12 Video Tips that will turn you into a Pro!
Provided you have all the basics ready, battery charged, lens clean and spare tapes we have compiled several tips to improve your videoing skills.......here goes!
Before switching camera on remove the lens cap!: All consumer video cameras set the white balance automatically upon switching on, if you switch on your camera with the lens cap in place then it is black and the video camera adjusts accordingly. Remove the lens cap first then switch on and your video camera will have a more accurate white balance adjustment.
Hold the camera steady: It may sound so basic but it is amazing just how many people shake all over gods creation whilst filming.....keep it steady Eddie!
Keep shots short: If you watch any program (even news anchors) you will notice that most shots are not more than 10 seconds unless the subject is extremely interesting, keep them short and sweet.
Vary camera angles: Again, watch the news, by varying camera angles and shot size you will improve your viewing experience. As an example, take a wide shot to set the scene (5-10 secs), move position and angle (yes walk) and take a intermediate shot (5- 10 secs) move position/ angle again and take a close up (5 - 10 secs).
Pan once: Panning the camera from left to right and back again is relentlessly boring, do it once in one direction with a nice steady fluid motion.
Avoid the zooooom: Excessive use of the zoom is unbearable to watch. If your camera has a zoom that is difficult to use (and affects the stability of the camera) try starting recording with the camera zoomed in (and a steady hand) and zoom out to a wider shot. The more you zoom in the more camera shake will effect the lens, if your start steady and zoom out it will have the opposite effect.
Film all the action: Anticipate the action and capture the whole scene from start to finish will make your videos more interesting and easier to edit. If someone is talking ask them to delay speaking for 3 - 4 seconds after you say "its rollin" and start recording.
Shoot with the light behind you: Having the light source from behind you will light up your shot and avoid the harsh contrast/ washed out footage if shooting into the light.
Shoot on overcast days!: Contrary to popular belief overcast days are better then bright sunny days for filming. You avoid the harsh shadows cast as light is more evenly displaced around the subject. Lens flare is also avoided.
Shoot blind: Experiment with shooting without looking through the viewfinder or LCD monitor. For example, if you are on a hike start recording and hold the camera low to the ground whist walking behind someone, you would get an interesting close up of their feet which would fit in nicely with the rest of your footage when edited.
Keep time code: Nothing is more frustrating to an editor than disrupted time code (the number that counts the recorded frames). If you are reviewing the footage on the fly it is often difficult to find the exact location where the last recording finished. Familiarize yourself with the video cameras "end search" capability (if it has one). Or record a blank 8 - 10 sec scene before reviewing. This will ensure you do not break the time code, which will start at zero again.......errrggh! Some people suggest blanking the tape (recording the whole tape with the lens cap on) to avoid a break in the time code. We suggest against this to save wear and tear on the cameras heads. Follow this tip and you will be laughing all the way to the cutting room!
Give us space!: Do not shoot an important scene right at the beginning or end of a tape. Add a "handle" (10 - 20 seconds of blank). This will make it easier for the editor to cut the scenes later, the Non Linear Editing (NLE) software operates from the time code, it is difficult for it to find 0:00:00:00 on the tape.
Follow the above tips and you will be well on your way to becoming a pro!
