Recall from Mod 4.3, the elements we considered for quality video. Make sure you apply the same concepts in your lecture video. The video you produce for this module will be between 4 to 6 minutes long and so it will require more graphical elements and perhaps additional sourced video. Pay particular attention to the quality aspects which focus on visuals and production quality.

Speaking of "production quality," the next sections will introduce you some very basic aspects of film-making. The purpose is to help you understand how to use your camera as the eyes of your students.

Shots

Shots are important when filming because they are one of the tools to help establish a scene's characters, place and theme and thus, they help to give meaning to a scene. For instance, a close-up focused on a character's face tells the viewer that in this instance, all attention should focus on the character because something significant is happening or about to happen and this helps the viewer to make a connection with that character. Try using some of these more common shots when you create your video:

Wide Shots - Act to establish the area, or person. They can be used to allow for action too.

Medium Shots - Frame the subject from the midway point, or the waste up. You can use this shot if you need to capture hand gestures and motion.

Close Ups - Tend to only include a character's head and they are good for showcasing the character's emotions.

Angles

Camera angles help the viewer to understand the perspective or position of a character. For example, a low-angle shot that positions the viewer as looking up towards a character, establishes the idea that the character is more powerful than the viewer or the character in the scene who is looking upwards. Think of Voldemort in Harry Potter. Here a several angles you may wish to try while you're filming:

High - When the camera is positioned up above the scene or from the perspective of a character looking down. This conveys that the perspective view point is the one with power. It makes the character who is being looked down upon seem vulnerable. Think of scenes from The Godfather in which Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) is situated high above the others.

Eye-level - This occurs when the camera angle gives the viewer an eye-level view of the character in focus. This creates a sense of equality and sometimes it's as if the character is directly speaking with the viewer. Think of Michael Scott (Steve Carell) from the office, when he turns and directly speaks to the camera it feels as if he's including you in the conversation or speaking directly to you, the viewer.

Low - When the camera is down low, angled upwards so that the viewer is looking up at the character. This creates the sense that power is imbued in the character the viewer is looking up to and so the viewer may have reverence or fear and will recognize that the character is in a position of authority.

Movement

Movement refers to the way a camera moves around to capture the scene and the actions with in the scene. Sometimes, cameras are placed on tripods, trolleys, cranes or carried by the cameraman on his shoulder. Here are some of the camera movements you'll most likely see used in films and some you might even be able to try on your own:

Crane - Occurs when the camera is placed up top of the scene creating a sense of looking down into the scene. Sometimes, this can be used when the camera backs out of a scene to signal the end of a scene.

Tracking - Is when the camera is on a dolly, or just follows the character. It gives the viewer the sense that she's along for the ride. This is often used in high-action movies to give the viewer a thrilling ride. Think of all those James Bond car chases!

Panning - As described above, is when the camera sweeps from one side of the scene to the other. This gives the viewer a sense of entirety of the scene to enable the viewer to sense the action taking place.

Lighting

Lighting always creates mood. Imagine a little Italian restaurant with the lights dimmed low and flickering candles, and voilà! Instantly you have a romantic scene. Conversely, think of a brightly lit hospital operating room and you get the sense of importance, sterility, coldness. And at the other end, the darker the lighting, the scarier the scene.

We all know that spotlights work to focus the viewer's attention on the subject of most importance in the scene. Try never to film with the light directly reflected into your camera. This causes the subjects to be so darkened that they may be hard for the viewer to see. For instance, if you're at the beach, make sure that the sun is behind your back as you take your photo or film your shot. This will help to light up the scene but not white-out the subjects.

More in depth details can be found at Media College!

For younger students, see: Skwik! This is an excellent resource even for grown-ups!

Guide for producing quality videos

• Video content is directly tied to the course content
• Instructor Presence - meaning that the instructor's personality shines through. This is done with the instructor uses humor, wit and conversational language and gives examples from her own real life experiences
• Visuals and video clips are engaging, appealing and tie directly to the content. Charts, graphics and even cartoon-like graphics are compelling and should help to reflect the meaning of the content
• Production quality matters! Not that video has to be done in HD, but good sound, framing, lighting and camera angles, shots and movement are important -- try to use them when you can
• Keep it short - 4 minutes is best, and certainly no longer than 6 minutes

When you have reviewed this section, move onto Mod 5.4.