beginning video techniques

SHOOTING VIDEOThe good, the bad and the ugly

A lot to remember

composition

angles

press play

Rule of thirds

Anticipate action

lighting

zoom

Have a purposeCamera shake

B-rollShhh, be quiet

Close-upsEstablishing shots

Voice over

ambience

action

storyboard

framing

transitions headroombackground

Ken Burns effectExtra battery

movement

plan

Clear audio

Planning

• Storyboarding

– Write/draw shots– Write rough script– List sequence of events– Nail down your focus

Preparation

• Practice!• Know your camera• Bring a spare battery• Think ahead – anticipate action• Ask interviewees to look at you, not the camera• Set up your shots (composition and framing)– pay attention to background– Think about foreground, middle ground,

background

Performance

• Don’t waste tape• Hold your shots• Get everything you need – Think about your storyboard; think about intro,

transitions, ending

Review your video. If you’re not 100% satisfied, shoot it again.

Now, for composition techniques …

“If only you could see me now” Celine Dion

• What’s the purpose?– Allow enough illumination for camera to process

image– Tell us what the images on screen look like,

including depth– Set the mood

“I’m all shook up”Elvis Presley

• Amateur camera shake

• Intentional camera shake

“Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’”Blues Brothers

• B-roll is secondary footage that you use to flesh together your video (often during an intro, transition or ending)

“Do you hear what I hear”Christmas carol

RECORD CLEAR AUDIO: Don’t make any sounds you don’t want to be heard on video.

“More more more”Billy Idol

Other techniques that apply to both photography and videography:

• Avoid headspace/dead space• Shoot wide, medium and tight• Use the rule of thirds• Experiment with different angles/perspectives• Action is better than inaction

“You gotta let it go”Andy McCoy

• As with photography, consider the path of moving subjects and generally leave space in front of them

• With video, letting the subject leave the frame rather than following the subject usually works best, especially for transitions

“Too much of something is bad”Spice Girls

• Pan and zoom sparingly, slowly and WITH A PURPOSE

• If you want to zoom in, physically move the camera closer rather than using digital zoom

Remember…

It’s all about your intentions

This PowerPoint presentation can be reproduced as long as credit is given to Karen McIntyre