How can you film almost cinema quality video using a generic handheld camera?

I am trying to learn how to improve to visual quality of video that I film so it doesn't look like a home video every time. Any tips?|||It's never going to look like film because of the different frames-per-second shooting rates and the soft focus of film. That being said, you can improve your videos a LOT by:





==%26gt; Using a tripod for steadier more professional looking images





==%26gt; Zooming out and moving in to give the camera as much light as possible





==%26gt; By shooting lots of shots--exterior establishing shot, two shot, close-ups, cut-aways and such--so it plays like a movie





==%26gt; By learning to use the editing software that is built into every new PC and Mac so you can cut out all the junk





==%26gt; By inserting a new shot every 10 seconds for a slow sequence and every 1-3 seconds for something fast action because that's what your audience is used to seeing





==%26gt; By posting frequent videos on YouTube.com so you get real world feedback and valuable experience





Also, subscribe to VideoMaker magazine and learn to write using the free software from Celtx.|||There should be a way to set your speed to film speed. I think it's 33/sec.|||Achieving a filmic look even with high end digital cameras can be difficult. The higher end cameras allow you to shoot at 24fps which is the standard film speed. Two key elements that can aid in your attempt at a higher quality picture are lighting and camera movement. Generic video cameras have a low tolerance for broad differences in lighting but at the same time things that are evenly lit seldom offer visual interest. Even using bare light bulbs placed in different position can help you. The best thing you can do is to play around with the lights you have available to find a look that pleases you. As far as camera movement is concerned smooth movements allow for a less shaky final product. A generic handheld camera usually looks just like that so using a tripod or other devices that stabalize the cameras movement can help. Visual depth and composition should also be constant considerations while shooting. You can also work wonders in post production but that also requires a great deal of fiddling around to find a look that you like.