How to make a video look like a film research.

The first tutorial of how to make your video look like a film on editing software. The editing techniques used are 'colour correcting' and 'letter boxing.'



This film looks at how to change the pigment of colours in the scene.




There are different editing techniques that can be used to make a video recording look like a film.  One of the first steps that can be used is 'Depth of Field.' Many films use this technique, this where one object or person is focused on completely any everything else in the background is blurred. This effect is used in may mainstream films, therefore by using this effect it will make your video footage look similar to a mainstream film. An example below of Depth of Field used in Pulp Fiction.

Another editing technique to make your video look like a film is 'Frame Rate.' There should be at least 24 frames per second. This is to get the look of motion blur, which is ideal in all real films, as it gives it a realistic feel. If you didn't shoot around 24 frames per second and shot less, your footage wouldn't look realistic as it would be too perfect, with no motion blur when characters are moving and speaking. In this instance it's the only time yo don't want a film to look perfect. This is an example of Motion Blur in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Camera Movement is vital when making your footage look professional. This includes a wide range of variety of shots used within the film, and not constantly using the same set of shots. Also using a variety of methods of how the camera is held, such as tripod, handheld. on a dolly, crane shots or just no movement from the camera at all. No certain camera movements make your footage look more professional and 'film like', however just by using a variety of methods of how the camera is used and the shots, this will give the footage a more professional advanced look. Also make sure that the right shots are used for the right scenes, and make sure they fit together. 

Effective colour correction used in editing plays a huge part in making your film look professional. The best method to use when colour correcting is making it look natural. Not a lot of colour correcting will nee to be done, but it will need adjusting to give it the cinematic appearance, whilst also making it look natural and realistic. This includes adjusting your white balance and exposure. by adding warmth or cool down to the scenes, this can give it a more realistic natural appearance. Also consider adjusting contrast, however not too much as this does give the appearance of too much enhancement. 

Framing plays an important part as you don't want to have objects or people in your frame, that have nothing to do with the happenings in that scene. By framing accurately you will create the right effect and mood for the storyline at that point, therefore this doesn't cause confusion for the audience. For example this frame example from The Kings Speech, this frame shows how lonely the person feels and is in the storyline.