Introduction to Video
Video Assignment #1: On Camera
"Self" Report (35 points)
This is YOU on camera, talking directly to the camera, for between 1:30 and 2:00 minutes.
To begin,
write a short commentary (about one minute) about the challenges you face as a
traditional journalist learning how to produce video for the web. OR you can summarize your impressions
of the class so far. Keep the
written part short, 300 to 700 words, and post the written text to the blog. Make
every effort to file reports that are well-written, conversational, and free of
grammatical, spelling and formatting errors.
Then do an on-camera version, using your pocket camera or
iPhone. You have a couple of
options. You can speak from notes,
straight into the camera, summarizing what you wrote. You can use the "ear-prompter" technique
demonstrated in class to deliver the copy verbatim into the camera. Or you can position yourself as if you
are an interview subject, looking off-camera, and have someone off-camera ask
you questions so that you can simply answer them conversationally, as if you were
being interviewed about the subject.
SAMPLE: Here's an example I recorded in my basement:
SAMPLE: Here's an example I recorded in my basement:
TIPS:
1. Be sure to use a tripod. If you have a small table-top model you may have to put it
on desk or table. Pick a
background that is interesting, but not distracting. Avoid lamps, windows, or other bright light sources in the
frame. Make sure the camera lens
is at the same height as your eyes, so you aren't looking up or down into the
camera.
2. Pick a quiet
spot, preferably a room with carpeting to deaden the echo. Shooting outside can also work,
if you are away from traffic, wind, or other sources of noise.
3. Make sure
the main source of light, (a window, a lamp, the sun) is BEHIND the camera, so
you will not be back-lit, and appear silhouetted.
4. Frame the
shot so you can walk into the frame and then stand or sit in the right spot. Make some test shots, and play them back
to make sure you are lined up right.
Not too much headroom, eyes in the top third of the frame, some
shoulders showing in the bottom third. Once you get the camera framed up right, and the light
looks right, you're ready to try some takes. Remember on your iPhone, the front facing camera is not as
good quality as the back-facing camera.
Use the front option as a last resort.
5. Make sure the camera is close enough to you -- and that
you speak loud enough (project!) -- that the audio records at a level that is
easy to hear. But not so
close that your head is cut off.
6. If you are
delivering your copy directly into the camera, look right into the lens. Center yourself like a reporter in the
field, or an anchor behind a desk.
Or you can place yourself to the side if there is an object or something
of interest behind you. (Make sure the camera is at the same level as your eyes.)
If you are using the interview format, look just to the
right or left of the lens. Make
sure there is more "look-space" in the direction you are
looking. Remember the rule of
thirds. If someone is asking you
questions, have them stand just to the side of the camera, and then look at
them, NOT the camera.
7. Once you get a version you like, download it into your
computer, and open the movie in QuickTime. Use the TRIM feature to clean the beginning and end of your
clip. Use the SAVE or SHARE for
WEB tool to "shrink" the video.
As an alternative, if you don't have access to a full feature version of
QuickTime, you can also import your clip into iMovie, and trim the beginning
and end there. Then share directly
to YouTube of Vimeo.
8. Upload your
video to the class blog, along with a short text description. Title the post
with Video Assignment 1, Your Name. You can post a low-resolution version
directly to the blog, OR post the video to YouTube or Vimeo, and EMBED the
video on the class blog. Be sure
NOT to make the video private, or I won't be able to see it.
EDITING DEMO:
EDITING DEMO:
GRADING CRITERIA
This is your
checklist for success. If you can
say "yes" to all of these questions, you get an "A." It's that simple!
1. Are you framed properly, according to
the rule of thirds? Either to one
side, or TV anchor-style in the middle with just a little headroom, and with
the tops of your shoulders showing?
2. Is the main light source behind the
camera?
3. Are you talking loud enough and in a
quiet room so your audio is clear and easy to understand?
4. Did you use a tripod so the camera
doesn't move?
5. Is your video commentary between 1:00
and 1:30?
6. Does the background add to your video? Or
if not, is it free of distractions, so people will concentrate on you?
7. Is the camera at eye level so you are
not shooting up or down?
8.
Did you have something to say?
9.
BONUS: did you use the ear-prompter trick so you didn't have to memorize what
you were going to say?
9 Yesses = A+
8-7
Yeses = A (95/90%)
6-5
Yeses = B (85%-80%)
4-3
Yeses = C (75%-70%)
2-1
Yeses = D (65%)
0-0
Yeses = F (50% (Assuming an assignment was posted)
TIPS: Here are are basic tips on shooting better video from VIMEO.
TIPS: Here are are basic tips on shooting better video from VIMEO.
Video 101: Shooting Basics from Vimeo Video School on Vimeo.
AND from NIKON:
