Page 93 - DCAP303_MULTIMEDIA_SYSTEMS

Unit 5: Video

5.6.8 Guidelines for shooting Quality videos notes
1. avoid zooming in and out too much
Many digital camcorders come with a super duper 1000X zoom in and out feature. This is a good
thing, but the problem is, many people get carried away. Countless videos which keep zooming
in and out during the shoot, they generally succeed in giving me a bad headache. Use the zoom
in and out feature sparingly. Even if you must use it, do it slowly. A slow, well-controlled zoom
is much more professional looking than a quick zoom. Another tip is to restrict the usage of the
zoom in between scenes.
2. steady does it?
The professionals always say “Keep it Steady”. There is no doubt that when we are shooting
videos, our hands tend to vibrate a little. If the vibration is too much, it will badly affect the quality
of the video footage. There are two ways to overcome this.
One way is to do it like the professionals, get a good tripod stand. These can be obtained rather
cheaply. Another way is to brace yourself against something like a wall, or perhaps stoop down
on your knee while filming.
3. the end or the beginning?
Another good video shooting trick is to use the end of the story at the start of the video. Again,
experts do this all the time. If you are filming a wedding video, you can start off with an interview
of the happily married couple on the wedding day before you cut off into scenes of how they
met, how they grew up, etc.
4. Keep them short and simple
Never, ever, shoot long, drawn out video clips of more than two minutes. It bores the audience
to death! Using many short clips of 5–10 seconds duration is much more effective. It also brings
variety to the audience. Imagine, if a television commercial lasted two minutes focusing on the
same video scene, would not that be boring?

5. Lighting, lighting, lighting
Of all the factors listed here, nothing spoils a video shoot as much as poor lighting. Sure, you can
use video editing software to brighten up the scenes, but they can only do so much.
Many innovative videos marred by poor lighting. One important tip is to shoot video with the
light source behind you, shining on the subject. An example is an outdoor shot where the sun
is shining. Make sure the sun shines on your subject and not on your camera lens! Another tip
is to use the camera’s backlight feature if there is one. It allows you to compensate for overly
bright light.
6. Conserve the battery

We have seen or heard so many people forgetting about the battery. Please buy extra batteries
preferably two extra batteries. Nothing is worse than shooting a video outdoors and having the
battery die on you. Also, always bring the AC adapter too—so that you can charge your current
battery whenever time permits.

The videotape recording process was first demonstrated in 1953, and the first
machines went into service in 1956.

self assessment

Choose the correct answer:
1. Audio is recorded on a separate straight-line track at the top of the videotape.
( a) True (b) False

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