Guidelines for Shooting Effective

VideoInstructional Technology

Services

Keep it Steady

• Use a tripod• Brace yourself against something

solid• Use the human tripod technique• Camera shake is annoying to

viewers• When publishing to the web, shaky

movies translate to larger movie files

When to shake

• Lose the tripod when:– You want to communicate a fluid

or unstable situation– You want to impart a

documentary style effect– You don’t have time to setup the

tripod – news type situations

Lose the ZOOM• Use the zoom feature to frame your

shots• Avoid zooming in and out during a

shot• If you must, zoom in or out slowly• Zooms, pans and tilts take up

valuable time, if they don’t enhance your movie it’s best to leave them out

Headroom

Too much Just right

Lighting• This is one of the most important

factors in taking good shots• Try and have the light at your back• Avoid having your subject standing

in front of a white or bright background

• If your camera has backlighting controls, use it if the light is in front of you

Too Much Backlight

Establishing Shots

• Use establishing shots to give the viewers an idea of where you are

Camera Angle

• Hold the camera low and shoot up towards subject to make them appear large

• Film down on your subject to make them appear small

• Frame your subject in the corner of the screen they are facing to convey a sense of being trapped

Sound Check

• Use an external microphone, especially when conducting an interview

• Even a cheap external microphone will give you better results than the built in microphone

• Use instrumental music as background for shots with narration

To the Point

• Eliminate shots that don’t contribute to your project

• Once the message is conveyed cut to another shot

• Cuts are almost always better than zooms, pans and tilts

• If in doubt, leave it out!

Lead Time

• Try and leave about 5 – 10 seconds of lead time when taking shots

• This will enable you to some leeway when editing your movie on the computer

Most Importantly…

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

Video Activity

• In your groups, shoot 1 – 2 minutes of video and employ 3-5 techniques covered today.

• When you return, please cue your tape to the beginning of your footage.

• Be ready to share your video with the rest of the class.

Rule of Thirds

• Always placing your subject in the middle of the screen is BORING.

• Always placing your horizon in the middle of the screen is BORING.

Video Activity

• Shoot some video that effectively illustrates the rule of thirds.

• When you return, please cue your tape to the beginning of your footage.

• Be ready to share your video with the rest of the class.