Handheld Cameras for Faster Filmmaking

Avoiding Amateur Aesthetics in Indie Films

When I first started making hobbyist films, I consciously aimed to avoid the “amateurish” look often associated with independent productions. From early on, I identified one common cause of low-quality visuals: excessive camera shake due to handheld filming.

To combat this, I made it a rule to always use a tripod during shoots to ensure stable shots. This approach worked to some extent but introduced other challenges.

The Trade-Off Between Stability and Speed

I soon realized that long filming durations were a major bottleneck in sustaining my filmmaking activities. To address this, I began experimenting with methods to shorten filming time. One of the first breakthroughs came when I shot an experimental project almost entirely without a tripod.

During production, the process typically involves using the script or storyboard as a guide to determine optimal camera positions. By using my eyes as a substitute for the camera, I’d physically move around to find the best perspective.

Once the ideal position was found, I would set up the tripod, adjusting the height and angle using its three legs. However, tripod setup can be time-consuming in certain scenarios:

• When obstacles are present under the camera,
• When the desired angle requires shooting from above the tripod’s maximum height,
• Or when shots are needed from a position lower than the tripod can reach.

Simply put, using a tripod often consumes significant time.

The Handheld Camera Experiment

In my fourth project, I conducted an experiment to speed up the process by shooting almost the entire film handheld. This project, which I estimated would take five to six days to shoot based on its complexity, had to be completed in three days due to cast availability.

While extending the shooting schedule was possible, I felt that completing the project in one concentrated session would result in smoother scene transitions. With this in mind, I planned to finish filming within the three-day constraint.

One effective way to boost filming speed is for the director to also serve as the camera operator. With separate roles, the director needs to check whether a scene is satisfactory both in terms of acting and visuals. When the director doubles as the camera operator, they can assess these elements simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional reviews and improving efficiency.

Striking the Balance: Handheld vs. Tripod

Handheld filming eliminates the time spent setting up the tripod. Once I decide on a shooting position, I can immediately begin capturing footage, even if it requires holding the camera in an uncomfortable position for short periods.

However, one must carefully minimize camera shake. While professionals sometimes incorporate shakiness as a stylistic choice, inexperienced filmmakers often struggle to replicate this effectively, resulting in footage that appears poorly executed.

The goal when using a handheld camera is to capture footage that feels as steady and natural as if it were tripod-mounted. With practice and conscious effort, handheld filming can significantly reduce shooting time while maintaining acceptable visual quality.

When Stability Is Non-Negotiable

Certain scenarios demand the stability of a tripod, such as when creating composite shots. Low-budget filmmaking often comes with constraints like:

• Limited access to ideal shooting locations,
• Inability to build desired sets.

By employing compositing techniques, filmmakers can achieve visuals that closely match their creative vision.

For example, imagine shooting a scene in a shrine. If filming at an actual shrine isn’t an option, you could shoot at a park with a similar atmosphere and later add a torii gate or guardian statues through compositing.

Composite shots require perfectly steady footage to maintain realism. Footage captured handheld, even with minimal shake, creates misalignments during compositing. Fixed elements in the composite, like the torii gate or statues, will appear unnaturally still compared to the shaky background.

A Hybrid Approach for Efficiency

One effective combination is to use handheld shooting for most scenes to save time and switch to a tripod for composite shots. If the disparity between handheld and tripod footage feels jarring, editing software can simulate handheld motion for tripod-shot scenes. However, such adjustments are often unnecessary.

By blending handheld filming for speed and tripod usage for precision, this hybrid approach offers a balanced solution for independent filmmakers. I hope you find these insights helpful!