Basic video techniques - University of Mississippi

By David Carlson, University of Florida & Deb Wenger, University of Mississippi for the Society of Professional Journalists

BASIC VIDEO TECHNIQUES

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

Video examples

Level 1: Video interviews only Level 2: Video interviews + supplemental

footage Level 3: Video storytelling

Things to think about

Avoid "shaky cam" The best video journalists use a tripod

whenever they can If you can't use a tripod, steady the camera

against a wall Sit on the floor and use your arms and knees

as a makeshift tripod

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

More things to think about

Zooms

Don't do it just because you can Spielberg and Hitchcock both made films without

zooming one single time Zoom off camera, not on, or... Zoom with your feet! NEVER use digital zoom

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

Shot terminology

PANS and TILTS A "pan" is moving the lens side to side A "tilt" is moving the lens up or down Move slowly, even more slowly than your

instincts tell you to move Know where you're going before you start

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

Composition

Remember the "rule of thirds"

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

Headroom

Give `em some space -- in the right place

Make sure people's heads are not cut off But don't make shots too loose either When you must cut a body, cut it in logical places,

such as joints ? the knees, not the ankles Apply the rule of thirds ? one third of the frame

above the eyes, one third below the neck

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

Backgrounds

Force yourself to look at the background of your shot

Avoid unintentional motion or distraction No trees or posts coming out of your subject's head

(C) Copyright 2008 Society of Professional Journalists

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