Here are some basic tips for beginners on shooting good video.
1. Make sure you get good audio. "Quiet on the set." isn't just a cliche it's a good idea. Make sure you minimize all the noise you can. This means no talking, no noisy movement, and even turning off A/C and other machines. You would be surprised to find what audio is picked up by your camera. Oh yeah, try and get the microphone as close to your subject as possible and remain silent yourself.
2. Get the entire shot. This may seem obvious, but too often a beginner will say action and hit the record button at the same time. This usually cuts off the very beginning of a shot and makes it very hard to edit. You need to be set ready and recording and then have the actor begin. Also, it helps if you give your actors plenty of direction. For instance if you want a shot where someone enters a room and picks up a telephone and starts dialing, have them start outside the room instead of just in the doorway. If the shot is scripted to end with them dialing, have them go through the dialing and cut as they are listening for an answer on the other end. That way they have action all the way through the shot and what you end up with is the "meat" of the shot. Here is how the sequence of events should go: -everyone gets ready, the set is quiet.
-start recording
-director calls action
-the actor(s) begin their rehearsed actions
-director calls cut
-stop recording
3. Basic composition. Getting your subject in the viewfinder is obviously the first step, but without more thought that will probably be a boring image. The way your image is arranged in the viewfinder or frame is known as composition. Here are four basic ideas that make for a more understandable image.
Head Room
Look Room
Lead Room
Rule of Thirds
When we look at other people, we tend to center on their eyes. Unfortunately, this has a strange effect in that it leaves a gap above a person's head in the frame. Keeping the subject's eyes in the top third of the frame will fix this.
Unless your they are looking at the camera, horizontally centering a subject in the frame looks a little strange. If you leave more room in front of the subject's face it will look more pleasing. This is also called "nose room" for obvious reasons.
This is essentially look room in motion. It's nicer if the subject has a little room ahead of them. Otherwise, it feels like your chasing them instead of moving with them.
This final rule can help you get good composition every time. Imagine their is a tic-tac-toe grid over the viewfinder. Now, simply put your subject(s) on the lines. In general, the intersections of these lines will be the most interesting part of the frame.
With these few with this little bit of technique you are well on your way to producing great looking video.
Basic Videography
Here are some basic tips for beginners on shooting good video.
1. Make sure you get good audio. "Quiet on the set." isn't just a cliche it's a good idea. Make sure you minimize all the noise you can. This means no talking, no noisy movement, and even turning off A/C and other machines. You would be surprised to find what audio is picked up by your camera. Oh yeah, try and get the microphone as close to your subject as possible and remain silent yourself.
2. Get the entire shot. This may seem obvious, but too often a beginner will say action and hit the record button at the same time. This usually cuts off the very beginning of a shot and makes it very hard to edit. You need to be set ready and recording and then have the actor begin. Also, it helps if you give your actors plenty of direction. For instance if you want a shot where someone enters a room and picks up a telephone and starts dialing, have them start outside the room instead of just in the doorway. If the shot is scripted to end with them dialing, have them go through the dialing and cut as they are listening for an answer on the other end. That way they have action all the way through the shot and what you end up with is the "meat" of the shot. Here is how the sequence of events should go:
-everyone gets ready, the set is quiet.
-start recording
-director calls action
-the actor(s) begin their rehearsed actions
-director calls cut
-stop recording
3. Basic composition. Getting your subject in the viewfinder is obviously the first step, but without more thought that will probably be a boring image. The way your image is arranged in the viewfinder or frame is known as composition. Here are four basic ideas that make for a more understandable image.
With these few with this little bit of technique you are well on your way to producing great looking video.