V I D E O   P R O D U C T I O N   T I P S  

Here are some helpful hints for producing your video: 

PREPARE THE VIDEO TAPE
Unwrap your video tapes and label them before you begin shooting.
Fast forward the tape to the end and then rewind the tape again 
once before using it if possible.

Record a few minutes of blackness (with the lens cover on) before 
starting your actual shooting. This will keep anything from being 
lost if it is too close to the beginning.

When you begin recording wait 10 or 15 seconds before starting 
the action so that nothing gets cut off.

USE PLENTY OF LIGHTING TO GIVE A GOOD IMAGE
This is the single most important element which can make or break 
your video production. Don't depend on normal lighting. What looks 
acceptable to your own eye might not even be visible to a camcorder. 
Use bright video lights if possible.

Video lights are bright and take some getting used to. They can also 
heat up the room and make your actors sweat if the light is directly 
on them. You may need to turn the lights off and have a short break 
if the crew gets too uncomfortable.

One or two video lights may be enough. If the room is not large you 
can put up one light on a stand and aim it up toward the ceiling. 
The light will reflect back from the ceiling and illuminate the room. 
Try one light first, then add another if your image is not evenly lit. 

You can also even out your scene by using some reflective material 
such as a bed sheet or other fabric. But keep this away from the 
light as it may burn.  Aluminum foil is a good reflective material.

Otherwise use whatever you can but realize that you will need a 
great deal of light in order to capture a good image. 

Notes for using video lights:
Turn them on one at a time, not all at once or you could blow a fuse.

Do not move a video light while it is on. Turn the light off first 
and wait 15 seconds before moving it. 

If you need to change a bulb...
Do not touch bulbs with your bare hands. If the light has been on 
it will be extremely hot. Wait a few minutes for it to cool and then 
use some kind of gloves. Oil from hands and fingers can also affect 
how the bulbs work and shorten their life.

USE AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE FOR GOOD SOUND QUALITY
The built-in microphone on a camcorder will often pick up sounds 
that you don't want, such as the sound of the camcorder motor or the 
zoom lens as it moves.

Use an external microphone if possible, such as a clip-on "lavalier" 
microphone. One clip-on microphone might do if your characters will 
be close together.

Note that the power cord for the camcorder may cause a buzzing in 
your sound if it comes near the microphone cord or touches it.

MONITOR THE AUDIO QUALITY WITH HEADPHONES
Use headphones if possible. If the camcorder has a headphone jack 
you can use personal stereo type headphones, such as those for a 
cassette or CD player. That way you can monitor the sound and 
hear that the microphone is working before you start recording.

USE A TRIPOD FOR A STEADY PICTURE
Use a tripod if possible, especially on your main camera. 

Practice any camera moves before you start recording so that you 
will be comfortable using the camcorder during the actual shooting. 

You may have to tighten down one or more controls on the tripod to 
prevent the camcorder from tilting forward or backward when no one 
is operating it.

FOCUS MANUALLY - AVOID AUTOFOCUS
If the camcorder has a manual focus you will want to use it. This is 
because an automatic focus will sometimes automatically un-focus at 
the wrong time.

You can zoom in to a closer shot of your subject and lock the focus, 
or turn the autofocus off. Then when you zoom out to your regular 
shot it will be in focus. And it should still be in focus if you 
zoom in to your close shot once again. If your subject changes 
position you may need to repeat this procedure. 

You can often just zoom in, turn the autofocus on for a moment, and 
then turn it off again once the image is sharp. This may take a few 
minutes practice but is time well spent.

When shooting indoors...
SET WHITE BALANCE FOR INDOOR LIGHTING
You will want to use the setting which is appropriate for indoor lighting.
This is often represented by the symbol of a lightbulb.

When shooting outdoors...
SET WHITE BALANCE FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING
You will want to use the setting which is appropriate for outdoor lighting.
This is often represented by the symbol of the sun.

USE TWO CAMCORDERS
Two cameras (like two heads) are better than one.

Use AC power (rather than batteries) if using two camcorders.
Turn Them On and Leave Them Running. This will save much time in editing 
as all action in the video can be synchronized between the two cameras.  

Make sure that both cameras are set to the same White Balance setting.

THINGS TO AVOID
Avoid strong contrasts such as very light objects and very dark objects 
in the same picture. You can even out some of the harsh contrasts and 
shadows by repositioning your lights.

Keep light sources out of your picture completely if you can, such as 
lamps or video lights. Be aware of mirrors and other reflective surfaces.

Avoid zooming in or out too much. Do this only when really necessary.

Keep windows to the outside out of the frame. Close the curtains or 
pull the blinds. This is because the difference in color between the 
indoor lighting and the natural light coming from outside might look 
wrong and could be noticeable.

Good luck on your next video project!

Albert Shroyer

For assistance write: INFO@Studio23Prod.com
or call: 925-935-0867.

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Copyright © 2002 Albert P. Shroyer. All rights reserved.