1. How to make a great movie

2. Get to know your camera »Play with all the buttons - know what they are for - identify film and playback mode »Put in and eject the tape - know which way it goes »Find the apertures for power and cables »Film a sample piece first and play it back »Always detach the battery if the camera is left for long periods »Keep away from moisture and moving within different climates »Play with all the buttons - know what they are for - identify film and playback mode »Put in and eject the tape - know which way it goes »Find the apertures for power and cables »Film a sample piece first and play it back »Always detach the battery if the camera is left for long periods »Keep away from moisture and moving within different climates

3. Lighting »Before shooting determine where the light is »Shoot with sun behind you not in front (backlight)backlight) »If filming inside, turn all the lights on »Prevent red eye »Before shooting determine where the light is »Shoot with sun behind you not in front (backlight)backlight) »If filming inside, turn all the lights on »Prevent red eye

4. Shooting »Start and finish filming for about 5 secs before and after the scene »Do not use the zoom button - zoom first, then shoot »Use manual focus if possible »Keep both eyes open when filming »Do not use the digital zoom »If possible use an external mic »Look your subject in the eye »Move in closeclose »Start and finish filming for about 5 secs before and after the scene »Do not use the zoom button - zoom first, then shoot »Use manual focus if possible »Keep both eyes open when filming »Do not use the digital zoom »If possible use an external mic »Look your subject in the eye »Move in closeclose

5. Composition »Use the rule of thirdsrule of thirds »Film at the level of the subject (children, animals) »Open space »Use the rule of thirdsrule of thirds »Film at the level of the subject (children, animals) »Open space

6. Stabilise »Use a tripod »Hold camera still and have the subject provide the action »Use a tripod »Hold camera still and have the subject provide the action

7. Framing »Frame subject before filmingFrame subject »Let subject fill the scene »Consider the backgroundbackground »Frame subject before filmingFrame subject »Let subject fill the scene »Consider the backgroundbackground

8. Angles and perspectives »Eye level »Low angleLow angle »High angleHigh angle »Leading linesLeading lines »Giving the audience more information than the characters have »Don’t pan or tilt unless you have to - if using pan or tilt move slowly »Eye level »Low angleLow angle »High angleHigh angle »Leading linesLeading lines »Giving the audience more information than the characters have »Don’t pan or tilt unless you have to - if using pan or tilt move slowly