Video Communication & Production

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Ch. 2 Objectives

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

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).

I. Equipment Basics

B. Automatic Camera Controls

Autofocus control – keeps the picture sharp and clear

Autoexposure control – regulates the amount of light admitted through the camcorder lens

I. Equipment Basics

C. 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

I. Equipment Basics

E. 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

I. Equipment Basics

F. 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).

I. Equipment Basics

A. 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

II. Camcorder Operation

B. 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

II. 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).

II. Camcorder Operation

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

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

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

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.