3 Easy Ways to Practice Cinematography By Yourself

Want to get better at cinematography but don’t have any friends or crew to help? No problem. In this video I’ll get into 3 simple exercises DP’s can use to practice their filmmaking all by themselves.
🚨 And don’t forget that this is the last week that doors will be open for my course Documentary Cinematography: Professional Foundations. With 12+ hours over more than 75 videos, this course goes deep into the skills, gear, and mindset needed to thrive in this competitive industry. Once they close the doors won’t open again for at least 6 months, so if you want to take your cinematography seriously this year, don’t miss out! 🚨filmschool.lucforsyth.com/doc...
🎥 *WANT TO LEVEL UP YOUR CINEMATOGRAPHY? JOIN MY DOCUMENTARY CINEMATOGRAPHY: PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATIONS COURSE*🎥 bit.ly/3YkuBcL
📘*LIFE-CHANGING ADVICE FOR FILMMAKERS (FREE 70-PAGE EBOOK)*📘: tinyurl.com/ax9c3kkf
📽 *A FILMMAKER’S GUIDE TO LONG TERM CAREER PLANNING (FREE 5 DAY CHALLENGE)*📽: bit.ly/40ZS9GC
📖 THE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER’S NETWORKING GUIDE (FREE DOWNLOAD) 📖: bit.ly/3VIA7Vm
📝✅ ESSENTIAL GEAR PACKING CHECKLIST (FREE DOWNLOAD) ✅📝: tinyurl.com/ycknfa7j
🗞 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: FILMMAKING TIPS, GEAR, AND CREATIVE LIVING 🗞: bit.ly/3imiDAj
🤘 WHERE I GET MUSIC FOR MY VIDEOS (Luc70 for 70% off!!!) 🤘: audiio.com/lucforsyth
📱 *SCHEDULE 1:1 CAREER DEVELOPMENT OR PROJECT CONSULTATION CALL WITH ME*📱
calendly.com/lucforsyth/1-1-c...
🔗 LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO
Want to level up your doc cinematography? Join the course! filmschool.lucforsyth.com/doc...
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
1:52 - How to learn from other people’s work
5:03 - Big announcement
5:31 - The right way to practice at home
8:53 - What my mistakes can teach you
12:39 - Final thoughts
🎥 🔥 📷 GEAR I USE
MY ACAM: amzn.to/3CsrOoy
MY KZread CAM: amzn.to/3TcW12m
BEST DOC TRIPOD IN THE WORLD: bhpho.to/3VD3Gsn
MY FAVORITE CAMERA BACKPACK: bit.ly/3yTAJPh
EXPEDITION BACKPACK: bit.ly/3MEkco2
KZread LENS: amzn.to/3CuSl4x
PRIME LENSES: amzn.to/3CuVrWk
CURRENT DRONE: amzn.to/3VUUiQk
KEY LIGHT: amzn.to/3MzpsJn
SHOTGUN MIC: amzn.to/3hVwVnL
COMPUTER: amzn.to/3HXNwlE
CRAZY GOOD POWER BANK FOR FILMMAKERS: www.omnicharge.co/luc
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended
✋ SAY HI
Email: luc@lucforsyth.com
Web: www.lucforsyth.com
IG: @lucforsyth (BTS content, but I’m TERRIBLE at DMs - sorry!)

Пікірлер: 96

  • @mfluder15
    @mfluder153 ай бұрын

    Practical advice like this is what makes your channel so valuable to those of us who are learning how it’s all done.

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    I appreciate that!

  • @bigalleng84
    @bigalleng843 ай бұрын

    What the heck man it's like you have tapped into every up and coming videographer or cinematographers life and gave us a vivid blueprint on what to do and what not to do. Very great and well explained piece of content and I'll definitely be saving it and referencing this in the future

  • @shadowcultur
    @shadowcultur3 ай бұрын

    Shotdeck is such an amazing resource for frame and film references

  • @justoneperson
    @justoneperson3 ай бұрын

    Have you been spying on me. That first person you described is totally me.

  • @aaabbb-py5xd

    @aaabbb-py5xd

    3 ай бұрын

    Repeat after me, "I'm not unique".

  • @justoneperson

    @justoneperson

    3 ай бұрын

    @@aaabbb-py5xdand just like that. You totally missed the joke. Thats ok don’t sweat it. 👍

  • @aaabbb-py5xd

    @aaabbb-py5xd

    3 ай бұрын

    @@justoneperson Repeat after me, "Joking when caught is no out for me"

  • @sergiomartinez5946

    @sergiomartinez5946

    3 ай бұрын

    Repeat after me, "I DON'T KNOWN WHY WE'RE YELLING!"

  • @aaabbb-py5xd

    @aaabbb-py5xd

    3 ай бұрын

    @@sergiomartinez5946 know*, but guess you tried too hard

  • @chipcurry
    @chipcurry3 ай бұрын

    Good stuff! As usual! The analogy I use is that I say a Camera is like a saxophone just having it doesn't mean you can play it - you have to work it constantly, practice daily, have this stuff memorized, and then, when you work, it's like playing a song.

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Amazing analogy, that's exactly it!

  • @russellwright9961

    @russellwright9961

    3 ай бұрын

    This is a very profound analogy!!

  • @theohartry4757
    @theohartry47573 ай бұрын

    I’ve just bought my first cinema camera this weekend. Only a Cannon C100 Mk II but it’s a start. This video couldn’t have been better timed for me !!! Thanks 💪🏼

  • @FAMEAcademyNY
    @FAMEAcademyNY3 ай бұрын

    This is great advice. I started photography by just going to the clubs and shooting for free and making all the mistakes. Then the video I go out and shoot open mics for free. Its practice. The more the better.

  • @Tobirama_isHimju
    @Tobirama_isHimju3 ай бұрын

    I am in Mexico at the moment, and i've decided to film a vlog for my gym mates who are Kickboxers. I'm trying to build myself up to doing the interview setups so I can emulate the UFC Embedded series in preparation for a fight. I learn each time I film and edit, and slowly but surely I can tell with time it will be great. Luc, you are a god send. Thank you so much bro!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot for your kind words, it's my pleasure!

  • @ChrisIzattOfficial
    @ChrisIzattOfficial3 ай бұрын

    Great advice, brilliant video! Thanks Luc!

  • @stanpaponov
    @stanpaponov8 күн бұрын

    Great videos. Thanks for making them.

  • @philgioia
    @philgioia3 ай бұрын

    Great stuff, Luc. Really enjoy your content 🙏🏽

  • @user-bt1py4zd9y
    @user-bt1py4zd9y3 ай бұрын

    thank you for the video! Just received a lens and I will be applying those exercises with it.

  • @kevgoes
    @kevgoes3 ай бұрын

    Love these ideas!. Thanks Luc!

  • @CarnivoreToday
    @CarnivoreToday3 ай бұрын

    Appreciate your content so much. I jumped both feet into a documentary production with no cinematography experience at all. I was a photojournalist for 12 years so that helps, but it is still no less daunting. You have definitely helped us to level up, and I thank you for that! Did I miss enrollment for your course?

  • @sembalo1776
    @sembalo17763 ай бұрын

    great stuff! love watching these even if im personally not as focused on docs but your tips are still good for any type a filming i feel like

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @jn-xw3cq
    @jn-xw3cq3 ай бұрын

    Great stuff, Luc. I'm currently a film student, and in my Cinematography 2 class we have lighting journal assignments where each week we pick 5 frames from any movie that we want to break down. And then we break them down and try and diagram and block how we would shoot the same frame with the gear we own or can use from the school. Such an awesome thing to do to build knowledge and confidence in Cinematography!!

  • @gavenevans
    @gavenevans3 ай бұрын

    Great idea for a video Luc! Enjoying the Doc Cinematography course! 🤘

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Amazing man, thanks a lot for your words! See you in the Doc Hub

  • @edo_tokyo_
    @edo_tokyo_3 ай бұрын

    As always, Luc with the perfect advices at the very perfect time in my life. Thank you!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad you like them!

  • @rolandmarckwort
    @rolandmarckwort3 ай бұрын

    Excellent advice! As a gaffer, I've often been in similar scenarios scrambling with my DP to try and make something out of nothing, with zero time - really pays to have some plan B experience to make it happen!!

  • @bleucitron2
    @bleucitron23 ай бұрын

    Wonderful LUC ! Great advice and filming ! Thanks & love from Europe ! Mike (amateur aspiring to do docu's)

  • @robinreso6240
    @robinreso62403 ай бұрын

    Thx Luc appreciate this video!!!!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Happy to help!

  • @rkc84
    @rkc843 ай бұрын

    Great content Luc. I have no intentions of making films but I am fascinated by the process. Great to see you doing so well. Love your channel pal. -Clarkbars

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you Clark, happy to have you here!

  • @johnclay7644
    @johnclay76443 ай бұрын

    great video Luc, informative content.

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks John!

  • @NoSuRReNDeR001
    @NoSuRReNDeR0013 ай бұрын

    Stop reading my mind and making exactly the video I need to watch! Geez its like your TRYING to be my favorite DoP channel... spoiler you are now... - This very thing has cripple hammered me for months...so in all sincerity thank you for this.

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    I appreciate that man, I'll keep the videos coming!

  • @NoSuRReNDeR001

    @NoSuRReNDeR001

    3 ай бұрын

    PLEASE please do!!! I have an I-pad for my lights(Colbor) and this IDEA is brilliant - again thank you

  • @thewellvideoproductions8244
    @thewellvideoproductions82443 ай бұрын

    As always, excellente!

  • @jahosaphat
    @jahosaphat3 ай бұрын

    That is the best advice.

  • @northernsandwich
    @northernsandwich3 ай бұрын

    Great video super useful. Thank you also for being so open honest and vulnerable. A sign of greatness imo.

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @eyewitness4560
    @eyewitness45603 ай бұрын

    I'm just some random amateur photographer but it's such a boon to find a new video from you.

  • @peakfilm3465
    @peakfilm34653 ай бұрын

    You know me too well! Bravo...

  • @EpicCinematicAdventures
    @EpicCinematicAdventures3 ай бұрын

    Thanks Luc! Great breakdown. Good stuff!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    My pleasure!

  • @idletimeproductions4956
    @idletimeproductions49563 ай бұрын

    Great Advice. I was B cam on an interview shoot recently where DP wanted to shoot 6K raw. I had never shot 6K on my camera and didn't realize how fast the cards fill up. Know your gear!!

  • @habocky
    @habocky2 ай бұрын

    Hey hey hey, watching movies and saying what a nice shot it is, is the best practice, doing it all the time :D

  • @uruci66
    @uruci663 ай бұрын

    good stuff as usual. i do find i fall into the "get a new bit of gear" camp but, i have been heavily trying to go with smallest footprint as possible. working on an archive project and i just need to think about less things as i move forward. recently bought a 32bit float recorder to use for interviews. i am a firm believer of backup and it was one less thing to worry about with press record and forget. so... maybe a good tip is be wary of over kill on gear, delegate when u can and less is more allows you to think about the content

  • @kurtmanderbach8164
    @kurtmanderbach81643 ай бұрын

    Just found you. Very nicely done. I’m a professional musician, and have found a new passion for creating video. I love how you spoke about practicing setting up scenes around the house before going on set. As a musician that goes without saying. Good professional musicians never stop practicing at home. I’ve taken that approach with video. The projects I’ve done at home definitely prepared me get good results when I set up and recorded my interviews for my first documentary project. Great video! Thanks!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your words, appreciate it!

  • @Pcoxproductions
    @Pcoxproductions3 ай бұрын

    3:24 have on your iPad an organized reference library of Frames from your favorite movies. Screen shot them then run them through light room and break them down

  • @tomguder
    @tomguder3 ай бұрын

    Thank you Luc!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    My pleasure!

  • @jijivishant
    @jijivishant3 ай бұрын

    thnk u for the video

  • @CineMakMedia
    @CineMakMedia3 ай бұрын

    Good stuff... Thanks

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @PeaLoop
    @PeaLoop3 ай бұрын

    fantastic content!

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad you think so!

  • @JesseEdgar
    @JesseEdgar3 ай бұрын

    Good stuff my man. I've been binge watching your channel to help prepare for my first ever documentary about a man that walked across the united states in hopes to be a hero in his son's eyes but ultimately ended up driving his wife and son away from him. Your videos have been so incredibly valuable and as soon as I can save up the money I want to take advantage of your course. Thanks for everything oyu post Luc

  • @tristan_lp
    @tristan_lp3 ай бұрын

    Just posting this comment to support because I'm too lazy to explain everything that's great about this video and also to write big comments but thank you so much, your work is remarkable🙏🙏🙏

  • @SeanKling
    @SeanKling3 ай бұрын

    great advice

  • @psynuxx
    @psynuxx3 ай бұрын

    6:39 Love your content, always very creative. Now I know why :)

  • @DarkDrake5481
    @DarkDrake54813 ай бұрын

    So funny you mention Lewis Potts and the Wandering DP because they're both in my city of Perth Western Australia which no one has ever heard of. It's not a big film making town at all and you could conceivably work on almost every project and you'd still be under what most people would be working. I really should reach out to them and see if I could help them out. I work full time for a TV network in the city because mortgage but it'd be an eye opening experience I think.

  • @DontMakeMomCry
    @DontMakeMomCry3 ай бұрын

    Please re-enact how the bad interview setup from the Vice project looked! I want to see and would guess you can't or won't show the original content. Killer tips, thanks for the wisdom!! -AW

  • @FilmshooterOH
    @FilmshooterOH3 ай бұрын

    Great video. The story about the blown interview reminds of the line about young doctors. You're not a real doctor until you've killed one of your patients. Same for DPs. You're not a real DP until you've screwed up a shot or interview. Practice, practice, practice.

  • @none-ng4cl
    @none-ng4cl3 ай бұрын

    Love the President interview😄

  • @Pcoxproductions
    @Pcoxproductions3 ай бұрын

    11:31 set up interviews alone, practice the common things alone so if it falls on you you are ready

  • @2006jakebob
    @2006jakebob3 ай бұрын

    For my dp reference I think Im just going to have One Love downloaded on my phone.

  • @PaulKBauer
    @PaulKBauer3 ай бұрын

    This video could not have come at better time! Your channel is like an island in a sea of questionable information. Thanks for all you do!

  • @BurekNeinDanke
    @BurekNeinDanke3 ай бұрын

    Hey Luc! I'm am starting out and recently bought Sony FX30 but have no audio gear so i'm leaning towards wireless lav mic setup with option of internal recording. The 7RYMS iRAY DW30 seems like a good option for around 200$ but it only records at a 48kHz/16bit sampling rate...Do you think it would cut it for basic use? Anyway great tips for beginners in each one of your videos :)

  • @WhySteve
    @WhySteve3 ай бұрын

    Shotdeck has search filters and it could save you hours of adding tags in lightroom 😅 "Knowing something is better than doing something" Yeah. I can relate. It reminds me of my horrible lighting video I made (granted it was made for noob noobs, but still...) the talking head shot looks worse than the example video and I tried motivating the light but I ended up just washing out the entire frame with light by adding lamps and candles and stuff haha! I "knew" how to do it, but I had never actually done it at that point so I messed it up trying.

  • @OREO959
    @OREO9593 ай бұрын

    8:08 I think everyone needs to hear this haha

  • @chrisw443
    @chrisw4433 ай бұрын

    When I do interviews in an office or a confernce room I look for a logo of theirs on a wall or a map, or a interesting piece of art. then I frame that either right behind or right next to them, splash a back up on camera light on that wall. then I have my on camera light, and one other led panel backlighting them. then I use shallow DOF to blur that object just enough to where its not the focus, but its there, and you can kinda tell what it is. Then when you run your broll you use THE EXACT SAME FRAME the your interview was, but focused on what was in the background. It really puts the viewer in the room with you during the interview.

  • @georgelopez9517
    @georgelopez95173 ай бұрын

    How do you go about screenshotting movie scenes? Because anytime you watch a move from Netflix, Prime Video, or any online streaming services, it automatically blacks out the video frame. So it’s all blacked out. I believe they do use for copyright reasons.

  • @Pcoxproductions
    @Pcoxproductions3 ай бұрын

    7:16 test random ideas quickly for scenarios that you want to try

  • @lindajones8101
    @lindajones81013 ай бұрын

    I am terrible online but lately I have been trying to do just that take a screenshot on my iPad when I’m watching something. But all I got back was a black screen and I figured there was some kind of embargo built into movies that wouldn’t let you screenshot them. I was probably doing something wrong. any advice anyone can give me?

  • @philwachocki7958
    @philwachocki79582 ай бұрын

    Hmmm In wlf I have very little planning or design. Lighting, ha, comes from the sun. If you setup w sun at your back, animals will find a way to approach your front. So, I get what I can. When I can.

  • @Lunar_Films
    @Lunar_Films3 ай бұрын

    Dude, that person is me

  • @scottweaverphotovideo
    @scottweaverphotovideo3 ай бұрын

    It sounds very strange to remove all space between sentences. Who do that?

  • @melancholyauthentic

    @melancholyauthentic

    3 ай бұрын

    Pretty common

  • @MattBrouse
    @MattBrouse3 ай бұрын

    Nice shot. 😂

  • @gregomu786
    @gregomu7863 ай бұрын

    Hi Luc great content as usual, however if you can be editing out your breathing/sucking sounds like at 01:25 (that's as far as I went b4 clicking off) I'd appreciate. I find it supper annoying & distracting & wonder if I'm the only one. Anyway, cheers

  • @LucForsyth

    @LucForsyth

    3 ай бұрын

    Noted, thanks a lot for your feedback!

  • @philwachocki7958
    @philwachocki79582 ай бұрын

    And they say wildlife photography is hard

  • @heysoymarvin
    @heysoymarvin3 ай бұрын

    What? did you meet Peña Nieto? Lol

  • @Zacheldridge
    @Zacheldridge3 ай бұрын

    Thoughts on RED acquisition??

  • @LoyedSantmajor
    @LoyedSantmajor3 ай бұрын

    Don’t be calling out us like that🥴😂💀

  • @DAMON409
    @DAMON409Ай бұрын

    What the heck would you need help with? You don't make that clear.