Basic Video Camera UseFormat:Mini-DV

Mini-DV is “Digital Video” on very small videotapes. Because they record a digital signal, the signal may be downloaded, or “Captured” for editing on computers. DV

Cameras can also output analog signals via “S-Video” or “RCA” connectors and cables.

Basic Video Camera UseConnectors and Signal Cable Types

(best to worst) Digital

• HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)• IEEE 1394 Digital Cable• Firewire (Apple) - I.Link (Sony) - DV (Panasonic)

Analog

•S-Video (Separate Video – 2 signals in one cable)

•RCA (Composite Video - One video cable)• Yellow: Video, White: L Stereo, Red: R Stereo

•Coaxial (Video and Sound in one cable – cable TV)

Basic Video Camera Use

Video CapturingConnect IEEE 1394 Digital Cable from Camera or Tape Deck

to Computer

Basic Video Camera Use

Video CapturingIf using a camera, power on camera to VCR mode

Basic Video Camera UseVideo Capturing

For our purposes, with Final Cut, follow these steps:1. Using your source (deck or camera), cue tape to

the footage you want and press stop2. Start Final Cut (we have 10 desktops and 2

laptops with the program)3. Go to “New > Project” and Save Project

(MAKE A NEW FOLDER WITH YOUR NAME ON THE PORTABLE HARD DRIVE AND SAVE YOUR

PROJECT, ALSO NAMED, IN THAT FOLDER)4. Go to “File > Log and Capture”

5. If you can see your footage in the capture window, click “log,” give the clip you are going

to capture a name, then click “Now.”6. When the footage you want is done, press the

“Escape” key to finish.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo Capturing

*Notes: • Don’t try to capture too much footage into one file or it

will get too big to deal with. • Keep each captured clip to less than 2ish minutes.• Make sure you log your captured video (write down

exactly what you captured, when you captured it, what computer it is on, and what folder it is in

• Make backup copies of your clips on *flash drives

*Flash Drives are required for all students

Basic Video Camera Use

Video RecordingCamera Support

•To fully minimize camera shake, always use a Tripod when filming reports•Cameras may be handheld when gathering “B” Roll•When handholding a camera, keep your elbows in against your body, support the camera with both hands, and keep your hands close against your chest for stabilization. Camera Shake is the most common mistake made that can ruin your footage

Basic Video Camera Use

Video RecordingNews Filming Basics

Leader (Head and Tail) Anytime you film ANYTHING, include at least 5

full seconds of static footage at the beginning and end of your recording.

• This allows room for editing later, ensuring that needed words or footage aren’t cut off

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming Basics

“B” Roll “B” Roll is video footage pertinent to your story that runs while the reporter’s voice is

heard. Always film more “B” Roll than you think you’ll need to be sure you have a good variety

to choose from when editing.Also, film the same “B” Roll scene from several

different angles.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Rule of ThirdsThe most interesting part (center of interest or

subject and in this case, the eyes) of the shot should be off centered by dividing the frame into thirds

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameHead Room:

Make sure your subject fills the viewfinder, with one finger width between the border and the top of the

head

Basic Video Camera Use

Video RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameOver Scan: What you see in the viewfinder of your camera will be slightly cut off all around

when it is converted to a television screen

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameLong Shot: Full Body shot, Feet to Top of Head. Do

not cut feet or tops of heads off in a long shot

Amputation Rule:Never cut people off at the joints – it looks strange, as if they are amputated

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameMedium Shot: Waist or Lower Chest to Top of

Head (most common shot for reports)

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameClose-up: Shoulders to Top of Head.

*Note: Never film a “floating head” shot where you see a person’s entire head, but not their neck and shoulders

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameExtreme Close-up: Close-in on just a body part.

Use Rarely to Never: Extreme close-ups are ok for some “B” Roll but generally not to be used on people.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Filling The FrameNose Room or “Rule of Motion”: Leaving more space

in the direction the subject is looking or moving

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Backlighting/Background: Never film with bright light behind the subject.

Particularly, the sun outdoors or a window indoors. Also do not film against a solid white wall.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingComposing the Shot

Interviewing: For our purposes, do not film interviews with

the reporter in the shot. Ask interview questions off, or behind camera, and film the

interviewee talking with a Medium Shot.Interviews are used for adding personal detail

to information already presented by the reporter – not a series of questions and

answers.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Power: Battery Pack or Direct Power

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Tape Loading: The protective, outer door is separate from the tape loading slot. After inserting tape into loading slot, “push” on the slot and the slot will close and load the tape. Then, close the

outer cover.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Tape Loading: *Note: The camera must be removed from the Tripod “Shoe” to load/unload a video tape.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Mode: Camera or VCRSwitch from Camera mode to VCR to watch

footage in-camera

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming Basics

Camera OperationZoom: Use zoom SPARINGLY or not at all. Lens zoom is unnatural and more often than not is a

distraction from the message of your video

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Playback: Switch mode from “Camera” to “VCR” and use the controls on the top of the

camera to view recorded footage.

So: Avoid playing back in-camera and wait until you capture to see footage you intend to use

Note: Tapes have a life of about 9 scans. This includes playback, rewind, f-forward, etc.

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Microphones: Connect microphones properly and be careful that cables are not pulled while

connected

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming Basics

Camera Operation - Microphones: • Lapel Mics should be placed as close to the throat as

possible.• Handheld Mics should be held at the bottom with your

thumb against your sternum

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming Basics

Camera OperationHeadphones:

• Always monitor sound in-camera while recording if the camera accepts headphones

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Headphones: • Note: Our small gray cameras do not allow

simultaneous headphone/microphone use, hence the need to pre-record a sound test prior to recording

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming BasicsCamera Operation

Playback: • With the small, gray, Canon cameras, always record a brief (5-10 seconds) sound test before

recording a piece. After recording with the sound equipment hooked up, replay your test,

in-camera, to ensure that the sound worked properly.

• Make sure that you NEVER record over anything that is already on a tape

Basic Video Camera UseVideo RecordingNews Filming Basics

Camera OperationEquipment Care/Archiving:

• NEVER let students NOT IN THIS CLASS handle equipment. Students will be held financially accountable for damaged/lost equipment

• Return all equipment when finished and plug batteries in for recharging

• LOG all video footage on Master Log Sheet

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use

Basic Video Camera Use