VIDEO SHOOTING GUIDE

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 BALANCE
White 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. Interviews
Also 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. SHAKES
Avoid 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.