What you see is what you get with production, and the way you make your shorts look professional is the cornerstone of that. As a short filmmaker, you know this very well. You’ve probably shot thousands of snapshots over your life, and chances are you’ve developed some technique that professional filmmakers use to make their films look more professional. Get inspired by some of these tips and tricks on making your shorts look more professional, and produce quality content that will last, even after you’re done filming it.
1. Use Plenty of Light
The first thing you should do when shooting is get yourself a light. You can use an external light kit, or if you’re on a budget, you can use what you already have at home. You have to ensure that the light you use is not too harsh or too soft. It should be evenly distributed and not too bright or dim. If the light is too bright, it will be hard for your actors to see their lines because of the glare in their eyes. If the light is too dim, it will make it hard for them to see their lines because of low visibility. In addition, the light should be placed at a consistent distance from your subject. If the light is too far away, it will be hard for the actors to see their lines correctly. If the light is too close, they will have a hard time seeing their lines because of glare and low visibility.
2. Use a Clean Background
When shooting for a short film, you must ensure that the background is clean and free of clutter. If any objects in the background distract the actors, they will be distracted while shooting. The best way to prevent this is by having an empty background. You can use a plain white wall or put some sheets of paper on your table or floor to avoid distractions from being in the shot. Moreover, make sure to remove video background music or any other audio that can distract the actors. The clean background will make your film look professional and give it a more polished feel.
3. Avoid Shaky Footage
Shaky footage will make your film look amateurish and unprofessional. An excellent way to avoid shaky footage is by using a tripod or stabilizer for your camera. You can also use a monopod to stabilize the camera. You can also use a handheld stabilizer if you’re on a budget. Just make sure that you don’t have any movement in the shot, especially when it comes to movement in the actors’ hands or bodies. Also, ensure that you don’t make sudden movements or changes in your camera angle. You can also use a remote shutter to stabilize the camera during filming.
4. Choose a Good Video Editing Program
This is one of the most important things you need to do when making a short film look professional. Choose a video editing program that can give you the best results. There are many video editing programs, but you can use free video editing software if you’re on a budget. If you want the best results, I recommend using Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro X for your short film. These two programs will give your film a professional look and make sure that your footage looks good and clean.
5. Keep Your Editing Simple
When editing your short film, you need to keep your editing simple. An excellent way to do this is by cutting out any unnecessary footage. You can also cut out any scenes that don’t have much of an impact on your film’s story or plot. You can also use a video cutter to clean up your footage. The best part about using a video cutter is that it cuts out the unnecessary parts and will ensure that your film looks professional and polished. Simple, clean editing will make your short film look professional and polished.
Conclusion
Short films are a great way to get your creative juices flowing, share your passion, and build a career as a filmmaker. However, for those hosting a short film production or production company, achieving a professional look and feel can be challenging. The best way to do this is by using professional equipment and software and following the steps above.
