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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 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
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
