New 7–10 syllabus support
VIDEO PRODUCTION TEAM ROLES
Pre-planning your video usually takes the most time and will make the actual filming move very
smoothly. Planning ahead means making decision before shooting.
PREPRODUCTION IS USUALLY THE MOST TIME CONSUMING PART OF VIDEO
MAKING.
REMEMBER the more decisions you make in the preproduction stage the less you will have to
do and worry when you are filming.
As a group look at the sheet detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Video team. Allocate
roles and write up your own description of the role in your logbook
Director
-
You need to be very familiar with the script and storyboard because you decide the order
of the shots and carry them through on the day of the shoot.
- It is your role to communicate with the actor/s and crew to keep them updated with what
you are doing and what they should do. (Eg the camera operator needs to know what size
shot, angle and scene to set up)
- When the shot is set up and your actor is rehearsed you prepare the crew and cast for
recording by checking “ camera ready, actors ready, (and if there was sound) sound
ready…roll camera say 5,4,3,2, (1,0 shown by counting with fingers and no sound) and
action
- When action is over wait 5 seconds to cut and then ask crew if the shot went OK with
them
You need to be; a good communicator, a good listener, responsible and prepared to help others
in the role.
Camera operator
-
You should make sure that all equipment is ready for the shoot.
You should communicate with the director for the shot requirements. Make sure you
have rehearsed your camera positions and movements just before recording.
It is up to you to operate the camera. You should white balance, focus, practise, pans and
zooms
Listen for the director’s instructions to ‘roll” and ‘cut’.
You need: a steady hand, a good eye for composition, the ability to follow instructions, patience.
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New 7–10 syllabus support
Continuity
-
You should write a brief description of each shot so that following shots will be
continuous.
You might draw or digitally photograph the location set-up, props, furniture and actors
positions so that it can be arranged in exactly the same way
You will need to be a good listener so that you know what the director is wanting, a really
observant and a real attention to detail, patience.
Production Assistant
-
You will check that everyone knows what is going on and what they need to have for the
shoot
Check what equipment is needed and that it is available.
You will organise locations and check that they are available.
You will need to be organised, a good communicator, and very patient
Lighting
-
You will set up the lighting for each shot and check with the director on what is needed
You will check with the camera operator to find out how the lighting looks
You will need to be observant and be able to predict what will happen as the scene moves
through.
Actor
-
You will bring the script to life.
You should be familiar with the script and what the director wants to do before the shoot
so that time is not wasted.
You will need to listen to the director and the camera operator and be prepared to do a scene
over and over again in exactly as you are asked. And be patient and accept constructive
criticism.
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New 7–10 syllabus support
Using a Video Camera
A The parts of a camera.
Many cameras have different features but they have basic functions and features that are
common to all cameras.
Look at your video camera and find the following:
1. The lens cap
2. Camera On/off button
3. View finder
4. Eyepiece
5. Automatic focus control
6. Manual focus control
7. Battery socket
8. Battery eject
9. Record button
10. Camera operation switch
11. Zoom control (wide angle to telephoto)
12. Built in microphone
13. Handgrip
14. DC input socket (for attaching power supply)
15. Cassette tape compartment
16. Cassette eject lever
17. VCR operation switch
18. Pause button
19. Playback button
20. Fast forward Search
21. Reverse Search
22. Audio Video Output socket (for playing back through a monitor)
23. Microphone
24. Microphone socket (for connecting an external microphone)
25. Tripod socket (to mount the camera on a tripod)
26. DV Terminal for linking a digital camera to digital video equipment
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B How to Hold a Camera
You can choose to mount your camera on a tripod or hand hold it. It is best to use a tripod where
possible because your footage will be stable and the camera safe from bumping and dropping. If
you do decide do use hand held shots make sure you practise the skill holding the camera as still
as you can.
Using a Tripod
To set up your tripod, adjust the length of the legs to the required height and tighten the
adjustment knobs. When you put the camera on the tripod make sure that you tighten the knobs
until the camera feels stable but be gentle because you don’t want to over tighten the mounting
screws.
If you want to move the position of the camera, you can move the tripod and camera together as
long as you pick them up at the tripod and gently support the camera.
Hand Held position
If you can, put a camera strap around your neck so that the camera will not be dropped. Put
your hand through the hand strap on the side of the camera, When moving with the camera be
sure to keep both eyes open so you are aware of where you are walking. It is helpful to have
someone beside you to quietly guide you so you don’t trip or fall.
C Getting ready to Use the Camera
Power: You can use rechargeable batteries or a power adaptor. You should prepare to use both
when you are shooting. This will mean that you should have available charged batteries as well
as extension leads.
Batteries – The best idea is to have one charged and a spare ready to go. Using a battery means
that the camera is portable which is useful for hand held shots.
Mains Power – This is when you plug the camera into the wall and use normal household
current. You will need to use the power adaptor which is supplied with your camera. The
advantage is you won’t have to interrupt the shoot to change batteries
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Inserting the Tape ; Before you load your tape make sure that you have labelled it. This will
save confusion later on and prevent it from getting accidentally wiped.
Now all you do is press the eject button, slide the tape in and then click it closed
Turning the camera on: Turn the power on/off switch and check that it is switched onto camera
operation if you are ready to film or VCR operation if you want to view the film.
Using the viewfinder; The viewfinder allows you to see what the camera is seeing. What you
see is what you get. So if the camera is crooked on the tripod or if the picture is not in focus, it is
up to you to change it.
CHECKLIST FOR FILMING
THINGS YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU PRESS THE RECORD BUTTON
Equipment check
Video camera kit with batteries charged and power adaptor
Tripod
Blank videotapes
Power board, leads
Light check
In Natural light: Choose a camera position with the sun to your back and with the sun falling
evenly on the subject.
Indoor Light: Indoor light is fine to film in, but if there is more light then the image will be
clearer. Additional portable lights can be set up to increase the light and create effects. A Threepoint lighting set up is the standard way to set up lights with a KEY, FILL and BACKLIGHT
Operation checklist
The tripod and camera are ready and secure
The power is connected and spare batteries and power are close by.
The camera is ON and the tape is inserted
When you begin recording you allow 10-15 seconds worth of tape to roll so that this leaves a
space that you will need in editing.
GOLDEN RULES
Check all equipment works before you leave for location
Make sure that you return everything you borrowed – cords, batteries, tape
Always return equipment as it was when you took it out. If it was damaged make sure you tell
your teacher so that it can be repaired
Put batteries in to be recharged so that they are ready for the next person
Some Technical Terms
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INFORMATION SHEET : FRAMING YOUR SHOTS
There are standard shot sizes which are used and accepted in the television industry. It is a good
idea to plan what shot sizes you are going to use before you shoot. This helps both the story and
the filming of your video go more smoothly.
This information will help you plan your storyboard, which you will need to do before you start
filming.
BIG CU: Big close-up. The image – usually a small detail is very large on the screen
CMS: Close medium shot. About midway between a close up and a medium shot.
CU: Close-up. The camera is, or appears to be, very close to the subject. Head and shoulders
only in the case of a human figure.
HIGH ANGLE SHOT: The camera is set in a high or elevated position, pointing down.
INTO SHOT: In to camera range
LS: Long shot. The camera is, or appears to be, a considerable distance from the subject.
LOW ANGLE SHOT: The camera is set low, pointing upwards.
MCU: Medium close-up. Practically the same as a close medium shot.
MLS: Medium long shot. About midway between a medium shot and a long shot
MS: Medium shot. About midway between a close-up and a long shot.
OUT OF SHOT: Out of camera range
PAN: To swivel the camera from left to right, or right to left, during a shot.
POV: Point of view.
REVERSE ANGLE: A shot taken form the opposite direction to the previous one.
TWO-SHOT: Two actors in the one shot.
VLS: Very long shot
WS: Wide shot. Similar to a long shot, though with the stress on width rather than depth.
ZOOM: The image grows larger (zoom in) or smaller (zoom out), almost as though the camera
is moving in or out. In fact the effect is achieved by using a lens of variable focal length.
SOME OTHER TECHNICAL TERMS
BRIDGING: The sound is continuous from the end of one scene through to the beginning of the
next.
DOLLY; The camera moves in and out. The ‘dolly’ is a trolley on which a film camera is
mounted.
FX: Effects such as sound or lighting
INT: Interior
JUMP CUT: A sharp transition from one shot to the next, justifies if the shock effect heightens
the dramatic impact.
MONTAGE: A series of shots dissolving or cutting form one to the next to suggest a passage of
time, journey or visual mood.
PULL FOCUS: An out of focus image comes sharply into focus.
SOUND OFF or SOUND OVER: the source of the sound cannot be seen.
SUPER: Superimpose: Usually titles. Often lettering appearing on a shot or sequence of shots
TILT: The camera tilts up or down
VO: Voice over. Dialogue can be heard but the speaker is not in shot
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New 7–10 syllabus support
Teacher information sheets
Checklist for teachers to prepare equipment for this unit
Cameras - one per five students ( possible for students to use their own camera)
Tapes – one per group
Batteries – at least one per camera
Power adapters – one per camera
Extension Leads – at least one per camera
Tripod/s – it is possible to work without one if the students are able to put the camera on
something steady
Portable lights – eg photographic or commercial floodlight that can be held
TV Monitor to play back video work in progress and the final result
Editing facilities
Websites that can be used for information and to extend this unit:
http://education.apple.com/education/ilife/howto/imovie_tips : basic information for planning to
make a movie and using the Imovie program
www.learner.org/exhibits/cinema ; a fun general introduction to the movie business and the
various roles taken by directors, producers, scriptwriters and actors. It has great interactive
activities giving a chance to be the producer or the
www.tropfest.com - information about the film festival with examples
http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/home - lots of short films
www.tensecondfilms.com - some fun examples of films made to a very strict time limit
www.exposure.co.uk - much more advanced site for those really wanting to take this into a
career
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