Canon Canada’s Guide to Making Cinematic Videos
Learn how to create stunning cinematic videos and discover tips on composition, camera selection, frame rates, lighting, sound, and more with our expert guide.
Transforming still life into dynamic action, videos have the power to reflect the human condition, offer fresh perspectives, or captivate us with breathtaking visuals we have never seen before. But making videos, let alone a cinematic masterpiece, is no small feat.
Exploring how to make a cinematic video on your own can be exciting, but if you want to skip a few missteps, we’ve compiled most of the things you need to know below.
Planning Your Shots
Videos, similar to other forms of storytelling, require thoughtful planning. You need to envision the story you want to tell and determine how each frame will contribute to it. Each shot is a thread that weaves into the larger narrative. A storyboard is a useful tool for this, allowing you to sketch out each scene’s desired shots and crucial details.
Rarely are movies shot from beginning to end, so storyboards also play another role in grasping the timeline and organization of your shots. Whether you are shooting outside or waiting on an important subject, your storyboard can ensure you get all the shots you need with minimal delays.
Composition
Composition is as crucial in videography as it is in still photography, significantly influencing the cinematic quality of your video. How you choose to frame the video will depend on your cinematic inspirations and the story you aim to tell. Consider the following elements:
- The Rule of Thirds: The tic-tac-toe grid can be helpful in video for visualizing subject placement and camera movement, ensuring balanced and engaging shots.
- Types of Shots: While close-ups and medium shots are commonly used, don't overlook the impact of a well-executed establishing shot to set the scene.
- Appropriate Lighting: Whether it’s natural light at different times of day or artificial lighting sources, ensure your shots are well-lit to convey the intended mood.
- Tools for the Job: Tripods, jibs, and gimbals help with camera stabilization and allow you to get the right angles in your clips.
Cameras and Lenses
Storytelling through video is as much about your vision as it is about the equipment you use to capture it. Cinematic camera gear starts with the camera itself, and at Canon, we have multiple options, from beginner to advanced and professional DSLRs to mirrorless cameras to high-quality video cameras that shoot in 4K.
A mirrorless camera produces cinematic videography and works with interchangeable RF lenses, giving you the desired perspective that matches your storyboard ideas. (You can achieve the same cinematic quality by pairing your Canon DSLR with interchangeable EF lenses.)
- A telephoto lens captures distant subjects with impressive detail and clarity.
- Fisheye lenses create a unique and distorted perspective, capturing an ultra-wide field of view.
- Macro lenses allow you to get incredibly close to your subjects, revealing intricate details and capturing stunning close-up shots..
- Tilt/shift lenses provide the means to manipulate perspective and depth of field.
Choosing the Right Frame Rate
Have you ever watched a movie that doesn’t look like other movies you’ve seen? It’s all to do with the frame rate. The motion blur we see in certain frame rates mimics what we see with our own eyes in real life. Ultimately, the frame rate you choose from your camera settings will depend on the type of cinematic video you are trying to capture. If you aren’t sure which to choose, return to your storyboard to identify critical elements that you want to stand out in your film.
Keep in mind that some frame rates can be edited down in post-production.
24 fps
The most common frame rate, 24 fps, is known for its ability to meld seamlessly with sound. It’s the choice of most filmmakers and gives movies a traditional, cinematic feel.
30 fps
Mostly used in TV productions, this extra six frames per second tends to make a smoother video, which isn’t always desirable if you are going for a cinematic shot.
60 & 120 fps (Slow Motion)
Looking to add drama, tension, or otherwise attention to a specific scene? Slow motion can provide the elongation of time to draw viewers in. To create this, increase your frame rate to 60 fps.
120 fps also provides a more realistic look to fast-paced and action scenes but takes up more memory space on your SD card
Music and Sound Effects
Silent films have their moments, but you’ll likely want to add music and sound to specific shots. This can help carry the viewers' attention and evoke emotions as it melds with what they see.
Before Shooting
Determine whether you’ll be using the sound from your videos or adding it in during the editing phase. Investing in a quality mic will save you headaches during post-production if your video has a lot of dialogue. On the other hand, if you are using music or sound effects, ensure you know the relevant licensing requirements and, while cinematic storyboarding, identify the shots where each sound will be used.
After-Shooting (Post-Production)
Sound design is a big part of filmmaking. It’s all about making sounds that match what you see on screen and make the story come alive.
- Arrange your audio tracks on your video editing software’s timeline and ensure they synchronize well with your shots.
- Adjust volume levels for loudness and softness, creating smooth transitions.
- Match sound effects to scenes as needed. For example, you should hear footsteps if someone walks across the floor during a scene.
- Experiment with sound effects and use them in moderation.
- Test and refine your sound based on your observations and others’ opinions.
Editing Software
Once shooting has wrapped, it’s time to customize your film aesthetics. Editing software is where you’ll apply visual effects, adjust colour grading, improve cinematic lighting, and finish your masterpiece. Everyone’s post-production workflow looks a little different, so don’t worry if sitting down to edit means you realize you’ll need to reshoot some scenes or scrap some shots. Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Davinci Resolve are a few of the video editing software programs used by Canon ambassadors and professionals. Which software program is best for you depends on a number of factors, including features and functions, user interface, platform and compatibility, and budget.
Canon Creator Lab
At Canon Canada, we support the creative process behind filmmaking. As you consider all the ways of how to make a cinematic video, keep in mind that your equipment should play a starring role. For expert tips and insights, reach out to us.