SIMPLE TIPS FOR SHOOTING QUALITY FOOTAGE
This basic checklist will get things rolling.
- Plan: Write a list of what you want to capture. That way,
you won't get caught up in the moment and miss something.
- Shoot: Take the lens cap off (minor detail), shift into
"camera mode," and go for it. Have fun, and don't forget to pack
extra batteries.
- Transfer: Now you need to move the footage from the
camera to your computer. Connect the FireWire cable to your computer
and import the files. If you need more details and instruction,
consult the product manual that came with your camera.
NOTE: Digital video cameras require a FireWire/IEEE 1394
connection, which pre-1995 computer systems may not have. Consult
your system profile to see if your computer has IEEE 1394
capability. If it doesn't, you'll need to install an interface card
(sometimes referred to as a "FireWire" card). Contact your computer
manufacturer to find out which cards work with your system.
- Edit: Use your video-editing software to convert AVI
(Audio Video Interleaved) format video to MPEG (.mpg or .mpeg) file
format, which is DVD compatible. Add music and special effects, and
"author" the DVD by adding menus, chapters, and titles to help tell
your story. The software manual is a great guide to the many ways
you can add impact to your movie.
- Burn: Burn video to CD or DVD and add a label.
LightScribe technology and specially coated discs let you burn
silkscreen-quality images and titles right onto the disc just like
the pros.
- Promote: Now you have a disc that needs to be seen!
Design your own CD jacket with our DISCover Designer, then promote
your masterwork with a customized movie poster! Dress them up, send
them out ¡K these cool tools are just more examples of how
LightScribe makes expressing yourself easy.
- Enjoy: Now the fun part: Impress your friends and family
with your video masterpiece.
TRIED AND TRUE TIPS FOR SHOOTING BETTER VIDEO
- Watch the light: Always shoot away from windows and
intense background light as this light can overwhelm your subject.
For overly bright light, use your camera's backlight feature.
- Capture your location: "Establishing shots" explain your
whereabouts. At a baseball game, a sign or scoreboard work well. At
a natural monument, take a wide shot or use a historical reference
to set the scene.
- Zoom in and out sparingly: Don't go wild with the zoom
feature. It's distracting and can lead to dizziness.
- Hold steady: Avoid jittery video: Use a tripod whenever
possible, or lean on a fixed object.
- Keep it short: Several short video clips 5-10 seconds
long are more interesting than long, drawn-out shots (i.e., more
than two minutes).??
- Get the main and secondary events: Tell the whole story.
Back to the baseball example, capture the game action as well as
clips of the coaches, crowd, and players before and after the game.
- Vary angles: Move around your subject. Shoot from above
or below to make the subject seem larger than life.
- Have a beginning and an end: Return to your establishing
shot to conclude the video. Opening and closing shots are the
bookends that cement the storyline. At the baseball game, signs or
logos would make great bookends.
Follow these basic steps and you'll soon be ready to cut loose and
put those independent, creative ideas into action.
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