How I TRANSFORMED My Amateur Film 10 Years Later | Beginner vs. Pro Cinematography

Have you ever thought what it'd be like to revamp an older project with your newly improved skills?
When starting out as a filmmaker or content creator, it is important to understand that the best way to learn and refine your craft is by doing. We can't just pick up a camera and lighting package, and expect a cinematic masterpiece as the outcome. The focus should be spent on enhancing the technique and mentality that goes into designing a shot.
In this episode of Back to Set, join DP/Host Valentina Vee as she looks back on an old short film of hers, and sets out to remake the story by incorporating the knowledge and insight she has garnered since the initial creation of the project.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Valentina's Old Film w/ Commentary
03:33 - Better Tools for the Job
04:24 - Shooting Order
04:40 - Working with Kid Actors
05:04 - Shot 1
06:10 - The Rule of Thirds
06:47 - Shot 2
06:58 - "Cheating"
07:29 - Shot 3
08:24 - Valentina's Newly Improved Film
09:34 - That's a Wrap
10:17 - Questions
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• Back to Set | Learn Ci...
🎥Connect with the A-Team!
Host/DP: Valentina Vee
IG: / valentina.vee
Twitter: / valentinavee
Producer: Moses Israel Guerrero
IG: / moses_israel
Director: Tue Duong
IG: / tuezzles
Episode Cinematographer: Jucel Andrin
IG: / jucelandrin_
Editor: Steven Clavijo
IG: / stevenclavijo_
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Summary:
Aputure's KZbin channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.

[@aputurelighting]

Rather than using a cinema camera package, Vee decided to shoot this episode with the Sony A7Siii with Sony/Zeiss Plantar lenses. While not the same as her original short, they're both affortable and popular setups at their respective times of filmming!

[@cookiemasta1658]

You have failed again! Actors are under-exposed now! There is not enough light! Look how dark they are!

[@idkanymore3382]

The equipment you used was in the THOUSANDS you are not using budget equipment cringe lord

[@AnimeZone247]

@@idkanymore3382 that is budget, what do you want them to use the sony dsc-W830?

[@silas1414]

The quirks and looseness of the original give it character and actually makes it more interesting compared to the newer one, it has a great energy to it, the remake feels too controlled, less distinctive, the edges have been buffed off and it feels more textbook, there's less of your identity coming through, the later one feels generic while the first feels like a person made it, if that makes sense. Being able to retain the creativity, freedom and identity of the first one while bringing in the new gear would be the perfect combo.

[@Sida-Chris]

I think so ，too

[@mjgfromDDD]

Great insight. It shows that so much emphasis on technique can hinder creativity, uniqueness, and overall style.

[@raquetamalvada]

I was thinking exactly the same thing

[@guystudios]

My thoughts exactly.

[@adammorris8777]

Amen Silas

[@i_so_late]

"there's good cinematography and there's bad cinematography, and then there’s the cinematography that’s right for the movie" you have a very dramatic high contrast look for something pretty simple and light-hearted, you can't just always go for what looks cool, it has to fit the story

[@apostalote]

Someone tell the directors of Euphoria this. This is sneakily a massive problem in cinematography these days. People are losing sense of the emotionality tonality

[@piotrgraniszewski8544]

Yeah, this is the real problem with the second version. Nicely put.

[@haileykurioreilly9890]

@@apostalote Nice-looking cinematography isn't automatically bad. IMO the dark colorful and moody lighting works for a show about drug addiction, sexuality, and excess, for a show titled "Euphoria" no less. It's almost expressionistic at times in its portrayal of its characters' inner mental states. It's also really popular for teenagers today to fit colored lights into their own rooms, make things "aesthetic", in total I think it kinda captures a moment in teenage life.

[@devinthehandyman7900]

You were gifted with skills back then. Storytelling is a hard skill to learn and you have it. Now the only difference is 10+ people working for you and expensive equipment. Creativity comes from passion, not expensive stuff

[@LockedOnStudios]

As others have pointed out, the new version feels off. I think the main problem is that telling the story took a backseat to upping the production value. The blank walls and dingy kitchen with scratches on the walls served the story so much better than a well decorated, cozy home. The pacing was very fast, I was having a hard time even telling what was supposed to be happening, and the music clashed with the tone of the scene. The over-the-shoulder shots were a very safe choice that communicated nothing about the characters, whereas the old one had much more interesting blocking, and I even liked the Dutch angle - it added character. The old one wasn't perfect, and the compositions and lighting could have been improved at times. But it did a better job putting all the focus on the story, and that's the most important thing, right?

[@AnimeZone247]

and this is why yall movies are sucking. Everything is equally important, everything contributes to the story, not just words on a page or ppl talking. The way a room is decorated is just as important as the "story," what camera you choose is just as important, as the lens choice, location, and sound design. All of that and more contribute to a story. is the story the most important, yes. Bc that involves everything

[@jonathanalfred446]

Would've been great to shoot it with the same resources as the original one... Same cameras, lights and number of crew members !

[@roedolfsmit4884]

One thing that I'd like to understand is how much of the improvement is skill, and how much is larger crew + bigger budget. No doubt you are an excellent cinematographer, but with any good experiment you hold as many variable as possible static. So how much better can you make that old short within the same constraints you had last time (i.e similar crew, similar budget, similar location etc.). I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels (on occasion at least) that I could be so much better if I only had [location/budget/gear/crew/production designer/etc.]. How much of that can you take out of the equation? I also accept that these are still Aputure sponsored videos, so gear will have to feature, but maybe keep it to the Amarans and other beginner budget options?

[@jamesSevenAteNine]

Totally agree. I’d like to see a video using only 1 person and maybe an assistant, as many beginner film makers can’t afford a crew, and have to do everything (camera man, director, writer, lighting etc)

[@alextab25]

Your spot on.

[@vipinpvadgj126]

totally agree...... i was gona say samething....and adding to this..... the second video looks like commercial video and artificial more... because of the usage of lots of colors without aesthetics..... and no planning about showing imperfections to make the scene looks realistic like pros do and u locked those kids inside a table like some movie scenes we have already seen and that restricted those actors to act with their full body, when compared to the first video....in the first video, those kids look so real......u have to change your mindset of shooting and looking into the frames in different way on scenes and commercials....this is why some commercial cinematographers fails on shooting movies.... all this just because i like valentina videos...

[@felipfidelis]

thats truly

[@nikilragav]

Absolutely agreed. Relatedly, an "a7siii" is "relatively affordable" according to their description. It's still $3500 for just the body + at least $1k for lenses + at least $500 for the rest of the rig. We're talking $5k at least. And there are no lights, stands, audio... With all of that added, we're probably in the $10-$15k range. Not in same realm as her t3i footage (which btw actually can still shoot some amazing footage). She should imo compare with an a6400, some average kit lens, up to 2 amarans, 2 stands, and a deity or rode 3.5mm mic on a pole, regular cardboard for bounces & flags. Total we're in the $2-3k range.

[@jonasuki]

Might as well call the second one a commercial. The first one has a lot more character

[@yansterckx2206]

Imo the new looks too much like a mcdonald's commercial instead of a "short film" look, it's too polished, furniture are placed like it's in an ikea or... a commercial as I said. The lighting is very flashy. It is certainly a step up from the old version production value-wise. But I don't think it matches the intention. But still good work, the new version shows a real progress and control in image.

[@loukimein6229]

The lighting is really well done, way too good tho. I actually enjoyed the look of the first one the most. I think it goes to show that just cause you can make It "better" doesn't mean you should. It's really hard for a DOP to restrain himself when so much gear is available. I also think what you should have done is use the same exact gear and just show us what you would have done differently now, if anything you could have added small little affordable changes, but nothing crazy. It's hard to tell what's a skill difference(which there obviously is) and what's better equipment. You go on to say camera doesn't matter, giving us the expectation that you're gonna rely on better skill alone and then pull out thousands of dollars in lights, crew and that tasty zeiss glass. Good results tho. I mean no harm in these words :)

[@Yourleftismyright88]

The first one reminded of Noah Baumbach movie especially since he works with Robbie Ryan who loves natural light. I would have loved to see an update to the home movie visually in that style and how you can use natural light to it's advantage, but still well done.

[@mateuszcebula273]

Honestly - I don't think it was an improvement. The old one might lack in some technical aspects, however the setup, the scenography and the colors looked more natural and - paradoxically - more interesting than in the new one. In the new one the acting was stiff and the whole thing looked like a generic insurance commercial. The only real improvement was the sound.

[@ChrissyMarshall_]

I loved watching your reflect on your old work and seeing how you improved everything. Thank you so much for making and sharing this 💜

[@GhostStealth590]

Big advantage for the revisitation... You're not alone. I'll be honest, the most challenging obstacles when making a short film for me is 0 equipment other than my camera, and it's just me with the film knowledge. Even then, there's things I don't fully know how to do by myself, and I need people to bounce ideas off of on how to best frame a shot. When you're on a set with a bunch of people who also know as much as you, that's when you start cookin.

[@Matthew-lm3zl]

This was much better than I thought before clicking on it. Well structured, very informative and overall very well done. I look forward to more like this!

[@umbramann1139]

I love this "try to make it better" idea, learning and evolving demo's are great.

[@flochfitness]

This is so awesome!!! More of these as PLEASE!!! And ensure they give insight into why they choose various aspects. I know some is intuitive but when these aspects can be more formulaic, it helps a ton!

[@valentinavee]

So glad this helps!!!

[@vipinpvadgj126]

. the second video looks like commercial video and artificial more... because of the usage of lots of colors without aesthetics..... and no planning about showing imperfections to make the scene looks realistic like pros do and u locked those kids inside a table like some movie scenes we have already seen and that restricted those actors to act with their full body, when compared to the first video....in the first video, those kids look so real......u have to change your mindset of shooting and looking into the frames in different way on scenes and commercials....this is why some commercial cinematographers fails on shooting movies.... all this just because i like valentina videos...

[@alibelal9414]

i always has troubles with the background blinding with the actors but now i just realized the issue and learned the solution , thank you guys

[@Mu3azOsman]

love these remakes, they show the progress and help us avoid similar mistakes

[@KingdomOfHeavenPictures]

May we see more of your early stuff, please? You've come SO FAR and are truly amazing now. I love seeing old demos.

[@rockynashlive]

Love this! I put the same thought into my commercial photography set lighting years ago. Now that I'm in video, I have a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing this behind-the-scenes look. Being an artist and a professional photographer definitely helps my in journey to better videos.

[@valerintproductions]

I love this cause I've also wondered what some of my old stuff would look like now! Which is definitely normal for everyone but I love that you DID IT!

[@LarsWaltherFilm]

This is one of the best ideas for the film school you ever had! I love this! I would love to see more of that! Thank you!

[@charlinwillis5577]

Thank you for showing me a better version. And, although this version story is less cohesive, you showed me what I came for: how to light a scene.

[@soundbreaker2485]

Old vs new should be a series. I’m considering going back and reshooting my old films

[@JaumeMS]

It would have been nice to shoot it with the T3i too! Nice episode, it shows how inportant is lighting. However the art and set design in the new version is really important too!

[@JohnSoh]

Right...just using the same equipment and budget

[@erlvng]

That was nicely done. The whole point is to learn from your mistakes. I'm learning everyday from my mistakes. Keep on shooting.

[@anzhonnycastillo1731]

I would have been very interested to see this made with the same camera. I think a lot of us started with the t3i and I've always had the idea of going back to it and testing myself with it. Thanks for the video, it was very interesting to see.

[@OliverWiehe]

This is a great educational video - as a middle school tv / film production teacher I would love to do the same concept with some of my early work! Thx Valentine for sharing past and present!

[@TlhOnYT]

Love the personality you’re bringing to the set and video and the outcome, very good

[@pudelkopf1093]

I love your tutorials. Always watching those while eating to get some extra new thoughts.

[@Theone-qs2ge]

I understand the message from the first short. The remake short, if I hadn't see the first short first, I would have no idea what was happening

[@TheFlashStickman]

This was incredible to watch come together! Keep making more videos like this.

[@valentinavee]

Thank you!

[@MarioSoMedia]

Love to see how far you have come along in your cinematography! Thanks for the breakdown!

[@aputurelighting]

That's growth for you 😌

[@sibs2129]

This is honestly surprisingly motivating. I really got the sense that if I just shooting crappy I'll eventually get good

[@prithviajitkumarshikhare1698]

Was really helpful!!!! Thank you so much for posting this video !😃

[@rinusworldzm]

This was amazing to watch and so encouraging. Thank you for sharing this.

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Thepietro5000pp]

The lighting in the new one seems weird, almost like a commercial. Seems overdone to me

[@valentinavee]

Makes sense since I work as a commercial DP.

[@sarawmb5378]

Awesome!! Can you guys maybe post a video about lighting fridges, oven shots and such tiny spaces?!

[@chelsbowker]

I appreciate that you included the diagrams of the lighting.

[@ginotarabotto]

These “remake” videos are such an AWESOME idea!!

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you think so!

[@films3productions849]

This is actually a pretty good. The idea of how it would have looked compared to u did it is a case study for me and I guess most filmmakers. Bravo

[@moes_film]

Awesome acting by the kids!

[@aputurelighting]

Seriously! They killed it 🙏

[@sajeertliha9881]

I like the content idea though you were too harsh on the old you, on a person that you used to that shaped you now.. I'm kind of taking aside with 10 years ago Valentina Vee lol. Just because the spark of passion when we used to have is what makes us perfectionists talented people today. I really appreciate that old film you did and the improvement that happen in your career life. thank you for sharing these great experiences and You don't have to apologize for your great old short film :D

[@MaiElizabeth]

It’s good to see this type of ‘reflection’ and make it better when you are better at it. Love it. Inspires me. Some of the mistakes I still do today (especially the flat lighting on the face) hahaha

[@aputurelighting]

So true!

[@McEdam]

This was amazing to see! I think I should do something like this? My only point I like on the original over the remake is that the kids standing when there arguing feels more dynamic! Apart from that Ultimately a massive improvement. My only question is what if your back catalogue of films do you recommend I watch first? Iv only discovered this channel today

[@mrfryfilmguy]

Living the dream! I keep thinking how good it would be to go back and reshoot an old film I did, that I like..but technical errors abound lol

[@jocantseecolor7619]

Thank you for making this!

[@BastiMark]

I really enjoy watching your videos! Would love to see more of these episodes

[@AntonNordstrand]

Personally I would have loved to see you use the same gear, or at least only working with natural light 🤷‍♂️

[@tpain525]

"Kid actors are diffrent because you have to be nice to them" LMAOOOOO true

[@aputurelighting]

😂

[@ChristofferJellum]

Very well made! Enjoyed it! 💖

[@ViniCavin]

Oh cmon! Don’t put that pressure on your younger self :) it’s cool! It shows how much you’ve improved over time! Congratulations!

[@romantra1311]

Where can I watch the first one to fully compare? From just the snippets, the first one feels a lot more expressive especially with staging. The movement around each other, the pointing to go get a job, the eye lead from the girl before the swish pan, the 2 shot close ups of each parent with a child making it more personal, the empty fridge showing us that they had no groceries vs just popping a pop tart…all better stuff in the original I say. Well, that’s just my two cents. Thanks for uploading to help us get better at our craft as well.

[@mrjoebsoto]

question, I notice there's a lot of scrims/nets used to stop down the lights in most videos. Is this absolutely necessary for LED COBs and Panels that have a dimming function?

[@jadeivanov2618]

Amazing , learnt so much from just one video ! thank you so much !

[@aputurelighting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DamienFinn]

This is honestly incredible. Thank you for sharing. You're a badass.

[@AutoclaveBeats]

This was very helpful... please what camera did you use for the more pro version of the short film

[@JamesKalidiasMC]

Great video! Also, and it know it hasn’t much to do with Aputure/Lighting, but could you tell us more about that Sony rig you used ?

[@MnMS1904]

They’re both really good!

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Love the old vs new,

[@yamikanikatunga1749]

Wow... I thought I was the only one, but I like the first one better. I feel it more. The production of the second is impeccable (wasn't a fan of the strength of the backlight on the boy at the table) but the production was impressive. It was like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, of the 90s versus a high-budget Netflix production now.

[@ONSTAGEMUSICPODCAST]

This is AWESOME!

[@4reeltv]

this was great!!

[@Laporte10]

Uh, new favourite channel?? Love it

[@aputurelighting]

Welcome aboard!

[@alexandersakharov4446]

Good visual part. Thanks a lot! Sound? Well, you probably should do something with sound. It is really overloaded.

[@vedantlokre9223]

How can I get rid of noise in a low light night shot, when very tight on an indie budget?

[@vigniswarakaundar1873]

what camera you used for shoot the present short film?

[@sobolevskys]

Love Your educational films !!

[@jerryg9581]

Like others have mentioned, next time you do this you should use the same camera that you shot the first project on. You said early that it's all about the light. Well, that would prove it. Use Aputure lights and a T-3 or whatever. Or, conversely, re-shoot it as it was originally on a new, fancy-schmancy camera to show that it would still be weak without good lighting skills. By the way, I really like the short. I think it was written well. And I like my Aputure lights, even though I've only scratched the surface of what they can do!

Great video! I love it 🎥🤠

[@aov_james]

I have question regards to my first aputure lights. I have a space in my home (L 3m x W 3m x H 5m) I bought 1 combo and 3 c-stands prior to buying appropriate lights. Do you think space is limiting to cut/shape/modify bigger lights like 600d? (i.e book lights) I was thinking 600d for key(book light) p60c(2x) for back drop, 60x for back in home studio setup. Any recommendations for small home studio?

[@Kradukman]

If you go with that much light, you need nd filters to cut some light on your sensor or you'll lose dop. 3m is not that much if you want to separate your subject from the background + using a booklight, a black floppy and allow your actors to move a bit. Do not neglect the flags also.

[@awaazteri]

ARGGGHHH HANGER. WAITING FOR EPISODE 2.

[@EposVox]

I LOVE this idea!

[@alexbadeau5027]

This was a really creative concept for a video !

[@valentinavee]

Thanks Alex!

[@alexbadeau5027]

@@valentinavee Anytime ! And thanks for all your videos ! I’m in production currently for a short film project and I’m my own DP, and for every shot I’ve implemented at least some knowledge I’ve learned from these videos over the years !

[@LoanHouseProduction]

where we can see the original movie?

[@planetarta]

I'd agree the newer one definitely has higher production value but thats because you added value with the amount of money spent on lights, crew etc I think the thing that threw me off most about the new one is the couch being so unnaturally so far away from the wall in the middle of the room - looked so staged and like a set where no house has this couch in the middle of the room. On contrary, loved the conversation piece at the table. The little girls acting was great.

[@Sidiann]

Im 16 and I really want to get further into film making. I am wondering if you guys know of any programs either online or in the bay area where I can talk to and learn from experienced people? Its quite difficult to learn from only KZbin and practice when you don't have anyone who can act for you or help you with the set. Thanks!

[@TheFilipinoFilmMaker]

Good job!!! Excellent!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@parameshwarhalder1247]

Is it possible to know us what is the camera setting

[@nikilragav]

The new film is good, but that whip pan and sense of space and shock somehow works better in the original. I wish you had kept more of the variables the same: E.g. An "a7siii" is "relatively affordable" according to your description. It's still $3500 for just the body + at least $1k for lenses + at least $500 for the rest of the rig. We're talking $5k at least. And there are no lights, stands, audio... With all of that added, we're probably in the $10k-$15k range. Not in same realm as her t3i footage (which btw actually can still shoot some amazing footage). She should imo compare with an a6400, some average kit lens, up to 2 amarans, 2 stands, and a deity or rode 3.5mm mic on a pole, regular cardboard for bounces & flags. Total we're in the $2-3k range. I think you also should have kept the crew to just 2 people. I really liked your realization on moving the table (cause the audience doesn't know what the house is like!) The kid actors were great! The framing where the kids walk over to the couch feels a bit off. Like the lens is too wide?

[@aputurelighting]

We appreciate this kind of feedback! We have a lot of exciting content coming out of our amaran KZbin Channel that will be similar to this conceptually! - kzbin.info

[@johnnygraphicx673]

Love this!!!

[@WhySteve]

I don't know that camera is looking pretty fancy to me, haha. Also, I randomly bought a CPL, actually for wedding photography, I didn't even consider using it to shoot video to kill reflections. Nice!

[@saidcisneros2933]

Wow, this video is incredible! Love the content like always! =D

[@aputurelighting]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@nikilragav]

Do you have the link to the original?

[@gugaborba]

Awesome!!!! More videos like that, please!!

[@aputurelighting]

You got it!

[@AISkillBoost]

Is there an episode on what can be done with less? Equipment that creators often have like 60W COBs and pocket light's.

[@dwaynefoong]

amazing episode

[@popotade4621]

The fingerpointing was iconic, should have replicated it.

[@memoritobn2778]

what lens did u use

[@jasonrios2773]

Please do more of these!!

[@aputurelighting]

Will do :)

[@wolfmaria6640]

that's exactly what i would have thought after filmschool. oh yeah, i know lights. let's make a Netflix documentary interview Situation out of every scene. ;)

[@AnupVasisht]

Is it just me or was the back light in the boy's shot too harsh?

[@DavidJonesImages]

Thanks, Great job on the video. Also, like 99% of online lighting tutorials, you show how to light a person standing or sitting still. In many serranoes in video the person and or camera is moving. Please do a video on lighting for movement. Best Wishes David Jones

[@ijyoyo]

This gives me a headache because I'm thinking of my own films now hahah. Love it though. Great camera t3i

[@Anthony-fz9ye]

Looking forward to another remake in ten years~~!

[@matthewantonio2165]

Great execution and effort

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks a lot!

[@loopeyfluff]

Bruh this is so good!!!!

[@aputurelighting]

Thank you!

[@RyanBartonGrimley]

what was the camera/lens combo? Great job and very inspirational.

[@wbradfordphoto]

Honestly thought the original looked more like a film and the newer one looked like a commercial. Cool idea though.

[@jieyiwang1749]

the color palette is better (suits better) in the original for an argument scene. Second one feels too cozy and earthy and decorated. And better, fluid actor movements in the first while the second is completely stagnant. And I don't understand the hate for flat lighting. It's ok to flat lighting sometime. (still I love aputure tutorial and I learnt so much)

[@JonathanPalfrey]

@@jieyiwang1749 good point about the lack of movement. I guess with all that lighting and set up there wasn’t the time/space to allow the actors to move much.