Do it like a Pro Shooting video

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Do it like a ProShooting video

• Chris Collins
• Multimedia Specialist-Learning Technologies
• Associate Lecturer-School of Communication
• The University of Akron
• collin8_at_uakron.edu

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Importance of good video

• Clear images and audio--improved attention,
  comprehension and retention
• Viewer expectations-cable and satellite TV,
  DVDs--your video must be competitive
• Broadband internet--exposes poor video
• What is good video? Camera work, lighting and
  sound all crucial
• A backlight and external mic separate
  professional video from amateur

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Compare these examples

• Handheld camera
• Cameras internal mic only
• Overhead classroom lights only
• Contrast and shadows not managed

• Camera on tripod
• External microphone
• Supplemental lighting
• Control of shadows and contrast

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Sound advice

• Audio provides communication and comprehension
• Audio continues when video stream freezes
• Always use an external microphone
• Use the right mic for specific situations
• Mic placement is important

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Sound advice

• Hand microphone--flexible use, but occupies one
  hand
• Lavaliere--best pickup of single speaker, but not
  groups
• Directional or shotgun--sound at a distance,
  background noise, hollow sound
• Concealing microphones--hiding and dressing
  cables, cable restrictions

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Sound advice

• Use manual gain if possible
• Pay attention to sound perspective
• Always record sound--you can remove, but
  difficult to add later

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Focus on the camera

• Use a tripod if possible-elevate your your video
  above amateur
• Check lighting and contrast through viewfinder,
  not LCD display
• Use manual focus-if possible
• Use manual exposure-if possible

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Focus on the camera

• Three types of movement
• Avoid Cover the World syndrome--pan, tilt and
  zoom sparingly
• Let subject drive movement
• Shooting handheld--use short focal length lens,
  brace yourself against wall or post and tuck
  elbows against torso

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Focus on the camera

• Static video at beginning and end of each shot
• Shots of 7-10 seconds in length best for
  narration
• Always shoot cutaways and extra shots
• Follow basic composition principles headroom,
  lead room, rule of thirds, etc.

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Picture composition

• Provide lead room when subject or object moves
  horizontally across screen--also be aware of nose
  room
• Provide proper headroom when shooting subjects
• Rule of thirds--four powerful points on the
  screen

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Rule of Thirds
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A lighter note

• Proper lighting--separates pro from amateur
• Three variables direction, intensity and color
  temperature
• Eliminating Raccoon eyes--front lighting, using
  reflection
• Three-point lighting-key, back and fill
• Creating a back light effect

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A lighter note

• Windows--good, bad and ugly
• Sunlight--direction makes all the difference
• Controlling bright sky
• Controlling contrast ratio
• Color temperature

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Recording Scenarios

• Classroom presentation
• Role playing or interview
• Panel discussion
• Dealing with powerpoint and/or overheads

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Shooting to Stream

• Lossy compression repeats redundant pixels to
  reduce amount of information
• Pan, tilt and zoom sparingly and slowly
• Smaller viewing area--use more medium and close
  up shots
• Look for simple background
• Use cuts, not dissolves or special effects

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Some alternatives

• Alternate light sources--color corrected work
  lights, overhead projector/diffused, available
  lights with reflectors
• Concealed hand mics
• Homemade parabolic microphone

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Basic tools on a budget

• Tripod with fluid head--100
• Dynamic hand mic cable--40
• Photo light with stand--100
• Lavaliere mic--wired--50
• Great video--priceless!

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Summary

• Good audio is crucial to attention and
  comprehension
• Use an external microphone
• Use a tripod if possible
• Let subject movement determine camera movement
• Be aware of light direction and intensity
• Control contrast--direction reflection