1. Video Production 101 James Falkofske

2. Sections PlanningScripting Shooting Setups Camera Movements LightingAudio

3. Planning

4. Objective of Video What purpose will the video serve Who is the intended audience What viewer knowledge is already assumed (“prerequisites” to viewing the video) Are there measurable objectives that can be tested after viewing the video (feedback / assessment)

5. Planning the Video Determine: –what scenes will need to be shot –locations and props necessary for each scene –sequence of events and sequence of shots (what needs to be displayed at each stage) –which scenes can be “ganged” (shot at the same location – but out of time sequence)

6. Continuity Think about time progression and time lapses needed in then finished video Avoid continuity errors (changes in clothing in shots that are “minutes apart”, jewelry and hairstyle changes, daylight changes (morning sun to high noon) Scenes that are supposed to be different days should result in different clothing/hairstyle changes – even if recorded in the same hour

7. Narrator Costume (hint) Having a “standard costume” of the same professional outfit in every scene (as narrator or lecturer) establishes a “look” that can be used for all narration and lectures A standard costume avoids continuity errors of scenes shot on different days Encourages “professional dress” in players

8. Outlining the scenes Break up the video into a series of scenes –Each scene should have a specific purpose and a clear beginning and ending –Transitions between scenes should be anticipated and addressed in the scripting and shooting If an educational video, each scene should have a preview and a review section

9. Planning – Review Objective of Video and Intended Audience Sequence of shots and locations Addressing Continuity Outlining the Scenes

10. Scripting

11. Scene Scripting What dialogue is needed among the actors? –Tightly edit the script to remove all but the crucial and necessary information –Keep language simple; limit jargon What information is being communicated, and how can it be shown most efficiently What props, locations, or people are needed for the scene

12. Storyboarding Completed after scene is scripted Storyboard “previews” each transition in camera shots (what angles and what is shown in each shot) Assists in the placement of equipment and making the shooting of scenes quicker and more efficient (you have a “plan”) Try to manage scenes as 10 to 30 second shot segments (MTV attention span)

13. Sample Storyboard Indicate which persons are on camera Indicate direction they are facing Show Props in Shots

14. Shots Derived from Storyboards Determine what scenes will be shot Determine the locations and props needed Scenes do not have to be shot in sequence –Plan least moves of equipment –Shoot in a nonlinear fashion to gang scenes needing the same camera setups –Start scene with a sequence number (scene and take)

15. Sequencing Shots 654321 121110987 6 54 321 12 11 10 9 87

16. Shooting Setups

17. 2 Camera Setups Work Best

18. 2 Cameras dramatically reduces work load – since the transition shots can be done in one-take allows one camera to do a cut-away shot while the other camera repositions if tracks are in-sync, editing transitions and audio tracks is easier and more efficient

19. 2-Camera Setups One Person Narrative –Front –Side Two Person Interview –35 degree left –35 degree right One Person Lecture –Front –Visual Aids

20. One Person Narrative One camera face close-up One camera on angle (newscaster spin)

21. Two Person Interview Cameras “over the shoulder” of each speaker Cut video back and forth for exchanges

22. One Person Lecture Document camera One camera face close-up 2 nd Camera is movable for documents and for demonstrations Video feed from computer can also be taped

23. Demonstration Setup Panning Cameras Two cameras that can pan quickly to capture motion and action Overhead camera useful for capturing work surfaces

24. Group Activities One camera is wide-angle Another camera for tele-zoom shots

25. Camera Movement Hints

26. Establishing Shot (opening credits sequence) Start wide angle / still (background / setting) Cut new camera angles / still (opening credits / sequence) Some simple backgrounds to overlay text

27. Begin Scene Shot Zoom in close (on detail or face) After establishment of scene, slowly zoom out Slow pans (Left/Right) to show context of scene

28. Dialogue Wide shot to include all speakers Cut aways (instead of panning camera) to each speaker Cut aways to listeners (to get reactions and nods)

29. Demonstration Wide shot to include setup Close-up on narrator’s face as preview is described Cut-away shots (during narration) to show items needed 2-angle shots (one wider, and one close- up on action)

30. Lecture / Labs Wide shot to include classroom Close-up shot on speaker during introduction 2-camera setup on speaker –One camera for close-ups on speaker –Lecture: 2 nd camera is wider to show whiteboards & screens –Labs: 2 nd camera is on a dolly to move to show action

31. Live Action (Theatre / Sports) Wide angle camera to show context 2-camera setup (wide & motion) –Wide camera is to cut-away as the motion camera repositions –Motion camera on tripod or dolly to allow for smooth pans and zooms

32. Lighting

33. 2 Light Setup – One Person Main Light: Front Umbrella at slight angle Background / separation light (hair halo) at opposite side of main light

34. 2 Light Setup – Two Person Main Light: Overhead & back light Front fill light

35. 2 Light Setup – Lecture / Demonstration Main Light: Overhead & front Side Accent Light

36. Classroom/Wide Setup Wide / broad lighting at 30-angles to subjects One light closer (to create shadow depth)

37. Audio

38. Single Speaker / Narrator (on-camera) Wireless microphone positioned 6” under chin

39. Narration (not on camera) Microphone placed about 8” above of and in-front of speaker –Avoids “popping” the P’s on the microphone –Avoids desk “shuffle noise” –Allows clear site of script

40. Dialogue / Conversation Boom microphone placed above and in- between speakers, OR Separate lapel microphones on each speaker run into a mixer

41. Group Activity (Theater / Classroom) Separate microphones routed into a mixer Microphones placed above participants at equal distances from center or action If possible, recording each microphone on a different audio track (so that in post- production, microphone levels can be adjusted or dropped from the mix)

42. The End!