Video Production 101
Camera, Lights, and Sound
What is the difference between FILM and VIDEO?
• FILMA strip of sequential, still images, taken on photographic film. (exposed to light and developed)
• VIDEOAudio and Visual information is converted into electrical impulses and stored on magnetic tape, or as a computer file.
How does a video camera work?
• The LensLight travels through the lens, and is reduced to a cone-shaped beam.
• CCD – Charge-Coupled DeviceThis part of the camera receives the light from the lens, and converts it into digital information. This will be stored on a tape, card, or drive.
Seems like…
Focal Length• Most video cameras have a zoom lens. Zoom
lenses have a variable focal length, which allows objects to appear closer or farther away without changing the lens.
• Focal length is the distance between the optical center of the lens, and the CCD or film.
Iris and f/Stop
• Iris/ApertureThe opening in the lens assembly through which light enters.
• f/stopA number which designates the size of the lens aperture .
Break for Key Terms #1
• Film• Video• Lens• CCD (Charge-Coupled
Device)• Focal Length• Iris/Aperture• f/Stop
Three Point Lighting
• Key LightPrimary source of light – typically a Fresnel spotlight. Generally all lights are set on the diagonal.
• Fill LightThis light helps minimize the shadows caused by the Key Light. This light is set from the opposite diagonal angle from the Key Light.
• Back LightThis light casts a gentle glow on the head and shoulders of the subject; this helps separate them from the background.
Microphones• Omnidirectional
These pick up sound in all 360 degrees around the microphone.
• UnidirectionalThese pick up sounds from a particular shape or pattern surrounding the microphone. (Cardioid, Super Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Bi-Directional, Shotgun)
• LavalierA small, hands-free microphone that can be clipped onto the subject’s clothing.
Most microphones in the studio will use XLR Cables.
Basics of Microphone Placement
• 3-to-1 RuleIf you are using more than 1 microphone, then the microphones must be placed 3 times farther apart than the distance from their subjects.
• Inverse Square LawWhen you move a microphone, the change in volume is the inverse of the square of the change in distance.(Double the distance, ¼ the volume.)
Break for Key Terms #2
• Three Point Lighting• Key Light• Fill Light• Back Light• Omnidirectional Mic• Directional Mic• Lavalier (Lav) Mic• 3-to-1 Rule• Inverse Square Law
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