Chapter 2 Getting Started
Good Quality Video Head Room Head Room
Good Quality Video Look Room Look Room
Good Quality Video Lead Room Lead Room
Good Quality Video Rule of Thirds Rule of Thirds
Good Quality Audio Moving the camcorder/microphone closer to the subject captures better quality sound. Moving the camcorder/microphone closer to the subject captures better quality sound.
Good Quality Audio Minimize the background noise Minimize the background noise Direct silently Direct silently
Camera Angles Too-similar shots make uninteresting video. Too-similar shots make uninteresting video.
Camera Angles Varying subject size and camera position makes more interesting shots. Varying subject size and camera position makes more interesting shots.
Directing the shoot To edit in the camera successfully, you need to observe a few simple rules: To edit in the camera successfully, you need to observe a few simple rules: Record every shot in the order in which it will appear in the finished program. Record every shot in the order in which it will appear in the finished program. If you are taping continuous action, such as somebody walking, try to leave the screen empty between shots. For example, let people walk off-screen at the end of one shot and then show them walking again at the start of the next shot. If you are taping continuous action, such as somebody walking, try to leave the screen empty between shots. For example, let people walk off-screen at the end of one shot and then show them walking again at the start of the next shot.
Directing the shoot Vary your shots Vary your shots Keep the crew quiet Keep the crew quiet
Directing the Shoot Notice that the shots vary in both size and camera position. Changing only the image size makes the camera appear to jump toward or away from the subject. Notice that the shots vary in both size and camera position. Changing only the image size makes the camera appear to jump toward or away from the subject. Only subject size changes. Only subject size changes.
Directing the Shoot On the other hand, changing only the camera position produces shots that are too similar. On the other hand, changing only the camera position produces shots that are too similar. Changing only the horizontal camera angle also makes a jump cut. Changing only the horizontal camera angle also makes a jump cut.
Directing the Shoot The first two shots make a jump cut. The first two shots make a jump cut.
Directing the Shoot Allowing the subject to leave the frame hides the mismatched action. Allowing the subject to leave the frame hides the mismatched action.
Managing the Shooting Session Security refers to the care of your expensive and somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe: Security refers to the care of your expensive and somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe: Designate one person to take responsibility for the camcorder and tripod at all times. That person is never to leave the immediate area of the equipment. Designate one person to take responsibility for the camcorder and tripod at all times. That person is never to leave the immediate area of the equipment. If you are hand-holding the camcorder, never set it down on anything except its tripod. It is easy to grab a camera from a table or a sidewalk and run. It is much harder and more conspicuous to snatch both camera and tripod. Also, the tripod makes the camera more visible, so it is less likely to be bumped or knocked to the ground. If you are hand-holding the camcorder, never set it down on anything except its tripod. It is easy to grab a camera from a table or a sidewalk and run. It is much harder and more conspicuous to snatch both camera and tripod. Also, the tripod makes the camera more visible, so it is less likely to be bumped or knocked to the ground.
Managing the Shooting Session Security refers to the care of your expensive and somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe: Security refers to the care of your expensive and somewhat delicate video equipment. To keep your hardware safe: Detach the camcorder from the tripod when transporting them. If the camcorder has a handle, never use it to lift both camera and tripod together. The handle is not strong enough to carry the weight of both pieces. Detach the camcorder from the tripod when transporting them. If the camcorder has a handle, never use it to lift both camera and tripod together. The handle is not strong enough to carry the weight of both pieces. Always protect the camcorder from the weather. Keep it out of hot sun except when actually shooting. Do not allow it to get wet, particularly the delicate glass of the zoom lens. Always protect the camcorder from the weather. Keep it out of hot sun except when actually shooting. Do not allow it to get wet, particularly the delicate glass of the zoom lens.
Managing the Shooting Session Security for cast and crew is important. Many video projects involve action sequences such as fights and car chases. To keep everyone safe: Security for cast and crew is important. Many video projects involve action sequences such as fights and car chases. To keep everyone safe: Do not ask people to perform feats for the camera that they would not normally attempt. Professional stunt people are highly trained, very experienced, and well paid for taking risks. Your cast and crew are not. Do not ask people to perform feats for the camera that they would not normally attempt. Professional stunt people are highly trained, very experienced, and well paid for taking risks. Your cast and crew are not. Do not put the crew at risk, (say, by hanging out over balconies or climbing on high roofs) in pursuit of interesting camera angles. Do not put the crew at risk, (say, by hanging out over balconies or climbing on high roofs) in pursuit of interesting camera angles. Remember that the videographer is concentrating intently on the viewfinder. It is easy for that person to run into objects or stumble on stairs. An assistant should guide the videographer during moving shots. Remember that the videographer is concentrating intently on the viewfinder. It is easy for that person to run into objects or stumble on stairs. An assistant should guide the videographer during moving shots.
Managing the Shooting Session Finally, practice simple courtesy. You have a right to shoot outdoors in public places as long as you observe the rules of both law and good manners. Finally, practice simple courtesy. You have a right to shoot outdoors in public places as long as you observe the rules of both law and good manners. Do not shoot inside (in stores or offices, for example) without permission. Do not shoot inside (in stores or offices, for example) without permission. Though passers-by may walk through the background of your shots, do not use them as actual subjects without their permission. Some people feel uncomfortable or irritated when suddenly confronted with a camcorder. Respect their right to privacy. Though passers-by may walk through the background of your shots, do not use them as actual subjects without their permission. Some people feel uncomfortable or irritated when suddenly confronted with a camcorder. Respect their right to privacy.
But why? Why are we learning how to shoot quality videos and direct shoots? Why are we learning how to shoot 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 you to work with all types of people. Managing a shooting session teaches you to work with all types of people. Shooting quality video teaches you what looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this class. Shooting quality video teaches you what looks good which will help you in creating presentations in and out of this class.