5 Tips for the New Event Videographer Discover Videography techniques used by
professional Videographers......made easy!
http://www.VideoLane.comBy Adrian Lee, 4 October 2012
After this presentation, your videos will never be the same again...
...even on a camera phone.
Who is Adrian Lee?
Never heard of him!
1985-1991: Electronics Specialist
In the Navy, I serviced and maintained sophisticated computers and electronic display devices. This was the only time I used my skill as an Electonics Graduate.
1991-1995: Sales Engineer
My role at Panasonic Singapore, Broadcast Division, was to promote and sell video production equipment to TV stations and production houses. This is where I picked up corporate marketing knowledge.
1995-1998: Professional Videographer
While working hard to meet sales targets at Panasonic, I thought the people working for the production houses were having fun... making videos. So I joined one of them as a videographer. This is where I got into the creative side of video production.
1998-2006: Wedding Videographer
After mastering the art of videography, I struck out on my own to start a wedding video business. 1998 was when VideoLane.com was born. My first daughter was also born on the same year.
2006-2012: Corporate Videographer
The money was good in wedding. So was my age. Switching to corporate videogaphy means more time with the family. Corporate people want to go home early too! :)
What do Corporate Videographers shoot?
The variety of videos in the corporate world was enough to keep my creative juices flowing. Never a dull moment. Some jobs I work as a team, but for most I work alone.
Seminars Conferences
Workshops
Trainings
Events
Retreats
CeremoniesLaunches
Interviews
Marketing
Corporate
YouTube
Today: Everyone is a Videographer
The video camera is easily available to everyone. Do you have a video camera? Are you shooting videos? If you are, then you are a videographer.
Here are the 5 tips for NEW Videographers
Tip #1:You are the Videographer,NOT the Camera Operator
What's the difference?I am the one shooting
anyway.
The Production Team vs The Videographer
The Camera Operator in a production team knows how to operate the camcorder very well. However, it is the Producer that tells him what to shoot, where to shoot and how to shoot. The VIdeographer makes these decisions himself.
DirectorWriter
ProducerCamera OperatorSound PersonLighting PeopleVideo Editor
Talents
Your Boss
Videographer(YOU)
Tip #2:2 Questions to Ask BeforeMaking an Effective Video
I want to know the right thing to shoot
and at the right time.
Question 1: Who will watch your video?
Once you know who your target audience is, put yourself in their shoes. Know what they want to see. Shoot what they want to see. Don't rely on what you like to see.
Who is the target
audience?Where are they from?
What is their age group?
Question 2: What is the goal of your video?
Now that you know the message of the video, shoot scenes that convey that message. Keep to one message per video. If you have more than one message, make another video.
How do you want the
viewer to feel?
What do you want the viewer
to do?
What is that one message?
Tip #3:Equipment Checklist for the
Event Videographer
I always have a backup for everything.
Checklist: Everything you need and more...
Always carry more than enough. If the event last 4 hours, than bring 8 hours batteries and 8 hours of memory card space.
Camcorder.Batteries.Memory Cards.Video Light. Microphone. Headphones.Tripod.
Tip #4:5 Must-have features
in the Right Video Camera
This is what I look for when buying a new
video camera.
A good camcorder must have these features
There are many other factors involved too. The best way is to test the camera yourself using these 5 features.
Manual FocusManual Exposure/IrisManual ZoomMicrophone InputHeadphones Output
Tip #5:The 6 Core Camcorder Skills
to Shoot Like a Pro
After this lesson, your friends will think your video was shot by a
pro.
CORE SKILL #1: Controls
CORE SKILL #1: Controls
Locate the the manual controls on your camcorder. Look for the zoom control lever. Look for the manual focus switch and control ring or buttons. Look for the exposure/iris controls. Master these 3 controls.
Master these 3 controls:
Manual ZoomManual FocusManual Exposure/Iris
CORE SKILL #2: Support
CORE SKILL #2: Support
For a professional looking video, use a tripod.
Tripod
CORE SKILL #2: Support
If you do not have a tripod, invent one. Trick: Hold the camera with two hands, your arms near your body, stay close to the subject, keep the zoom lens at wide.
Handheld Tricks
● Your body is a natural tripod. ● Lean up against a tree or wall.● Sit on a chair for stability.● Set the camcorder on something solid.● Hold the camcorder against something stable.● Keep the shots steady and avoid jerky motion. ● Wide shots are easier to keep steady.
CORE SKILL #3: Shots
CORE SKILL #3: Shots
Wide shot shows the whole scene, a large background or a person from head to toe. Use in the beginning of a story to tell viewers the location. Good for scenes with a lot of movement or a lot of people.
Wide Shot - Reveals a large background
CORE SKILL #3: Shots
Use the mid shot when you want to present a character. Good for the intention of delivering information. Good for showing hand gestures and movement.
Mid Shot - Reveals a person from waist up
CORE SKILL #3: Shots
Use the close up shot for showing detail, like a person's facial expression. Good for showing reactions, feelings and emotions. Draws viewers in to share subject's personal feelings.
Close-up - Reveals a person from shoulders up
CORE SKILL #4: Angles
CORE SKILL #4: Angles
Use high angle to create a sense of smallness in the subject, decreasing its importance. Makes the subject seem helpless. The camera is placed above the subject and tilted to look down on the subject. Also known as bird's eye view.
High Angle - looking down on a subject.
CORE SKILL #4: Angles
Use low angle to make a subject look important, powerful, or larger than it is to the viewer. The camera is placed near the ground and tilted to look up at the subject. Also known as worm's eye view.
Low Angle - looking up at a subject.
CORE SKILL #5: Framing
CORE SKILL #5: Framing
Divide the frame into nine imaginary sections to create a guide for framing the image. Like a tic-tac-toe board. Important information should be placed at the intersections... The eyes particularly.
Rule of Thirds
CORE SKILL #6: Moves
CORE SKILL #6: Moves
Pan is short for panorama. The move is used for revealing a large view, establishing the setting, relating two separate subjects or following a walking subject.
Pan - Horizontal Movement of the Camera
CORE SKILL #6: Moves
Use the tilt move When a subject is too tall and when you want to emphasize a sense of height.
Tilt -
VerticalMovement
of the Camera
CORE SKILL #6: Moves
Know your zooms, but don't use it too much as overdose will cause headaches. Once you zoom in on the subject, stay for a few seconds before deciding to zoom out again.
Zoom - Simulates the effect of the camera movement toward or away from the subject.
Zoom Out Zoom In
One More Thing...That will make you stand outfrom the other Videographers
Always challenge yourself to be better
than yourself.
Tell great stories
It is no use shooting beautiful images if there is no story to captivate the audience... but that will be another lesson.
Learn the art of story telling with video.
Go Forth and Shoot!
Just like anything else,practice makes perfect.
For more Videography TipsVisit: www.VideoLane.com