdoor lighting becomes less intense, it presents you with a window of opportunity to capture footage with balanced light and legitimately golden hues.