Video Techniques

Consider These Tips:

• The setting should match the context/content
• Minimize things that "change" - lighting, clocks, movement
• Be aware of (and avoid) ambient noises - fans, buzzers, elevators, etc.
• Make sure you have enough room to move, floor space to set up, electricity to operate

Consider These Tips about the Rule of Thirds:

• Put subjects on the intersections of the thirds (see example below)
  • Creates context
  • Provides connection and interaction
  • Suggests there is someone the subject is looking at
  • Adds more background instead of splitting scene in half with subject
• Align subject's eyes with the top 1/3 and their body's in the left or right 1/3
• Size matters - Framing will give people an idea of what's important
  • Larger = power
  • Smaller = insignificance
  • Angled up at subject = dominance and power
  • Angled down at subject = insignificant or weak

Consider These Other Questions and Tips:

• What will be in your background, mid-ground, and foreground?
• Where will your subject be - wide (background) or tight (for intimacy)?
• If your background is "busy", pull your subject forward away from it a bit.
• Your camera should be on the opposite side your subject is facing (look room).
• Centering your subject will make people pay attention - use for powerful moments.
• Be "okay" with breaking all of these rules when you need to in order to tell your story!

Consider Three Point Lighting:

• Key light - main light on subject
• Fill light - opposite of key light to fill in shadows
• Back (or head light) - behind subject to separate subject from background