Patrick Levar vlogs about single-handedly making mobile movies. On his YouTube channel 1 min with me ,  Patrick offers tips, reviews, and—most important—practices what he preaches. Take, for example, his recently released 45-second comedy “Filming A Short in Two Hours.” At the heart of this film about filming a short is the big idea that you don’t need to wait for momentous events to make entertaining shorts. While Hollywood may rely on car chases, explosions, and gunfights, the self-aware filmmaker can discover stories close at hand.

If you’re looking for small but practical lessons hiding  in “Filming A Short in Two Hours,” here’s a quick list of techniques that anyone can borrow:

• 0:01 establishing shot
• 0:02 voice-over narration (used throughout)
• 0:04 prop (calendar, YouTube screen)
• 0:15 low-angle shot (looking up at Patrick, giving him a sense of authority)
• 0:15 side-lighting on his face
• 0:17 point of view—POV (showing us what Patrick sees)
• 0:20 close-up (Patrick’s fingers at the keyboard)
• 0:37 title card (used to establish the passing of time)
• 0:38 transition (quick fade out/fade in)
• 0:41 head shake (subtile but significant non-verbal acting)
• 0:42 climactic dialogue (use of irony: “I got nothing done.”)
• 0:45 fade out

In 2017, Patrick, who lives in Japan, won MobileMovieMaking Magazine’s Interview Contest with a witty self-interview that turned out to combine fiction and nonfiction.