Shooting+Tips

Post your tips for shooting good video on this page in the appropriate section. Be sure to put your name in parenthesis at the end of your post so I give you credit for it... and be sure you don't erase someone else's contribution when you enter your tip! (We'll number our tips to keep them separate!)
 * Shooting Tips **

Camera Work Tips 1. Slow and steady when panning (1, 1000, 2, 2000, etc.) Ninas 2. Try using different hands and positions on your camera to do the functions until you find a comfortable stance that lets you hold the camera steadier. (clc) 3. Along the same lines as #1, slow and steady when zooming is also a must. rrl 4. Get to know your zoom...I kept getting the direction mixed up. If you want to go wide and go tight instead, it can ruin a shot. (LKA) 5. Depending on your camera capabilities, you may have to film closer to your subject than you realize. Test out macro shots vs. zoomed in shots to see what works best. (kcg) 6. Remember that you can't turn your video camera sideways to get a shot - IT CANT BE ROTATED. (aaa) 7. Don't tape over previous footage (jEdwards). 8. Allow lots more time than you expect to complete the shoot (jEdwards). 9. If you shoot in a public place, other people may have plans for the same spot at the same time, so be flexible (JFE). 10. Avoid taping your own shadow (jEdwards). 11. Become very acquainted with the tripod before beginning (jEdwards). 12. Always read through your manual and get to know your camera. (BDT) 13. If you have the capability, set up two cameras to shoot from different angles. Then you have twice the footage to choose from later. (TML) 14. If you are unsure how a particular shot will turn out, due to lighting or other factors, do a test shoot. This way you can make adjustments if needed. (JMG) 15. Keep extra batteries in your bag. (srs) 16. Practice zooming at various speeds, but try not to zoom too fast. (jlt) 17. Ensure that you have all the necessary equipment (such as firewire or usb) to upload your video onto your computer. (JLH) 18. Make sure that if you have others working camera that they know how to work it. (JLO) 19. Make sure you have the camera firmly attached to the tripod. (mlc) 20. Make sure you read the directions on how to work the camera before you start filming. (mlc) 21. Before filming, check to see if your camera is already zoomed in or out. (BSW) 22. Get familiar with the speed of your zoom, especially if you're using a camera that is very sensitive. (lmd) 23. Always shoot more footage of a particular event or subject if you are planning to create a project from it. You may think you have enough footage or covered enough of the material but when you go to edit it and create the project, there may be something you've missed. (cgz) 24. On a similar topic as #23, quickly review the footage you have taken before leaving a setting or dismantling your arranged setting to be sure you have all the footage you need. (cgz) 25. Try to use a tripod even if you think you won't need it. (cgz) 26. If your camera has been in Air Conditioning all day, and you are going to shoot outside in the Georgia heat and humidity. . . give the camera time to warm up so the lens won't fog in the middle of you shoot. Vice vera if going from heat to cold. 27. Check your cameras temperature rating so you don't get caught off guard. I was on a volcano at 14,500 ft. and I don't think my Sonycam liked it too much! The camera still worked, but it took about 2 minutes for it to come on. If there is a temperature rating, believe it and keep your camera on your body so it stays warmer. Though I have to say at that altitude with the wind chill factor, it might have been keeping me warm! (clc)  Audio Tips 1. Secure your lens cap so it doesn't bang against the tripod. Ninas 2. Listen for all the noise around you when you are filming and don't think that it isn't so loud: close windows, turn off the dryer, move the clock ticktock (clc) 3. Background noise is always louder than you think. Do a practice shot, and play it back to see just how loud everything really is. rrl 4. If working outdoors be aware that any wind noise may be heard on your video. (jch) 5. Be careful of movements you are making while shooting. These noises can show up on your final product and be very distracting. (kcg) 6. Regarding #4, check your camera set up to see if there is a "wind-block" feature. Also, even if you are whispering, your mic might pick it up - - - be careful. (aaa) 7. Look as well as listen for potential ambient noise; we had an air-conditioner turn on while we were outside shooting (jEdwards). 8. Find a great converter for your audio needs. I use Format Factory, it converts all type of audio, video and graphics. Best of all, it's free! (BDT) 9. Tagging onto #8 ... products like Audacity can work wonders with your audio. If your audio is weak because you taped too far away from the subject, you can import it into a product like Audacity and amplify the sounds, add a music track, etc. It's a great tool! (TML) 10. Be sure that the wind is not blowing to loudly when shooting outside... this really makes terrible noise in the background. (JMG) 11. Staying close to the script will help your talent if you need to retape the audio in a quieter place later. (srs) 12. Be careful! Some times your tripod can make a lot of noise. It is important to make sure that it doesn't squeak too loudly when panning. (JLH) 13. If shooting outside close to the your front door, make sure all others in the house are quiet as well. (mlc) 14. Don't yell when the camera is rolling. Talk normally. (mlc) 15. Make sure that you have plenty of battery power. If you have a camera that beeps to inform you of low power, the beeps could end up on tape. (BSW) 16. Be sure to turn off the alert signals on your camera if you can to avoid the beeping when using it. (cgz)

Lighting Tips  1. Cloudy days, early morning, and evening provide much more diffuse light that is much easier to work with than bright sunlight. If you must shoot outdoors, try to plan ahead to use these times. (Mobbs) 2. Don't believe that what you see in the viewfinder is a true reflection of the light; do several trials and put the light in different places until you get the illumination you are looking for (clc) 3. Carefully placed lamps work much better than windows. rrl 4. If working indoors be aware of all windows. Even if blinds are shut, light still comes in that may effect your shot. (jch) 5. Anticipate lighting problems to prevent them from actually becoming problems. Prepare the light in a room to serve your purposes before the shoot begins. (LKA) 6. Again, check your settings for lighting options from the camera, but remember that just because you choose "dusk", always check each setting with your environment and choose the best one. (aaa) 7. If the shot is outside, the earth keeps turning and the light is changing when the camera work is progressing slowly; plan ahead to make the most of available daylight (jEdwards). 8. Use the internet to search for more tips and information. There are a lot of great camera sites out there and most are free to check out! I found this great site! [] (BDT) 9. Set your white balance before you begin shooting the scene! (TML) 10. When shooting outside, the shot normally looks best if the sun is behind you (the shooter) but it gets in the eyes of your talent so be sure to think out where you want to capture your shots. (JMG) 11. Be wise and cognizant about the sun when outside. (srs) 12. Flourescent lighting does not work as well as natural light. (JLH) 13. Remember that shadows will be present when filming from the side. (JLO) 14. Shoot in the shade and away from direct sunlight. (mlc) 15. In most situations, use more light than you think you will need because it will end up looking better on film. Unless you are filming into the sun, or another light source it is rare that you will ever have too much light. (BSW)  Tips for Working with Talent 1. Remember that your volunteers are volunteering and probably not professionals. Coach them and teach them and be patient. If they aren't doing what you want, try to think of another way to explain what you want. (Mobbs) 2. Try to run a test trial on your own or with some stand-ins before the talent arrives so you have most of the bugs worked out and don't take your frustrations out on them. You also don't want to waste their time for your errors. (clc) 3. Print out their lines in a large font or write on posterboard, and hold station it somewhere above the camera. They can see them, and they aren't constantly looking down at something. rrl 4. Be forever thankful. Unless they are an aspiring actor or actress, usually somebody's idea of a good afternoon does not include standing in front of a camera. (LKA) 5. DON'T! Just kidding. Try to encourage them to act as natural as possible. (aaa) 6. Use what you have! it could be a classroom full of students or a pet or family member. It could be a fun project for all and something fun to do together. (BDT) 7. If you're using pets, remember that they don't read from or memorize scripts! Anticipate the movements they might make if you want to keep up with them. (TML) 8. Be sure not to laugh! Especially with a child talent... it picks up in the camera and it can make them shy away. (JMG) 9. Be flexible enough to validate your talent by using some of their ideas. (srs) 10. If you're using children please remember that they are GOOFY! (mlc) 11. Please remember that some kids who seem to be very outgoing and well spoken may get shy in front of a camera. (mlc) 12. Keep script for self or talent short and sweet. It is easier to remember lines and keep the verbiage consistent if it short and easy. (CLK) 13. Know your talent's strengths before you use them. You can't draw blood from a turnip (my grandmother's saying). (CLK) 14. If you are working with pets, be patient. Also, keep the camera filming longer than you normally would because you can luck up into some great shots that you may or may not have been looking for. (BSW) 15. Be clear with exactly what you expect your talent to do before each shot, but take suggestions into consideration....sometimes two heads are better than one when it comes to creative ideas (lmd) 16. Definitely have a couple of practice run-throughs with talents before actually filming. Everyone, even adults or older children, need to get their "sillies" out. (cgz)

Other Tips  1. Practice with your camera a lot before attempting to complete an assignment. rrl 2. Read your camera manual thoroughly before beginning project assignments (jch) 3. When you are preparing for a shot of something specific, test out several different angles before choosing the one that you will go with. The best angle is usually not your first instinct. (LKA) 4. In addition to #2, go test shooting to get familiar with your camera before you gather your talent then make them made because you aren't prepared. (aaa) 5. Take more, not less footage. It's easier to edit than to realize later that there's not quite enough footage (jEdwards) 6. Save all work in the highest resolution and best quality possible, you could always reduce later using software. (BDT) 7. Allot plenty of time when shooting footage. Things don't always go as planned. (JMG) 8. Learn your editing software. Most of the stuff you want to do can be done in MovieMaker (fading audio, trimming and re-positioning clips, narrating videos). (JLH) 9. Have a lot of patience and don't forget it's a learning process. (mlc) 10. If you don't understand items in your camera manual, find someone that does or play with that feature until you fully understand it. CLK 11. If you want to mute a clip or adjust the audio in MovieMaker, you must be in timeline mode. I panicked when it didn't work in storyboard. (lmd) 12. Feed, water, and give attention to your pets before shooting if they will be in the vicinity. Otherwise, their pleas for food/water/attention may be in either your audio or video. (lmd) 13. Most cameras have downloadable instruction manuals that you can find on the web if you have lost/misplaced yours. (jlt)