Tips and tricks on improving the look, sound and feel of your oral history video, focused on veterans oral history project videos.

2. 
Canon FS400
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Flash memory card
Light
Easy to use, nice overall quality

3. 
Canon FS400
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Side button tells you if it‟s off, on, or charging
battery

4. 
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“Joystick” is marked “SET”
“FUNC” = Functions
“START/STOP” = Play or pause
Camera/playback switch button

5. 
Advanced Functions
 To change, hit "Function" and use the "joystick" to move up
and down the menu list, then use SET to select your chosen
function.

6. 
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“P” = “Program AE”
Automatically arranges
best exposure for you!
You can use “Portrait”.
Other options: Sports,
Night, Snow, Beach,
Sunset, Low light,
Spotlight, Fireworks.

7. 
Portrait mode arranges
“depth of field” to best
focus on subject, not
what‟s behind.

9. 
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First, take a look
around at your light
sources. Are you in
sunlight? Under
fluorescent lights?
Select the White
Balance symbol under
“Functions” to make
your choice.

10. 
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AWB: “Automatic White Balance”
Daylight
Tungsten (incandescent)
Manual white balance

11. 
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Use a “white reference”
(like a piece of paper) in
your shot.
Make sure the lighting
for your reference is the
same as your subject.
Click “SET”
You‟ll see the manual
symbol flicker as it
adjusts to your lighting.

12. 
Tripod
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Screw camera into plate where available
Plate clicks into tripod
Try to match level
 at least have the bubble intersect with the line of the
circle, if you can't fit it in the center perfectly.
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Eyeball it.
 Levels are a guide, but use your best judgment!
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No tripod or your tripod is broken?
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Books, Tables, Furniture with flat background.

13. 
Keep it set to SP, or
standard play.
“W-T” stands for Wide
Angle & Telephoto. Think
“Wide” to “Tight”.
The “Photo” button allows
you to take still photos.

15. 
Make them comfortable - but also at their best visually
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If possible, advise them about clothing
Avoid caps (which cover eyes) if possible
Give them a chance to comb their hair, check their makeup
The background should add, not subtract – or distract
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A simple background versus a busy one
A muted or moderate color, rather than black, white, or neon
colors
 We typically use blue for San Jac videos
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Look at your composition for distractions
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A TV set running in the background
A bright and multi-colored poster that distracts
Glare from subject‟s glasses (change light or remove if you can)

16. What Not to Wear?
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Avoid
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Horizontal stripes
Tight, small “plaids”
“Busy” patterns that may
strobe, or cause a moire („moray‟) effect (see left)
Neon colors
All black, all white
Anything distracting
Shiny clothing, jewelry,
makeup
Hats (they shade the face)

17. Best Bets for Interview
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“Moderate tones” – Neutrals, pastels, medium colors
Blues are great for most people (light to navy)
Street makeup is fine

19. This harsh, overhead lighting is dramatic,
but not showing the subject at his best.
His eyes are hooded in shadow, and this
type of lighting also gives sharp angles to
existing bone structure. Note that a hat
worn in an interview will also create dark
shadows in the subject‟s eyes – one of the
areas we‟re naturally drawn to watch!
The impression given is stark, unforgiving.
Great for the theatre or a moody film
scene.
Not great for an oral history interview.

20. Again, dramatic lighting, this time from
one side.
Notice how the light also collects on his
forehead and left cheek.
It‟s still a nice portrait shot in many
ways, but it focuses your attention on
the contrast between the lit side, and the
side that‟s in shadow.
Not great for an oral history interview,
where the focus should be on the
subject, not your artistic lighting.

21. This lighting is diffused, flattering,
and best for any subject.
Notice that there are no areas where
too much light has collected, but that
there is an area of subtle shadow that
shows the three dimensions of her face
and neck.
There are no heavy shadows or
puddles of light to draw our attention
away.
A viewer watching the subject will
focus on the eyes, and mouth, just like
we do when we‟re listening to a friend
telling a funny story.

22. Ideal, “standard” setup for interviews is called
the three point light.

23. 
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You can “wing” three point lighting as best you can
by simply seeking to create diffused lighting.
Diffused lighting = soft, mixed lighting from multiple
light sources
Move your subject if needed, to get more diffuse
lighting. Or turn on more existing lights.
You can also open drapes/shades on windows, but bear
in mind that if your interview continues, the light may
move or change – and you‟ll be so engrossed in listening
you might not notice!
You don‟t have to be perfect! Use your eyes
and judgment.
If all else fails, avoid having a single, bright
light directly overhead or to the side.

24. 
You‟re going to record
the sound like a pro –
on a separate track.
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“Handy Recorder” or
H2.
Can be used with or
without external
microphones.

25. 
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H2 loads a card
underneath: be careful
of “door” which can
chip easily.
It has standard controls
on both sides:
Right: USB, Line In, Mic
Gain, Exterior Mic In
 Left: Phones/Line
Out, Volume
(playback), Power, AC
Jack
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26. 
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Record and playback
controls are very
intuitive
If you don‟t have ext.
microphones, than
you can switch the
setting of the built-in
microphones.

27. 
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We use lavalier, clip
on microphones
Try to keep them from
tangling!
For ease of use, we
use a “splitter” – two
microphone cables
plugged into one
signal.
This signal is plugged
into “Ext. Mic” on H2

29. 
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Avoid “rustling” by
pointing microphone
away from fabric
Remember to turn on!
• Clip can be
removed, and
switched to fit
opposite side

30. 
Do I have all the equipment I need?
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Headphones
SD card(s)
Camera
Sound recorder
Extra batteries
Biographical material & paperwork?
Comb, mirror if needed
Are my batteries charged?
Do I have a map or directions to my location?
Have I contacted interviewee about location, clothing, paperwork,
questions, etc?
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Have I gotten confirmation?
Does the interviewee have a solid way of getting in touch with me?
Have I practiced and considered any special questions or needs?

31. 
Readying the equipment
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Set up white balance
Set up camera
 Frame the interviewee properly
 Check light, background
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Headphones/sound check
Readying the interview
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Paperwork
 Have them fill some out while you set up

32. 
You don‟t have to be perfect!
These are guidelines to help you do the best you can.
 You aren‟t trying to win an Oscar for
cinematography. You are just trying to improve the
look and sound of the video, so nothing distracts
viewers from the real story: the veteran and her
experiences.
 You learn by doing.
 Each interview you do, you‟ll learn more, notice
more, and improve more.
 Being present in the interview, giving your attention
to the veteran is a real gift to him. Thank you!
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