Chapter 2 Getting StartedChapter 2 Getting Started

Good Quality VideoGood Quality Video

Head RoomHead Room

Good Quality VideoGood Quality VideoLook RoomLook Room

Good Quality VideoGood Quality Video

Lead RoomLead Room

Good Quality VideoGood Quality Video

Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds

Good Quality AudioGood Quality Audio

Moving the camcorder/microphone Moving the camcorder/microphone closer to the subject captures better closer to the subject captures better quality sound.quality sound.

Good Quality AudioGood Quality Audio

Minimize the background noiseMinimize the background noiseDirect silentlyDirect silently

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Too-similar shots Too-similar shots make uninteresting make uninteresting video.video.

Camera AnglesCamera Angles

Varying subject Varying subject size size and and camera camera position makes position makes more interesting more interesting shots.shots.

Directing the shootDirecting the shoot

To edit in the camera successfully, you To edit in the camera successfully, you need to observe a few simple rules:need to observe a few simple rules:

Record every shot in the order in which it will Record every shot in the order in which it will

appear in the finished program.appear in the finished program. If you are taping continuous action, such If you are taping continuous action, such

as somebody walking, try to leave the as somebody walking, try to leave the screen empty between shots. For screen empty between shots. For example, let people walk off-screen at the example, let people walk off-screen at the end of one shot and then show them end of one shot and then show them walking again at the start of the next shot. walking again at the start of the next shot.

Directing the shootDirecting the shoot

Vary your shotsVary your shotsKeep the crew quietKeep the crew quiet

Directing the ShootDirecting the Shoot

Notice that the shots Notice that the shots vary in both size and vary in both size and camera position. camera position. Changing only the Changing only the image size makes image size makes the camera appear the camera appear to jump toward or to jump toward or away from the away from the subject.subject.

Only subject size Only subject size changes.changes.

Directing the ShootDirecting the Shoot

On the other hand, On the other hand, changing only the changing only the camera position camera position produces shots that are produces shots that are too similar.too similar.

Changing only the Changing only the horizontal camera angle horizontal camera angle also makes a jump cut. also makes a jump cut.

Directing the ShootDirecting the Shoot

The first two shots make a jump cut. The first two shots make a jump cut.

Directing the ShootDirecting the Shoot

Allowing the subject to leave the Allowing the subject to leave the frame hides the mismatched action.frame hides the mismatched action.

Managing the Shooting Managing the Shooting SessionSession

Security refers to the care of your expensive andSecurity refers to the care of your expensive andsomewhat delicate video equipment. To keep somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe:your hardware safe:

Designate one person to take responsibility for the Designate one person to take responsibility for the camcorder and tripod at all times. That person is camcorder and tripod at all times. That person is never to leave the immediate area of the equipment.never to leave the immediate area of the equipment.

If you are hand-holding the camcorder, never set it If you are hand-holding the camcorder, never set it down on anything except its tripod. It is easy to grab down on anything except its tripod. It is easy to grab a camera from a table or a sidewalk and run. It is a camera from a table or a sidewalk and run. It is much harder and more conspicuous to snatch both much harder and more conspicuous to snatch both camera and tripod. Also, the tripod makes the camera and tripod. Also, the tripod makes the camera more visible, so it is less likely to be bumped camera more visible, so it is less likely to be bumped or knocked to the ground.or knocked to the ground.

Managing the Shooting Managing the Shooting SessionSession

Security refers to the care of your expensive andSecurity refers to the care of your expensive andsomewhat delicate video equipment. To keep somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe:your hardware safe:

Detach the camcorder from the tripod when Detach the camcorder from the tripod when transporting them. If the camcorder has a handle, transporting them. If the camcorder has a handle, never use it to lift both camera and tripod together. never use it to lift both camera and tripod together. The handle is not strong enough to carry the weight The handle is not strong enough to carry the weight of both pieces.of both pieces.

Always protect the camcorder from the weather. Always protect the camcorder from the weather. Keep it out of hot sun except when actually shooting. Keep it out of hot sun except when actually shooting. Do not allow it to get wet, particularly the delicate Do not allow it to get wet, particularly the delicate glass of the zoom lens.glass of the zoom lens.

Managing the Shooting Managing the Shooting SessionSession

Security for cast and crew is important. Many Security for cast and crew is important. Many video projects involve action sequences such as video projects involve action sequences such as fights and car chases. To keep everyone safe:fights and car chases. To keep everyone safe:

Do not ask people to perform feats for theDo not ask people to perform feats for the camera camera that they would not normally attempt. Professional that they would not normally attempt. Professional stunt people are high ly trained, very experienced, stunt people are high ly trained, very experienced, and well paid for taking risks. Your cast and crew are and well paid for taking risks. Your cast and crew are not.not.

Do not put the crew at risk, (say, by hanging out Do not put the crew at risk, (say, by hanging out over balconies or climbing on high roofs) in pursuit of over balconies or climbing on high roofs) in pursuit of interesting camera angles.interesting camera angles.

Remember that the videographer is concentrating Remember that the videographer is concentrating intently on the viewfinder. It is easy for that person intently on the viewfinder. It is easy for that person to run into objects or stumble on stairs. An assistant to run into objects or stumble on stairs. An assistant should guide the videographer during moving shots.should guide the videographer during moving shots.

Managing the Shooting Managing the Shooting SessionSession

Finally, practice simple courtesy. You have a right Finally, practice simple courtesy. You have a right to shoot outdoors in public places as long as you to shoot outdoors in public places as long as you observe the rules of both law and good manners.observe the rules of both law and good manners.

Do not shoot inside (in stores or offices, for Do not shoot inside (in stores or offices, for example) without permission.example) without permission.

Though passers-by may walk through the Though passers-by may walk through the background of your shots, do not use them as background of your shots, do not use them as actual subjects without their permission. Some actual subjects without their permission. Some people feel uncomfortable or irritated when people feel uncomfortable or irritated when suddenly confronted with a camcorder. Respect suddenly confronted with a camcorder. Respect their right to privacy.their right to privacy.

But why?But why?

Why are we learning how to shoot Why are we learning how to shoot quality videos and direct shoots?quality videos and direct shoots?This is a video class. It’s what we do.This is a video class. It’s what we do.Managing a shooting session teaches Managing a shooting session teaches

you to work with all types of people.you to work with all types of people.Shooting quality video teaches you what Shooting quality video teaches you what

looks good which will help you in looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this creating presentations in and out of this class.class.