Basic Videography and Editing

Prepared for KQED

October 17, 2013

Jim Foust jfoust@bgsu.edu

Basic Video Stuff Aspect ratio—the shape of the video screen

4:3 or 16:9 most common

Frame size (resolution) Given as two numbers with width first 640 x 480; 320 x 240 (4:3) 1920 x 1080; 1280 x 720; 960 x 540; 480 x 270 (16:9) Higher numbers = higher quality Sometimes shortened to height and i or p for interlaced or progressive (720p)

Frame Rate—number of still pix per second 30 “normal” for TV; 20 or less jittery

A Little About CompressionMakes video files smaller By altering resolution, frame rate, pixels, etc. Often measured by bitrate

Higher bitrate = higher quality = larger file

Common FormatsAVI, MOV

MPEG

FLV (Flash video)

h264

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Shooting Soundbites Eyes at top third (or thereabouts)

Lead space in direction they’re looking (frame to left or right third)

Not looking into camera, but looking slightly off camera (both eyes should be

visible; both ears if possible) NO PROFILES!

Shoot in medium shot—head and shoulders

Can be exceptions (wider shots) for artistic purpose

As you go wider, eyes move slightly more toward top of frame, but always

in vicinity of top third

Beware of distracting backgrounds

Only one person in frame

Beware of shooting from high or low angle

Soundbite Framing

HeadroomPOOR BETTER

Examples

Soundbite Framing GridSoundbite Framing Examples

Story Example: Dangerous CurveStory Example: Bee Swarm

Depth of Field

The range of distance in a given shot in which objects are in acceptable focus.

Depth of Field

Aperture: the more open (the lower the number) the smaller the depth of field.

Depth of Field

Subject distance: the closer the subject is to the camera, the smaller the depth of field.

Depth of Field

Focal length: the more “zoomed in” the smaller the depth of field.

Video Example

Basic Aesthetics Separation of subject from background

Using depth of field Being aware of the background

Avoid brick walls, etc.

Moving subject away from the background Ideally, in event-specific stories, the background should have something

to do with story

Lighting Be aware of light situation Don’t shoot against windows or other strong light sources Use natural light to your advantage

Move person around so window shines on them

Sound—Technical Use Lav whenever possible Beware of background noise NEVER unrelated background noise

Sound—Content Set expectations beforehand

Tell interviewee a little about finished product

Consider “Tell me about. . .” rather than actually asking questions

Remember that the story will have to stand on its own without narrative/questions

Equipment

Camera

Batteries

SD CardUSB Card Reader

AC Adapter/Charger

Equipment

Lav Mic

LR-44 watch battery inside

Power switch: remember to turn ON when recording and OFF when done, or it will drain battery.

Removable (and losable) wind screen

Nice long cable

Recommended Accessories Camera light Monopod KQED Tripod (currently in limbo) Headphones

Pre-Shoot Checklist Batteries charged SD Card ready Lav mic working Do a test shoot

Camera Controls: Left Side

Power Button

Powered Image Stabilization: press and hold for more aggressive image stabilization

Zoom Control

Camera Controls: Right Side

Record ButtonMode Switch: Set to M

Camera Controls: Behind Door

SD Card Slot

Display Button: toggles how much info you see on display

Record/Play: toggles camera between record and playback mode

Make sure you’re in VIDEO Mode

Should see video cam Icon here

If not, press the video camera icon here to go to video mode

Accessing and Checking Video Settings

Access and check by pressing FUNC

Basic Camera Settings Auto white balance

FUNC > WB > AWB (can just check it)

Auto Focus (usually) FUNC > Focus > AF

Auto Exposure FUNC > Exposure > A

Digital Effects OFF FUNC > Digital Effects > Off

A Simple SOT Green Room Video

EditingBasic Editing Process

1. Start editing project in FCP

2. Import Video from camera/card

3. Trim individual video clips

4. Assemble clips on timeline

5. Export finished project

Editing Jump Cuts Example Me with Jump Cuts Me with Dissolve Me with White Flash

Story TypesSoundbite(s)

Soundbite(s) with B-roll

Nat Sound Piece (soundbites, nat, music)

Nat Sound Piece 2

Voice Over (VO)

Narrative story (with reporter voice) not often used online.

Shooting B-RollShot Types

The Case Against Zooms and Pans

Some Simple Sequences

Bad Sequence

Soundbite Framing Grid

Soundbite Framing Examples