Basic Mobile Video Recording Tips

http://pocketfilmmaker.blogspot.com/2011/12/6-pocket filmmaking-tips-for-this.html

http://vimeo.com/37358304

Stabilizing the Shot

Stabilizing the ShotThe humble string tripod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqPuHFoqhE

(quick tip, you can just tie a loop in the top that your phone can slide in and

out of rather than using the bolt and needing a tripod adapter. To use, hold

the phone with one hand on either side of the loop, put your foot on the

other end of the string and pull the phone up until the string is taut)

Stabilizing the ShotTripods & Tripod Adapters

Basic Lighting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYVV6hKtuNk

Time for some reflection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCyhishRvjU

Household Reflector Possibilities

Pre-recording Checklist- Purpose and plan in mind

- Battery Charged

- Phone Memory Freed Up

- Lens Clean

- Shot list in hand (or at least in head)

- Airplane mode enabled (smartphones)

- Recording settings at highest level possible (unless needing to watch for running out of memory)

Location Choice for an Interview/“Talking Head” ShotScout around and set up in a location that:

- Fits the “story’s” context

- Is comfortable for the interviewee (psychologically and physically)

- You can control and limit background distractions (audio and visual)

- You have permission to film at

- Is safe to film at

Setting Up the Interview/ “Talking Head” Shot

- Find a way of stabilizing/“mounting” the phone so there is no distracting camera movement in the footage

- Set up the phone at eye level and uncomfortably close to the interviewee (tripod leg will be 1-2” from their knee) for good audio.

- Frame the subject using the rule of thirds and leave just a slight amount of headroom space in the frame above the top of their head.

Setting Up the Interview/ “Talking Head” Shot

- Sit or stand as close as you can to the side of the camera so the speaker is looking just to the side of the camera when talking.

- Have the brightest light somewhere behind off to the side of you, not behind the speaker

- Remove any distracting background items and noises and limit possibility of interruption.

Preparing and Interviewee

- Explain to the interviewee that it is important to look at you, not the camera

- Ask the interviewee to repeat the question in their answer

- Explain to the interviewee that you will pause between their response and your next question for the sake of the recording

While Recording

- Ask them to say a couple things so you can check your recording levels and then do that (i.e. play back that recording to check for whether or not you are getting the quality you want). Make adjustments as necessary.

- Remove any distracting background items and noises and limit possibility of interruption.

While Recording

- Follow your script and/or list of interview questions (begin with easier questions first)

- As an interviewer, maintain good eye contact and respond positively to comments with your body language.

- Be careful not to respond with your mouth though!

While Recording

- Wait three seconds after the interviewee ends their statement before proceeding to the next question (for editing headroom)

- Take note of key responses and, once your questions are finished, ask if they could repeat or expand upon those points

- Consider moving to the opposite side of the camera for a number of the questions to add a little variety to the video.

After Recording

- Ask the interviewee if they could wait a minute while you check the recording and do just that. Try and check a couple places in the recording for any audio/visual quality issues. If there is a problem try and resolve it and repeat the interview if possible.

- Following your shot list and/or new ideas that came to light during the interview record cutaways/b-roll footage

Cutaways

- Over-the shoulder of subject talking and interviewer nodding

- Close-up of their hands

- Close-up shot of the interviewer nodding

- Footage (or images) of items/issues/events that were discussed during the interview

Team Recording Session

Split Tasks as Follows (rotate if time allows):

Team Member #1- Set up recording location and equipment

Team Member #2- Act as interviewer/ audience for speaker

Team Member #3- Share your story or be interviewed