DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today (Udemy.com)

Hi Phil. First, let me say that I enjoyed the course a lot and found it very helpful. I've been video editing at an enthusiast level for quite a few years (using CyberLink PowerDirector for most of those) and have moderate capability in that area. However, I'm a complete novice when it comes to DSLR and photography in general. I recently bought an old Canon 550D because I'd been trying to put together a simple promotional video (upper body shots of me talking, intercut with various other images & video) using my Samsung phone and became frustrated with the limited setting options. The camera came with its kit lens (18-55mm), but I bought a 50mm 1.8 STM as I work often in relatively poor lighting conditions. In addition to your course, I've done quite a lot of research on DSLR videography fundamentals. There is still, however, one aspect that remains somewhat unclear to me. It may seem absurdly basic to you, but it's the simple issue of how to focus while filming. So with my 550D, if I try to pan across to a different focus point and 'ask' the autofocus to refocus on that point while continuing to record, it goes all over the place - I haven't yet figured out if it's possible to refocus while continuing to record. As far as I can tell, the only way to do it is to stop the video recording, redirect the camera and autofocus on the new focus point (admittedly very quick, especially with the 50mm lens), then resume filming. It's not a problem really - just means multiple video clips, rather than one. However, it's a practicality that, for me, as a complete novice, was not obvious. In practical terms, what does having 'autofocus' on a DSLR camera mean for a videographer. Hope this makes sense... A couple of other points: I'm very aware of the importance of audio in video - have worked quite a lot in Audacity, though again at superficial level (noise reduction & a few other tools). However, I found som the info in your

It is an amazing course for anyone who doesn't know anything at all. Like 0 knowledge. He touches all the basic to minute information that is required to get started which is great. Because when you know something which is the smallest information possible it gets easier to plan and work towards what you are planning to shoot. You get a better idea. One suggestion: You covered everything, but 1 main aspect you left was after everything where do we save our footage? Cloud or Hard Disks what are the best options? Should we always have 2 copies? Should we keep raw and final footage etc? What happens to footage after its done is very very essential.

I think this course was a very good overview of DSLR Videography. It wasn't too long, so you can gain a lot of tips very quickly and the exercises are good practice. I didn't give the course a five-star review because the links contained within the class are outdated; plus, I felt that demonstrating how to sync audio and video using a video that couldn't be shown was a very poor choice.

A lot of content packed in a short course that quickly puts you up to speed on video production. It really starts with the very basics and goes over the most fundamental parts. This includes settings, compositions, general tips, video lessons, audio lessons and a quick introduction to video editing. The only downside for me was the audio section, especially with the zoom recorder and lavalier mic. It included some great tips on placement of the mics and other lessons but could have had some more info on how to actually use it. If just a few minutes on how to turn it on and what the basic buttons/settings can do.

Phil uses his Canon DSLR camera for shooting great videos, explaining in detail what the camera buttons do. Settings: video sizes, f-stop (aperture), frame rates, and white light level. He also covers microphones, and scene-setting. Great Stuff. This is exactly what I needed to know! I want to create professional videos for my online courses. (I've taken other courses by Phil and I enjoyed them too). I highly recommend this beginner course IF YOU ARE a beginner like me - and you too are wanting to know the basics about DSLR cameras :-)

Excellent course. Phil is a very likeable instructor and good at explaining stuff. He gets you up and running pretty fast. All modules discuss the aspects of video making deep enough for beginners and at the same time easy to understand. The only thing Phil could improve in my opinion are the modules where he talks about the actual video shooting with a DSLR. I enrolled in this course when I first bought my first DSLR (a Sony A77-II) and I remember it was pretty complicated to understand how to shoot a video on manual mode with so many factors (shutter speed, aperture, manual focus, ISO, changing light conditions etc). I watched the course again now, a year later, and all was clear, because I now understand these factors much better, but when you are a beginner you want to actually see the steps involved before shooting, because it can get quite confusing. For example, what do you set first? Aperture or ISO? If you want less depth of field (blurry background) do you compensate the smaller aperture with higher ISO or lower shutter speed? Stuff like that. Because the actual shooting of video in manual is pretty fundamental for the rest of the course it would be nice if a real-world module was included where you could see how Phil would tackle this in a real world scenario. Otherwise the course is very well put together, I especially learned a lot about the 3 point lighting technique for interviews.

Although Phil was very informative, I had to give this course 4 stars based off some flaws that I encountered. There were times in the video where the instructors audio mike was rubbing against his shirt. This was very annoying and also made the instructor (who states multiple times in this course that clear audio is very important) seem hypocritical on what he was teaching. - Some of the video sessions seemed out of focus. But besides those points, I felt that the course was very informative and I would recommend taking the course if you are a beginner in DSLR video production.

Learned a lot, thanks. I'm happy I took this class, even though it took me awhile to get through the entire course, it's great to know I can go back at any time to revisit topics/lessons I need help remembering. I have a couple other courses you've taught, and little by little, I'm getting through them and learning what I need to know in my line of business. Thanks again =)

This is a good course for beginners. I had a little experience in shooting and editing DSLR video, so i find it a little be long and repetetive, specially the fist part. I think putting some subtitles specially when you name technical tools or devices will improve the course. Also, i think if you made like a big project (like a script you propose) from the begining to the end of the course that students can do step by step from on topic to another (photo, lighting, sound,...) until posting it in youtube for example will give students more motivation to follow. Anyway, thank you for the tips Abdenour from France P.S : Here is an amateur video i shot for a boxer in the club where i practice boxing. It is shot only with a canon 5D mark III without any other sound or light devices, and edited in final cut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8C7YmCGII thank's Phil.

It's a great course Phil, congrats. I enjoyed every lesson. Just to have some improvement suggestion, I would (and I know it's my personal taste) spent a bit more time with the settings and the DSLR, showing different results with different settings. The information is there but now it requires a lot of trial and error for my understanding (not necessarily a bad thing though) :). Thanks for your engagement!