Videographer Masterclass (4 Hours)
Session Goal
Equip videographers with practical, hands-on skills in lighting, lens choice, and managing natural light (ND gels), enabling them to shoot professional-quality footage in real-world environments.
Introduction & Setup
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Welcome and course overview.
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Quick discussion: current challenges participants face in shooting.
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Outline of skills to be learned.​
1: Mastering Lighting (3-Point Lighting)
Learning Points:
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Understand key, fill, and back light.
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How to create depth and shape with light.
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Matching light quality (hard vs. soft).
Practical Exercise:
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Each participant sets up a 3-point lighting system.
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Experiment with intensity ratios (e.g., 2:1, 4:1 key-to-fill).
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Adjust placement and see changes on camera monitor.
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2: Lens Choice & Compression
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Learning Points:
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Aperture
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Wide vs. standard vs. telephoto lenses.
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How lenses affect depth, space compression, and portrait aesthetics.
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Choosing the right lens for interviews, product shots, or events.
Practical Exercise:
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Set up a subject against a background.
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Shoot at 24mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm.
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Compare results on screen and discuss framing + background compression.
3: Working with Windows & ND Gels
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Learning Points:
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Controlling harsh natural light.
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Using ND gels to balance daylight with interior lighting.
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How to avoid overexposure without changing ISO/shutter too drastically.
Practical Exercise:
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Apply ND gels to a window.
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Balance exposure inside with lights + daylight.
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Record test footage with and without gels.
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4: Putting It All Together
Scenario Workshop:
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Small groups film a short interview scene.
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Task: Use correct 3-point lighting, select lens for desired look, and manage window light with ND gels.
Outcome:
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Compare footage.
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Peer feedback on lighting, lens choice, and exposure.
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5: Filming B-Roll
Learning Points:
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What is B-roll and why it matters.
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Types: establishing shots, cutaways, details, action shots.
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Camera movement techniques: pans, tilts, sliders, handheld motion.
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Storytelling with B-roll (supporting the A-roll).
Exercise:
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Capture a short sequence of B-roll around the room/building.
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Combine static + movement shots.
Q&A
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Recap of key lessons.
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Open floor for specific questions.
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Resources for continued learning.