Video Production Basics

Presented by

Brett Atwood

Video Recording Apps

• Most Smartphones have a built-in video recording app

– There are also additional video apps available in the App Store and Google Play

• Consumer-grade video recorders are also an option for recording video for the web

Lighting

• Three purposes of lighting:

– Provide adequate illumination for the picture to be processed correctly by the camera

– To tell us what the objects on the screen look like, including space/depth relationships and time of day

– To establish the mood of a scene

Hard and Soft Light

• “Hard Light” – Very pronounced; Directional; Casts strong shadows

• “Soft Light” – Light is diffused/spread out; less shadows– People look better

with soft lights

Directional vs. Diffused Light

• Example:

Directional Diffused

Directional light

• Hard light casts a sharp, clearly defined shadow.

• When hard light is used to illuminate a face, imperfections in the skin stand out. The result is less than flattering.

• But in other applications, such as bringing out the texture in leather, or the engraving on a piece of jewelry, this can be an advantage.

Diffused light

• Soft (diffused) light has the opposite effect.

• It tends to hide surface irregularities and detail.

• Diffusers are used over the front of lights to soften and diffuse their beams. At the same time, diffusers also reduce the intensity of light.

Soft Lighting

• Since soft light is more scattered, you may need more light

• Soft light may be created using bounced lighting– Light source hits

subject indirectly since it bounces off a reflector

White Balance

• White Balance – Used to balance the color of your shot.

– Point the camera at a white object (piece of blank paper or white wall)

– Object should be in the same light that you will use in shooting

– Press “white balance” button to adjust the sensitivity of the camera to the current light source

White Balance

• An improperly white balanced camera can cause your video to appear yellow, greenish or reddish or yellower than it should.

• Example:

– Bad (Top image)

– Good (Bottom image)

White Balance

• If you move the camera into different light or the light source changes, then you will need to redo the white balance setting

• Some cameras do automatically re-balance the white

Establishing Shots

• Many directors follow this simple formula:

– First scene shot: Wide, establishing shot to orient the viewer

– Second scene shot: Closer proximity to main subject

– Third shot: Main subject

Camera Angles

• Use angles to keep the production interesting

• Angles can be used to manipulate audience perception

High Camera Angle

• Positions the camera above eye level

• Camera shoots down at subject

• Used to show overview of area

• Used to make subject appear smaller

Low Camera Angle

• Positions the camera below eye level

• Camera shoots up toward the subject

• Used to give sense of power to subject

Canted Angle

• Camera is tilted on a horizontal plane

• Used to convey sense of excitement or instability

• Simply tilt the camera to achieve this effect

• Use this sparingly

Subjective Camera Angle

• Places the camera in the place of a character to show us a scene from their viewpoint

• Also known as point-of-view shot (POV)

• Used to engage viewers in the action

Capturing Motion

• You should always consider the path of moving subjects and, generally, leave space in front of them into which they can move.

Capturing Motion

• If you don't, here's what can happen! This jogger looks like she's going to run right out of the frame.

Capturing Motion

• By placing the subject in the lower-left position, we've used the rule of thirds and given the jogger plenty of room to run within the frame.