Tips

Plan ahead. Whether the story you are telling is fiction or a documentary, before you start shooting your video sit down and figure out what you want to say, in what order, and how you want to present it through your camcorder. Professional moviemakers often do this by using a storyboard – a series of drawings that look like a comic strip. You can also use a written outline to
determine each step. This will help as you do your shooting and when you do your editing.

Know your camcorder. It’s a good idea to sit down with your camera and determine what it can and can’t do. If you have the manual read it. Otherwise try experimenting with the camcorder’s settings in different conditions.

Lighting. You need to determine how your camcorder reacts to different light settings. Point-and-shoot cameras will generally give good results in daylight and indoors where the lighting is bright. You can enhance indoor shooting by using extra lighting – a desk or floor lamp or even the type of lights carpenters or mechanics use. When you are shooting it’s a good idea to position your subject so sunlight shines over your left or right shoulder. Unless you are doing it for effect, pointing your camera directly into the sun will not provide good results. Indoors it is not a good idea to place your subject in front of a picture window. The rule of thumb is: Be aware of where your light is
coming from and how it is affecting your subject.

  

Sound. In most case you will have to rely on the microphone built into your camcorder. This means you will need to stay fairly close to your subject if you want to pick up dialogue. Shooting outdoors be aware of the wind and background noise. You might have to change your shooting location to get better sound quality.

Composition. The “Rule of Thirds” is useful for composition. Picture the scene through the lens as being divided by lines that form a tic-tac-toe board. Generally try to keep your subject where the line intersect rather than at the center of the frame. For example, if your subject is a person their eyes should be on the top line and they should be centered on the right or left line. Don’t worry if the person’s whole face is inside the frame. The biggest mistake most new videographers make is to stand too far away from their subject.

Keep it steady. If you have access to a tripod. Use it. Even a small tripod on a tabletop can help. If you have to hold the camcorder in your hand avoid sudden movements. Keep motion shots fluid rather than jerky.

Hold the shot. Take video in 10- to 20-second shots. This will seem like a long time when you are shooting, but will give you good material to work with when you begin editing.

Have fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different camera angles and an imaginative story line. Try different light setting, backgrounds and animation techniques. Use your library to research how films are made and different methods used by professional filmmakers.