WORKSHOP 2PRODUCTION

SHOOTING YOUR MOVIE

CAMERA BASICS

Types of Cameras (for our purposes)

• Phone Camera – Universally Accessible. • Consumer Camera – Easy to use, consumer price.

• Pro-sumer Camera – More professional features.

ACQUIRING EQUIPMENT

• Low Budget Rule: Use what is readily available to you.

Borrow, Share, Make Deals, Call in Favours

Rent as a last resort

www.trinitysquarevideo.com www. charlesstreetvideo.comwww.lift.ca

CELL PHONE CAMERAS

Basic Phone Camera Use

•Does not attach to tripod(hold with two hands)•Does not Zoom• In Camera Audio Only• Point and Click

CONSUMER CAMERAS

Basic Consumer Camera Use

• Tailored to Automatic Function • Records to SD Card or DV Tape• May have Audio Inputs for external microphones.

DSLR CAMERAS

Basic DSLR Camera Use

• Can take both stills and video.• Interchangeable lenses.• In camera audio and inputs forexternal microphones.• No auto focus in video mode.• Cinematic video quality (Low depth of field)• Shoots to various memory cards. (No tape)

PRO-SUMER CAMERAS

Basic Pro-Sumer Camera Use

• Usually larger – closer to professional size.• Automatic and Manual features.• Line or XLR Audio Inputs

LIGHTING

Plan your shoot based on Light.

• What light sources are available?• Attempt to use as much natural and available light as possible.• What is the focus of your shot?• How can you use light to draw attention to it?• Aperture – controls how much light reaches the camera.

EXPOSURE Overexposed Underexposed

- Too much light - Not enough light

- Highlights “Blown Out” - Shadows “Crunched”

AUDIO

The most overlooked aspect of filmmaking!

• Consider outside noises (fridges, traffic etc.)• Don’t shoot in the wind if you don’t have a wind sock• Camera’s with audio input vs. those without. added accessory.• Mircrophones are built into most cameras• Clip on Microphones (for interviews) can be an

NARRATION

Definiton of narrate: to tell (as a story) in detail; also: to provide spoken commentary for (a movie or television show)

• Breath-control • Diction• Enunciation• Inflection• Intonation• Pronunciation• Pacing

INTERVIEW SKILLS

Direct the Interview Subject to :

• Speak in clear, complete sentences• Take a break between ideas• Include the question as part of the answer• Where to look (eyeline)

DIRECTING SCENES AND ACTORS

Be mindful of the following:

• Continuity – Shots should follow a chronology to avoid editing errors (ex. A cup can’t be full in one shot and half full in another)• Shot list – Make sure you’re getting each shot you’ve planned for and there is enough time alloted to shoot.• Pre-Viz – refer to the planning you did before shooting. Did you make a storyboard? • Blocking – Just like in theatre the action in a scene needs to be choreographed

DIRECTING SCENES AND ACTORS

Be mindful of the following:

• The Rule of Thirds – It is aesthetically pleasing to frame your shots using spacing in “thirds” of the frame. For instance you can have somone take up the centre of the frame, leavin two empty thirds on either side.• Head Room – Don’t chop off anyones head by framing too low. Likewise, don’t leave too much room from a persons head to the top of the frame. Find a pleasing amount of room and frame for that.• Rehearsl – Go through the blocking, dialgue, any major action BEFORE it’s time to shoot, to avoid doing a million takes.

APPLYING WHAT WE’VELEARNED

EXERCISE:

• Using the Cameras we’ve just studied, record a mock interview or dramatic scene from a movie• Practice the interview or scene directing skills previously discussed.