GoPro Cameras For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 16

Ten Ways to Improve Your Moviemaking Skills

IN THIS CHAPTER

Remembering the fundamentals

Planning your shoot

Keeping yourself and the camera safe

Using basic moviemaking technique

A director makes only one movie in his life. Then he breaks it into pieces and makes it again.

— JEAN RENOIR

I suppose being a great filmmaker and descendant of the great impressionist doesn’t mean you always speak with a gender-sensitive tongue. But the grandson of Auguste Renoir, and director of The Grand Illusion makes a valid point. While subject to interpretation, it’s not off the mark to say it means that filmmakers learn how to make movies by making movies. Sort of like finding that thing you do and keep doing it better and better. But in order to make the next one even better, it’s important to continually find way to improve your skills.

So let’s break down the top ten things you should consider to make the best possible movie. Unlike the Late Show With David Letterman, this top ten list doesn’t have any specific order. It’s just about making a good movie. While many of these apply ...