Proper lighting helps determine the style of the film. Using artificial lights gives you the opportunity manipulate the style of the film and helps make sure you are getting clean, crisp shots especially since poorly lit shots can often be grainy and sometimes blurry. When possible use the three-point lighting system which includes key light, fill light and back light. Key light is a strong narrow light focused on the subject from the side. Fill light is used to illuminate the opposite side of the subject and reduce harsh shadows. Back light creates a border around the subject so they are distinct from the background.
Typical microphones that come stock on cameras are usually less than ideal for recording sound. They will work just fine for home videos of birthday parties or family vacations but when it comes to recording dialogue they are sub par. If you are recording dialogue for a scene in your movie or you are recording someone speaking for an interview it is best to have some sort of external microphone. A shotgun microphone mounted on a boom pole is great when filming movies, while a lavalier microphone is recommended for interviews since it clips to your interview subject's clothing.
Cinematography is sort of an all-encompassing term for filmmaking. It includes aspects of lighting, sound and camera. Things to consider in addition to lighting and sound are frame composition and pacing. Frame composition involves depth of field and the rule of thirds. This means you hardly ever have you subject in the middle of the frame so you can allow movement, provide depth and increase interest in each frame. Pacing is determined by how many shots are needed to make one scene. You could have all the action unfold without moving the camera or you could move the camera multiple times to show the emotion and energy in the scene.
Moving the camera is a great way to create interest within a scene. There are many ways to do this, but it is also important to avoid excess and jerky movements that may make your production seem amateur. If at all possible make sure to mount your camera on a tripod. This will limit the shakiness that will inevitably occur when the camera is held by hand. Also be sure to avoid frequent zooming. Zooming every so often is fine but the zoom is another mark of amateur filmmakers.