Discover what's new for Fall 2024

Announcing 20 All New Lessons

We are excited to announce a suite of 20 all new lessons -our best yet!! Each lesson is jam-packed with on-set video tutorials, written companion guides, downloadable files and quick-reference guides, and much more.

You can access these new lessons in a number of ways:

 

Now, on to the new lessons!

Focusing Techniques

From traditional focusing techniques of setting marks and measuring distances, to using digital focus assist tools, students learn how to set focus, overcome focus challenges, and proper on-set procedures.

Lens Focal Length

Students learn the power of the lens, how focal length affects the field of view and depth, changes in the illusion of time, plus how to work with zoom vs prime lenses, and compensate for crop factor.

f-Stops and T-Stops

This lesson covers how f-stops and T-stops are used to determine exposure, how to work with fast and slow lenses, and how f-stops are used to determine camera exposure and lighting ratios on set.

Intro to Light and Exposure

Students are introduced to the nature of light, how it’s measured, and the foundations of exposure. Complex techniques of the inverse square law, dynamic range, latitude, and contrast ratios are made simple.

Taking Care of Lenses

Students learn how to properly change lenses, remove dust and debris, protect lenses both in transit and on set, prevent condensation, and how to properly clean the imaging sensor.

The Camera Shutter

Students learn how electronic shutters function, how to choose the shutter angle, global vs rolling shutters, motion blur, managing screen flicker, and how to compensate exposure.

Frame Rates

This lesson provides a comprehensive look at frame rates, interlaced vs progressive, time code, drop frame, 3:2 pull down, slow motion and time lapse, and how to calculate exposure with different frame rates.

How to Prep a Camera

Students learn how to prep the camera, matte box, follow focus, monitor, cables, batteries, media, and how to conduct lens calibration tests to ensure the camera works properly on set.

Imaging Sensor and ISO

Students learn how the imaging sensor, CCD and CMOS chips, and photosites function, plus Bayer pattern and debayering, CODECs and RAW formats, bit depths, ISO, image quality, and gain.

Three Point Lighting

Students learn a range of key light techniques for beauty and drama, how to work with ambient fill light, rim lights, kickers, and how to use contrast to separate the subject from the background.

How to Expose a Shot

Students learn exposure techniques including zebra stripes, false color, waveform monitors, histograms, and light meters, plus how to expose skin tones, and work within the camera’s latitude and contrast ratio.

Depth of Field Study

In this lesson, students learn how to control the depth of field and its technical and creative effects. This lesson includes three scenes of differing depths of field to illustrate the change in emotional impact. Coming Soon!

How to Direct a Scene

Students experience how a scene is blocked, rehearsed, lit, and shot. This lesson includes a downloadable script, final cut, and rough footage of the sample scene.

How to Shoot a Spec Commercial

This case study explores how a spec commercial is produced from concept to completion, and how spec projects can be used to help students find production work.

How to Set Up Your Camera

This lesson covers how to set up the recording resolution, aspect ratio, CODECs, ISO, picture profiles, plus basic lens techniques.

Basic Shooting Techniques

The lesson shows students the basics of focus, exposure, frame rate, and shutter speed in simple, non-technical language.

Basic Production Techniques

Students learn basic pre-production techniques, how to scout a location, prep equipment, mark shots, manage media, and wrap out a location.

Basic Framing Techniques

Students learn shot types, camera moves, compositional guidelines, how to frame people, and a basic workflow for shooting each shot.

Basic Audio Techniques

Students learn how to choose a microphone, reduce ambient noise, configure audio settings, set levels, plus audio recording techniques.

Basic Directing Techniques

Students learn how to block actors, basic scene coverage, plan proper coverage, shoot sequences, and how to work with actors. Coming Soon!

New Cinematography Lessons

We are excited to announce an all new lesson, Imaging Sensor and ISO. The imaging sensor is the heart of the camera system. It converts light into the electrical signal that becomes the image we see on screen. But understanding how it works and its limitations will help you improve your cinematography.

This lesson is jam-packed with tips on how to get the most out of your camera by understanding how photosites convert light into an electrical signal, bayer patterns, chip sensitivity, and working with dual ISOs. Emmy-winning cinematographer Jason Tomaric teaches you the secrets of top cinematographers, including:

  • What is an image sensor and it works
  • The difference between CCD and CMOS sensors
  • How photosites convert light into an electrical signal
  • How the bayer pattern works
  • How codecs and RAW files work
  • Camera bit depths and how compression works
  • How the bit depth affects the number of shades captured by the sensor
  • How film sensitivity affects the ISO
  • How to use ISO when exposing a shot
  • Working with dual ISOs in Rec709 and Log curves
  • How to work with gain to maximize image quality in low-light situations

This lesson includes:

  • 20:25 video
  • Illustrated supporting text
This lesson is available in: