Video Basics
Key Terms Scanning 480p (actually 525) 720p 1080i Resolution 640x480 720x1280 1080x1920 Aspect Ratio 4x3 16x9 Editing Linear Non-linear Reference Based File Structure Camera Orientation Everyone get out your phones
Composition The Rule of Thirds
Composition Leading/Looking Room
Movement Tilting: Moving the camera lens up or down while keeping a fixed pivot point Pedestaling: Moving the camera up along a vertical axis Pan: Moving the camera lens side to side while keeping a fixed pivot point Trucking: Moving the camera along a horizontal axis Zooming: Changing the focal length of the lens to make an object appear closer or further away Dollying: Moving the camera along the z-axis toward or away from the subject
Moving (cont.) Cant Arc Crane/Jib/Boom Tongue
Basic Advanced Establishing Shots ELS & LS Medium / Waist shots CU ECU Better the hair than the chin X-Shot O/S Transitional Focus Shot Styles
The Production Process
Stages of Production Pre-Production Production Post-Production
Styles of Scripts Single-Column Think Drama: Lines, Actions, How the Action Should Play Two-Column A/V Script Fully Scripted Partially Scripted
Styles of Scripts (cont.) Show Format Overarching document for planning Fact Sheet Visual with rough audio Think QVC or Product Demo The Storyboard
Dramatic Structure 4 Elements: Theme Plot Characters Environment The Monomyth Aka The Hero’s Journey Classical Dramaturgy
Nondramatic Structure Goal-Directed Commercials Instructional Programs Not Entirely Removed from Dramatic Structure
Process Message What Are You Trying To Say? What’s The Best Way To Say It?
Building a production IDEA Desired Effect on Target Audience PRODUCTION Medium Requirements: -Content -People -Equipment Actual Effect on Target Audience FEEDBACK
Constructing a News Package We all know the basic template Editing: Hands-on sessions Warning signs: “Lucas-itis” Flash frames Jump cuts
Lighting
Playing with Shadows “Shadows Rule” Shadows Build Depth Drama
Lighting Control Inverse Square Law
Baselight Overall light level Optimal: Camera & f-stop dependent Usually better to err on high side If low: noise & distortion If high: Blown out ND-filters
Color Temperature
Lighting Setups “Natural” Lighting:
Lighting Setups Overhead Fluorescents:
Lighting Setups 3-Points to success 45 ° Key LightFill Light Background Light Back Light 45 °
Lighting Setups 3-Points to success
Lighting Setups
Reflection & Diffusion
Audio
What’s the most important aspect of television? Is it audio or video? Depends: Some things are mostly visual (sports) But MOST are primarily audio News Drama Comedy
Sound Depth Stereo Surround Perspective Continuity Ambience