Essential Technical Fundamentals for Filmmaking

If you want to film professionally, you need to understand the most important technical basics. In our embedded 60-second video, we explain exactly what matters. Here’s a quick recap of the key points.

Videos are made up of many individual frames played in sequence. The more frames per second (fps) you use, the smoother motion appears. In cinema, 24 fps is standard, while online video often uses 25 or 30 fps.

Tip: If you want to shoot slow-motion footage, film at a higher frame rate. For example:

• 60 fps can be slowed down to half speed.

• 120 fps can be slowed down to a quarter speed.

Shutter speed determines how long each frame is exposed, which directly affects motion blur. Too short a shutter speed makes the video look choppy; too long creates excessive smearing.

The rule: Shutter speed should be roughly the inverse of double your frame rate. That means:

• At 30 fps, use 1/60 second.

• At 60 fps, use 1/120 second.

3. Exposure – Use ND filters

Because shutter speed is fixed and can’t be used to control exposure, bright environments often result in overexposed footage. An ND (neutral density) filter helps darken the image and maintain proper exposure.

4. Log profile – More dynamic range for editing

Many modern cameras offer a “Log” profile — a flat picture style that captures more image data and increases dynamic range, giving you greater flexibility in post-production.

Optimal shooting tips:

• Slightly overexpose to preserve more detail.

• Use one of your camera’s native ISO values for the best signal-to-noise ratio.

Understanding frame rate, shutter speed, exposure, and color profiles is key to creating high-quality video. Master these fundamentals, and you’ll be ready to produce professional-level films. Watch our video to see them all in action!