Here is where you'll find useful information on getting started as well as downloable materials for your shoot.

 

Getting Started

Talk over your shoot with your other team members and make sure everyone of you is clear on what shots you need to take for your shoot. It helps if you have your storyboard prepared with you, that way it serves as a guide to know what shots you need and that way you won't miss out on any shots or scenes.

Think about what's going to look good visually and how your shots are going to come together sequencially.

 

Must Have's and Must Do's

Before shooting:

Check to make sure the batteries are fully charged before you start.

Check that the camera and tripod is in good working condition.

If you are using microphones, make sure to test it out before you start shooting also check for sound feed using headphones connected to the camera

 

When shooting:

It is very important that you bring along your COMPLETED storyboard as well as your script. A storyboard is a very useful guide to keep track the shots and the type of shots and scenes needed for your shoot.

Think before you shoot and don't waste tape. Be aware of what you're shooting and when the tape is rolling. Don't roll tape (record) unless you're taking a shot.

For example, don't record when you're changing from one shot to another of focusing. Wait until you have the shot then you record. That way you save alot of time when you are exporting into the editing software. You don't need to go through an hour long tape with alot of junk to find the 20 minutes of shots you want.

Hush up when you shoot!

When you press the record button, hush up already!

keep in mind that when the camera is rolling, it picks up all the ambient sound not just what you are shooting at. And you won't be able to separate the unwanted audio out in the editing process.

Don't talk while the camera is rolling, either to yourself or with other members of your team, and no humming!

this is especially important when you're shooting natural sound such as noise of a busy street or a nature scene, where the sound is important.

 

Hold Your Shots

Hold your shots for at least 15 seconds, before you pan, zoom
or go into another shot. That way you'll be sure you have enough video of a scene to work with later when you do your editing. Remember that you can always take a 15-second clip and make it a 2-second clip during editing , but you can't take a 2-second clip and make it into a 15-second clip.

 

1. Be aware of the time. Most digital video batteries last for less than 2 hours. And even less if you use the video monitor screen.

3. Look at what you're shooting through the video monitor at least in the beginning. And make sure your view is exactly straight-on--looking at the screen at an angle can distort colors and color levels.

5. Use a tripod if possible. Practice with the tripod beforehand. If you can't use a tripod, lean against something or place the camera on something.

 

Try to change point and/or angle of view after every shot. Look for interesting perspectives.
Don't shoot everything from eye level - it's boring.
Especially try shots where you hold your camera close to the ground and shoot up toward your subject. The small size of digital video cameras makes these shots very easy to take.
For example, if you're shooting a scene like people walking on a sidewalk, hold the camera low to show their feet moving, rather than straight-on shots of their faces.

Or if you're shooting someone working at a computer terminal, take one shot from over their shoulder, then another that is a close-up of their hands and fingers using the keyboard and mouse, then a shot from over the person's other shoulder, then a low angle shot looking up at them and then a facial shot.
Or hold your camera above your head to get a different perspective on a scene.

Do a close up shot, because that often provides a more intimate view of a person. This is especially important with video on the Web, because the video viewers use small windows and wide-angle shots won't display much detail.
Don't just rely on zooms to get these different perspectives - move the camera closer or farther away.
If you take shots from these different perspectives, when you edit your video you'll be able to put together a sequence of 4- or 5-second shots of your subject, rather than one 20-second shot from a single perspective.