Begin with yourself!
We all have this thing that we can’t stop thinking about, we all have it! Try to grasp it, then go out and make a very short short about it. While doing so, try to discover your own visual language, this is what will differentiate you from the rest, it will be your creative fingerprint, no one else will have it but you. Once you discover that, begin honing your techniques and learning how to tell a story and how you can use certain techniques to support your story.

Watch TONS of films and try to find the central argument that is presented in each film. Analyze how techniques are used to support this central idea. Now, write an analysis about each film you watch, with time, you should get to a point where you can dissect a film down to its most basic structure.

Learn to see through the image not just at it and learn to see things from the viewers perspective. You will be amazed how much you can learn just by watching films with a critical eye. For each film, try to note outstanding instances of directing, cinematography, editing, sound and other techniques, then find the reason behind what makes them work so well.

Go out and shoot a 2 minute film every day for 30 days, no matter how silly or primitive the film comes out, just keep doing it, compare your first film with the last film at the end of the 30 day period, again you will be surprised at your progress.

By now you should be ready to delve into something a bit longer in duration which has a central argument of its own, even if it’s for entertainment, all great narrative films present a central argument.

Don’t’ forget to share your work with us and Good Luck!!

Hello!
To me it seems that you are on the right track. One thing to keep in mind is that cinema is not something that can be learned, it's something to be discovered.

In my opinion, do whatever in the hell you want, this is cinema and cinema is an art form, there are no rules in art. We are not trying to reproduce life, in real life people don't fly, in cinema they do! I would rather call it the 180 degree guideline, rule is such a strong word.

What kind of footage did you shoot at those specified frame rates and shutter speed?

Audio gear.

Well, if you're making your first film next week it's probably a bit late to be asking for references since you're about ready to go. It also depends on many factors, like which genre of film you're going to be working on etc...