Video Communication & Production

1. Video Communication & Production Chapter 2: Getting Started

2. Ch. 2 Objectives • Operate basic video equipment. • Videotape a simple program. • Avoid common shooting mistakes. • Conduct a safe and courteous shoot.

3. Equipment Basics A. Basic Camcorder controls • Power switch – turns the camera on and off • Record switch – starts and stops the actual recording process • Zoom control – allows the user to zoom in and zoom out (fig. 2-1) • White Balance – matches your camcorder to the overall color quality of the light in which you are shooting (fig 2-2).

4. Equipment Basics • Automatic Camera Controls • Autofocus control – keeps the picture sharp and clear • Autoexposure control – regulates the amount of light admitted through the camcorder lens

5. Equipment Basics • Default Settings • Default – is an action or condition automatically selected by the camera, the following settings are automatically set when you turn the camcorder on. • Autofocus • Autoexposure

6. Equipment Basics • Batteries • Camcorders run on batteries and can run on AC power • Charge batteries either in the camcorder or in a supplied charger • Never go on a shoot without at least one spare charged battery

7. Equipment Basics • Tripod • Allows user to shoot a steady shot. Many beginning video makers avoid tripods because they can be clumsy and a nuisance to manage. But if you routinely use a tripod from the start, you will come to find it a natural part of the shooting process (fig. 2-4).

8. Camcorder Operation • Check the viewfinder: all camcorders display different types of information in the viewfinder or LCD screen (fig. 2-5). • Battery charge • Tape loaded • Tape counter • Record symbol • White balance • Date • Zoom

9. Camcorder Operation • Check camera settings: before shooting, check to make sure the camera is set up how you want it to be. • White balance – automatic • Autofocus – enabled • Check the viewfinder to make sure unwanted controls are not selected • Ensure the camera is not in standby mode

10. Camcorder Operation C. Using the Tripod: • Make sure the tripod head is level by adjust the length of the legs • Make sure the camcorder is tightly connected to the tripod • Do not raise the center column all the way • Point one leg of the tripod at the subject in order to get closer to the camera • If you pan the camera, position yourself in the middle of the pan and then rotate to start the pan (fig. 2-6).

11. II. Camcorder Operation D. Hand-holding the Camera • Whenever possible, brace yourself on something • To shoot a low angle, sit with the camera firmly in your lap, swing the viewfinder up and look down to make the shot • Do not walk while shooting if you can avoid it • Take a deep breath and and let half of it out before starting, then hold your breath as you shoot • Use the widest-angle lens setting. The wider the angle, the less obvious the camera shake

12. II. Camcorder Operation E. Avoiding Camera Problems • Avoid swinging the camera around to center one subject, and then another, and then another. Instead, get a good-looking picture of each subject and shoot as a separate shot. • Do not make shots too brief. • Do not position subjects against bright backgrounds • Avoid zooming while shooting

13. III. Quality Video and Audio • A. Good Quality Video • Head Room means positioning the subjects at a pleasing distance from the top of the picture (fig. 2-7) • Look Room is shifting the subject away from the direction they are looking. (fig. 2-8) • Lead Room (look room when the subject is moving) is positioning subjects away from the frame edge toward which they are moving. (fig. 2-9) • The Rule of Thirds is a framing tool using a tic-tac-toe grid. Divide the image into thirds to have a more interesting composition (fig. 2-10). • B. Good Quality Audio • Stay close to the subject, the farther away the microphone is, the more it picks up interfering background noise (fig 2-11). • Minimize background noise: do not place a subject in front of a busy street because the mic will be pointed directly at the traffic noise behind them. • Direct Silently

14. IV. Managing the Shooting Session • A. Directing the Shoot • Record every shot you will need in the finished program. • For continuous action, let people walk into and out of the shot. • Try to make each shot look different. • Vary your shots for a more interesting video (camera angles, pp 26 & 27). • Avoid jump cuts: an edit in which the incoming shot is too similar, visually, to the outgoing shot (fig 2-12). • B. Managing the Shooting Session • Have one person responsible for equipment, and never leave it unattended. • Detach camera and tripod when transporting them. • Always keep camera in its bag when not in use.