Post your Tips here!

to keep the video camera still i usually press my elbow against my stomach and support the camera with my free hand... i also sometimes take a knee and support the camera with my thigh or knee...

Low camera shots. When filming a line, one of the most commonly misdone shots is where the filmer films at a downward angle. The result is usually that you only see the board and part of the legs. When filming while moving you typically want to have a lower angle pointing upward . This way you catch more of the skaters body and less of the obtrusive ground. This way the board also has more chance to flare infront of the camera. You can more easily discern what the board is doing and how it is effecting the rider.


Also, when filming stationary, many people tend to simply point and shoot with no real thought as to what terrain they are filming. Every type of spot has a different build and thus by nature few types of spots require the same angles. Before filming an important trick, test the angles. What looks good. What will fully capture the uniqueness of the spot while bringing direct focus on the trick going down. Whatever you do, do not simply hold the camera at eye level and shoot. this is very amateur and with a very few exceptions is not an angle I will use.

When you're filming a trick, arse footage, in my opinion, looks ****. When you're filming a trick film the front of the skater. Like if you are filimg a line follow along the toe side of them.

^^ That is a good tip. Although, there are definately times where a rear view works better, especially as secondary views.


Quick comment here. The best thing you can do for yourself is to build an awareness of what looks good for the particular trick/line/spot/weather. There so many variations in filming that are key in bringing out the best in skating. All of which effect the emotions tied to the viewers perception of the video. Keep testing angles and finding what best captures these different aspects. This is how you will develope your own style to filming. Trial, error, and being open to the advice of those more experienced.

These are all good filming tips. Someone should sticky this thread if possible.

cheers for the tips guys il definatley be using these

when your rolling behind filming, stay in one straight line and move the camera depending where the skater moves. Don't actually follow them

Ya i know this stuff because out of my friends im the only person who has a camera and knows how to film and edit so i guess im the filmer

When filming gaps or stairs, go to the bottom of the set/gap and to the side a bit, get as low as possible and film them, it makes the gap/set look bigger.

When filming a drop try to find and angle and the bottom that you can see the whole persone in the air then to get a good low affect put the camera down on your foot. It gives it good stability and it makes the trick look bigger.

When rolling behind getting foot shots, try to invent a device to put the camera on your board while you trail along its easier and is more steady but you might hvae to check the footy a few times to see if its good

If you are filmimg a grab trick down something, film higher up so the grab itsel is more visible

Do not over use your fisheye. A lot of new filmers use it on most tricks, dont. They only really work well on gaps/stairs. Never ever use a fisheye on flat.

Use the zoom, a lot of people dont and the person skating into focus does not look as good.

When ever possible get shots from two angles, more creative editing can be done with two angles. But do not get the other filmer in your shot. Also do not film a trick, change angles and film it again. It will not work.

Also if possible get stills of tricks as well as film, for editing purposes. Same cautions as above.

get lowwer to the ground when filming steps, gaps and stuff to make it look better.

I just have a few tips and they are ----- experiment with different camera angles, try filming with two or more camera's if your friends have any, so you can get different shots

make sure not to move it that much

Never ever use a fisheye on flat.

Except for lines.


When filming gaps/stairs make sure to get an angle where the viewer can grasp how long and tall it is. Straight-forward stair shots tend to be bad.
When a shot involves a 180, make it so the ride away is face-side.

White balance often, anytime the light changes.

It's better to overexpose the sky than to underexpose the forground.

Only use tapes once.

Pick up a "lenspen," especially if you have a fisheye. This thing is indespensible, it works great for dust and fingerprints. It's good to carry around some "dustoff" canned air also, it works really well for dust as well.

enspen.com

Never yell "yea!" after a landed trick, this **** will ruin a clip.

Never use auto exposure!

if you want good quality you need a tripod my dad lets me use his other one, he has one that I can't use that cost more than $500 just because it is so good!

If you're filming fisheye, steady shot off. It's probably one of the most common mistakes I notice.

If you're filming fisheye, steady shot off. It's probably one of the most common mistakes I notice.

I've been told that, except I have no idea how to turn it off. I've went through the complete book and couldn't find anything on steady shot.

it may be called eis or ois^^ what camera do you have?

stay low well doing a following shot dont hold the cam high and point it down, stay low:)

Use veiwfinder on long lense shots. Get low and point the camera up on about a 90 degree angle with your forarm. Perhaps gettting a filming board would be relavent. Keep your camera/lens up with good maintnence (lenspen, headcleaners, new tapes ect.) THese are all really grand of tips aswell.

stay low well doing a following shot dont hold the cam high and point it down, stay low:)
Incorrect, unless of course you are above the skater. But in lines always oint UP* to make the board beg and clear.!.!.!

Low camera shots. When filming a line, one of the most commonly misdone shots is where the filmer films at a downward angle. The result is usually that you only see the board and part of the legs. When filming while moving you typically want to have a lower angle pointing upward . This way you catch more of the skaters body and less of the obtrusive ground. This way the board also has more chance to flare infront of the camera. You can more easily discern what the board is doing and how it is effecting the rider.


Also, when filming stationary, many people tend to simply point and shoot with no real thought as to what terrain they are filming. Every type of spot has a different build and thus by nature few types of spots require the same angles. Before filming an important trick, test the angles. What looks good. What will fully capture the uniqueness of the spot while bringing direct focus on the trick going down. Whatever you do, do not simply hold the camera at eye level and shoot. this is very amateur and with a very few exceptions is not an angle I will use.
Very well put

Try not to have to much in the background. Example: Much of people, objects, and that type of stuff.

It takes the viewers eyes off you for a second. Also it just doesn't look as good when you skating and there is a bunch of crap all around you.

never have your 11 year old sister film............

When filming gaps or stairs, go to the bottom of the set/gap and to the side a bit, get as low as possible and film them, it makes the gap/set look bigger.

only with a good fisheye

check your surroundings when filming... down low is not always the best way to film stairs/gaps ect.
try to film with the sun behind you other wise the glare may ruin the shot...

for 3 chip camera's, learn how to white balance correctly.

death lenses are overrated, learn your camera, learn to shoot long lens w/o auto focus.

oh, have fun...