Single Rolling Line Pro Tip Thread

[Mako Sports]

Add 1 or 2 of your favorite tips to pass on to those just getting started with videography and filmmaking. 

 

Pro Tip 1. ALWAYS pack your gear bag the night before a shoot. Packing the day of or just before a shoot you are more likely to forget something. 

Pro Tip 2. If you shoot events, especially outdoors - pack some hand warmers into your pockets or Media Credential pass in case it gets really cold. 

 

 

 

[JordanWright]

Tip 1) Using elastic hair bands to control a tripod pan bar can smooth the movement out. 

Tip 2) Buy a label maker and start labelling things, I like to number my batteries and SSDs so I can easily remember what batteries have been spent and what SSDs are filled.

[fuzzynormal]

1) Shoot static shots exclusively for a few years with two prime lenses.  It's a hard discipline to adopt, but if you can do it, you'll quickly develop into a better shooter than your peers.

2) Edit your own footage often and learn what "coverage" really means.

3) Take twice as many batteries as what you think you need.

[Jonesy Jones]

1) Take twice as many as half of the batteries @fuzzynormal recommends.

2) Have a sense of humor. Taking yourself seriously is for amateurs.

C) Real artists ship.

[kye]

1. Take twice as many batteries as ...   just kidding!
2. Have a checklist of some kind so you don't forget things.  It can be written, it can be filling each pocket of your bag, whatever, but have a system.
3. Have a process when you get back to base (your room, your office, whatever) and be sure to include:
   1. Putting everything back on charge
   2. Downloading and backing up media
   3. Cleaning things
4. After getting back to base take 5 minutes to think about what worked, what didn't work, and what you might change.

[kaylee]

YESSS ProTips™

i like all these posts

1) Always get signed releases BEFORE THE SHOOT, and copies of everyone's ID. JUST DO IT

2) Allow yourself more time than you think you could possibly need

3) Never, ever, ever ever, allow this midget

to drink alcohol. Not even lite beer. 

[Anaconda_]

A simple one, but get in the habit of backing up and emptying your media as soon as you're back to base. Also format it in camera immediately after backup.

This way, when you take the camera out to shoot and see there's something on the card, you know it's not backed up yet.

[fuzzynormal]

Oh, and get as good as possible with audio.  If you want to separate yourself professionally from what other people are doing, work hard to get the most pristine audio you can.