Steps to Better Videos

Limit Your Zooms and Pans Zooming—The movement from wide-angle to telephoto Panning—Moving the camera from side to side across a scene A zoom lens does not mean that the camera’s angle should move all the time!! Every shot should have a purpose—decide whether you need a “wide” or “tight” shot before you start

Add Variety No one sees the world from one view point Look at a scene and imagine the different shots: Wide angle (whole room) Telephoto (very close detail) Medium shot (mid-range detail) Shoot footage using various shots and use variety in final product

Plan Your Shots THINK about the story and PLAN before shooting Plan your shots and angles (wide, medium, close-ups) using a storyboard

Be Steady! Possible options: Tripod Brace camera against steady object Use a wall or place on a counter For most people—Steadiness can be learned through practice Tip: Record your video, and then preview it on the viewer. If you need to shoot the scene again, do it!

Focus, Focus, Focus Use auto focus feature if it is available Auto focus works best in situations with high contrast Example: In a sunny area (rather than a low-light situation) Consider lighting as you plan where you are going to shoot your video TIP: Avoid filming in areas with dim lighting!!

Shoot the Right Amount of Footage Rule of Thumb: Each scene should be AT LEAST 8-10 Seconds Don’t rush the shot Once you have what you need, shoot from another angle Start the camera (recording) two seconds before the scene you want begins and film two seconds after it ends PLAN before you shoot!!

Consider your Audio If you are shooting in an area with a lot of background noise, try turning away from the offending sound Use audio editing options on the editing program Use background music when appropriate

Have a Beginning, Middle, and End Tell a Complete Story Everyone likes a good story!! PLAN YOUR STORY Think about the story you want to tell and how you want it to come across Use camera angles to help your story

Let Subjects Enter and Exit your Frame Common feeling is that you have to “chase” the action in a scene On occasion, consider letting your subject enter and exit the frame as you hold the camera still

Shoot Action and Reaction Don’t forget to shoot video showing the REACTION to the ACTION Example: A birthday party Main event (Action): Blowing out candles Additional shots (Reactions): People singing, people clapping, reactions to candles being blown out, etc. PLAN the different actions/reactions If needed, shoot the “take” more than once, focusing on different things each time

Any Questions? Let’s shoot a video!