Did you ever go to a video site like you tube, or some other copy cat site and you find a video that sounds really interesting? Maybe it's a DIY movie where you can learn how to build you own perpetual motion machine, or make you own hydrogen bomb, you know, that everyday kind of stuff that you find on video sites. Well anyway, you click on the video, it's hand held, and all over the place! Next thing you notice is that the camera is way to close to the subject matter, out of focus, and by now, your eyes are spinning in opposite directions. Then you realize that it is either silent with some one pointing a finger while holding the camera with the other hane and expecting you to read their mind. By this time you are thinking "What the hell did I ever click on this for!"
This may sound stupid and silly, but it happens thousands of times a day on the Internet. Well we are going to put a stop to all of that.
If you are shooting a video, use a tripod. A beginner does not need a $2,000.00 tripod either. I needed a very light weight tripod for filming in the Everglades and bought one made by Sunpak for around $40.00.
Would I shoot a Hollywood epic with it, No, but it is good enough to just plop down, and film an alligator right in front of you when you just might have a slight tendency to shake a bit. Another reason, especially when you are just on the sunny side of eighty, is that a $40.00 aluminum tripod tends to be very light, and if you are slogging five miles through a swamp shooting video, that's a good thing! So, I use a 1.6 pound Panasonic 3 chip camera, and a 2 pound Sunpak tripod in the field. Total investment under $600.00.
The point of this exercise is I want rock solid video. I want sharp video in focus, and I don't want some rock and roll camera man running around waving the camera all over the place! That may fly with Music TV, but not in my shop.
Next, do not film anyone in front of a window in broad daylight unless they are bone ugly, and you are trying to hide their face, or the entire front of them for that matter. It's called back lighting. The news media does it a lot on purpose to conceal a person's identity on TV.
Next, silent films went out with "The Mark of Zorro". Let's face it, in today's world sound is just as important, or maybe more important as an integral part of your film. A nice clean track, without a lot of garbage in the background, puts your video way ahead of of the sloppy tracks guys with all the noise in the back ground.
You will be learning how to lay down voice over, and music tracks in this blog too. They are extremely important.
One more thing before I wrap this one up. If you already own a camera and a tripod I want you to interview someone you know in a quiet relaxed atmosphere. Set up the camera so it is even with their face, in focus and locked in place four to five feet away. Check your viewer for the best setup. Stay in focus. Try to do four minutes and ask some pertinent questions like "What do you think of the economy?" If they are elderly, ask them what they can tell you a story about World War Two, like "Where were you when it started? or anything to break the ice. I always turn on the camera ahead, and just casually shoot the breeze with them. Get teem to relax. Otherwise, they can freeze on you, and who knows, you just might discover the next Grandma Moses! Old people usually like to talk about the "Good old days", I know, I'm old!
What we discussed today is extremely important, and while you are at it, learn every control on your camera, and don't go zoom crazy either. Now that you are a camera expert, we will talk more about editing next time. Basically, if you follow the directions in this particular segment, you will be very good with a camera.
If you buy a video camera here are a few tips.
1. Get one that has a manual focusing ring and not a joystick to focus. This is definitely needed - a must.
2. It should have a microphone plug. A must have for me because I use wireless mikes and need that plug for sure.
3. It has to be digital.
4. A 3 CCD camera is much better, but more expensive. It is not totally necessary.
5. Consider used from a reputable supplier.
6. Try to find a camera. with a macro lens on it.
I am going to find a better free editing program that has a better sound editor that includes adding voice over and music editing. In the meantime learn everything you can from the current material I have given you.
Look for free royalty free music tracks on line.
Later,
Walt
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