Transcript Lab Video Tips - Drexel University

Lab Video Tips
Things to watch out for
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Firehosing
Snapshooting
Headhunting
Backlighting
Motorzooming
Upstanding
Jogging
Firehosing
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Move the camera to follow action but not
to change subjects
Move the camera only once per shot
Hold starting shot for several seconds,
move, then hold ending shot
Snapshooting
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Roll camera at least 5 seconds before the
start of action and at least 5 seconds after
it ends
Record at least 5 seconds of action
Continue to record at least 5 seconds after
the action ends
Headhunting
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Use rule of thirds and place subject on
lines of imaginary tick-tack-toe board
If the subject is looking or moving left put
it on the right side of the screen to allow
the audience to see what is in front of it
Backlighting
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Avoid placing your subject on a bright
background or they will be a dark
silhouette
To counter this you may change the angle
on the subject, zoom in on the subject, or
adjust the exposure setting
Motorzooming
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Do not zoom more that once per shot
Only zoom if you intend to emphasize
what you are zooming toward
If you only intend to change the apparent
size of the subject use a snap zoom or
edit the zoom out
Upstanding
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Shooting every shot from eye level can
become monotonous
Pick the angle that works best for the
subject
Get shots from the point of view of the
subject
Jogging
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Use a tripod or monopod when possible
Use the image stabilization feature if your
camera has one
Following a moving subject will help cover
any shaking caused by moving a camera
Keep elbows and knees bent while walking
Referances
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The Three C’s of Shooting to Edit; Jim
Stinson
Videomaker, November 2002
Camera sinners, Repent; Jim Stinson
Videomaker, September 2002