TIP 6
No
surprises. If you’ve scheduled an
interview let everyone know immediately, don’t
wait until the night before:
wait until the night before:
ring
Hello
Don’t forget the interview we have lined up for tomorrow.
The what?!
The interview. And don’t forget the equipment.
Equipment?!
The equipment. I’ll meet you there at noon.
Meet me where?! When?!
You know, you really should get your hearing checked. See you there.
click
TIP 7
Schedule the
use of video and audio equipment ahead of time. You cannot expect to walk in
the door and get equipment without notice. Every group needs 1 class period to
learn the equipment and another period to practice with it. Will it be interior
or exterior, a sit down interview and person on the street; at night or during
the day. The equipment you will be given will be tailored to your shoot.
! You must go through the equipment lesson or you will not be given equipment !
You must return your equipment on the assigned day and time. If you do not then your ability to check out equipment could be taken away or severely limited. DON’T BE LATE.
TIP 8
! You must go through the equipment lesson or you will not be given equipment !
You must return your equipment on the assigned day and time. If you do not then your ability to check out equipment could be taken away or severely limited. DON’T BE LATE.
TIP 8
If you
are planning on shooting, make sure all persons at the location where you are
shooting are aware that there will be a camera present. Nothing turns people
off more than the surprise of not knowing they will be on camera. Prepare
them.
TIP 9
TIP 9
Always
call to reconfirm your appointments with your subjects approximately 24 hours
before the scheduled time. Many people are busy and a simple reminder will more
than likely assure you that your subject will be there for you at the right
time and place.
Never just show up without scheduling an appointment. The only exception is impromptu interviews with persons on the street, public spaces. etc.
TIP 10
Never just show up without scheduling an appointment. The only exception is impromptu interviews with persons on the street, public spaces. etc.
TIP 10
Inquire
of your organization to find out if they have material (photos, videos, paper
products such as pamphlets etc.) that would be beneficial to your group
project. Ask them and they may come through. You could use this material in
your video, book and group presentation.
remember: Always offer to make copies of the material. You really don't want to hold on to an original unless it is the only way to use these resources.
know: If you receive media resources from your organization, ask about the format Quicktime file, photo on paper etc.). In class we will determine if the loan of materials is relevant and useable.
TIP 11
remember: Always offer to make copies of the material. You really don't want to hold on to an original unless it is the only way to use these resources.
know: If you receive media resources from your organization, ask about the format Quicktime file, photo on paper etc.). In class we will determine if the loan of materials is relevant and useable.
TIP 11
No matter
who you are filming, no matter where you are filming, no matter why you are
filming, you need to get IMAGE RELEASES from everyone that will be on camera,
WITH ONE EXCEPTION:
If you are shooting a large group of people in a space or defined area (such as a meeting room or a picnic area in a park, etc.) where it would be difficult to have all attendees sign individual releases, and the organizer of this gathering (it could be you) agrees, post the PUBLIC GROUP RELEASE (available in the Resource Box) in very conspicuous places so all who enter will see it. This form states that once a person enters this space they have consented to have their likeness and the proceedings recorded and used for non-commercial purposes.
Make sure you always have releases with you when you're out shooting (print them out well before you need them and keep them with you). If you encounter someone who will not agree to sign the form explain to him or her that it is a school project and will not be shown outside of school and that it is for a good cause. If they decline then find someone else to record.note: You do not need to obtain releases during your fact finding and initial (off camera) interviews unless you think there is a chance that that you will shoot and use the footage in your final PSS project.
If you are shooting a large group of people in a space or defined area (such as a meeting room or a picnic area in a park, etc.) where it would be difficult to have all attendees sign individual releases, and the organizer of this gathering (it could be you) agrees, post the PUBLIC GROUP RELEASE (available in the Resource Box) in very conspicuous places so all who enter will see it. This form states that once a person enters this space they have consented to have their likeness and the proceedings recorded and used for non-commercial purposes.
Make sure you always have releases with you when you're out shooting (print them out well before you need them and keep them with you). If you encounter someone who will not agree to sign the form explain to him or her that it is a school project and will not be shown outside of school and that it is for a good cause. If they decline then find someone else to record.note: You do not need to obtain releases during your fact finding and initial (off camera) interviews unless you think there is a chance that that you will shoot and use the footage in your final PSS project.
BE SURE TO PRESENT THE RELEASES TO YOUR SUBJECTS BEFORE YOU START
SHOOTING. THIS WAY THEY WILL NOT FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVED AND IT IS LESS
LIKELY THAT YOU WILL FORGET TO GET THEM SIGNED AFTER THE FACT.
If you find that you've forgotten the image releases, you can always go back later and ask for them to be signed post-shooting.
TIP 12
If you find that you've forgotten the image releases, you can always go back later and ask for them to be signed post-shooting.
TIP 12
What is
the most important thing in the camera frame when conducting an interview? The
interviewee. Make sure they are the most prominent thing in the frame. Most
often this means that interviews are done in Close Up shots. Do not put
yourself in the shot unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Let your
subjects tell the story. If you are to be in the shot look professional.
TIP 13
TIP 13
When shooting video avoid situations where there is high contrast
lighting. For instance, if the background of your subject is a bright window or
a large white wall, the camera, if in automatic mode, will expose for the
lighter area and your subject will be underexposed or in silhouette. To avoid
such a situation either move your subject to a more evenly lit area, move the
camera angle to eliminate some or all of the lighter background, or fill your
frame as much as possible with your subject (be careful here as this may
produce a halo around your subject). Don’t be apprehensive to ask your subject
to move position or even locations. They will cooperate, as they too want your
project, especially their part, to look good.
You are given a bounce board. If you are having trouble getting enough light
onto the subject’s face, you will be surprised the amount of light the board
can add if used correctly.
TIP 14
When framing up your shots make sure that you do not allow too much headroom (the space between the top of the subject's head and the top part of the frame). Allowing for too much headroom will shove your interviewee down into the frame and make him or her look squat and unimportant. There are instances for artistic reasons you may wish to frame in a less traditional manner, but generally placing the subject up in the frame is preferable.
TIP 15
B_ROLL – B-roll is video imagery
that is used in the edit to illustrate what is being said during the interviews
and VO’s. Think of it as SEE and SAY. You hear it and you see it. If someone is
talking about how bad Los Angeles traffic is, then show a short clip of bad
traffic. The image helps clarify the communication.
You need tom plan b-roll footage. If you don’t you will forget or not get the best footage possible. Plan on where, when and how you are going to get that traffic shot. If you are taking about shopping at a local farmer’s market, then get shots of people shopping for food at the market; crowd shots, Close-Ups on patrons holding fruit, the exchange of money, etc.
You need tom plan b-roll footage. If you don’t you will forget or not get the best footage possible. Plan on where, when and how you are going to get that traffic shot. If you are taking about shopping at a local farmer’s market, then get shots of people shopping for food at the market; crowd shots, Close-Ups on patrons holding fruit, the exchange of money, etc.
TIP 16
When you start recording each interview, and before you get into your questions, ask your subject to state their name, spell their name and their position or job. Once you have slated this information audibly you can always go back and reference it for records and titling.
TIP 17
When you start recording each interview, and before you get into your questions, ask your subject to state their name, spell their name and their position or job on camera. Once you have slated (recorded) this information audibly you can always go back and reference it for records and titling.
TIP 18
The interviewer (the person your subject is addressing during the interview), should be as close to the camera lens as possible. You want your subject to appear to be speaking directly to the audience. With their eye-line directed toward the lens your audience will be more engaged.
TIP 19
It is generally best to shoot slightly up into the face of your subject if possible. This opens up the face to the camera and the interviewee will appear more open and giving to the audience.
TIP 20
Someone should always be tending to the camera. Don't start recording and then walk away from the camera. You never know when you might need to adjust the frame while the interview is progressing. No one wants to find out the next day that the camera slowly tilted to the floor and was recording a picture of the interviewee's shoes or your subject adjusted his or her position and ended up only half in frame. Tending to the camera at all times keeps it from harm.
Also, keep the tripod pan and tilt slightly loose. If an adjustment has to be made during the interview you want the camera to follow along smoothly and without notice.
TIP 20
Someone should always be tending to the camera. Don't start recording and then walk away from the camera. You never know when you might need to adjust the frame while the interview is progressing. No one wants to find out the next day that the camera slowly tilted to the floor and was recording a picture of the interviewee's shoes or your subject adjusted his or her position and ended up only half in frame. Tending to the camera at all times keeps it from harm.
Also, keep the tripod pan and tilt slightly loose. If an adjustment has to be made during the interview you want the camera to follow along smoothly and without notice.
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