Posted by Bernie on 01/11/74 11:49

On many many training courses I've said "remember that television is a
succession of still pictures joined together in an edit". I think
that's my best one-liner on how to look professional. Of course there
are many other things, and plenty of books, but I think this is the
very first thing to bear in mind. Hold the camera steady, shoot at
least 6 seconds, even if nothing is happening, then go on to the next.
Only move the camera when the subject moves, and remember that if you
don't let a moving subject go out of shot at some point you won't be
able to edit.

Now go and film something simple - someone cooks an egg or feeds the
ducks - whatever. Don't forget to take some close-ups and some
cutaways, things that aren't your main subject but are related. Then go
and edit. You only need maybe ten shots for this exercise. If when
you've done the edit you can imagine your material on the local news
without fooling yourself, a career as a Hollywood DOP could be looming
on the distant horizon.

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