In the present age of digital content creation, creating cinematic videos on your phone is becoming a necessity rather than a hobby. Thanks to smartphones’ growing popularity, creating high-quality video content does not require expensive equipment anymore. Whether you are a beginner filmmaker, an influencer or a small business owner, learning how to create cinematic videos on your phone could take your content to the next level. However, you should keep in mind that just taking out your phone’s camera and pressing record would hardly create stunning video content. There is a certain technique to it, and you need to learn about it.
The Equipment You Need
Although you can rely only on your phone to produce cinematic videos, you can buy additional devices to create even better-looking content. A good phone gimbal that will stabilize the camera is one of them. Also, it would be nice to get yourself an external microphone to improve your video’s sound. Another thing that you may want to pay attention to is a type of phone you currently use. If you are lucky to own an iPhone or a new generation Samsung phone, then you are good to go because you can already record in 4K and shoot in slow motion. Otherwise, think about replacing your phone with the one that offers you the same functions.
Lighting: Making Your Video Cinematic
One of the essential steps towards creating cinematic videos on your phone is getting to know the importance of proper lighting. Although natural light is always the best choice, it is often difficult to work with because of its instability. When shooting indoor videos, it would be a great decision to get yourself a couple of softbox lights or a ring light to achieve perfect lighting. When working with natural light, experiment with different shots to create beautiful warm images.
Lighting is not the main thing you should be considering while creating cinematic videos – it is also important to use it to highlight the mood and atmosphere of each shot. Thus, if you need to record some romantic scenes, choose soft and warm lighting to create cozy and atmospheric scenes. If it is something different, then feel free to experiment with contrasts and shadows.
The Art of Framing
While shooting cinematic videos, you should also think about framing. There are numerous types of shot framing techniques to apply to different situations, and the most common one is the rule of thirds. Divide your phone’s screen into three parts and make sure your subject stands on one of these lines to make the image aesthetically appealing. Also, do not forget about different ways of highlighting the subject by experimenting with the focal point.
For instance, when shooting a portrait, use a shallow depth of field to create a blurry background and focus on the person’s face. If you are working with landscapes and cityscapes, try to use a wide-angle lens to show as much of the scenery as possible. Finally, do not forget that the framing should be appropriate to the video’s content and mood.
Telling a Story
One of the most critical aspects of cinematic video creation is developing a good plot and telling the story. It should include an interesting idea that your audience would like to see. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a compelling narrative in order to create a captivating video. In terms of cinematic videos, the storytelling process can vary depending on your content.
When editing the clips of your movie, try to use various techniques to create dynamic scenes. Feel free to experiment with shot types such as a close-up, an extreme close-up, a medium shot, an over the shoulder shot, etc. Also, you might want to try different kinds of lighting and framing to emphasize particular details or create a specific mood.
Editing Your Movie
As soon as you shoot your movie, it is time to move on to its editing part. You should remember that it is important to choose the right software to work with your videos. There is plenty of options for you to choose from: Apple’s iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere, among others. Try several programs and see which one works better for you.
The key step in editing any video is its pacing: you should make sure your viewers are engaged and interested in what is going on in the video. Make sure the video moves forward quickly or slowly depending on the scene. When editing your shots together, use different shots and transitions to keep people engaged. Also, experiment with coloring and filters if required.
Final Tips and Tricks
Now that you know the basics of creating cinematic videos on your phone, you can try to practice it. Here are some final tips you should consider:
* Use natural light for outdoor scenes, and pay special attention to artificial lighting for indoor shots;
* Use various types of shots such as a wide shot, a close-up, an over the shoulder shot, etc.;
* Do not forget about using an external microphone to enhance the sound of your videos;
* Experiment with different editing programs and techniques.
