DIY Videographers
Do you want to shoot your own video footage for your website?
In order to assist our Do-It-Yourself Videographers to produce effective and high-quality online video, we have developed a detailed, yet easy-to-follow list of tips, which will save you time and enable you to capture the footage you need the right way. All you have to do is Plan, Pack & Shoot!
Plan
- Before you decide to shoot your online video, make sure you know exactly what images will best depict the objectives of your business/product/service/organization. This process will focus your thoughts and give you a good idea of all the elements you need to consider in advance of and in preparation for your shoot.
- Before you schedule your video shoot, plan a visit to the shoot location with a Digital Camera -- whether it’s your own location, or not. Walk through the area(s) you plan to shoot, and take still pictures of all the areas you want to capture on video.
- The still pictures will achieve the following:
- They will serve as the basis of your Script & Storyboard (a series of diagrams that depict your concept; showing how your completed online video will look). It will also help you to communicate and guide the editor in post-production.
- They can be selectively inserted into the video to supplement your video footage – adding another dimension to your completed online video.
- They will focus your video shoot.
- They will save you time!
- The location walk-through will help you decide the most efficient way to plan your video shoot.
- If you are not the location owner, make sure that you have legitimate authorization to shoot the property, including any official permit(s), if necessary.
Pack
- Review Shooting Plan (Script & Storyboards & Shot List)
- If people appear in your video for longer than 3 seconds, you will need to provide a large sign with Crowd Notice Guidelines (a notice informing people that by stepping into the designated shooting area, they are giving their permission to be included in your video). The sign should be clearly visible by anybody walking by, or through, the areas you will be shooting.
- If you plan on interviewing any individual on-camera, you will need to obtain a signed Personal Release (permission in writing to use appearance and voice on video for online use) from each interviewee.
- Pack Equipment:
- Video Camcorder (check all settings)
- Camcorder AC Power Cord
- Camcorder Batteries (charge, if necessary)
- Tripod (check camera foot plate attached)
- Sound Equipment (optional)
- Boom microphone (incl. connector cables & batteries), OR
- Lavalier microphone (incl. connector cables & batteries)
- Headphones
- Reflector / Bounce Board (optional)
- Mini DV/DVCAM Tapes
- Gaffer Tape (or any other tape) (optional)
- Digital Photographic Camera
- Prepare & Pack Paperwork:
- Location Agreement & Release(s) (if applicable)
- Personal Releases (for interviewees, if applicable)
- Crowd Notice Guidelines
Shoot
- Upon arrival at location:
- Obtain signed Location Agreement & Release, & any Personal Releases (if applicable).
- Walk through location to confirm best camera placement, best lighting, & best shot options.
- Always shoot your Exteriors first because lighting and general weather conditions change fast, and if you wait until after shooting the Interiors, you may not have sufficient daylight to complete your Exterior shots or shoot your footage effectively.
- Set-up Equipment: Tripod, Camera, Sound (incl. headphones) (for interviews)
- Check camera settings (incl. exposure levels & sound levels)
- Insert tape & run for 30 seconds
- Shoot:
- First obtain all shots according to your Shot List & Script & Storyboard
- Obtain sufficient coverage: Wide Shots (WS) – variety of angles & perspectives, Close-up Shots (CU), Cutaways (objects & other detail you can insert as transitions), etc.
- Lock down camera & obtain at least 10 seconds per static shot
- Look for exciting/colorful/interesting objects
- Keep zooms/tilts/pans slow and steady
- Be consistent – think of the edit!
- Obtain at least 5 – 10 minutes of recorded footage for every minute of finished video
- Interviews:
- Pick well-lit area, with simple but interesting background
- Mic subject and frame in Close-Up (neck & face) or Medium Close-Up (shoulders up). Also shoot in Medium Shot (waist-up)
- Ask for introduction (name, position, & business/organization name)
- Request subject to use short sound bites, to facilitate the edit process
- Strike:
- Pack up equipment & replace any items/objects moved during shoot
- Thank location representatives
- Leave the location in the same condition you found it (or better)
- Back at Base:
- Label Tapes
- If VideoBloom is editing your online video, Mail Tapes, completed Script & Storyboard, and all signed Agreements & Releases to Videobloom’s Head Office.