How to Film Cinematic Videos by Yourself

Summary

The filmmaker explains how to make cinematic videos alone by treating solo production as a creative problem-solving process. Rather than relying on expensive gear or constantly moving the camera, he emphasizes planning a story, filming varied coverage, and assembling footage with intention.

Main Ideas and Methodology

• Start with a story, not a shot list.

  • Decide what the video is about and how its events will unfold.
  • In the example, the story follows a mountain outing: driving to a lake, spending time in nature, hiking up a mountain, and reaching a sunset payoff.
  • Small actions—such as getting into the car, tying hiking boots, or taking a picture—provide context and connect the larger moments.

• Use practical gear that supports solo filming.

  • A cinema camera is not essential; the advice also applies to phones and compact cameras.
  • The creator uses a Sony FX3 and a versatile zoom lens, but says the most important parts of his setup are:
    • A reliable, adjustable tripod for framing shots at different heights.
    • A way to monitor the camera remotely, so he can check his position and composition without repeatedly walking back to the tripod.
  • He uses a DJI RavenEye system to send the camera’s image to his phone and monitor and control the camera remotely.

• Capture coverage instead of chasing one perfect shot.

  • Coverage means filming enough angles and perspectives to make a scene work in the edit.
  • Build a scene in layers:
    • Wide shots establish the location.
    • Medium shots bring the viewer closer.
    • Detail shots add texture and a sense of place.
  • Consider which group of shots will help viewers feel they experienced the scene, rather than focusing only on the “best” frame.

• Use tripod height as a prompt for varied compositions.

  • At a new location, deliberately capture a composition from each section or height of the tripod.
  • Begin with a high or eye-level wide establishing shot, then lower the tripod and explore different positions, focal lengths, foreground elements, and compositions.
  • This method encourages visual variety and provides more useful footage for the edit.

• Create a feeling of movement through changing perspectives.

  • Cinematic footage does not require constant camera movement.
  • Cutting among different angles, focal lengths, and compositions can create a sense of visual movement, even when every shot is static.
  • Handheld shots can be mixed with tripod footage to add a more human, organic quality.
  • Drone footage can help communicate scale, but should be used intentionally and only when it supports the story.

• Keep solo focus simple.

  • The creator relies on autofocus when filming himself.
  • On the Sony FX3, he uses continuous autofocus, selects humans as the subject, and enables eye tracking, leaving other settings at their defaults.
  • Because the camera sometimes shifts focus to the background after he passes it, he trims the clip before the focus shift in the edit.

• Use music to shape the emotional tone.

  • Music can substantially change how the same footage feels.
  • The creator looks for a track that helps define the story’s emotional direction, rather than merely matching what is visible.
  • Once a song is chosen, it can help guide the edit.

Overall Lesson

Solo filmmaking improves when the filmmaker prioritizes story structure and thoughtful coverage over gear or a single impressive shot. Collecting complementary shots gives the edit more options and helps turn a set of images into a coherent, emotionally engaging experience.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Kyle Kotajarvi — the video’s narrator and filmmaker.
• Musicbed — mentioned by the narrator as a music source and promoted in the video.