+

Video esthetics

Abraham AbhishekTheWaterChannel

+Today’s session

Intro on shots & interviews (15 min)

Exercise (25 min)

Feedback (10 min)

Intro Editing (15 min)

Practicing and feedback (55 min)

+This is ALL you need to know…

1. Preparation

2. Shooting1. (esthetics, length, light, background, sound)

3. Interview tips

4. Editing1. Software

2. Resources

3. Editing essentials

+Preparations

You don’t need to be an expert in filming, but with simple preparations you can avoid shooting “home videos”

Visualize the story in your head (developing a story board would be best)

Who will be the main audience?

+Shots - basics

Be aware of what is visible in the background. (for example a wilted plant is distracting and might even cause a sad feeling.)

How is the lighting? Look at shadows, especially in people’s faces. (backlight)

Mis-en-sense (variety): Try to shoot 3-4 different shots of every object/ movement. Different in terms of size (long/medium/close) or different angles

+Shots – Super Basics

Keeping the frame still makes a huge difference Use a tripod as much as possible

When not possible to use a tripod, keep camera completely zoomed out. Walk forward or back instead of using zoom.

Record a shot for at least 10 seconds. In the edit, use it for at least 5 seconds.

+Shots

Think also in terms of visuals: long shot, medium shot, close up

+Full shot

+Close up

+Shots

Head room: as little as possible

Leading room: leave room for this

+Rule of thirds

Fact: when a picture is divided in 3 horizontal and vertical equal parts, the points where the lines meet get most attention

When you place a single item (e.g. a ball) in the frame, use one of those 4 points. When it concerns a larger object (e.g. a person), use the lines

+Sound

We underestimate the importance of good sound

Soundscape: scan the room for sound

Move if necessary and possible

Create a body barrier between sound and camera

Listening sounds (uhuhm, ohhh, ahhh)

External microphone options

+Shooting tips

Prevent having too much raw footage, but don’t be afraid to record more than necessary

Think about storage

+Examples of TWC prods

Indus, India and Pakistan… (Interview- David Grey, Oxford University) http://goo.gl/mJa2Gt

Mekong… (Multiple Interviews, One Topic) http://goo.gl/7VylWh

Fringe Benefits of Food Aid (Short-&-easy video) http://goo.gl/haeywh

Waiting for a Tapstand (Training Video) http://goo.gl/s24CCR

Aquaculture… (Short documentary) http://goo.gl/X0NxH2

+Equipment checklist

Camera

Tripod

Green screen

Microphone

Charged batteries, also for the additional devices such as microphones

Charger

Paper and marker

+More info & references

How to make a movie: Nitin Das (kindle book – amazon)

BBC Academy has many examples including:http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism/skills/interviewing

How news should be reported according to BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHun58mz3vI

Types of shots with examples: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/film-studies-101-camera-shots-styles/

+Dissemination

Why?

Who? (Audience)

When? (Newsworthiness)

Tracking dissemination (Analytics)

+Dissemination

YouTube channel

Own website > place it in a larger context

TheWaterChannel

Water l list to announce special productions

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter etc

Screenings

Linking to local TV media

+

Interview techniques basicsLenneke KnoopTheWaterChannel

+Basics

In general, ask open questions (5 Wives and 1 Husband: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?)

Use closed questions in specific situations e.g. When you want detailed information When you want to challenge the person

Listening using non-verbal communication

Summarize the answer of the interviewed person

Ask follow up questions

Think about the audience

+At conferences

Prevent asking general comments / opinions on the conference (as you often get socially desirable answers)

Invest time in preparation

Inform yourself about the topic and the key speakers of the conferences

Quick searches on the potential interviewees

If you interview several people, ask at least 3 similar questions which can be combined while editing

+During field work

Before shooting, inform the person who will be interviewed with main purpose behind it

Reduce background noise by using an external camera with dead cat (microphone cover)

Use translator (if possible) and record the translation as well (for editing later on)

+Make people feel comfortable

The red light: cover it

Start with easy question

Smile / relax

look at a specific points

At the end, ask if there is something else that the interviewed person would like to share on camera

+Basics

Take set-up shots

Stand/sit as close to the camera as possible

Framing: Two eyes and an ear

+Tips

Collect additional information conferences: presentations, brochures Fieldwork: shoot scenery

Use different compositions. Filming with your camera on a tripod gives a steady image, but may also bring stiffness to your image.

Avoid overuse of zooming as it can be tiring to watch and doesn’t look professional.

Take set-up shots

Stand/sit as close to the camera as possible

Framing: Two eyes and an ear

+Interview Exercise (25 min)

Watch one of the example interviews and evaluate (3 bullets on what went well and 3 on what should be improved)

Divide into pairs

Choose one of the projects aspects you want to highlight in a 2 to 3 minute clip

Prepare up to 5 simple key questions that could answer the matter to a layperson.

Record the actual video

Think about the story you want to tell and think about the questions you want to ask to this particular person. Make them feel comfortable.

+Examples

http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/media-gallery/6408-frankly-speaking-fish-sanc (fish sanctuary)

http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/media-gallery/4684-sand-water-people-profits (sand, water, people, profits)

http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/media-gallery/6333-weather-index-insurance (weather index)

+

Editing

Abraham AbhishektheWaterChannel

+Editing

1. Import media

2. Timeline concept

3. Making cuts

4. Add-ons (text, pictures, transitions)

5. Exporting

+Editing

Royalty free music, e.g. http://incompetech.com/

Footage: http://www.pond5.com or http://www.videvo.net/

Picture materials (e.g. shutterstock)

End slide with date and logo (good to use the same one throughout your program)