VIDEOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES

THE THREE AREAS OF A

PICTUREForeground:closest subject in the frame; helps supply depth to the picture.Middle ground: where subject will most likely be; allows separation between foreground and background.Background:pretty picture, establishes area in the frame.

FRAMING – WIDE SHOT/ ESTABLISHING SHOT

The wide shot tells the audience where they are; usually is used to establish the scene at the beginning of the video.

FRAMING- MEDIUM SHOT The medium shot supplies the actual

scene where action is going to take place; introduce individuals. This shot is used during active moments (not for interviewing).

Frame waist up.

FRAMING- CLOSE UP SHOT

Close up is the standard shot you will set up most of your interviews in.

Includes head and shoulders of individual (make sure to include shoulders. If they are eliminated, it looks as if the subject has no body.)

FRAMING- EXTREME CLOSE UP

Extreme close up is used rarely to emphasize emotions on a subject’s face.

FRAMING- EYE LEVEL Unless there is a specific reason, make

sure to film at eye level. This allows the camera to look like a natural observer.

Framing above subject gives allusion of weakness, belittling.

Framing below subject gives allusion of power.

FRAMING- HEADROOM Gives space above subject’s head. Too

much allows for too much dead space above subject. Too little cuts off subject’s head.

FRAMING- LOOKING ROOM

Allow space in front of subject in direction they are looking.

Almost never frame person looking straight into camera unless you want to connect directly to audience by sending direct message.

FRAMING- LEAD ROOM Same concept as looking room, but

applies to a moving subject. Keep room in front of subject in the

direction they are moving.

FRAMING- BACKGROUND Be careful where you frame when

competing with lines behind the subject.

RULE OF THIRDS

When shooting people, make sure to put eyes at top 1/3 line.

Creates angle more compelling than centering subject.

When shooting landscape (wide shot), make sure to put the horizontal line on either the top or bottom 1/3 line.

Vertical lines: also make use of the two vertical lines in the rule of thirds. When shooting a medium shot of a subject, make sure to place them on a vertical line.

ZOOMING Zoom should be used VERY minimally

when shooting.

It is almost impossible to create a consistent zoom, so if you choose to zoom, make sure to do it before you begin recording.

TRIPOD VS. HANDHELD It’s almost impossible to hand hold a

camera and produce consistently good video, so when possible, use a tripod.

If you don’t have a tripod, try to find a steady surface to place the camera, especially in a wide and medium shot.

If you must use your hand, use both hands to keep it steady.

IF YOU ARE USING A TRIPOD…

The most important thing to remember is to make sure it is level.

On most tripods there is a “bubble level” that allows you to create a level surface.

AUTO AND MANUAL CONTROLS- FOCUS

Most of the time, auto focus will work, but sometimes you must do it manually.

If manual focus is necessary, zoom all the way in on the subject, then adjust the focus, and it will be focused when zooming back out.

AUTO AND MANUAL CONTROLS- IRIS/ EXPOSURE Depending on the camera, some have

an iris feature that allows you to open or close the lens to let in more or less light.

Open iris to let in more light if subject is too dark

Close iris to restrict amount of light if subject is too light.

FRAMING IN FRONT OF A WINDOW

AVOID AT ALL COSTS Even with an iris feature, it is almost

impossible to light a subject correctly while in front of a window.

THE ART OF THE

SIT-DOWN INTERVIE

W

AUDIO If possible, check out an external

microphone to connect to video camera and hook up to your subject.

If not possible, shoot video in quietest place possible to allow subject’s voice to be dominant sound.

AUDIO Don’t forget to add music, narration,

sound effects, and/or natural sound to add quality to video and tie it together.

Use dead air minimally (same concept as white space) where there is no sound, talking, music, etc.

QUESTION AND

ANSWER