Videography, like photography, can be tough to break into. The film industry is fiercely competitive, and being a cameraman needs far more than ambition. When it comes to making what is essentially moving photos and using them to tell a story, you’ll need technical understanding and natural imagination, much like a cinematographer.
After you’ve acquired all of the required knowledge and skills to succeed in the field, the next step is to get work and eventually build your own style. Don’t worry if this all sounds daunting to you and everyone else who wants to start a career in videography. We’ll walk you through the first steps and give you some pointers on how to keep your enthusiasm for this skill alive.
Participate in Workshops
Knowing how to operate a video camera effectively is usually the first step toward becoming a videographer. Videography, as a lucrative career, obviously necessitates a great deal of talent and technological understanding that extends much beyond simply pushing the record button.
Many middle schools currently offer basic Video 101 lessons in cinema, art, broadcasting, journalism, and other disciplines linked to videography, so you can start your study before college. You might be able to join a news program or an audio-visual club at your school to learn and develop your talents.
Purchase a High-Quality Video Camera
As a novice, you may find that using a DSLR or mirrorless camera for your videography training is easier than using a camcorder. After attending a few courses, you’ll most likely have a clear notion of what kind of cinema camera you prefer to use. A top camera for student filmmakers is also an option.
Once you’ve decided what kind of camera you want to use, you can choose from a large range of camera brands and models that suit your requirements for versatility and ultra-high-resolution video recording. Whatever option you select, it’s critical that you learn how to utilize it properly.
You’ll discover along the way that a camera is just one of the many tools you’ll need to master. You’ll need to learn how to use sliders, cranes, camera rigs, and other technical equipment, but you should already know how to use a camera to get the most out of any piece of video recording equipment.
Earn a College Diploma In a Relevant Field
When applying for a videographer job, most agencies and filmmaking businesses will want to know that you have a college degree in a field linked to film or broadcasting. Luckily, there are several degrees that will give you the necessary expertise and technical skills, such as the following:
- Communications
- Cinematography
- Broadcasting
- Editing of video
- Theoretical cinema
- Screenwriting
Look for Internship Opportunities
Some claim the key to breaking into the film industry is to discover ways to spend time on real film sets, learn about film crew roles, and meet a lot of influential individuals who can help you advance.
Look for possibilities to work as an assistant at local television stations, film studios, and other organizations that offer internships.
But don’t put in any effort to find work just now. The major goal would be to gain an understanding of how film crews and sets work.
You’ll also learn how to stay safe on set and how to act professionally. You’ll be astonished to realize that workshops won’t/can’t teach you a lot of the concepts you learned from your internships.
Look for a Mentor
Find a mentor (a fellow videographer or a professional cinematographer) and form friendships during your internships.
Aside from getting useful information from someone who is presently working in the field, this person can also inspire you to be more creative. Even if you’ve already found a mentor, having multiple mentors can be extremely useful to your career.
Assist your mentor with some of their projects if possible. Examine how they operate, how they plan and execute their shots, and how they deal with any issues that emerge. Apprenticeship opens the door to opportunities such as working as a second shooter or receiving employment references in the future.
Make Your Own Movies
Spending time on real film sets with all of these talented individuals will compel you to make your own short film or movie in order to hone your camera movements and filmmaking techniques.
Allow yourself to be driven to experiment and discover your own unique creative flair. Invite your friends to join you in creating a film project that you can all use to practice and build your portfolios.
Allow the director and/or cinematographer to dictate the shooting types; all you have to do now is focus on executing them well.
You can use your equipment and talents to fund your projects, or even pay for your equipment, all while learning professional videography. For instance, weddings in Ireland are notoriously expensive, especially for wedding videographers. To support yourself as a fledgling videographer in Dublin, you can film weddings at competitive prices.
Promote Yourself
You’re ready to start building your brand once you’ve accumulated a library of short videos and clips. Make a website or an online portfolio to showcase your best work and innovative filmmaking approach. This is what will set you apart from the competition and give directors a sense of your unique filmmaking identity.
Share your website or content on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to broaden your horizons and take advantage of today’s access to mass media.
In this manner, you may grow your audience while also allowing others to assist promote your work through “Likes” and “Shares.” Remember to provide your current contact information on your sites so that prospective firms and clients know how to contact you!
Become a Member of a Film Group
Joining professional film groups and organisations, in addition to internships, is a terrific opportunity to obtain more experience and exposure in the business, as well as grow your network and find job prospects.
Being a member of a well-known group in your neighborhood enhances your credibility and may even help you improve your resume.
Some organizations specialize in specific forms of videography, so you should do some preliminary research to see if any of them are a good fit for your style and the projects you want to work on.
Fill Out Job Applications
You can finally start looking for work opportunities now that you have both theoretical and technical expertise, first-hand experience on set and in making your own films, an established identity and creative style, a few supporters, and a very attractive portfolio.
Look for employment openings online, make a few phone calls to film studios, and spread the word to family, friends, and coworkers.
If you’re lucky, work will come to you without you having to put forth any effort. When it comes to clients, don’t dismiss those that don’t pay as much as you’d want. It could be a better idea to focus your first few projects on learning and acquiring experience.
You don’t want to be dubbed an arrogant beginner long before you get your big break in the film industry. Read our tips for promoting your freelance business for more information.
Continue to Hone Your Talents and Advance Your Profession
Your advanced filmmaking workshop is just the beginning of your education. Manufacturing businesses continue to produce high-tech film equipment as the film industry develops new filmmaking processes.
As a result, keeping up with the newest trends and pursuing more filmmaking knowledge is critical. In addition, take on more difficult jobs that will help you succeed and stay relevant in your area. Continue to learn and apply for cinematography jobs when the opportunity arises.
