The Ten Rules of Personal Documentary Filmmaking - Rule #8

I guess it comes with the territory that aspiring filmmakers with no camera experience whatsoever are shooting their own personal docs these days.  After all, hiring a camera person is expensive and high quality digital camcorders are almost ridiculously cheap.  Now anyone with access to a great story can get it down on tape themselves -- and the temptation is irresistible.

However, as someone who loves watching first-person documentaries, I'm begging you...

Rule #8: If you're shooting it, learn how to shoot.

First and foremost, every camera comes with something called a manual.  Read it.  Learn it. 

Then practice.  Or, rather, practice practice practice.  Practice holding the camera steady.  Practice using the manual exposure.  Practice moving with the camera smoothly.

And keep in mind the core vocabulary of your chosen medium. Cinematography isn't just about medium shots.  The well-chosen close-up is hugely powerful.  Establishing shots create context.  Cutaways will save your life in the editing room.  Each has its own meaning and adds to the impact of your story.

Did I mention practice?

I really don't mean to sound like a crank or a scold (or, God forbid, a film buyer!), and maybe it's just that I've been a professional cameraman for over 25 years now.  But there's some really amateurish video that's made its way to the big screen lately.  And it kills me when it ruins films that otherwise could have been great. 

The democratization of the medium is all well and good.  But do us all a favor and learn the basics, folks.