Ways to Improve Your Videotaping

Remember the audio
Cameras hear as well as see. Watch TV with the sound off to reveal the importance of audio.
Hear what the camera hears – use headphones to monitor the sound of your recording.

Think about using external microphones – make a trip to Radio Shack if possible. If you use an external microphone, it will override the camera’s built-in microphone, so make sure you turn on the external microphone (if it has an on-off switch) or you’ll have no audio!

Try to conduct interviews in a quiet setting.

If you are using the camera’s microphone, get close to you subject to improve the quality of the sound.

Know your equipment
Read the manual – it has much to teach you.

Turn off the date/time feature.

Try using manual focus and iris instead of automatic.
In auto-focus avoid extreme close ups – the camera often continues to search for focus in extreme situations.

Use standard play (SP) record speed, it’s the best quality.

Buy extra batteries and charge them up!

Fill the Screen
What’s the subject of attention, center of action?

Get rid of unnecessary subjects, action.

Anticipate new elements entering the frame.

Ask yourself: What’s this going to look like on a 15" TV screen from 15’ away?

Shoot to tell an interesting story
Try to preview where you will be shooting – think of places for the best views. Think of scenes in sequences.

Each sequence should have a beginning, middle and end.

Try for wide shots, medium shots and close ups in each scene.

Get more close ups than wide shots – take the viewer into the story.

Remember faces – let’s see the people in the scene, but not waving at the camera.

Keep the editor in mind
Remember to get an ESTABLISHING SHOT (Shot which sets up scene, mood, location or event). Usually a wide shot.

Change angle to add variety (location of camera and focal length of lens).

Get neutral insert shots (faces, person nodding, person reacting, hands working, tools laying on ground, scenic of areas, sunsets) to inter-cut with action. It also allows for time compression of an action.

Hold every shot for 10 seconds before you make a camera move.

At the end of a move, try to hold the shot for 10 seconds.

Make it Steady
Get as close as SAFELY possible to your subject.

If you want a steady shot, use a tripod or stationary object.

If you want to shoot hand held, zoom out and walk in.

Watch your lighting
Cameras love light! Shoot outdoors when possible.
Beware of overhead lighting (office fluorescents or the noonday sun).

Watch out for dark subjects against bright backgrounds – use manual iris.

Make your own lights on the cheap - visit Radio Shack.

Keep a record
Label your tapes.

Make a list of the material (subjects/places/people) on your tape.
Write down the correct spelling of the first and last names of your interview subjects and their phone number (in case we need to contact them with questions and for possible inclusion on our web site)
Do not use special effects when shooting. 

Do not narrate your footage while you are videotaping, we will interview you about your footage when you return.