The Art of Camera Movement

A course by Merlin Showalter , Steadicam operator and cinematographer

Steadicam operator and cinematographer. Los Angeles, United States.
Joined February 2022

Elevate your filmmaking skills with this camera movement course. Learn how to use the camera to create emotion and style in your shots, and develop your compositional techniques.

100% positive reviews (42)
3,280 students
Audio: English
English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch

Elevate your filmmaking skills with this camera movement course. Learn how to use the camera to create emotion and style in your shots, and develop your compositional techniques.

Explore the art of storytelling through the lens with Merlin Showalter, an experienced steadicam operator and cinematographer. In this online course, you'll delve into the fascinating world of cinematography and learn how to use composition techniques and camera movement to create visually engaging scenes that evoke an emotional response in viewers.

Merlin's passion for using a camera as a storytelling device will inspire you to see the immense power of cinematography. Through a carefully crafted curriculum, he will guide you in mastering the art of capturing compelling narratives with your camera. You'll discover the importance of orchestration in each take and develop your skills in framing, camera movement, and composition.

Throughout the course, Merlin will take you on a journey through the history of motion pictures, explore different settings for your equipment, and delve into lenses, filters, and camera rigs. You'll learn both basic and advanced techniques of camera movement, from analyzing scripts to developing shot lists. Additionally, you'll discover how to capture slow-motion shots and experiment with gimbal movements to add dynamic visuals to your storytelling.

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What will you learn in this online course?

22 lessons & 19 downloads

Camera Selection and Settings 1
5 minutes, 56 seconds
Camera Selection and Settings 2
14 minutes, 17 seconds
Lenses and Filters
7 minutes, 10 seconds
Building a Camera Rig 1
14 minutes, 0 seconds
Basic Camera Movements
8 minutes, 30 seconds
More Axes of Freedom
8 minutes, 37 seconds
  • 100% positive reviews (42)
  • 3,280 students
  • 22 lessons (4h 11m)
  • 19 additional resources (5 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English
  • English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

In the final project of this course, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your skills and creativity by filming a short scene. By combining different angles, framing techniques, and camera movements, you'll weave together a compelling narrative that captivates and resonates with viewers. Let your imagination run wild as you bring your ideas to life through the lens, and create a memorable piece that reflects your unique storytelling style.

Who is this online course for?

This course is ideal for aspiring filmmakers, camera operators, writers, directors, and even social media managers looking to enhance their visual storytelling skills. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience in the field, Merlin Showalter will provide you with the knowledge and techniques to take your cinematography skills to the next level. Additionally, still photographers who want to expand their skillset into the realm of moving images will find this course invaluable. Join us on this creative journey and unlock your potential as a visual storyteller.

Requirements and materials

To embark on this enriching cinematography journey, you'll need a basic understanding of photography and access to a video camera. Merlin Showalter will guide you through the rest, helping you develop your skills and unleash your creativity. So, grab your camera, bring your passion for storytelling, and get ready to elevate your visual narratives to new heights.


Reviews

3,280 Students
42 Reviews
100% Positive ratings

Merlin Showalter

A course by Merlin Showalter

Teacher Plus
Steadicam operator and cinematographer

Merlin Showalter is a highly skilled steadicam operator, cinematographer, and camera operator hailing from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. With an impressive portfolio that includes collaborations with renowned brands like Disney, Warner Bros, Universal, Adidas, Subaru, and many more, Merlin's expertise in the field is undeniable.

His vast experience in the industry has led him to work on a wide range of projects, from commercials and feature films to music videos. With every endeavor, Merlin embraces the unique challenges that come his way, solving them with his problem-solving skills and boundless creativity.

Constantly seeking to improve and evolve, Merlin invests in his education by watching courses and reading texts on cinematography. He stays up to date with the latest technology and techniques, ensuring that his work remains innovative and cutting-edge. With his passion for using the camera as a storytelling device, Merlin is dedicated to helping aspiring filmmakers and visual storytellers unleash their creative potential.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • About Me
    • Influences
  • U2

    Camera Movement

    • A Brief History of Camera Movement
    • Camera Selection and Settings 1
    • Camera Selection and Settings 2
    • Lenses and Filters
    • Building a Camera Rig 1
    • Building a Camera Rig 2
    • Basic Camera Movements
    • More Axes of Freedom
  • U3

    Preparing the Project

    • Dissecting the Script
    • Composition and Shooting for the Edit
    • Choosing the Right Tools for the Shot
    • Creating the Shot List
  • U4

    Production: First Steps

    • Setup: Center Coverage, Whole Scene
    • Setup: Left Side Coverage, 1st Half
    • Setup: Right Side Coverage, 1st Half
  • U5

    Production: Last Details

    • Setup: Right Side, 2nd Half
    • Setup: Left Side Coverage, 2nd Half
    • Setup: Specialty Shots, Slow-motion, and Gimbal
    • Edited Scene 1
    • Edited Scene 2
  • FP

    Final project

    • Intro to Steadicam and cinematography

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
The Art of Camera Movement. Photography, and Video course by Merlin Showalter

The Art of Camera Movement

A course by Merlin Showalter
Steadicam operator and cinematographer. Los Angeles, United States.
Joined February 2022
  • 100% positive reviews (42)
  • 3,280 students