(1) Learn your Equipment!
Cables and Ports: What types (1394, Sony, RCA-composite, HDMI, USB, etc.) What will you need to transfer video to your editor?
Media: What media will you be using? (tape, SD card, flash drive, SSD, Cloud resources, etc.) Where will your raw video be captured?
Format: In what format will your raw footage be captured? (AVI, MP4, MOV, etc.) You MUST know this information before you begin. Will you need to translate your raw footage into a different format before your editor will be able to import the footage?
Optical versus Digital Zoom: If your equipment has the option of using Digital Zoom Features - Don't! Know how far you can zoom in using your equipment using Optical Zoom. At some point your equipment will change from optical to digital zoom. NEVER use Digital Zoom. If you do use the Optical Zoom feature, YOU MUST use a tripod to keep the frame steady. Practice using optical zoom smoothly.
Built-in Mic or Extended Mic: Know the optimum range of your built-in mic and the appropriate volume level. If you use an Extended Mic (add on mic), YOU MUST monitor levels with a headset. No exceptions!
Charging Equipment: If you love your equipment, you will only charge it using a surge protector. Charge equipment after every use.
(2) Pre-production
Team Selection: Decide roles and job descriptions needed for your production.
Script & Storyboard: Once a script is written, do not be afraid to edit it as you move through the storyboarding process. Storyboarding should be a team effort-- decide what works best to tell the story. Be very familiar with all the types of shots, framing, angle, and panning techniques. Plan locations and scenes before production.
Titling and Graphics: Decide on a Studio Name. Design opening titles and graphics. DO NOT use RED print in your Titles as red has a tendency to "bleed" resulting in titles that are hard to read.
Special Technologies: Green screen and/or animation projects? Opening Graphics: These usually take a long period of time, so get started on them early.
(3) Production (while filming)
DO
CALLING the SHOTS: In small productions, the videographer calls the shots. In larger productions the director calls the shots. If you are in charge of calling the shots, don't be shy! Tell subjects (talents) where you want them to stand and move. The actor or talent should NOT stop a shot. They should continue until the videographer or director calls, "Cut!"
SCREEN TEST: Screen test your "talent." Some people brighten up the screen while others become very dull on screen. Learn to EXPRESS with your eyes, move lips to articulate clearly (watch Ryan Seacrest) AND finish the ENDING consonants of each spoken word.
TRIPODS: Use a TRIPOD whenever possible. Take time to learn how to move your camera smoothly with the tripod. Movements seem constrained with tripods at first. However, you can get very fluid with them just by practicing. If you are using a long shot or a pan, use a tripod. You can learn to use your body instead. Place elbow on a table and use your upper arm to pan or steady a shot.
FRAME subject using the RULE of 3rds. . Eliminate ceilings, floors, and in closeups the top of the head... from your frame. Stay away from centering your subject in the middle of the frame. Learn the "over the ear shot" for conversations. Watch a movie to see what framing techniques are used to imply movement. Use "natural frames" such as doorways, windows, bridges, trees, trellises, etc.
ANGLES: Use multiple angles and framing techniques to keep from boring your audience. Watch a movie and count how many seconds any one shot is used in frame. You will be surprised! If you shoot down on a subject, what does that tell your audience? If you shoot up on a subject, what does that tell your audience?
STEADY CAM: Keep camera movement to a minimum. Do NOT move camera quickly. Maintain horizon when possible. Start with a tight shot, them open lens before moving camera to a different subject.
BACKGROUND NOISE: Eliminate all background noise as possible. Air conditioners, fans, trains, cars, etc. make noise that can be picked up by the mic. Test your background sounds by filming a little before an event begins. Always use headphones to hear audio properly.
MICs: IF YOU MIC YOU MUST MONITOR! If you add an external mic to your camera, you MUST wear headphones to monitor the volume.
LIGHTING: Use direct lighting when possible. DO NOT BACKLIGHT unless for an affect (to hid the identity of a person). Be aware always of where the sun is directing its light if you are filming outside. Don't place your subject in front of a window if you are filming inside.
PANNING: Use S-L-O-W pans and tilts when possible. Do not move your camera quickly.
FOOTAGE: ALWAYS film more footage than you think you will need! The rule of thumb is to film twice as much as you think you will ever use.
CLAPBOARD: If you are going to be filming with multiple cameras, use a clap sound so that you will be able to synchronize the two shots (A/B Roll) Be Creative! Try new ideas on extra footage. Grab B roll footage whenever possible.
DON'T
DON'T chew gum during Production! If you are the talent, don't chew gum. If you are a sound technician, don't chew gum. If you are the videographer, don't chew gum! Your jaw movements will affect your filming techniques and the sound will be picked up by the onboard microphone. Don't Chew Gum!
DON'T move your camera around quickly to pick up action. Use a narrow --> wide frame technique to move from one side of an event to another. Practice this!
DON'T keep the camera in one spot forever. (1) You may need to stop filming and reset your camera at a new angle or with a new frame to continue your shoot. (2) Move extremely slowly if you must. Use your body as a steady cam -- counter balance the camera in your hand with your bum and bent knees. Practice! (3) Don't zoom quickly! If you must use zoom, do it slowly. (4) Keep a moving object in frame using the Rule of 3rds. For example, if someone is running to your right, place them in the left side of the frame so we can see on the right where they are headed.
DON'T expose your equipment to moisture, dirt, dust, hay, spray cans of any kind, OR magnets!
DON'T wipe your lens with ANYTHING except a lens cloth!!!
(4) Post Production (while editing)
EDITING: The editor must work with the entire team to build a final product that communicates to the audience what the production team envisioned.
MUSIC: Background music should be chosen and used legally. You may use about 20 seconds of any 3 minute song AS LONG AS you give appropriate documentation in your credits.
FOLEY SOUNDS: There are a lot of free FX Sound effect files online. Here are just a few.
CREDITS: The person producing the credits must take into account all team members, music selections, graphics, sound effect publishers, and any other contributors.
PUBLISHING the END PRODUCT: Decide WHERE the final product will be shown. YouTube (Arp ISD has its own YouTube channel), Google Website, Google Drive Share folder, etc. Export your video using the appropriate format for that final location (MP4, AVI, MOV, etc.) Your project should be graded on the medium for which it was intended (Online, projected on a TV, projected on a classroom projector, copied to a DVD, etc.) As you publish, take into account WHERE this will be seen. Uncompress video for YouTube and for DVDs. If you are going to publish to YouTube or make a DVD, use .AVI uncompressed video as your Master Copy. DVDs & YouTube compress videos automatically. You do NOT want a compressed video (.MP4) to be compressed again. This creates a very grainy end product.