What are you using to shoot video?

Workshop Agenda Making your video look good (composition) Shooting interviews - 5 MINUTE BREAK – Shooting rally/event footage Audio Smartphone tips Resources Video Assignment: #NextWave2015 BONUS: Let’s make a smartphone tripod together!

Most important Smart Phone Video rule: Shoot landscape!

Hold the phone horizontally (not vertically like you do when you are talking on it).

Image Composition

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Mix up the perspective.

Mix up the perspective.

Get in close.

Shoot for coverage.

Shoot for coverage.

Hold each shot for at least 10 seconds.

Always stabilize your shot.

This is the Gorilla Pod.

Steadying Your Shot Never, ever handhold an interview. Don’t use built-in zoom. Walk to get closer to your subject.

Choose a simple background.

Avoid mergers. I have a cactus growing out of my head

Don’t crop at the joints.

Think about props (play clip of Herbert Parsons in Memphis).

Think about location.

Think about location.

Consider sound when you pick a location.

Consider light when you pick a location.

You can’t get better than diffused daylight. Ever.

Use a white surface to reflect light.

Magic Hour: early morning

Magic Hour: late afternoon

Silhouettes

Shooting Interviews

Pre-Interview

The Pre-Interview After the pre-interview, script out what you want your subjects to say and use this to form the questions that you ask your subject.

Do not give your subject a script! They will try to memorize it and that never turns out well.

Do not let your subject sit in a chair that moves!

Should the subject look directly at the camera?

Or to the side? Decide before the interview.

Don't agree with your subject verbally. Just nod your head.

Film interviews with lots of light! Do not use the built-in light on your phone

unless you have to. Daylight is always best!

Interacting with your subject Set-up before you interview so that you don’t keep your subject waiting..

Tell them where to look. (At you or at the camera?) Talk to your subject about other things before the interview, make them feel comfortable. Remind them that you are on their team. Give them an idea of what you want them to say if they are having trouble.

If possible, ask subject to wear simple colors, no patterns. AFSCME shirt or no AFSCME shirt?

Interview ProductionTips Make sure that your camera is at least at eye level with your subject, never below. Go somewhere quiet and with lots of light. Choose a simple background. Use something to stabilize your camera. Never shoot interviews handheld.

More Interview Production Tips If you are interviewing more than one person at the same location, change the framing, even if it just means turning around. Don’t forget to get b-roll of the person (footage of their hands, of them doing some other activity).

Get personal with interview questions Instead of asking “Why should we save retirement security?” Ask: -

What are some expenses that you would have to cut out if you lost your pension?

-

How would your life change if your pension was taken away? What is

your biggest fear? -

How will a cut to your pension affect your family?

-

Did you pay into your pension? Tell me about that.

When you subject is finished answering the question tell them to not to look away for a few seconds.

If they look away, they won’t appear as confident.

(interview clip from member Ora - “So you’ll Mae interview in Detroit.) have to cut back a little. We all know that public workers live large.”

Shooting Rally/Event Footage

Tips for Shooting Events Don’t shoot the backs of people’s heads in crowds. Get in front of them.

Always have a subject. Even when shooting crowds. Find someone who is expressive/energetic and stalk them. Be sure to leave the camera on each shot at 5 seconds before and after the action so that you have ‘handles’ to edit with.

More Tips for Shooting Events Get in close to your subject. Get coverage! (WS, CU, EXU, OTS, POV)

Don’t move the camera around. Stay away from pans, zooms, tilts, etc. Don’t walk and shoot.

(Convention 2015 Chicago Cab - “So you’ll Driver Rally Video) have to cut back a little. We all know that public workers live large.”

Audio

Always use an external mic if you can! (Play video clip from Pocket Filmmaker On importance of external mics)

No mic? Get in close to your subject Pay attention to background noises (AC hum, trucks passing by, etc.)

Record interview in small room For voiceovers, have subject speak into fabric

Smartphone Tips

Turn your phone to airplane mode before you start shooting.

Tap and hold your phone to get it to focus, set the exposure and white balance. Keep holding it until it says ‘AE lock.’

Additional Resources

Tutorials Pocket filmmaker (Youtube) Rights-free footage National Archives, search.creativecommons.org, BBC Motion Gallery Fair Use Code of Fair Use for Online Video Smart phone gear: Photojojo Smart phone shooting apps Filmic pro; Almost dslr

Music Resources Vimeo Rights-Free Youtube Rights-Free

Creative Commons Search Freesound.org http://www.mobygratis.com/

Your Video Assignment Interview your fellow Next Wavers about the conference for possible inclusion in the 2015 Highlights Video! Upload your video to Youtube and email the link to [email protected]

Remember to tag your social media content #NextWave2015

Amy Hendrick Interim Digital and Video Director [email protected] afscme.com/videos Youtube.com/afscme