Intro to Video

1. Intro to Video Multimedia Storytelling Spring 2012

2. Good video… • Shows viewers what they can’t see • Evokes a wide range of emotions • Has a clear, inspiring, emotional and/or entertaining subject and message • Has a solid beginning, middle and end • Offers high quality content with high quality post-production • Motivates viewers to want to learn more, i.e. read the story, view the slideshow, etc.

3. Common online video types • Breaking news video • Professional news coverage (typically after an event begins happening, reactions to the event, etc.) • Citizen journalism (on the scene when it happened) • Video features • Video Diaries • The video blog/vlog • The personal account • Edited Narrative

4. Web video examples • http://www.philly.com/philly/news/special_packages/inquirer/20110804_Jorge.html?c=r • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab3ZugXeF3s&feature=youtu.be&hd=1 • http://vimeo.com/15751846 • http://sct.temple.edu/blogs/murl/2012/02/15/hunting-park-keeping-children-safe-from-kidnappers/ • http://Mediastorm.com • http://www.multimediashooter.com/

5. Video 101: Basic components • Frame: an area of visual information • Shot: a single, continuous take • Composition: arrangement of elements within a frame • Sequence: a series of related shots • Shot length: 4-5 seconds edited, 15-20 seconds raw • Technical stuff: image & audio control

6. Video 101: The frame • The frame refers to an area of visual information • Everything in the frame counts • Each object in the frame must contribute to the story • No objects in the frame should draw attention away from the main subject and action

7. Video 101: The frame

8. Video 101: Shot types • Presenting a variety of shot types in each sequence is what keeps the viewer interested • Try collecting 25% wide, 25% tight & 50% medium shots • For each shot type, shoot at least 15 seconds of that shot

9. Video 101: Basic shot types • Extreme wide shots • Wide shots • Medium shots • Medium close-ups • Close-ups • Extreme close-ups

10. Extreme wide shot

11. Wide shot

12. Medium shot

13. Medium close-up

14. Close-up

15. Extreme close-up

16. Video 101: Advanced shot types • Two-shots • Over-the-shoulder shots • Point of view shots • Selective focus shots • Abstract/creative shots

17. Two-shot

18. Over-the-shoulder shot

19. Point-of-view shot

20. Selective focus shot

21. Abstract shot

22. Video 101: Angles • A variety of shot types + a variety of angles = visually rich video • Angle review: • High angle • Low angle • Eye level • Bird’s eye/ant’s eye • Slanted

23. High angle

24. Low angle

25. Eye Level

26. Bird’s eye/ant’s eye

27. Slanted

28. Video 101: Composition • Rule of thirds • Head room, nose room • Background • Framing

29. Rule of thirds • Objects, people and the horizon should fall on one of the lines or points that cross • Place the subject at one of the intersections • With people: • One third of the frame should be above the person’s eyes • One third of the frame should be the person's face and shoulder area • One third of the frame should be the person's lower torso.

30. Head room, nose room • Watch the space above your subject’s head to avoid chopping and sinking • If a subject is looking to the side, add space in the direction in which the person is looking • If a subject is moving, add space to the direction in which they’re moving

31. Background • A simple background will draw more attention to your subject • A natural (but simple) background will tell the viewers more about your subject • Frame your subject between objects in the background • Avoid poles, branches, etc. that run through people’s heads, etc.

32. Video 101: Sequence • Sequences move the viewer through the story • Variety in shot sequences will hold the viewer’s attention • Variety in shot sequences will give you more editing flexibility • The five-shot sequence:BBC example • Close-up on the hands • Close up on the face • Wide shot • Over-the-shoulder shot • Creative shot

33. Video 101: Shot length • Amount of time for which you show each shot will vary • At a minimum, gather 15 seconds of each shot • Less is more, so edit down your shots to keep viewers moving • Average shot length is between 4-5 seconds

34. Image control: the technical side • White balance • Exposure • Focus • Zoom • Movement

35. White balance • Color temperature of the shot • Test auto white balance before shooting • If WB is off, manually adjust by using your WB controls • Bring or find something neutral to shoot • Shoot the neutral object • Set your camera’s WB to match that neutral

36. Exposure • Exposure is the brightness or darkness of a picture/video • Exposure is controlled by F-stops • Lower f-stop = wider lens opening = brighter picture • Higher f-stop = narrow lens opening = darker picture • Test automatic exposure before you rely on it

37. Focus • Each shot needs to have something in focus, whether it be the subject or an object • When setting up a shot: • Zoom in to eyes/focal point of object • Focus • Zoom out • Frame the shot • Shoot

38. Zoom • Set the zoom before the beginning of the recording session • When first starting with video, don’t zoom in the middle of your shot • If absolutely necessary, zoom as slowly as possible during a shot • If someone is talking don’t zoom • To practice zooming during a shot, gather all shots for sequence, then experiment with zoom

39. Movement • Panning : Camera swivels to show scene • Moving shot: Camera swivels to follow action • When first starting out: • Camera should capture motion, not create it • Use camera movement sparingly • Remember that camera emotion draws attention to itself and away from the subject • Experiment with movement once you’ve collected all necessary shots for your sequence

40. Video workflow • Plan it • Shoot it • Edit it • Test it • Encode it • Upload it • Share it

41. Choosing a good story idea… • Rich character or personality • There’s action! People are doing something observable! • It’s visually interesting (e.g., lots of color, decoration, contrast, rhythm, motion, scenery, etc.) • There are many situations taking place and/or a variety of interesting moments • The idea is emotional and/or humorous

42. Planning your shoot… • Storyboarding: producing sketches of the shots of your video • Shooting script • Prep interview questions • Check your batteries and audio • Pack your bag: camera, mic, batteries, EXTRA SD cards, tripod, lights

43. During your shoot… • Adjust your camera settings (white balance, exposure) before shoot • Shut up and hold still! • Shoot selectively • Hold your shots for at least 15 seconds • For each segment, shoot in sequences • Cool it on the panning and zooming until you’ve captured what you need • Compose and frame ALL of your shots • Try to include other objects in the background or foreground that give the viewer a sense of depth and/or scale • Change angles and perspectives • Get people in your scenes • Use tripods for steady shots • Anticipate action

44. Editing your shoot… • Less is more, so cut it down! • Edit color & audio quality in FCP • Add text content when needed • Apply effects, filters • Get feedback from peers

45. Ask yourself the following… • Are your characters colorful? Do they appear true to who they actually are? • Is the story defined in first 20 seconds? • Is there a solid beginning, middle and end? • Is there one idea/theme that runs throughout? • Are the visuals captivating? • Does the audio tell the story? • Could anything else be cut out?

46. Film Examples • Fantastic Mr. Fox intro (basic shot types, sequencing) • Tree of Life growth (advanced shot types, sequencing) • Be Here to Love Me • Exit Through the Gift Shop