video for reporters
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Shooting videoBasic strategy and editing
GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive
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Access code: 630-956-8834
Agenda
Why shoot video?
Strategy, housekeeping basics
Lighting and composition
Strategy quick tips
Interviewing
Basic editing strategy
Top video ideas
iMovie overview (optional)
AUDIO (877) 411-9748code: 630-956-8834
Why shoot video?
News consumers have increasing video appetitesVideo will consume 90 percent of consumer traffic online this year or next
By 2016, 1.2 million video minutes (more than two years worth) will travel the web every second
Tablet users are more than 3 times more likely to view video than smartphone users; one in 10 tablet users view video daily
Videos drive better time on site, which is good for advertising.
Sources: Cisco and comScore
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Strategy
Focus on short, unedited video30- to 60-second videos are ideal
Plan to shoot what you’re already covering
Unedited or raw video should make up the bulk of your production
Reserve edited video, with multiple shots and B-roll, for special projects
AUDIO (877) 411-9748code: 630-956-8834
Housekeeping
Charge your camera•It should be charging when you’re at the office or home.
Keep a spare card handy •It’s easy to forget one in a card reader.
AUDIO (877) 411-9748code: 630-956-8834
Housekeeping
Steady your shotUse a monopod - it will make your video smoother, more professional.
If you can’t get a monopod, use your environment – desks, trees, fences, etc. to steady your shots.
AUDIO (877) 411-9748code: 630-956-8834
Housekeeping
Get a monopod
“I know what some folks may think, ‘What's the point of a little camera on a big tri-pod?’ Well, yes, it looks odd, but your viewers and critics will thank you. Credibility in this business is measured by a lot of little things and you don't want to lose online video views by always having a poor video of jiggling footage just because your arm gets tired.”
Dominic GenettiJournalist, Hannibal Courier-Post
Housekeeping
Steady your shotIf all else fails – pull it in close
Housekeeping
Report firstDetermine what you want to shoot, and do that last.
Do an edit on cameraDelete what you don’t need before you upload to your computer.
Housekeeping
Don’t talk while shooting•Your viewers will not appreciate your constant verbal prompts
Check your sound quality•Bad sound will ruin a video
Lighting
Don’t backlight your subjectMake sure if you’re interviewing someone, he or she isn’t standing in front of a light or window.
Lighting
Avoid harsh contrastsAvoid shooting in bright sunlight with heavy shadows by moving to a shady location
Composition
Use rule of thirdsDon’t center your subject.
Composition
Employ depth of fieldIf you’re shooting a person, include an object in the background, so the video doesn’t look two-dimensional.
Composition
Avoid always shooting eye-levelIt’s unimaginative and boring.
Try holding your camera above your head.
Composition
Frame the actionLet action happen inside your frame
Don’t move the camera around to follow the ball or the players
Strategy
Capture shots after official eventStaged shots are boring and overdone.
Candid shots tell a better story.
(yuck)
Strategy
Seek bystanders, backgroundDon’t always rely on officials
Flaming building doesn’t tell the whole story
Strategy
Focus on something Crowd shots are good B-roll, but not great standalone
Pick a guest, parade participant, worker, etc.
Interviewing
Make your video interviews look professional
Frame your shots
Rearrange things if necessary
Interviewing
Make your video interviews look professional
Have the person look at you, not the camera.
Shoot the person at a slight angle, not a straight-on shot.
Don’t center your subject.
Interviewing
Make your video interviews look professional
Be aware of the noise your subject makes.
Let them know what questions you’ll ask.
Shoot a couple seconds before the interview starts.
Interviewing
Make your video interviews look professional
If you’re shooting a person, do a head shot, or a full body.
Don’t cut someone off at the knees, and don’t chop off tops of heads.
Editing basics
Background is good B-rollSometimes your subject isn’t the most interesting thing on the scene.
Crowd reactions, spectators can provide color.
“B-roll should advance the story or reflect what the interview subject is saying. TV likes to use the same old shots of emergency lights on the fire truck or police car as a cut-away. Your video should do more.”
Chris YoungPhotographer, Springfield State Journal-Register
Editing basics
Vary your shotsUse some close ups, for interviews or demonstrations
Use medium or wide shots to show the scene.
Editing basics
Think in soundbitesBe selective
Most videos should not be more than one minute long
Don’t over pan or zoomDon’t constantly pan from side to side or zoom in and out.
Get one or two good shots.
Editing basics
Get movementWhen shooting something static, like a building front, try to get people walking around in your shot.
Video ideas
Breaking news
Crime-related
Severe weather, aftermath
Business-related features
Community events
Construction, renovation projects
Sports action, interview
iMovie basics
Toolbars
Selecting clips
Adding lower thirds
Transition
Credit screen
iMovie basics
Toolbars - left
camera import swap events thumbnail size
iMovie basics
Toolbars - centeredit tool unmark
rejectfavorite
voiceover
crop
inspector
iMovie basics
Toolbars - rightphotos
titlesmusic
transitions
maps
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
iMovie basics
GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive
Shooting videoBasic strategy and editing