Cinematic Cheat Sheet
Basic Shot List
Wide Establishing Shot - Sets the scene and provides context.​
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Medium Shot – Shows action and movement with a balance of detail and context.​
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Close-up Shot – Highlights intricate details and craftsmanship.​
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Ambient/Landscape Shot – Captures the workshop environment and mood.​
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Tracking Shot – Follows movement, such as a tool in motion or a board being cut.​
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POV (Point of View) Shot – Mimics your perspective, putting the viewer in your shoes.
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​Creative Shots – Get creative! Try overhead, low-angle, or macro shots of sawdust flying.
SHOT SEQUENCING
Tell a Story
Each shot should add meaning and push the story forward.
The 3-Shot Rule
Pick three shots from the list and capture the same action from each perspective.
Example Sequence:
Wide Establishing Shot – Introduces the workspace
Close-up – Shows hands carving or assembling a piece
Medium Shot (from a unique angle) – Reveals more details and surroundings
LIGHTING
Balance Shadows and Highlights – Contrast is key to achieving a cinematic look. To capture that contrast on camera, you need to be shooting your shadows.
Avoid positioning your subject directly facing the light source, as this creates a flat, uninteresting image. Instead, angle your subject or light source to create depth.
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Key Light (Use What You Have) – Your main source of illumination. Work with available light. Whether it's a window, overhead lighting, or a soft LED panel.
Natural sunlight near windows often works great, and you can soften harsh light with curtains, blinds, or diffusers.
Morning or late afternoon light tends to be more flattering than midday sun, but don't let imperfect lighting stop you from shooting.
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Accent Lighting – Lamps or LEDs enhance atmosphere and add depth to the scene.
Why Lighting Matters – Proper lighting reduces noise, improves colour accuracy, and adds depth, making videos look more professional. Even a basic setup with natural light and a few LEDs can elevate your work.
FRAMING & COMPOSITION
Rule of Thirds – Position the subject at the intersection of grid lines overlaid on your camera screen.
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Leading Lines – Use long straight objects (roads, paths, railings) to guide the viewer's eye.
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Foreground Elements – Include objects in the frame to add depth and focus attention.
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Negative Space – Minimal backdrops draw attention to the subject and can enhance feelings like scale, perspective, and isolation.
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Balance & Symmetry – Well-balanced compositions are more visually pleasing.
CAMERA MOVEMENT
Static Tripod Shot – A solo creator's best friend. Enhanced when capturing movement within the frame. Slow zooms in editing can simulate camera movement.
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Slow Pan – Adds subtle motion without distraction (can be achieved with a slow zoom in post).
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Handheld – Adds an immersive, natural feel.
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Tracking Shot – Attach magic arms to objects for unique POV tracking shots that add dynamic energy.
SOUND
Capture ASMR Sounds – Crisp sounds of chiselling, sawing, and sanding make woodworking videos more immersive and satisfying. The same goes for all other types of content.
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Capture Room Tone – Sound effects can feel flat or artificial if there’s too much silence between them. By incorporating room tone, you create a natural atmosphere that helps glue the entire mix together, providing a consistent, grounding presence throughout the scene.
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Use a Dedicated Mic – A microphone like the DJI Mic Mini captures clearer audio. Place the mic close to your work (not on yourself) to avoid picking up breathing sounds.
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Record Ambient Noise Separately – Add ambient workshop sounds in post-production to set the mood and smooth audio transitions.
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Replace Bad Audio – If a clip has poor audio, use sound from another take of the same action—it works surprisingly well!
EDITING
Keep Clips Short & Purposeful – Trim excess footage. Ask: "Does the video make sense without this clip?" If yes, consider deleting it.
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Colour Grade for Consistency – Adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance/temperature for a cohesive aesthetic. LUTs (Look-Up Tables) are an excellent way to maintain consistent feel and colour across all your shots.
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Match Cuts to the Beat – Sync transitions with background music for dynamic pacing.
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Use Text & Graphics Wisely – Subtle captions or labels can be great to help explain processes or give context.