Guidelines for Shooting Effective Video

Keep it Steady

Use a tripod Brace yourself against

something steady Use the human tripod

technique (camera shake is annoying to

viewers)

Learn to Pan and Zoom

Common mistake is constant movement Be deliberate when adjusting Shoot and leve it there, STOP the

recording and take another shot Don’t pan the camera from one subject

to another If you have to pan, use slow, smooth

deliberate motions

Lose the Zoom

Use the zoom feature to frame shots

Avoid zooming in and out during a shot

If you must, zoom in slowly Zooms, pans a

Shot Composition

Before you tape, look at the shot and see if you have everything in it that you want.

Check to see how it is framed

Rule of Thirds

When framing a person, you want their eyes on the top line and the center of their head on the left or the right line (i.e., facing inward).

Although this may cut off the top of the subject's head, it will provide the proper balance and really make your shot look professional.

Learn your camcorder!

Check out manny!

Lighting

When possible shoot in a well lit area

No bright light BEHIND the subject

Use Wide Shots Sparingly

Focus on details Don’t be afraid to get close

The not so obvious obvious

Have plenty of tapes Keep you camera charged and

ready Don’t film EVERYTHING!