Photography Masterclass | Film Making Workshop with DSLRs, Smartphones & Action Cameras

Our Approach To Film Making

We believe it is all about telling a story; everything else is secondary. Film-Making is not about cameras and gizmos. What we are here to preach and practice is, ‘How to tell your story in an interesting manner, without making a hole in your pocket or running into debt!’

Introduction:

1. Traditional Film making and it’s impossibilities for ordinary mortals!
2. Why Film making with DSLRs, GoPros and Smart Phone & Drones?
3. Importance of script writing, pre-production and screen play.
4. Pros & Cons / Limitations of these cameras.
5. How to Edit and put together your video for Social Media, different sizes

Stages in Film-Making:

1. Pre-Production: Idea, Concept, Storyboard and Script
2. Production: Actual Shooting Logistics Required (Actors/Talent, Product, Locations, Costumes)
3. Post-Production: Editing is where the magic of film-making comes into play. This session deals with the techniques of basic editing. Participants will be introduced to edit clips using Adobe Premiere CC on Desktop and Inshot on Smartphones (trial/free & paid versions available for both softwares)

Understanding Cameras, Angles and Compositional Considerations:

1. What is resolution? Why does Resolution Matter?
2. Selecting the right camera be it Smartphone/ DSLR/ Drone/ Action Camera or a combination of each.
3. Selecting resolution according to which platform the films will be distributed on.
4. What is frame rate? Difference between low fps and high fps. What is cinema fps?
5. Camera Angles Camera Movements and Lens Selection
6. What is ‘the Film Look’ and how to achieve that?
7. Shallow Depth of Field – Key to Cinema Look
8. Aesthetics and Compositional Considerations
9. Camera Movement on a budget – using Dollies and making them yourself.

Understanding Light & Light on a budget!

1. The revolution in low light filming with DSLRs
2. The fundamental strength of DSLRs is their ability to shoot in low light.
3. We will show you how to shoot with a minimalistic set up of lights.
4. Ambient Light, Artificial Light & Point Lighting
5. Quality of Light, Hard Light and Soft Light

Understanding Audio and Audio on a budget!

“Too often filmmakers focus all of their attention on video footage and ignore the quality of their sound. Interestingly enough, audiences seem to be more annoyed by poor sound quality, than by poor cinematography.”

1. Audio Formats
2. Mono Sound vs Stereo Sound
3.  Types of Microphones available for Smartphones & DSLR’s + GoPro’s
   • Dynamic Microphones
   • Condenser Microphones
   • Lapel Microphones

 Post Production workflow and basics using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2021 for Desktop editing and Inshot for Smartphone Editing:

1. Understanding video Formats and Codecs
2. Assembling of clips to create a story
3. Effects and Transitions
4. Colour Grading
5. Adding audio into the sequence to create desired effect and where to license music from
6. Export settings for the web & social media (resolutions,aspect ratio etc)

Magic Lantern, DSLR Controller and other aids to Budget Film Making

Please Note:

1. This outline is only indicative and the order in which the subjects are covered could vary from one workshop to another depending on various factors.
2. The workshop is not meant for specific camera(s) but is a generic one and camera agnostic.
3. If minimum number of seats are not filled, the workshop will still be held even if there is 1 participant! That’s the PhotoIndia guarantee

The workshop will be hosted by Manu Bahuguna (founder of PhotoIndia.com) & Sumeru Bahuguna (Creative Director). With a combined experience of 50 years between them, get to know all there is to learn from this workshop.

While Manu, a former IAF pilot and a national level Polo player who has honed his photography skills over 35 years and learnt from the greats; Rahu Rai & S Paul, he has shot extensively since his Air Force days in the late nineties to shooting for publications like the Outlook, Forbes. Now having retired, he loves to share his knowledge with anyone wanting to learn.

Sumeru is an aerial cinematographer who started his foray into entrepreneurship at a young age of 15 and hasn’t look back ever since. He initially started with Editing content of our in-house clients and the videos he has edited have over 15 million views to his credit. His work has been featured by the National Geographic,Uttarakhand Tourism, Indian Express, NDTV and other leading News Publications in India and across the globe.

In the last decade he has honed his skills in the field working the remote corners of the Himalayas using GoPro’s (right from the Hero 1 to now a 9) and Drones with over 500 hrs of flying time. Learn what it takes from him to get your video out there in the world of social media, the importance of pre-production and how to colour grade and edit a video like a pro!

Who can attend this Workshop?

People who are looking for training in film making using professional equipment or those looking to sharpen their skills. Amateurs who are interested in venturing into the world of videos. No Age limit/ No Qualifications / No Prerequisite except your passion and interest! Limited to 10 people per workshop to ensure a more personal interaction.

Where will the Workshop be hosted?

The workshop will be conducted Virtually on Zoom or Google Meet. Relevant Meeting links will be sent via Whatsapp/Email the day before the Workshop.

What should I bring for the Workshop?

All you need to bring along are:

– Your DSLR/Smartphone/Action Camera or Drone and any other equipment you possess.

– Your imagination!

What about Payments?

Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking or Online Bank Transfer (NEFT)  or Cash Deposit. Fees must be paid in advance. Details will be provided upon registering for the Workshop.

What if I am unable to attend the Workshop on the day I have booked for?

Don’t worry! We will accommodate you in subsequent Workshops and keep you informed of the dates. We do not make any refunds.

” Great Workshop on the fundamentals of DSLR video. Would’ve taken me a long time to figure these out myself. Glad to have attended this.”
– Arun Bhat, Founder of Darter Photography

” It was a great experience, I learnt a lot about basic film making. A lot to learn in the future. Thanks a lot again. ”
– Puskhar

” It was a pleasure meeting you all and learning practical things about filmmaking that no classroom can teach. I liked the informality of the workshop and the fact that the team was a friendly and helpful one. ”
– Vinita A Shetty, Journalist

” Attended the “Film Making with DSLR” workshop and found it very good and effective, the bast part was Mr. Manu Bahuguna helped with all stuff like lightning, focus issues, audio and equipment’s. Also, he was open to questions and covered most aspects like documentaries, wedding teasers, interviews etc. ”
– Umesh Yadav

“Awesome experience as a beginner! Learned a lot in this short span. Thanks a lot!”
– Basil George, J P Morgan

“Thanks for the informative workshop. Liked the way it was conducted. Could ask anything I wanted & a very interesting group.”
– Satish Iyer

“I got the basic knowledge about the camera. How it works. Rules to handle the camera, like DSLR’s. I want to come again.”
– Suresh

“Workshop helped to know bit more practical aspects about filmmaking. I would like to be a part of any project so that I will get a practical experience.”
– Dhaneesh