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Video Viewfinder
Keith Kyker and Christopher Curchy
Summer Shooting Assignment
Welcome to Video Viewfinder. In each issue, we'll explore the dynamic field or school-based video production. Both column writers (Keith and Chris) are Florida media educators who have vast experience in school video production. Topics like audio, lighting, and school news shows will all be covered with a special emphasis on simple, easy-to-learn techniques that will improve the programs produced by you and your students.
But summer's finally here. Let's step away from the classroom and the media center and think about our well-earned vacation. We can take a hiatus from research classes, overdue notices and blown projector bulbs. It's time to rest, relax, and yes, explore those areas of media education that we just don't have time for during the regular school year. There's no better time to learn about your school's video equipment than over the summer.
Take it Home!
Before closing the equipment room door
for the last time this school year, grab the camcorder and the manual. A few
days into your vacation, as you've settled into a routine of waking after
sunrise and enjoying the morning newspaper, pull out the camcorder and its
manual. With the power on, and the manual open, begin investigating your
camcorder. Spend a few minutes investigating each function. You'll probably be
pleasantly surprised at the various tasks your camcorder can perform. Especially
look for the following functions:
- Switch from automatic to manual focus.
- Find the quickest way to remove the "time/date" from your video.
- Find out how to connect your camcorder directly to a television.
- Learn how to fade-in and fade-out.
- Learn how to change or select the white balance setting.
The last function - changing or selecting the proper white balance setting - is probably the most important and most overlooked feature of any camcorder. White balancing a camcorder improves the camcorder's color performance. Have you ever videotaped in a classroom illuminated with fluorescent lights? The picture on your television screen has a bluish tint. The same effect is produced when shooting under incandescent light (regular light bulbs.) The picture has a reddish tint. White-balancing the camera can solve both of these problems. Basically, when you white balance, you're showing the camcorder the color "white," which is actually the presence of all colors of light. After seeing "white," the camcorder adjusts itself to give accurate color reproduction. White balancing varies among camcorder manufactures, so make sure to consult your manual. Some manuals will ask you to hold a white piece of paper in front of the lens as you push a button. These procedures produce the best white balancing. Other camcorders don't offer that option. Instead they give you a choice of "indoor" or "outdoor" button. Or perhaps you'll be presented with two icons in the viewfinder - a light bulb and a sunshine. Whatever the process, make sure to learn how to white balance your camcorder, and plan to teach this skill to your video production students in the fall.
Ready, Aim, Shoot!
Now that you've learned more about your
camcorder, go out and make some tape. Here are some great places to practice
your videography skills:
- a summer party,
- a baseball or softball game,
- a supermarket produce section,
- a city park or playground,
- a pet show,
- an amusement park or zoo.
As you begin making tape, think of yourself as a professional videographer. You've been assigned the task of documenting this event for a local television station. You won't have time to edit the tape when you get back to the studio, so make every shot count. By adopting this strategy, you can focus (no pun intended) on videography as a skill.
Here are some tips as you begin making your summer video project.
- Follow a shooting sequence. Begin each project with an establishing shot, which shows the viewer the setting for the video project. Then shoot a medium shot which further establishes the setting at a closer distance. Then continue with a series of five or six close-ups and medium shots. Finally, conclude with a shot that tells the whole story: The ball team celebrating, for example. Hold each shot for 8-10 seconds.
- Avoid panning (side-to-side camera movement). Eliminating unnecessary "pans" from your video is the first step in improving your videography. Pans should be used for only two purposes: (1) to follow action, such a panning to videotape a softball player rounding the bases, or (2) to emphasize vastness, such as panning across a full shopping mall parking lot. If you decide to pan, just pan in one direction. Panning to the left, then continuing the shot by panning back to the point of origin, is a definite no-no!
- Don't over-use the zoom lens. When possible, zoom all the way out to the "wide" setting, and walk to your shot. This will greatly improve camera steadiness, and provide you with a great summer workout at the same time!
- Don't plan to edit. Treat each press of the record button as an important shot. Very few schools have the time and equipment to edit every small video project.
- Try interesting camera angles. Don't shoot everything with the camcorder on your shoulder. Try kneeling or holding the camcorder at waist level. Tilt the camera at a 45-degree angle. Learn to adjust your camcorder's viewfinder to accommodate these techniques.
Critically view your projects. Make mental notes on improving the next assignment.
Finally, plan to make lots of tape. The best way to become a better videographer and a better media production teacher is to practice the task yourself. Video production is a rewarding hobby and a fun skill to teach. Take a few hours this summer to learn more about this exciting educational opportunity.
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