Video Production and Media LiteracyVideo Production and Media Literacy

The First Rule of Video ProductionThe First Rule of Video ProductionThe First Rule of Video ProductionThe First Rule of Video Production

No matter how good your equipment, No matter how good your equipment, editing, and graphics… editing, and graphics…

Garbage In! Garbage In! Garbage Out! Garbage Out!

It takes quality audio/video to make a good production!It takes quality audio/video to make a good production!

Important Things ToImportant Things To Know about Video Know about Video Important Things ToImportant Things To Know about Video Know about Video

1. TV productions all start as WRITING.1. TV productions all start as WRITING.

2. All programs are “constructed”.2. All programs are “constructed”.

4. TV producers must decide both the 4. TV producers must decide both the Purpose and Audience for any show they Purpose and Audience for any show they createcreate

Important Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about Video

The The purposespurposes of TV shows of TV shows can be to: can be to:

persuade viewers to buy persuade viewers to buy products products or accept certain ideas or accept certain ideas

Inform/ teach Inform/ teach entertain entertain express a point of viewexpress a point of view

Important Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about VideoImportant Things To Know about Video

TV producers “target” certainTV producers “target” certainAudiencesAudiences when making their when making their shows and ads. They look at shows and ads. They look at the audience’s: the audience’s: Background Background AgeAge Wants / needsWants / needs

Video Productions are created in three stages:Video Productions are created in three stages:

Pre-Production ProductionPost - Production

Safety First!Safety First! Use a tripod and make sure it is stableUse a tripod and make sure it is stable Make sure camera is tight on tripodMake sure camera is tight on tripod Watch out for cablesWatch out for cables Don’t point camera at bright light like Don’t point camera at bright light like

the sun for long periods the sun for long periods Don’t try and force tape, cables, Don’t try and force tape, cables,

or attachments into placeor attachments into place

ProductionProductionProductionProduction Scenes are rehearsed, performed by Scenes are rehearsed, performed by

talent, and taped.talent, and taped. Supporting video (B-roll) is also shot to Supporting video (B-roll) is also shot to

“ “cover” audio (the sound) and natural cover” audio (the sound) and natural audio is captured.audio is captured.

Video/audio clips are Video/audio clips are

logged and labeledlogged and labeled

Camera TipsCamera TipsCamera TipsCamera Tips

Use a tripodUse a tripod Place camera so greatest Place camera so greatest

light is at camera person’s backlight is at camera person’s back Use focus and white balance controlsUse focus and white balance controls Practice camera moves (blocking) Practice camera moves (blocking) Frame shots and moves with purposeFrame shots and moves with purpose

Camera Tips (continued)Camera Tips (continued)Camera Tips (continued)Camera Tips (continued)

Vary shotsVary shots Don’t overuse zoom Don’t overuse zoom Be sure to lay down pre and post-rollBe sure to lay down pre and post-roll Correct roll-back (only on tape cameras)Correct roll-back (only on tape cameras)

Basic Shots TypesBasic Shots TypesBasic Shots TypesBasic Shots Types

Close-up (CU) Wide Shot (WS)Medium Shot (Med)

Using Angles Using Angles Using Angles Using Angles

Bird’s Eye (High angle)Bird’s Eye (High angle) shots make characters or shots make characters or

objects look small or weakobjects look small or weak

Worm’s Eye (low angle) Worm’s Eye (low angle) shots make characters shots make characters look big or stronglook big or strong

ZOOMING!ZOOMING!ZOOMING!ZOOMING!

Zoom – Zooming out or in can be used Zoom – Zooming out or in can be used to “guide” viewer through a scene but to “guide” viewer through a scene but should not be overused to avoid viewer should not be overused to avoid viewer “seasickness”“seasickness”

Shot Purposes Shot Purposes

Close-up/Extreme CU shots- “tell” what Close-up/Extreme CU shots- “tell” what characters look like, show emotions, characters look like, show emotions, point out detailspoint out details

Medium shots- create comfortable Medium shots- create comfortable “talking” distance“talking” distance

Wide Shots- Show setting or action.Wide Shots- Show setting or action. Point of View (POV) shot lets viewer Point of View (POV) shot lets viewer

“ “see” through a character’s eyessee” through a character’s eyes

Viewfinder

Lens Assembly

Auto Zoom Control Switch

Wide

Telephoto

Inset Detail

Auto/Manual Focus Controls

WT

Battery Compartment

Power/ Record Controls

MicrophonePlayback Controls

Diagram of a Typical Camcorder

How To Frame A ShotHow To Frame A Shot ((Subject Facing Camera)Subject Facing Camera)

How To Frame A ShotHow To Frame A Shot ((Subject Facing Camera)Subject Facing Camera)

Subject can be centered

Headroom

How to Frame A ShotHow to Frame A Shot (Subject looking to one side)(Subject looking to one side)

How to Frame A ShotHow to Frame A Shot (Subject looking to one side)(Subject looking to one side)

HeadroomHeadroom

Give lead or “ talking” Give lead or “ talking” roomroom

How to Frame A ShotHow to Frame A Shot Using the Rule of ThirdsUsing the Rule of Thirds

How to Frame A ShotHow to Frame A Shot Using the Rule of ThirdsUsing the Rule of Thirds

Place most interesting part of subject where lines cross. Notice body Place most interesting part of subject where lines cross. Notice body and eyes lie along these lines instead of picture’s center.and eyes lie along these lines instead of picture’s center.

11

22

33

1 2 31 2 3

Common Video Mistakes…..Common Video Mistakes…..Common Video Mistakes…..Common Video Mistakes….. Too much headroom - bad framingToo much headroom - bad framing Subject in front of bright backlightSubject in front of bright backlight Shaky camera - no tripodShaky camera - no tripod No shot variation - wide shotNo shot variation - wide shot Insufficient planning - no scriptInsufficient planning - no script lack of pre and post rolllack of pre and post roll

Audio Track PartsAudio Track PartsAudio Track PartsAudio Track Parts

TalkingTalkingSound effectsSound effectsMusicMusicNatural soundNatural sound

Audio TipsAudio TipsAudio TipsAudio Tips If possible use headphonesIf possible use headphones

to monitor to monitor Select microphones based on project needsSelect microphones based on project needs Place microphone right distance from Place microphone right distance from

sourcesource When using built-in microphone move When using built-in microphone move

closer and zoom out closer and zoom out Listen for distracting background noisesListen for distracting background noises

Common Audio Mistakes…..Common Audio Mistakes…..Common Audio Mistakes…..Common Audio Mistakes…..

using only cam mikeusing only cam mike

mike too far from sound sourcemike too far from sound source

not monitoring audionot monitoring audio

On-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for Talent Make sure ahead of time

that you can read and properly pronounce words (especially people’s names)

Wait for your cue before speaking

Smile! (when appropriate)

On-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for TalentOn-Air Tips for Talent When addressing audience, look

into camera when speaking as much as possible.

Hold referred to objects close

to face when possible so it is easy to frame shot “spokesmodel pose”

Speak clearly, projecting your voice toward the microphone

Advertising Techniques (Production)Advertising Techniques (Production)

Close-upClose-up Makes product look bigger.Makes product look bigger.AnglesAngles Make product or person look Make product or person look

more or less important.more or less important.LightingLighting Makes product look pretty,Makes product look pretty,

scary, exciting, etc.scary, exciting, etc.Sound EffectsSound Effects Make product seem more fun Make product seem more fun

or exciting.or exciting.Music/jingleMusic/jingle Sets “mood” and helps you Sets “mood” and helps you

remember product.remember product.Makeup/Makeup/ Uses makeup or styling “tricks” to Uses makeup or styling “tricks” to food styling food styling change the look of a person or productchange the look of a person or product

Advertising TechniquesAdvertising Techniques(Persuasion Techniques)(Persuasion Techniques)Advertising TechniquesAdvertising Techniques(Persuasion Techniques)(Persuasion Techniques) Sport or movie star uses product Sport or movie star uses product Using emotions such as fear or humorUsing emotions such as fear or humor Person you want to be like sells productPerson you want to be like sells product BandwagonBandwagon CardstackingCardstacking StatisticsStatistics Fact vs. OpinionFact vs. Opinion Public GoodPublic Good Sense AppealSense Appeal Word games (generalities, weasel words)Word games (generalities, weasel words)

Pre-ProductionPre-ProductionPre-ProductionPre-Production Decide on target audience and purposeDecide on target audience and purpose Have all props and materials in placeHave all props and materials in place Write outline/ scripts /storyboardsWrite outline/ scripts /storyboards Plan for graphics and special effectsPlan for graphics and special effects

Planning Your ProductionPlanning Your ProductionPlanning Your ProductionPlanning Your Production

Two main ways of planning are scripts and Two main ways of planning are scripts and storyboardsstoryboards

Scripts take many forms but should have a Scripts take many forms but should have a place for both audio (sound) and video (picture)place for both audio (sound) and video (picture)

Storyboards are really comic strip versions of Storyboards are really comic strip versions of production where shots are drawn with the production where shots are drawn with the audio written as captions underneathaudio written as captions underneath

Script Writing ProcessScript Writing Process

Research- This involves not only looking for factual Research- This involves not only looking for factual information but possible sources for stills, video information but possible sources for stills, video segments, audio sources etc. segments, audio sources etc.

Content Outline- The framework for the script. which Content Outline- The framework for the script. which contains all the information the script will have. It's easier contains all the information the script will have. It's easier to edit, cut, or add to later. The outline is laid out in the to edit, cut, or add to later. The outline is laid out in the sequence of the script. sequence of the script.

Treatment- written in story format Treatment- written in story format (in commercial world the (in commercial world the treatment is used often to “sell” the production before actual script treatment is used often to “sell” the production before actual script is written) is written)

11st,st, 2 2ndnd, and final draft process, and final draft process

Steps to a News StorySteps to a News Story

1. Research- this tells you whether you actually have a story

2. Focus Statement- Do people in school drink too much soda?

3. Brainstorm B-Roll

4. Shoot

5. Log Tapes (this is crucial!)

6A. Option- Re-shoot or shoot additional footage

Steps to a News StorySteps to a News Story

6B. Option- Scrap the story (if you don’t have it by now, there may not be one. This happens!)

7. Write the script for audio and video. This is where the focus statement is proven or disproved and where anchor’s lead is written

8. Edit

9. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Taken by permission from Steve Galyon, Henry Co. High School

Script ExampleScript ExampleScript ExampleScript Example VideoVideo

EST. Shot -of school exteriorEST. Shot -of school exterior

Med. Shot- Student host pointing at Med. Shot- Student host pointing at buildingbuildingWS. Shot – Student walks through WS. Shot – Student walks through doordoorMed. 2 shot- Host and school directorMed. 2 shot- Host and school director

CU- Director’s face as he is talkingCU- Director’s face as he is talking

EST. Shot- Scriptwriter’s office with her EST. Shot- Scriptwriter’s office with her at her computerat her computer

AudioAudio

V.O- Welcome to the ACME School of V.O- Welcome to the ACME School of ProductionProduction

Let’s go inside and take a tour!Let’s go inside and take a tour!

Music Music

This is the school’s director, Mr. DoeThis is the school’s director, Mr. DoeWhat are you going to show us What are you going to show us today?today?

Well I thought we would start by talking Well I thought we would start by talking with our scriptwriter, Ms. Smith.with our scriptwriter, Ms. Smith.

Director – Well hello Ms. Smith! We Director – Well hello Ms. Smith! We have a visitor with us, Mr. Hosthave a visitor with us, Mr. Host

Shot AbbreviationsShot AbbreviationsShot AbbreviationsShot Abbreviations

(ECU) Extreme Close-up Shot(ECU) Extreme Close-up Shot (CU) Close-up Shot(CU) Close-up Shot (Med) Medium Shot(Med) Medium Shot (WS) Wide Shot(WS) Wide Shot (POV) Point of View Shot(POV) Point of View Shot (EST) Establishing Shot(EST) Establishing Shot

Sample StoryboardSample Storyboard

The veterinarian will take a blood sample

She will use a special needle to take the sample

She will check the sample under a microscope

Interview TipsInterview TipsInterview TipsInterview Tips

Write a focus sentenceWrite a focus sentenceResearch the subject Research the subject Target your audience correctlyTarget your audience correctlyPrepare a complete list of questionsPrepare a complete list of questionsDescribe the purpose to the subject Describe the purpose to the subject

before the interviewbefore the interview

Interview TipsInterview TipsInterview TipsInterview Tips

Don’t interview the subject without Don’t interview the subject without the camera before the actual the camera before the actual interviewinterview

LISTENLISTENAsk good follow-up questionsAsk good follow-up questionsBe polite and professionalBe polite and professional

Interview No-No’sInterview No-No’sInterview No-No’sInterview No-No’s

Yes and no questionsYes and no questions ““I see” and “Uh-huh”I see” and “Uh-huh” Two-part questionsTwo-part questions Obvious questionsObvious questions Questions in poor tasteQuestions in poor taste Questions that have already been Questions that have already been

answeredanswered

When writing for a news broadcast…When writing for a news broadcast…

Some things stay the sameSome things stay the same

You still need to be:You still need to be: ClearClear Fair Fair BalancedBalanced InterestingInteresting

Some things change

Write the way you talk; you are telling a story

Sesame Street Style –simple, slow easy on the ears

Short sentences Listen to your story as well

as watch it. Let your pictures tell the

story. Avoid talking heads Let your subjects provide

the drama

Dressing for TelevisionDressing for TelevisionDressing for TelevisionDressing for Television

Choose clothes with simple, clean linesChoose clothes with simple, clean lines Wear solid colors (blues and teals)Wear solid colors (blues and teals) Women should wear make-up that Women should wear make-up that

emphasizes eyes and lips and men and emphasizes eyes and lips and men and women should use powder to avoid women should use powder to avoid “shiny” areas “shiny” areas

Avoid white, black, shiny Avoid white, black, shiny jewelry, and distracting jewelry, and distracting patternspatterns

The “Magic” of TV (Special The “Magic” of TV (Special Effects and Post Production)Effects and Post Production)The “Magic” of TV (Special The “Magic” of TV (Special Effects and Post Production)Effects and Post Production)EditingEditingGraphicsGraphicsSpecial EffectsSpecial EffectsAnimationAnimationMake-upMake-up

Post-ProductionPost-ProductionPost-ProductionPost-Production

The best pieces of video and audio are The best pieces of video and audio are picked and put in the right order.picked and put in the right order.

The video pieces are edited together.The video pieces are edited together. Graphics (words on screen) and computer Graphics (words on screen) and computer

effects are created and edited in.effects are created and edited in. The audio track is edited (sweetened) with The audio track is edited (sweetened) with

sound effects, music, and natural sounds sound effects, music, and natural sounds placed where needed.placed where needed.

Editing: In-Camera/Non-Linear Editing: In-Camera/Non-Linear In-Camera editing: Plan and shoot in order using In-Camera editing: Plan and shoot in order using

record/pause feature. Little flexibility for later record/pause feature. Little flexibility for later rearrangement.rearrangement.

Non-Linear: shoot video andNon-Linear: shoot video and then input into computer with then input into computer with non-linear editing software. non-linear editing software. Video and audio segments Video and audio segments represented by icons placed represented by icons placed on a desktop timeline in desired on a desktop timeline in desired order. order. Segments can easily beSegments can easily be rearranged and graphics, rearranged and graphics, transitions, effects integrated to transitions, effects integrated to created finished product. created finished product.

Roles in ProductionRoles in Production Producer – Oversees project,Producer – Oversees project, Guides idea, works with directorGuides idea, works with director Director - Guides actual production (calls the Director - Guides actual production (calls the

shots!)shots!) Assistant Producer/Assistant Director- finds Assistant Producer/Assistant Director- finds

resources, gets copyright okays,resources, gets copyright okays,sets schedules, arrange interviews, locationssets schedules, arrange interviews, locations

Talent - On-camera host, anchor, or actor Talent - On-camera host, anchor, or actor delivers lines, acts in character, follows delivers lines, acts in character, follows director’s cuesdirector’s cues

Roles in ProductionRoles in Production Camera person - Operates camera, tells story Camera person - Operates camera, tells story

visually as guided by directorvisually as guided by director Audio Engineer – Records and manages sound Audio Engineer – Records and manages sound Scriptwriter – writes scripts & storyboardsScriptwriter – writes scripts & storyboards Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) Designer- Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) Designer-

Creates text, still images, and animations for Creates text, still images, and animations for onscreen and web use.onscreen and web use.

Website Designer- Many programs have websites Website Designer- Many programs have websites or are delivered as part of a website.or are delivered as part of a website.

You may use this PowerPoint in whole You may use this PowerPoint in whole or in part but please cite KET or in part but please cite KET

as the source! as the source!