Friday, January 9, 2009

Strategies to Shoot a Video

By SFXsource

You don't have to be a professional to start making short films and videos. No matter what kind of camera you have, these tips will help you create professional looking videos. A lot of what you do to make a fantastic video is in post-production, however, you will absolutely need some well-shot footage. First, figure out what you want to document. Find an interesting person to make a short film about. Leave the tripod behind, use a steady hand, and go off on an adventure.

1. Don't move the camera. You don't need to move the camera to capture movement. Hold the camera still and don't feel like you need to follow the movement. Later on you may want to pan the camera, if you have a steady hand.

2. A close up shot is key. It draws attention to the action and engages the viewer. This is no time to be shy- get the camera right next to that person's face.

3. Film over the person's shoulder. With this shot, you can make the viewer feel like they are right there in the action. If the person moves in and out of the frame, that's okay.

4. An overview shot will tie in the previous shots- take a step back and get all the action in one frame. Walk around (not while you are recording) and get shots from all around.

5. The previous shots are the most critical, but after you get those, feel free to experiment with different angles. Get on the ground, or shoot from up above. Refrain from "zooming". If you need to get close, move closer.

Generally, you want to hold each shot for 10 seconds. Don't be afraid to follow your instincts, and capture what catches your eye. When you are done, you will have a dynamic film with different shots.

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