The Setup
Planning & Gear
Below you'll find our "shot list" plus the tools we use for each. Planning out the shots we're going to capture plus taking time to frame is extremely important to make the most use of our time and our subject's time. Framing is key to creating aesthetically pleasing visuals for our finished product. Each section in our shot list also includes the gear we use during those takes.
Lower on the page is our gear list. Having the right tools for the job is important. Knowing what to use for different parts of your storyboard makes your project go a lot smoother during the "shoot" and during editing. Lower in the page, you'll find some recommended "budget" equipment if you're just getting your feet wet in video production.
Person Behind the Title "Shot List"
Intro/Outro
2-3 aerial shots of the school building.
Pan and/or orbit shot of subject in scenic area in front of school.
Subject "Portrait": From a distance of about 20 feet, slowly walk towards the subject filming them in for a video "portrait". Subject stands still, comfortable pose, smiling.
Walking Shot - Keeping background, obstacles, and framing in mind, film the subject walking.
"Droney" or Flyaway shot of subject in front of school: Start level with the subject and then "fly up and away", capturing subject and school building/property. This is used primarily as the outro shot.
Tools: Drone for all aerial work, walking and maybe portrait shots. Camera on gimbal for portrait and maybe walking shots.
B-Roll
Walking shots in the school: Film subject walking past student artwork, murals, students in the hall, etc.
Subject interacting with students in classrooms (closeups, mid-range, wide angle)
Subject's photos on display: in office or classroom: Family photos, kids, pets, hobbies, etc...
Collect digital photos from subject if hard copy photos aren't available to film.
Gear: Camera on gimbal or monopod for all b-roll shots.
Interview
Create tight triangle between the subject, interviewer, and camera.
Make sure the subject's face is well and evenly lit (no harsh shadows).
A clean, creative, decorative, background is important.
Setup: (see photo diagram) if the interviewer is to the left of the camera, the subject should be framed on the right side of the shot. If the interviewer is to the right of the camera, the subject should be framed on the left side of the shot.
Gear: Camera securely mounted on tripod, lavalier microphone on subject's collar or lapel unubstructed by hair or fabric, mic receiver connected to camera with audio tested and verified.
Set-Up photo courtesy of https://shootsta.com/blog/how-to-film-an-interview/
Gear List
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Canon R6
We use Canon's 24-105mm f/4 lens for most b-roll and their, 50mm f 1.8 lens for interviews.
Panasonic Lumix GH 5 Digital Mirrorless Camera.
Sennheiser AVX Wireless lavalier Microphone
We use an XLR to 3.5mm cable to run the microphone receiver directly into our cameras.
DJI Ronin RSC-2 Gimbal
Not DJI's faniciest gimbal, but for the price, it handles the fairly heavy combo of the Canon R6/24-105 very nicely.
DJI Mavic Air 2s Drone
Keep it legit. If you're going to fly a drone for your projects, get licensed.
Final Cut Pro X
Our department has been using FCPX since version X came out and it has served us well. Although, Adobe Premier Pro would allow us to share footage and projects a little more easily.
Video Tripod
We use a Feisol CT-3442 with a SmallRig Video head that is compatible with the DJI RSC-2 baseplate (to make switching between the gimbal and tripod more efficient).
Other Gear Options and Tools
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Synco Wireless Microphones
Microphones are a MUST for a quality video production. These are sold in 2 transmitter/1 receiver and 1 transmitter/1 receiver packs. These work with both mobile devices and video cameras with microphone inputs.
Currently, the 2 mic package is around $150.
Neewer "72 Fluid Head Video Tripod Monopod
A tripod is also a must for any video project. This is tripod allows a leg to be removed for use as a monopod. A monopod is a great portable option for use while collecting "b-roll" if you don't have a gimbal for stabilization.
This tripod runs around $80 on Amazon.
DJI Osmo Mobile SE Gimbal
Using a smartphone for your video project is a perfectly good option (provided you have enough storage space on your device). This gimbal from DJI allows for smooth and stable movement while collecting b-roll.
The SE Gimbal is around $100, the Osmo 2 is around $150.
Aluminum iPad Tripod Holder Mount
Using your iPad or other tablet for your project? Invest in a quality tripod mount. This model has a connector at the top where you could mount the Synco wireless mic receiver!
This mount is around $45 on Amazon.
Canon T5i/6i/7i
Canon began adding significant upgrades to their DSLR cameras to allow for better videography options. My first "video" camera was their T4i. These, paired with an 18-55mm or 18-135mm lens are excellent video and photographic cameras.
Currently (Summer '23) the T7i with a 18-55mm lens is $500 on Amazon.
DJI Osmo Pocket
An inexpensive, high-quality, and stabilized "pocket" camera that can be used along with a mobile device for better screen visibility.
You'll need a USB-C to 3.5mm connector which DJI sells for it's Pocket cameras.
The original Pocket is around $150, the upgraded Pocket 2 starts at $350.
Panasonic HC-V770K
If you're more comfortable with a camcorder, the HC-V770k is a solid option around $500. Panasonic's upgraded version, the HC-VX1k (which shoots 4k video) is around $800.
SD Cards
Camcorders and DSLR's will use these standard SD cards. The DJI Osmo Pocket or a GoPro will uses a micro SD card. A V/U3 card with a minimum write speed of 30mpbs and 64gb will give you plenty of speed and storage for 1080p footage. If you get into filming 4k footage, you'll need higher speeds and more storage space.