Camera Movement

Camera Movement should be purposive

Guiding the viewers the way you want them to see particular object.

Random and frequent camera movement shows that you are an amateur

Camera Movement Types

Tilt, Pan and tracking

A tilt goes up > down OR down > upYou want to show a tall building

A pan goes turns camera to left or rightYou are following a moving subject

Tracking is moving the position of camera itself horizontal to the object.Shooting from a window of a moving car

Camera Movement Types

Zoom

Zoom inYou want to draw viewers attention to particular part of the sceneZoom outYou want to reveal a wider shot of the subjectRarely usedUsually zooming is used to correct the framing between usable shots, not during the shots.

But sometimes, when the subject is continuously talking and you want to change the framing.

Camera Movement Types

Movement rules:

Easy on eyesStart slowly > speed up smoothly > slow again to a gradual stop

A proper and fluid head tripod is essential for this

If you have time, rehearse the move before actually recording.

Make sure the move is no longer than several seconds, you cannot shorten it in editing

Filming an interview

Setting

Sit down interviewSetting up lights, microphones and arranging positions, background

Ask the interviewee some time if you need to arrange things well, even if it is his office

Check out the source of available lights

Prefer outdoor if possible but also consider noise, try to get as much depth behind the subject as possible

Filming an interview

Setting

BLAHBackground

Light

Audio

Head

Filming an interview

Framing for interview

Tight vs. loose frame

Depends on organization’s preference but also number of considerations:

Going tight is usually preferred when in hard investigative interrogations. Nose room and head space.

Going loose is preferred when if interviewee seems to move position, hands and refer to something while talking

Filming an interview

Framing for interview

Your position

Stand just by the side of the camera so that the interviewee looks at you, not the camera.

Don’t stand on the wrong side, based on how you are framing the interviewee

Filming an interview

Filming an interview

Don’t rush after you are done

Cutaways

Shoot some cutaways of your interviewee. If you are doing the filming and reporting alone, use remote control for record if possible or do some enacting for the cutaways.