Telling Your Story With Video
You’re Part of the Crew!
Producer – oversees project,
guides idea, works with director
 Director - guides actual production
(really calls the shots!)
 Assistant Producer/Assistant Director- finds
resources, gets copyright okays,
sets schedules, sets up interviews, locations
 Talent - on-camera host, anchor, or actor
delivers lines, acts in character, follows
director’s cues

Roles in Production
Camera person (videographer)– Runs the
camera, tells story visually as guided by director
 Sound person (Audio Engineer) – Records and
manages sound, chooses music, sound effects
 Scriptwriter – writes scripts & storyboards
 Graphics Designer- Creates text, still images,
and animations for onscreen and web use.
 Website Designer- Many programs have
websites or are delivered as part of a
website. This person creates the site

Safety First!
 Use
a tripod and make sure it is stable
 Make sure camera is tight on tripod
 Watch out for cables
 Don’t point camera at bright light like
the sun for long periods
 Don’t try and force tape, data cards or
sticks, cables, or attachments into
place
Diagram of a Typical Camcorder
Inset Detail
W
T
Wide
Telephoto
Auto Zoom
Control
Switch
Power/ Record Controls
Battery
Compartment
Microphone
Playback
Controls
Lens Assembly
Viewfinder
(LCD Screen)
Auto/Manual Focus
Controls
Diagram of a Typical Camcorder
Close up of Controls (location of these will vary from camera to camera)
Viewfinder
Audio Video Port
Record Button
Mode Control
Camera/Play
Menu Access
Production
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Scenes are rehearsed, performed by
talent, and taped
Supporting video (B-roll) is also shot to
“cover” audio (the sound) and natural
audio is captured
Video/audio clips are logged
and labeled
The First Rule of Video Production
No matter how good your equipment,
editing, and graphics…
Garbage In!
Garbage Out!
It takes high quality audio/video to make a good production!
Telling Your Story With Shots
Basic Shot Types
Close-up (CU)
Medium Shot (Med)
Wide Shot (WS)
Shot Purposes
CU shots- “tell”
what characters look like, show
emotions, point out details
 Medium shots- create comfortable
“talking” distance
 Wide Shots- Show setting or action.
 Point of View (POV) shot lets viewer
“see” through a character’s eyes
 Close-up/Extreme
How To Frame A Shot
(Subject Facing Camera)
Headroom
Subject can be centered
How to Frame A Shot
(Subject looking to one side)
Headroom
Give lead or “ talking”
room
How to Frame A Shot
Using the Rule of Thirds
1
2
3
1
2
3
Place most interesting part of subject where lines cross. Notice body
and eyes lie along these lines instead of picture’s center.
ZOOMING!

Zoom – Zooming in or out can be used
to “guide” viewer through a scene but
should not be overused to avoid
audience “seasickness”
Using Angles
 Bird’s
Eye (High angle)
shots make characters or
objects look small or weak
 Worm’s
Eye (low angle)
shots make characters
look big or strong
Camera Tips
 Use
a tripod
 Place camera so greatest
light is at camera person’s back
 Use focus and white balance controls
 Practice camera moves (blocking shots)
 Frame shots and moves with purpose
Camera Tips (continued)
 Vary
shots
 Don’t overuse zoom
 Be sure to lay down pre and post-roll
 Correct roll-back (only on tape
cameras)
Don’t do This! The “witness Protection” shot
When shooting don’t place your subject in front
of a strong light like a window, lamp, mirror, etc.
Common Video Mistakes…..
 Too much headroom - bad framing
 Subject in front of bright backlight
 Shaky camera - no tripod
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No shot variety- wide shot
lack of planning - no script
lack of pre and post roll
Audio Track Parts
Talking
 Sound effects
 Music
 Natural sound

Audio Tips
Use headphones to listen to sound quality
 Choose microphones based on project needs
 Place microphone right distance from source
 When using built-in microphone move closer
and zoom out
 Listen for and control distracting background
noise

Common Audio Mistakes…..

using only cam mike

mike too far from sound source

not monitoring
(listening to) audio
On-Air Tips for Talent

Make sure ahead of time
that you can read and
properly pronounce words
(especially people’s names)

Wait for your cue before
speaking

Smile! (when it feels right)
On-Air Tips for Talent

When addressing audience, look
into camera when speaking as
much as possible.

Hold objects you are speaking
about close to face when possible
so it is easy to frame shot
(spokesmodel pose)

Speak clearly, projecting your
voice toward the microphone
Interview Tips
Write a focus sentence
 Research the subject
 Target your audience correctly
 Prepare a complete list of questions
 Describe the purpose to the subject
before the interview
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Interview Tips
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Don’t interview the subject without
the camera before the actual interview
LISTEN
Ask good follow-up questions
Be polite and professional
Interview No-No’s
 Yes
and no questions
 “I see” and “Uh-huh”
 Two-part questions
 Obvious questions
 Questions in poor taste
 Questions that have already been
answered