How to Get the Film Look Without Breaking the Bank

Getting the big budget look is something a lot of us want, but most of us would prefer not to spend Hollywood levels of cash to get it. This great tutorial will show you just how to get that look without breaking the bank.

In this video from Darius Britt, you'll get an outstanding outline of how to use the gear you already have to get closer to that fabled look. Be sure to take notes, as all these tidbits add up to a big payoff: the 180-degree shutter rule, shooting flat, getting mics as close to possible to the actors, etc. Be careful not to stop watching after the first chapter on camera settings, though; music, lighting, types of shots, and stylistic choices vs. technical oversights are all topics that are crucial to continuing to build one's bag of tricks and creating work that is more deliberate and calculated in nature. And after you watch the entire tutorial and take a veritably copious amount of notes, write down a list of your favorite movies that really embody the cinematic look and sit down to watch them with notes in hand, seeing if you can pick up those technical and artistic decisions that gave those films that distinct feel so you can use them in your own work.