Review Concepts
10 Tips for Better Videos
1. The audio is often more important than the video so be sure to minimize distracting noises and focus in on the subject at hand.
2. Compose:
a. Use the rule of thirds to position your subject.
b. Fill the entire frame with interesting/meaningful subject matter.
c. The main focus for a human subject is usually the eyes.
d. Look for unusual camera angles: low/medium/high camera,POV
e. Vary the frame: wide shot, full shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up
3. Shoot in sequences (wide shot, medium shot, close-up, for example) and pre-plan important shots with storyboarding.
4. Include a variety of shots rather than one long sequence. Then edit with a variety of cuts:
a. Match cut
b. Cross cut
c. Look at
d. Multi-take
e. Cut zoom in or out
f. Montage
5. Be steady and use a tripod. If you want to include camera movements, choose a specific one for a specific purpose:
a. dolly
b. spin around
c. pan
d. tilt
e. boom
6. Zoom rarely, if ever. Use zooms mostly to set up a composition and fill the frame.
7. Be aware of lighting
a. When indoors, use more lighting than you think is necessary.
b. White balance before shooting in each new location.
c. Avoid shooting a subject with a strong light behind it.
8. For interviews, include over-the-shoulder shots.
9. Capture B-roll footage to assist you with editing the story together and for adding interest to the program.
10. Consider using more than one camera to capture the same event in a different way. Then edit the scene together using parts from both captures.
1. The audio is often more important than the video so be sure to minimize distracting noises and focus in on the subject at hand.
2. Compose:
a. Use the rule of thirds to position your subject.
b. Fill the entire frame with interesting/meaningful subject matter.
c. The main focus for a human subject is usually the eyes.
d. Look for unusual camera angles: low/medium/high camera,POV
e. Vary the frame: wide shot, full shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up
3. Shoot in sequences (wide shot, medium shot, close-up, for example) and pre-plan important shots with storyboarding.
4. Include a variety of shots rather than one long sequence. Then edit with a variety of cuts:
a. Match cut
b. Cross cut
c. Look at
d. Multi-take
e. Cut zoom in or out
f. Montage
5. Be steady and use a tripod. If you want to include camera movements, choose a specific one for a specific purpose:
a. dolly
b. spin around
c. pan
d. tilt
e. boom
6. Zoom rarely, if ever. Use zooms mostly to set up a composition and fill the frame.
7. Be aware of lighting
a. When indoors, use more lighting than you think is necessary.
b. White balance before shooting in each new location.
c. Avoid shooting a subject with a strong light behind it.
8. For interviews, include over-the-shoulder shots.
9. Capture B-roll footage to assist you with editing the story together and for adding interest to the program.
10. Consider using more than one camera to capture the same event in a different way. Then edit the scene together using parts from both captures.