101 presentation

HOW TO BE BETTER STORYTELLERS

CESKM Audio & Video Production 101presented by

Maureen E. Hall05.20.11

INTRODUCTION

About Me

Writer, producer, director 25+ years experience Mostly corporate environment National and international awards Non-technical Telling the best story in the most

interesting and informative way

What About You?

You’re in the Know

Gather and disseminate the latest news and ideas in your organization

Powerful position Learn how to use it

Video By the Numbers

Speed 30 frames per second (fps) Slo-mo: 60 to 250+ fps Fast motion: less than 30 fps Stop action: 1 frame an hour or less

Hi-def (HD) Resolution 1080 lines

Aspect ratio (length:height of frame) 16:9 (wide screen)

Production Value$

$$$$ $$$ $$ $

Production Value$

$$$$ $$$ $$ $ can still be

ENGElectronic News Gathering

Mobile, light, agile 1- or 2-person team Camera, Audio,

Tripod, Light Just what you need

to get the story

Camera Basics

Iris (aperture) controls exposure: how much light gets in the camera Measured in f/stops: the larger the f/stop

number, the smaller the aperture, thus lower exposure

“Stop down” “it looks too hot” “looks blown out”— lower the exposure

High light = High f/stop number Low light = Low f/stop number

Focus: blurry or crisp A function of distance from lens to subject

Tripod

Stabilizes camera Smooth moves

Pan: right or left Tilt: up or down

Lighting

Natural effect Make your subjects look good

Audio

Crisp, “clean”, articulate vs. “noisy”, “muddy”, indistinct

Camera microphone is last resort or back-up

External microphone(s) best for speaking Reduce “ambient sound” (unless it adds

to the story) WORST DISTRACTION: sound from

something you can’t see in the frame

Framing

How to compose your shots to make them more

interesting

P.I.C.K Your Shot

Positioning of the camera & subject Background and lighting Subject stands out

Intimacy Focus on the eyes

Cutting Different focal lengths to cut between Focal length: size of subject in the frame Vary focal length by zooming in or out

Shot Cheat Sheet

Most Corporate Video

It’s called a “Talking Head” for a reason….

Video is a Close-Up Medium

Medium (MS) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Close-Up (CU)

Close-Up (CU)

Extreme Close-Up (XCU)

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium Shot (MS)

Medium Close-Up (MCU)

Medium Close-Up (MCU)

Close-Up (CU)

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Other Composition Elements

Little or no headroom

Camera at eye level

Body angled into frame

Non-flat background

Putting it into Practice

Putting it into Practice

Putting it into Practice

Other Tips

DON’T put subject in the comfiest chair DO ask him/her to:

Tuck in their shirt Sit on their jacket

DO have on hand: A glass or bottle of water at hand Tissues De-greasing wipes

Lighting

Color Temperature

Tungsten= Warm

Daylight= Cool

Color Temperature

Fluorescent

White Balance

Adjust the white balance setting on the camera Hold a piece of white paper in front of the

subject’s face Adjust the camera setting until the white looks

white in the view finder or onboard LCD monitor

Balance Your Lighting to the Environment

3-Point Lighting System

1. Key LightMain (strongest) light source

2. FillSofter, to “fill” the shadows created by the key light

3. BacklightSeparates the subject from the background

3-Point Lighting Setup

Litepanels 1x1

Litepanels 1x1

Putting it Into Practice

Avoid Shooting Toward Windows

Putting it Into Practice

Window Light as Key or Fill

Background Interest

Rules of Thumb

Avoid windows as background. Use window light for key or fill. Use bounce card (3’x4’ foam core) or

umbrella for back light. ALWAYS make sure light is off before you

plug it in. ALWAYS warn everyone before turning on

lights. Start with the dimmest setting and turn

up.

Recording Professional Audio

Audio Challenges

Audio Challenges

Audio Basics

Find the best-sounding location Sound blankets can help in “live” locations or

to cover a persistent noise source (PC, for example)

Use an external mike Keep mike the same distance from

speaker’s mouth at all times Silence is golden! DON’T “step on”

speaker’s last words Ask subject to repeat question in the

answer

Mike Your Subject

Basic Audio for Interviews

Lavalier Basics

Last thing before shot

Between 1st & 2nd button

Check the level

DON’T let talent leave with the mike on!

PZMPressure Zone Mike

Made for capturing audio in meetings

180o omnidirectional Uses table top to

amplify audio Also amplifies table

noises Place on a piece of old

mouse pad to minimize One mike will cover

table for 6

Monitor Your Audio

Record Room Tone

Every room has a sound Cover gaps in editing End of interview Exactly same set-up 30 seconds to a minute

Telling More Visual Stories

How to compose your shots to make them more

interesting

What is B-roll?

“Cutaway” material that helps tell the story

Create a Library

Store and categorize footage from previous shoots

Use stock footage Royalty-free sources you can use again &

again www.istockphoto.com/Video www.pond5.com/Royalty-Free-Video www.gettyimages.com www.artbeats.com http://www.thoughtequity.com footage.shutterstock.com

Supporting Graphics

Get the Story Before You Get the Shot

Pre-pro (Pre-production) Pre-interview via phone 3 most important things that… Read up Find out what “assets” they may have

Photos, print materials, etc. Always have a thumb drive with you

Check out the shoot location Lighting, sound, clutter Maybe find a better one

Talk to subject about how to look their best

Interviewing Techniques

Break it up Don’t let them ramble Change focal length Ask follow-up questions or ask the same

question again in a different way Probe for details

Digital Workflow

Get Creative!Have Fun!

Thank you.

Lunch & a Movie