TCOM 4170 Spring 2014Video Production

Amani Channel, MALecture #2

Agenda

Review

Production Positions

Planning to Shoot

Using your Camera

Composition

Photo Essay In Class Assignment

Quiz

1. Explain the difference between HD and SD

2. Name 3 video formats (types of cams/acquisition)

3. Explain what nonlinear editing is

4. What is workflow?

5. Explain why composition is important

Remember

• Goal is to create interesting stories• Tell narratives• Learn professional video production

techniques• Composition• Lighting • Audio• Editing

Case Study

Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock’s Rule “The size of an object in a frame should be directly related to its importance in the story at that very moment.”

Hitchcock Techniqueshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5cxBHJ9_i4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg6velhQxGs

The Filmmakers Eye

High/low anglesHigh-camera above eye level = weakness, powerless, passiveLow-below eye level = power, control, confidence

Focal PointsCenter of interest in a compositionCreate compositions that will be understood

180 Rule Maintains spatial continuityThe camera should always be placed on one side of an imaginary linehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27KCpefUMxU

The Filmmakers Eye

Field of ViewHow much space along the x and y axis a lens will include in a frame, wide angle, normal, telephoto. Short focal length = greater field of view

Focal length is a measurement (millimeters) from the optical center to the recording surface.

Depth of fieldDistance along along the z axis that will be in sharp focus

Basic Production Positions

Above the line: writer, producer, director, talentBelow the line: everyone else (most production positions)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Below_the_line_(filmmaking)

Executive Director/Client: FinanceProducer: Budget/Logistics/Keeps project on trackDirector: Calling the shots/cameraAudioDP: Lights/CameraPA: Assists with equipment

Video Production Formula

Plan: Preproduction. Write proposal, treatment, script, determine production needs; location, equipment, crew, edit, budget

Shoot: Production. Capture video, talent takes according to script

Edit: Postproduction (polish video with music, color correction, sweeten audio, motion graphics, special fx, render.

Share: Distribution.

Workflow

Step-by-step management of a complex projectProcess by which you efficiently plan, shot, and edit a video/film project.

What camera & video format?

Where is the video stored?

What editing program?

How will it be archived?

Getting to know the camera

How to turn it on

Connect to tripod

Audio

White balance

Focus

Watch zooms

Storytelling Goals

Tell a story

Beginning/middle/end

Good audio

Good video

Good pictures

Emotion is good

The first step

Writing the proposal. The concept of the story, what is the plot, goal, or reason why the film/video is being created.

Who is the talent? Shoot location(s), props?

What equipment? Camera, mics, special needs?

Timeline, shoot dates, deadlines

Final deliverable (format, DVD, media file?)