Shoot your video
 Use a tripod. The occasional handheld shot lends a relaxed, unrehearsed feel to a
production, but it's usually best to keep the camera still.
 Use your camcorder's manual white balance.
 If your subject is speaking, use an external microphone whenever possible. The
camcorder's built-in microphone picks up noise from the camcorder (and you).
 Learn to operate your camcorder before you attempt your first shoot.
 Use headphones to monitor your sound as you record.
 Record several seconds of test footage and play it back to make sure your camcorder,
tape, and microphone are set correctly and working properly.
 Video recording requires lots of light. lndirect sunlight is ideal. lf you need artificial
light, quartz halogen lamps (including inexpensive work lights and photo/video lamps)
are best. Incandescent light is sometime acceptable, but fluorescent light should be
avoided if possible.
 Zoom and pan infrequently, if at all. When altering the zoom or moving the camera,
pause the recording, set up the new composition, then resume.
 Don't use your camcorder's built-in special effects, especially digital zoom