3. About Me Writer, producer, director 25+ years experience Mostly corporate environment National and international awards Non-technical Telling the best story in the most interesting and informative way
9. ENGElectronic News Gathering Mobile, light, agile 1- or 2-person team Camera, Audio, Tripod, Light Just what you need to get the story
10. Camera Basics Iris (aperture) controls exposure: how much light gets in the camera Measured in f/stops: the larger the f/stop number, the smaller the aperture, thus lower exposure “Stop down” “it looks too hot” “looks blown out”— lower the exposure High light = High f/stop number Low light = Low f/stop number Focus: blurry or crisp A function of distance from lens to subject
13. Audio Crisp, “clean”, articulate vs. “noisy”, “muddy”, indistinct Camera microphone is last resort or back-up External microphone(s) best for speaking Reduce “ambient sound” (unless it adds to the story) WORST DISTRACTION: sound from something you can’t see in the frame
14. Framing How to compose your shots to make them more interesting
15. P.I.C.K Your Shot Positioning of the camera & subject Background and lighting Subject stands out Intimacy Focus on the eyes Cutting Different focal lengths to cut between Focal length: size of subject in the frame Vary focal length by zooming in or out
34. Other Tips DON’T put subject in the comfiest chair DO ask him/her to: Tuck in their shirt Sit on their jacket DO have on hand: A glass or bottle of water at hand Tissues De-greasing wipes
39. White Balance Adjust the white balance setting on the camera Hold a piece of white paper in front of the subject’s face Adjust the camera setting until the white looks white in the view finder or onboard LCD monitor
41. 3-Point Lighting System Key Light Main (strongest) light source Fill Softer, to “fill” the shadows created by the key light Backlight Separates the subject from the background
50. Rules of Thumb Avoid windows as background. Use window light for key or fill. Use bounce card (3’x4’ foam core) or umbrella for back light. ALWAYS make sure light is off before you plug it in. ALWAYS warn everyone before turning on lights. Start with the dimmest setting and turn up.
54. Audio Basics Find the best-sounding location Sound blankets can help in “live” locations or to cover a persistent noise source (PC, for example) Use an external mike Keep mike the same distance from speaker’s mouth at all times Silence is golden! DON’T “step on” speaker’s last words Ask subject to repeat question in the answer
57. Lavalier Basics Last thing before shot Between 1st & 2nd button Check the level DON’T let talent leave with the mike on!
58. PZMPressure Zone Mike Made for capturing audio in meetings 180oomnidirectional Uses table top to amplify audio Also amplifies table noises Place on a piece of old mouse pad to minimize One mike will cover table for 6
60. Record Room Tone Every room has a sound Cover gaps in editing End of interview Exactly same set-up 30 seconds to a minute
61. Telling More Visual Stories How to compose your shots to make them more interesting
62. What is B-roll? “Cutaway” material that helps tell the story
63. Create a Library Store and categorize footage from previous shoots Use stock footage Royalty-free sources you can use again & again www.istockphoto.com/Video www.pond5.com/Royalty-Free-Video www.gettyimages.com www.artbeats.com http://www.thoughtequity.com footage.shutterstock.com
66. Get the Story Before You Get the Shot Pre-pro (Pre-production) Pre-interview via phone 3 most important things that… Read up Find out what “assets” they may have Photos, print materials, etc. Always have a thumb drive with you Check out the shoot location Lighting, sound, clutter Maybe find a better one Talk to subject about how to look their best
67. Interviewing Techniques Break it up Don’t let them ramble Change focal length Ask follow-up questions or ask the same question again in a different way Probe for details
I’m in video production because I love it. I have an insatiable curiosity. People. Science. Technology. Business. Ideas. I want to know the Who? What? When? Where? And Why? So I think it’s a privilege to be in the video business. It gives me tremendous access to CEOs and thought-leaders… To the inner workings of a company and the newest ideas. I get to do all that and take what I’ve learned and pass it on to others. But what about YOU? What is Your perspective? Did you take this job because it involved video and audio production? Do you love it or hate it? You Are you the kind of person who is always posting videos and photos to Facebook and YouTube? Is it something you look forward to? A chance to use your creativity, perhaps? Or is it something you dread? Are you comfortable using a camera? Or are you extremely nervous?