How do you make a video more movie-like?

How do you make a normal home video look more movie-like?

• When you watch a movie, it looks more dreamy (or something) and a home video looks more real-life. How do they do that? Is it the camera? Can you possibly edit your video to look and feel more movie-like?

• Answer:

  Its a huge subject, but some basics, always think about the end result, what are people going to see if you take that shot, Imagine the scene, dont guess, lighting is there enough or too little, camera on tripod. unless you want to add some effect/scene. Audio always think of how your audio is going to sound like. The quality of your raw footage is 100% important, with spending time you can produce amazing results, but TIME is paramount. dont rush things, you are not going to produce a fantastic film, after a couple of attempts, learn how to use your camera, if it has manuel controls use them, play about with them and see what you can do. Next comes the editing, get yourself a good package, most of the good ones offer a trial version (fully working) Adobe CS4, Sony Vegas assuming you are on a PC. Use the net for tutorials, there are loads of them, Adobe have some good ones (be careful some get a little heavy) enrol in a course learn how to use the equipment. Most of all have fun, but also be critical, of your own work, look at films (movies) try to work out how they make that scene, or that angle, www.videohelp.com has plenty of help areas and the members are great at helping out people who want to learn. Good luck RR