Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!
lifeof_berkleyBiggest advice would be to never say no to a filming opportunity, always be the guy that people can count on being down to film, I think that is an easy way to progress and start working with more people, more work = more experience = better work.
I think a lot of filmers go out to "film" but not many go out with a concrete plan on what they want to shoot and how they are going to shoot it. Obviously you can make some last minute changes to the plan if the snow/light isn't how you expected but having an idea of what you are going to be doing will not only expedite the process but also keeps everyone focused on what needs to be done.
SchoessThis is great advice, I just want to add to it by saying that I am not the #1 filmmaker in the game. We can't all be Brady Perron. In my own self examination, I think the main reason I have had any level of "success" or very dope skiers who are down to film with me is because the one thing I do is show up on time and am just down to film all day and fight with the homies for clips. That goes a lot farther than raw talent and filmmaking skill in my experience. There are many dudes before during and after me who are way better than I am and whose work I love, but they're not out there in the rain, -20 degree days and ice making edits. If you want to film, you have to know that it's a battle just as much as it is getting tricks. You get cold as fuck, sore, slammed into by the skier, or by random idiots, you break gear, spend money, etc. It's a labor of love, and telling someone you're sick of filming and they only have a few more doesn't really fly in the long run
dylansiggersShoot whatever you think is cool, and means something to you.
Don’t listen to what people tell you not to do or not to shoot. New ideas come from breaking the mold
fuck videos that are just the filmer trying to flex their commercial skills. If it’s a ski edit it should be about the skiing.
be creative with your music selection
learn the appropriate video and camera settings so your shit looks pro grade off the start. Even if it’s an HVX edit, starting off with the appropriate shutter speed, colour temps and sequence settings for the look your trying to achieve goes a long way and people who also make videos will appreciate and respect you for it.
be a reliable and easy person to shoot with. Keep it loose and creating a comfortable environment for whoever your filming goes a long way. It’s not always easy and I am the first to admit I’m not the Most relaxed person to film with haha, but it’s a huge part of makin vids.
don’t stress the cliches. You don’t haaaave to do the same thing as everyone else and include the same b roll, but you also don’t have to avoid doing certain things that are cliche. You like film burns? Fuckin put em in there don’t listen to the people who tell you it’s bad or good if it doesn’t agree with your gut.
opposite, watch lots of stuff with your peers and actively discuss what you like and dislike about projects. It helps you decide what it is you even want to make.
make shit loads of videos. Practice makes everything better, go out and shoot and just go nuts.
anyway, idk if that made sense but there’s a bunch of words
AbiHY’all freaking rock. Thanks so much for the info!!
SchoessIf we end up skiing this winter, im always down to film!
AbiHThat would be rad! Where are you based out of?
SmuffyVery amateur video-maker here, but I've been making stuff on and off for ~15 years now. Looking back to my oldest videos, what I dislike most is I can see myself trying to do too much.
My favorite videos I've made are the ones where I let the skiing do the talking, and the editing just helps to elevate it. Just some food for thought
SchoessPeople try to make "ski edits". Filmmaking is 100% about telling the story. Tell the story with your video production of what is happening where you are or where you decide you want to capture it. B roll is just as important as the tricks, Audio is also 50% of video. Bad audio is bad vibes, and I DON'T just mean music. Crispy voice and ski sounds as well as nature or whatever you're shooting really brings a video to the next level. Stept has a ton of great examples of how audio enhances the visuals.
People want to see good style more than anything in edits. No one cares if you can 6p6, but we are still rewatching all of Delormes and Hornbecks old segments because they perform in a way that is timeless and appealing as an art, bot a difficulty of sport persay if that makes sense. Now i realize not everyone is as sick as some ski legends, but focus on capturing things that are visually appealing and try to be creative. No one needs another "glidecam 1 day at Breck edit" (only 90's kids will remember), or another "iphone dump from Park City laps with the BOIZ BRO".
TLDR; Make art.
fredyferlI'd say the questions to ask yourself is "Is this a good video? Is it enjoyable to watch?"
No one is perfect, there's good filmers that are bad editors, there's bad filmers that are good editors or have good song taste, etc. I'd say just try to make a video that works and is cool. Some of my favorite videos from NS were Good Enough and Tabarnak Pack, and the filming is definitely not the strongest part in those.
Honestly Dylan Siggers pretty much said it all, that's some really really good advice.
