Filmmaking on a shoestring 101: An hour’s
worth of intro and experimentation
Josh Woodard, FHI 360
Project Manager of USAID’s FACET project
CRS’ ICT4D Conference, Accra
March 21, 2013
Life cycle of filmmaking on a shoestring
Know your
audience
Establish
baseline quality
standards
Create a
storyboard
Dissemination
Editing
Recording
What does a video actually consist of?
How many shots do you think there are in a one
minute video clip?
– Shots are video segments that run for an
uninterrupted period of time. Many shots are
combined to create a scene.
What are the basics of video recording?
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•
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Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
What are the basics of video recording?
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•
•
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Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Rule of thirds
This states that you should try to imagine your shot
divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically.
Rather than placing your focal point in the center of
the shot, you should place it one-third or two-thirds
of the way down or across the frame.
What are the basics of video recording?
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•
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Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Headroom/Looking Room
This refers to the amount of space you have above
someone’s head or in front of them. Generally
speaking, you should have a modest amount of
space above your subject’s head or in front of them
in the direction they are looking.
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
•
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•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Screen Continuity
When recording two subjects in conversation,
never cross beyond the back of any of the
subjects. This is also known as the 180 degree
rule. Imagine a 180-degree semi-circle running
between your two subjects and never position your
camera outside that semi-circle while recording.
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
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•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Shot angles
What are the basics of video recording?
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Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Camera moves
Pan
Tilt
Zoom
What are the basics of video recording?
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Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
If you are using a pocket camcorder, you likely will
not have any manual focus control. Since the
camcorder will automatically focus, it is important
to make sure that it is focusing on your intended
subject. If not, you may need to adjust your shot
type or angle until the camera comes into focus on
your subject.
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
An unsteady video not only screams out amateur,
but it can also be extremely distracting. The best
way to address this is to use a tripod, but you can
also turn your body into a tripod.
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
The microphone on pocket camcorders can be
very sensitive. External microphones will allow you
to capture better quality audio than an internal
camcorder microphone.
When using an internal microphone, remember:
• Use your stage voice (speak loudly)
• Avoid areas with loud background noise
• Do not record into the wind
• Use your legs to zoom for close ups
What are the basics of video recording?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shot types
Framing
Focus
Lighting
Stability
Sound
Timing
Make sure that you include buffer space at the
beginning and end of each clip you record. The
easiest way to do this is to begin recording at
least three seconds before you give your subjects
the sign to begin the scene, and then to stop
recording at least three seconds after they have
finished the scene.
Video scavenger hunt
Rules
• Each team has 30 minutes to record
quality examples of the shot and
frame types learned about
• Each team member is responsible for
recording an equal number of shots
• Team members must state “This is
[Name] recording [shot/frame type]”
with each clip
• Each clip must last at least 10
seconds
Shot types
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Wide shot
Mid shot
Close up
Over the shoulder
Rule of thirds
Headroom
Straight angle
Low angle
High angle
Pan
Tilt
Manual zoom
Additional resources
Integrating Low-cost Video into Agricultural Development
Projects: A Toolkit for Practitioners online at
http://www.ictforag.org/video
How to Use Movie Maker 2012 tutorial videos, online at
https://vimeo.com/channels/moviemaker2012
Or email me any time at jwoodard@fhi360.org