VIDEO SHOOTING GUIDE
Traditional video cameras record to tape.
The MoJo cameras DO NOT. They record to compact flash cards.
This tip sheet is designed primarily for the Canon S5-IS (MoJo camera)
I. PREPARATION
1. BATTERIES
-MoJo cameras use-up standard AA's very quickly, carry extra batteries.
2. AUDIO
-MoJo cameras have twin built-in MIC's. They DO NOT accept external MIC's.3. TRIPOD-essential for good video. Use it whenever possible.-also try mini tripod.
3. CF CARD
-format before each use. Shooting mode> menu> tools tab (middle tab)> format> set> OK
-carry extra card if you have.
II. PRE-SHOOT ROUTINE
- do a walk through before shooting, if possible.
- select best shooting position: light, composition , audio, etc.
- HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION. Storyboard if u can: beginning, middle, end.
- make sure camera is loaded with card. Format before using.
A. WHITE BALANCEWhite balance: adjustment is to render specific colors – particularly neutral colors – correctly.
How to set WB:Function> select appropriate WB setting. EXAMPLE: daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, etc.
How to manually set White Balance:Function> select last WB setting icon looks like this:
Fill the frame with a white sheet of paper, press press SET.
***Be sure to reset the white balance each time the light changes or you move. check white balance.
B. SOUND- Sound is as important as the video, and often times much more difficult.
- Select a quiet place to do interviews.
- Turn off all background music, sound. Including AC, gum chewing, etc.
- Do not shoot B-Roll during interview, shoot it after.
- Avoid having subject talk into the camera directly, have subject talk to you just off-camera.
- ROLL 30 SECONDS OF AMBIENT SOUND. Will be needed during editing.
Check Audio levels:
Menu> Tools (middle tab)> Audio> set> Mic Levels> Manual> set> levels> set> adjust.
Beware of wind, it will ruin your sound.
If u must, use wind filter:
Menu> Tools (middle tab)> Audio> set> Wind Filter On.
III. SHOOTING-know the difference between A-Roll, B-Roll
(and Egg-Roll)A-Roll= Interview
B-Roll= action and visuals.
***try to keep them separate when shooting. For example: if someone is explaining how to do something, don't have them demonstrate while explaining. Do one, then the other.- -Anticipate the action-Hold the shot for 8-10 seconds before moving.
- -Zoom lens while NOT SHOOTING. Avoid zooming.
- -Change focal length of lens BEFORE rolling. NOT WHILE ROLLING!
- -keep panning, tilts to minimum. These DO NOT look good in web video.
A. InterviewsAlso called A-Roll, VOX POPS, Actuality, etc.
- -Videos average out to be about: 20% A-Roll to 80% B-Roll.
- -Resist the temptation to vary the shot during the interview.
- -Set camera still, on tripod.
- -Compose the shot, avoid distracting backgrounds and clutter.
- -Have subject looking into the frame, NOT OUT.
- -Leave room for lower-thirds ID.
- -Start shooting, and leave the camera alone, Try to avoid zooming or recomposing.
- -Make sure interviewee is in good light. Avoid backlight.
- -Try for solid clean background. Avoid objects behind heads.
- -Avoid bright backgrounds that are brighter than subject, will throw exposure off.
B. B-Roll- -Think short sequences. Many of them.
- -Think in terms of a series of short, punchy shots.
- -10 second shots.
- -Don’t roll unnecessarily.-Look for Action/reaction shots.
- -Keep A-Roll & B-Roll separate.
****make note of what your subject is talking about, then go shoot B-Roll.****Avoid shooting the B-Roll while subject is talking or explaining, have them address the camera.****5 basic shots: wide, medium, tight, tight face, tight action, over the shoulder.-Get good audio on B-Roll as well: sounds.
- -keep on point, remember what the story is about.
- -shoot wide, medium tight.
- -shoot everything all 3 ways.
- -shoot a beginning and an ending. Set up bookends.
- -shoot judiciously: more shooting means more work editing.
- -think before you roll.
- -do not roll on a single shot forever.
- -180 degree rule.
C. SHAKESAvoid shaky video, make our shots as steady as possible.
- -it is particularly hard to hold the shot steady when the lens is zoomed or racked out.
- -USE A TRIPOD. It will always be worth the effort.
- -Unlike shooting stills, a tripod is ESSENTIAL.
- -If you need to hand-hold your shot, zoom the lens wide, this will minimize the ill-effects of a shaky shot.
- -try using the ground, or an object, or brace yourself against a wall or post.
Read more...
