Video Camera course - Week 8

Production

Assemble your cast and crew so that everyone knows who is doing what. A basic crew can consist of:

• Actors / Presenters - They can be professional or just friends.
• Director - They take charge of the whole production, including scripting, storyboards, crew and cast.
• Producers are in charge of the projects finances, making sure that the director keeps within the budget, as well as finding sponsorship to put into the budget.
• Production Assistant (PA) - They are responsible for logging shots, preparing any interviewees, looking after all paperwork, checking timings and sorting out problems.
• Camera Operator - They are in charge of getting good pictures as well as setting up the camera and positioning lights. They are also in charge of the equipment.
• Camera Assistant - they set up the microphones and check the recording levels when filming. They may have to use a boom mic, this is a microphone supported on the end of a long pole. They also look after the tapes, making sure they are labeled and numbered.

Setting up the Camera

1. Place the camera on the tripod.
2. Insert battery or plug in AC adapter.
3. Turn the camera on.
4. Insert tape.
5. Remove lens cap.
6. Make sure camera is set to "Camera".
7. Compose your shot.
8. Focus
9. White Balance
10. When ready to record press the red button.

Shooting Tips

• Put camera on strong tripod
• Turn off auto functions to save battery life
• Zoom in on subject and alter focus for sharp image
• Allow 2-5 seconds before starting action (i.e., dialogue, moving camera)
• Allow2-5 seconds before turning the camera off at the end of a shot.
• A common problem is for the beginning and end of a shot to be cut off. When you press the REC button to start and stop the video tape you have to allow some time (normally about 2 seconds) for the tape to actually "get up to speed". I normally count to 5 after I have pressed the REC button until I cue an actor or move the camera, and then allow another 5 seconds after an action has ended before I stop the tape.
• This extra space either end of a shot allows extra space for editing and makes sure you do not miss a line because of action starting too early or the camera 'backspace' wiping the last line of speech on your tape. (A camera will rewind a tape by about a second when you press stop in order to have a clean start when you press REC again, this is called 'backspacing').
• Many people find the red recording light on the camera intimidating, and freeze whenever they see it. Try covering the light with a piece of tape or turn it off.
• Make sure you have everything you're going to need (cables, lights, microphone, video tape, tripod, camera, etc.).
• Test all equipment ahead of time. Better to replace a dead battery before you leave for a shoot, than have to cancel the shoot when you get there.

Lighting

Keep the major light source at the camera back. This orientation will minimize overexposure due to backlighting.

Still Pictures

Some camcorders can take still pictures at 1280x960, 1024x768 or 640x480 resolution and store them on the supplied MultiMediaCard (MMC). You can transfer them to your computer using the USB interface. For digital stills one needs more than 1.3 megapixels to get a really good still shot. If you want decent digital stills use a digital still camera that was designed for the job