Shooting Video for the WebSVC

The Pitch

• How to choose the right equipment and software

• How to think through flow, story, and script

• Low-cost, simple techniques for quality shooting, lighting, and sound

• How to upload videos to YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

The Day• 9:00- 9:05 Intros

• 9:05-9:45: Creative, Technical and Other Considerations

• 9:45 - 10:45: View videos

• Break: 10:45 - 11:00

• 11:00 - 12:00 Gear and Tech Primer

• 12:00 - 12:30 Case Study Review

• 12:30 - 1:00 Lunch

• 1:00 - 2:00: Shoot Prep

• 2:00 - 3:45 Shoot!

• 3:45 - 4:00 Wrap Up

“The invention and spread of the printing press are widely

regarded as the most influential events in the second millennium

AD, revolutionizing the way people conceive and describe

the world they live in, and ushering in the period of

modernity.”

“The invention and spread of the WEB VIDEO is widely

regarded as the most influential events in the second millennium

AD, revolutionizing the way people conceive and describe

the world they live in, and ushering in the period of

modernity.”

Before You Roll(Things to think about)

Story Considerations

• Point (And do I have one?)

• Run Time?

• Audience?

• Desired Takaway

• Metrics

Interview Considerations• Eye Line - Off Camera, Way Off Camera, To Camera

• Subject height in relation to camera height

• Background choice - flat vs deep

• Green Screen

• Making subject pop through lighting or DoF

• Traffic vs Comfort

• Ambient Noise?

• Steady or changing light

• Wardrobe

B-Roll Considerations• Handheld vs Tripod vs Steadicam

• Jibs, Dolly and Sliders

• Varied focal length? - Wide, Med, CU, ECU (:06 Setting)

• Pans, Zooms and Racks

• Guiding the Eye with DoF

• Timelapse, Stills and Overcranking

• Stylized vs Natural

• Crossing the line

• Coverage: Wide, Medium & Close

• Continuity: Pick an action and stick with it

You Can Never Be Too Rich, Too Thin, Or Have

Too Much BRoll.

Logistical Considerations

• Scouting• Sound and Light• Permits• Releases• Parking• Feeding crew

Creative Considerations

• Documentary / Journalism

• Expository

• How To

• Image

• Awareness

• Script vs Talking Head vs V/O vs Title Cards

The Biggest Consideration of All?

Press PlayLooking Critically at Work

GearHeads Rejoice(A technical primer)

“If you can shoot it with a Nikon,

you can shoot it with a Panavision.”

Stanley Kubrick

Camera Considerations

• Cameras: HD vs HD vs HD

• 16x9 vs 4x3

• 480 x 270, 640 x 360, 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080

• Frame rates: 23.98 (24), 29.97 (30), 59.94 (60)

Camera Considerations II

• Fixed vs Interchangeable lenses

• Zooms vs Primes

• Compression: AVCHD, H264, R3D, P2, ProRes

• White Balance

Lighting ConsiderationsQuality

IntensityDirection

Lighting Continued• Large Source = Soft / Small Source = Harsh

• Diffusion

• Single source lighting vs 3 point lighting

• Study those catchlights

• Bounce Cards and Negative Fill

• Tungsten vs Daylight Balance

• Lighting on the Cheap: Chinese Lanterns

Exposure LatitudeOr “Seeing Like a Camera”

Histograms (Who needs a light meter?)

Film: Expose to the right

Video: Expose to the left

“Shooting video is best left to the pro’s”

-Sassy DP circa 1990’s

Expose for shadows or highlights?

HDR: Fake extra exposure latitude

Light Study

• www.shaunfenn.com

• www.michaelprince.com

• www.crismanphoto.com

Audio(It’s Half Video)

Audio Considerations

• Shotgun mics

• Lav mics

• Multi-channel audio

• No peaking!

• Syncing in post

• Room tone

• Bury it in post

Staying Up-to-Date

• cinematography.net

• motionographer.com

• prolost.com

• cinema5d.com

• blog.vincentlaforet.com

• creativecow.net

• BH Photo

• CNET.com

• Vimeo

• Trade Mags

• NAB

Case StudiesPrep, Shoot, Post

Mini ShootThe assignment: SVC Promo

Life is Boring(That’s why there’s editing)