Kyle MacDonald

First Edition

SFPTV

1Introductionto Filming

In  this  chapter:

Sec/on  1:  Filming  Procedure                Sec/on  2:  Se:ng  Up

View our Activity page on the prep website sfponline.org

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main contact for questions: Kyle MacDonald

kyle.macdonald@stfrancisprep.org

Our Studio is located on East Top (right outside the hall)Next door to the programming office

Room N204

Our Site: sfptv.org

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Everything we do, there is a right way to do it and the wrong way to do it. That’s why we have instructions or manuals, basically guides on how to do things the right way.

Here at SFPTV, we have a filming procedure. This is to ensure filming gets done the right way. Read our filming procedure carefully. Make sure you understand it and know how to follow it correctly. Below is the entire procedure. In this unit, the filming procedure will be used greatly. It will be referenced to in every part of the filming process.

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SFPTV FILMING PROCEDURE:

The Camera:1a. make sure that the camera has a sd card (that has space) and a battery ( that is charged)1b. filter the light by holding a sheet of white paper in front of the camera and white balancing itBefore Filming:2a. set up tripod check that when the camera is on it the cam-era is facing the right way..if using the big tripod check that the bubble level located under the camera mount is centered. (while the tripod legs are at the lowest it could be)

2b. adjust the tripod to the height and make sure that all the legs are at the same height and not unleveled (using the big tri-pod if it was leveled in step 2a(b) then you could use the bubble to check if it is leveled.

3a. plug in the microphone and your headphone to the right slots if you are filming anchors. 

Section 1

Filming Procedure

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3b.if you are not filming anchors then just start recording the audio dosnt matter if you are not recording anchors or interview-ing.

4. once you have checked that the microphones are working then you could start recording but make sure that there is no background noise. When Recording If you are not reccording any audio then your ready to go.If you are recording with audio then make sure that when you are recording that there is no loud noise that can mess up the audio .

After Recording If you where NOT recording anything that needs audio then re-turn the camera to the studio and if it needs to be charged charge it if you do not know where to put it to charge then ask someone to put it for you. If you where recording things with audio (anchors interviews ect..) then go over the recording on a computer to make sure that the audio is fine the people in it look fine and the lighting is fine. if that is good you should check that you finished your agenda and there is nothing else to record. Before everyone

leaves, check all the footage. if something is messed up then go do it over again.

This is an overall of the filming procedure. Specific details re-garding specific parts will be discussed later on in the chapters.

Chapter 1 Section 1 Review - Answer the following:

1) What is the purpose of the filming procedure?

2) TRUE OR FALSE: Camermen only have to wear head-phones if they wish.

3) What do you do post-filming?

4) How do you properly setup a tripod?

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Tripod: Check that when the camera is on it the camera is fac-ing the right way..if using the big tripod check that the bubble level located under the camera mount is centered. (while the tri-pod legs are at the lowest it could be) Adjust the tripod to the height and make sure that all the legs are at the same height.

Use the headphones to make sure you can hear what the an-chors are saying. Make sure you plug in the microphone and headphones to the right slots. they are labeled.

Once you have checked that the microphones are working then you could start recording but make sure that there is no back-ground noise. This is why you must wear headphones to en-sure the audio is good quality.

Section 2

Setting Up Preparing to FilmBefore  you  start  filming,  you  must  set  up.    For  typical  filming,  you  need  the  following:

• Camera  and  Headphones

• Sd  Card  with  storage  to  film  on:  when  you  plug  in  the  sd  card,  the  camera  usually  tells  you  how  much  recording  >me  is  le?.  Make  sure  that  >me  is  efficient.  

• Charged  BaCery-­‐  make  sure  it  has  all  3  bars!  If  one  is  dead,  charge  it!    Find  one  that  works.  

• Tripod  

• Microphone(s)-­‐  depending  on  how  many  are  being  filmed.  

• Proper  Ligh>ng-­‐  Especially  for  green  

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We have a microphone splitter, to plug We have a microphone splitter, to plug multipule mics into one camera. Sometimes this is not avalible. If you are filming more than one person, you have 2 options:

1) Alternate. Even in the intro and outro. Film one person at a time, so every recording there is a mic being used.

2) Film at the same time, but have anchors talk loudly and clearly.

As the photographer, this is your call. Check with the supervisor for their opinion as well..

White balancing: If the camera ever looks off, white balance it. You should do this regularly. See the tutorial video on how to do this properly. Link to video

White balancing defines the color white to the camera.

MOVIE 1.1 White Balance Tutorial

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Chapter 1 Section 2 Review - Answer the following:

1) List three things you need before filming. Briefly describe how to set it up.

2) How do you check if the microphone is working?

3) Provide a solution for the following problem:

You are filming anchors. There are 2. But the microphone splitter is missing. What do you do?

4) What does white balancing the camera do?

5) In which setting is proper lighting crucial?

2 In this chapter, you will learn proper techniques on filming in 3 sections: news, sports, and entertainment.

Filming

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The green screen is usually used for anchors. In news and sports, the camera is usually set in a specific spot and not moved around. So make sure the tripod is locked in placed.

As the one filming, its important to make sure the ones in front of the camera are standing straight, and speaking loudly/clearly enough. Don’t be afraid to tell them if there doing something wrong!

From behind the camera, make sure you have a good field of view, basically you can see everything clearly, with nothing cut off.

Entertainment is the same, but you probably will use a boom mic and moving the camera around. Make sure to hold it as steady as you can.

Section 1

Filming News, Sports, and EntertainmentIt is always crucial to follow the filming procedure.

Both news and sports have anchors. At SFPTV, we usually have two anchors per episode/segment.

Now that you have everything setup, your ready to film. While the tech parts are taken care of, you need to make sure whoever is on camera is ready. We make scripts (see chapter ). Sometimes the photographer can get the script beforehand, and put it into a teleprompter iPad app. There are many great free ones, so consider doing that, to make sure filming goes smoothly and quickly, with-out anytime being wasted.

The following are some tips to help make a better production.

Pre-production-purpose of the video

-script: whats going to be said? Include narration, description of shots, time/date of filming, and location

-storyboards

-equipment available: make sure what you need is there.

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Production-Framing and composition: be aware of your surroundings, move things as needed.

-Headroom: dont leave too much space above the subjects head, or too little.

-Rule of Thirds

1/3 of the frame should be above the eyes.

1/3 of the frame should be face and shoulders.

1/3 of the frame should be lower torso.

-Lighting: Check indoor lighting conditions first, add more light-ing if needed/possible.

Filming outdoors? Check the time and weather.

Noon: Bright light, high exposure, no shadows.

Morning/Afternoon: Direct light, heavy shadows.

Overcast: No direct light or shadow, dull.

Section 2

Shooting Video Tips

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-Sound Detachable microphones are desirable for best sound quality.

Using the camera’s mike?

Check for background noise before shooting (traffic, ventilation, nearby crowds).

Stay close to your subject.

Subject should speak loud and clearly.

No noise from the crew - Quiet on the set!

-Shooting: Use a tripod for stability.

Shoot at least 15 seconds of “dummy tape” before and after scenes.

Try to shoot in-sequence.

Keep a video log of recorded scenes in order to organize foot-age easily.

Use a variety of shots – multiple perspectives and angles.

Try multiple takes of the same scene, adjusting the shot slightly.

Film more than just your subject, get the background.

-Things to avoid:

1) Breaking the 180° plane.

2) Using the same composition for every shot.

3) Too many differing shots and angles.

4) Extreme close ups or wide shots.

5) Excessive panning or zooming.

6) Shooting too much.

Post-productionEditing Clips

Know your footage. Use your video log or create one for your raw footage.

Avoid jump cuts. Different scenes should be easily distin-guished.

Be tasteful in using titles and transitions.

Adjust lighting and sound as much as possible. Bad footage is bad footage.

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Chapter 2 Section 2 Review - Answer the following:

1) What does the rule of thirds state?

2) During which part of the day are heavy shadows while filming outside?

3) Around how much “dummy tape” should you get before and after?

4) TRUE OR FALSE: You should avoid using a variety of shots.

5) Besides narration, what else should you include in a script?

INTERACTIVE 2.1 Shooting Video Tips PPT

3 In this chapter, you will learn everything you need to know on what to do after filming.’

3.1- Storing Equipment

3.2- Transferring Footage

Post-Filming

Putting Things “away”

When your done filming, it is crucial to put everything back where it belongs. If you dont, things will always be missing and no one will know where anything is. This will lead to problems!!

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CamerasWhen your done filming, remove the camera from the tripod. Either leave the tripod to the side, or fold it up so it isnt in the way. But if someone else is using it after, just leave it.

Always charge the battery when your done. It might show 3 bars, but next time you use it, it will go right down to 1 bar. So charge it. Make sure its charging, by looking for either a red light if charging through the camera, or a red/orange light on the wall-battery charger.

Now, the SD card. This has the footage you need. So make sure you remove it only when the camera is off. All sd cards must be accompanied by a computer or camera. When there not in use, they go in the box which is in the top drawer in the desk with the iMac. The next section will go over getting foot-age off.

For microphones and other equipment, fold up wires neatly, without tangling them. Make sure all equipment is away in the cabinet.

Each camera has a bag. In the bag should contain the camera, an SD card in the camera, a battery, and charger. Make sure these are properly stored. For USB card readers and splitters, make sure they go in the file cabinet, or the desk drawer, not left out in the open.

Section 1

Properly Storing Equipment

When your done filming, it is important to get that footage onto a computer ASAP. Why? To prevent it from getting lost!

Sometimes it can seem complicated finding the footage, and sometimes it is. But its easy if you know how to correctly do it. It depends if your on a Mac or Pc.

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On a MacOn a Mac, you put the SD card in the computer. On the iMac, make sure you put it in the card reader not the disc drive!

Through finder, click the SD card. You click the Private folder, then AVCHD. A Quicktime window will come up. Scroll all the way to the bottom for the most recent footage. Holding com-mand, select each clip you want, then press open. Watch them to ensure there good. For each one, manually click File- Export as movie. Save it to the proper location and label it accordian-gly. For example, question of the week: QOW1, QOW 2, etc.

On a PCFor most of our PC’s in the studio, we have USB card readers. If one isnt at your computer, ask someone, there usually in the top drawer on the desk with the iMac. Navigate to my com-puter, open the SD card, go to private, and stream. Again, se-lect the ones you want, copy them to a easily accesiable loca-tion, and label them properly.

Now leave it to the editors!

Section 2

Transfering Footage

4 Enough of behind the scenes, lets get to actually being on SFPTV!

4.1- Script Writing

4.2- Action!

4.3- After being Filmed

Being on Camera

Director Of Scripts

Yasmeen Qureshi -

Yasmeen.qureshi@stfrancisprep.org

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Writing a Good ScriptMost of the time, we follow the three S’s. Short, Simple, and Sweet. Get to the point, say whats important, and say it in a good way.

Most scripts are written for news, so what the anchors will say. Its also important to note the date of filming, and label the parts.

Make sure it includes all the important info, for example for an event, the date, time, location, ticket prices, etc.

The best way to label anchors is A1/A2 A1 on the left, A2 on the right.

On the next page is an example of a good script.# #

Section 1

Script Writing

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Anchor Script

 

Intro:

A1- Good morning SFP Terriers, and welcome to another edi-tion of SFPTV! I’m ____________.

A2- And I’m __________. Here are today’s announcements.

 

Concert for Beginning Music Students:

The concert for beginning music students is tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

 

NHS Induction:

Congratulations to all the students who were inducted into the National Honors Society yesterday.

 

Question of the Week:

And now here’s Question of the Week.

 

Online Course Registration:

Online course registration for the upcoming school year will open for all grade levels of January 29th and will close for all levels on February 4th.

*created by Yasmeen Qureshi*

See, how she got right to the point, it sounds good and includes all the information needed to know whats going on.

Now we will see the Powerpoint Writing Scripts and News Sto-ries. Make sure to note key information.

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Writing Scripts and News Stories PowerPoint

Section 4.1 Project:

Journalist Activity Project

Find a story in a newspaper, magazine or other reliable source and try to tell the whole story in a few sentences:

-What kind of information do you have to cut out?

-What are the key ideas?

Make sure to include the link if using a website.

Submit to schoology.

INTERACTIVE 4.1

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Section 4.1 Homework:

Writing an Interview Script

Read the following article - link below:

Write some thoughts about how you would get more detailed in-formation about the article. Generate some interview questions you would ask one involved or a witness if you had the chance.

“Australlian Wildfires Tore through their town”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2259468/Australia-wildfires-Moment-terrified-family-forced-refuge.html

Submit to schoology.

5 5.1- Editing News

5.2- Using the Green Screen

5.3- Making Credits

5.4- Creating Commercials

Making it all Happen - Editing