1. Unit 23: Capture Pictures and Sound for Non-linear Editing
1.1 Identify the function of capturing equipment
Capturing equipment is used to record a moment, either in video or sound. Recording
this moment allows you to view it as many times as you want, or until it is deleted. It
also allows you to put it into editing software and adjust the moment e.g. cutting out
highlights of a long piece of footage or making it look and sound clearer.
1.2 Explain the reasons why materials are captured
There are several reasons why materials would be captured. Some of these are:
 To watch or listen to a moment that has happened in the past
 To put together a song or a video/film
 To edit video/sound to make it look/sound better
1.3 Describe different formats of logs, explaining how they are used
 Video Log – List of videos, scenes, good/bad take etc
 Audio Log – List of audio, duration, good/bad take etc
 Production Log – Production plan, tasks etc
 Edit Log – List of videos/clips to be edited, how it will be done etc
These logs are used to keep track of everything that is being done, what has been
recorded and what has been edited. Makes it easier to track any lost footage
1.4 Explain how to deal with copyright protected materials
The first thing you should do when using materials that you haven’t recorded yourself
is to find out if anyone owns the rights to that material. If someone does own the
rights you can then try and contact themand obtain a document saying you have
permission to use this. However, if they deny you permission, you must immediately
discard it.
1.5 Explain how considerations of picture and sound levels, format, aspect ratio
and compression differ when material is for on-line or off-line use
When you are exporting a video, you must consider the format in which you are
exporting it. For example, if you are planning on quickly uploading numerous videos
to somewhere like YouTube, HD .mov files may not be the best option as they have a
longer upload time and may not play well on some devices. You should also consider
the aspect ratio. Whilst one aspect ratio may look OK on your computer whilst you are
editing a clip, that same ratio may not look good when being viewed on something
like a tablet. You should also make sure the sound levels don’t peak, as it may sound
ok in your own speakers when you have the volume low, but it will sound very bad to
someone who likes to watch videos in full volume.
1.6 Identify problems involved in working with high definition materials
Working with HD footage can cause a few problems, the main one being the time it
takes to work with it. On a not so good computer, handling HD footage can be time
consuming as it can take a while to render, move across and playback the footage.

2. 1.7 Explain how to capture standard definition materials onto high definition
projects
Standard definition materials can be used in high definition projects but there may be
a significant quality comparison. To avoid this, most editing software will allow you to
set the project into the settings you want then all imported footage will be changed to
suit the project, including SD footage.
2.1 Obtain relevant information on source materials and outcomes required
When planning a project, it is important to list the footage that you need to obtain in
order to make sure you get it all when you come to shooting. This includes primary
footage (footage you obtain yourself) or any secondary footage (footage you may get
elsewhere, e.g. downloaded from the internet).
2.2 Identify and locate specified materials from written and verbal specifications
When given a project, you need to make sure that you have the equipment to carry it
out, for example, cameras and editing software. You must be aware of where this
equipment can be found so you can get it when needed.
It is also important that you posses all legal documents that are required, e.g. release
forms from people who are being filmed.
2.3 Log format changes required
It is important that the file is in the correct format when being given to a client. For
example, if it to be displayed on a large screen at and event, it may need to have an
aspect ratio of 4:3 and be in MP4 so it plays well. You should also take the definition
into consideration as if it is being used in a professional event it should be in HD so it
looks better, but if it is being distributed amongst several people, it may be better off
in SD so it can play on most devices.
2.4 Use aspect ratio or other format/standard conversion to rectify any problems
If you are using multiple different cameras, you may come across a problem, which is
that the clips may be in different formats. In this situation, all you can really do is
make anything that is too small larger or anything too larger smaller. This can cause
problems with the visual quality as if you make something larger it looses quality, or if
you have to stretch something in one direction, it will look squashed together.
2.5 Provide sufficient supplies of working materials, which are ready for use
When filming a project, it is important that you have all of the equipment that you
need when on set. For example, if you know there are going to be some scenes where
you need to record one moment in multiple angles, you are going to need enough
cameras, tripods, SD cards and batteries to be able to set up and film at different
locations and angles.
It is also important that you record enough footage for when you are editing. It is
always better to record too much than to record too little as if you record too much
you can just cut parts out, but if you don’t record enough you will either have to go
back out and shoot some more footage or slow and stretch the clip, which will mostly
look terrible.

3. It is also important that any materials you have are in the correct format and
resolution. 4K footage isn’t good for editing as it takes a while for the clips to render
and playback will lag.
2.6 Implement arrangements for source materials in unsuitable formats to be
transferred to the correct format
It is a good idea to log all footage that you record. Doing this will allow you to keep
track of where everything is, what format it is in and whether or not it works fine.
Having this log makes it easier to see what is in the incorrect format for the editing
process. Once you know all of the clips that are incorrect, you can go through them all
and convert theminto the correct formats quickly before you start to edit, rather than
finding out they are wrong mid-way through and stopping your progress.
2.7 Assess accurately the technical quality of source materials, taking any
required remedial action
Footage isn’t always going to be exactly how you thought it would be when you were
recording it. For example, a video clip may be too dark. In this case, a simple
brighten effect may help to improve the clip, as well as some colour correction. A clip
may also have a smaller scale than other clips, which can then be upscale to be the
same size, but it will lose some quality. It is also the same with audio. For example,
your audio may have more wind in it than normal. Sometimes, this can be fixed by
re-recording the audio in the studio then over-dubbing it over the footage.
3.1 Select an appropriate resolution and storage location, ensuring there is
sufficient storage available at the required resolution
Before the shoot has begun, you should know what resolution you need to be
recording in and where the footage will be stored, checking that the location has
enough memory (this can easily be done by checking the properties of a storage
location). If a client asks for high quality footage, then record in HD. If they want
footage that will play back easily and aren’t as much bothered about quality, use SD
as it will play smoother.
3.2 Ensure the line-up is correct and to the required technical standards
It is also very important that you check all of the equipment is functioning correctly
and has all of the correct settings on it before you start recording e.g. exposure,
brightness, resolution. If you don’t do this, you may find that the equipment isn’t how
you want it during the shoot, which will waste time.
3.3 Take remedial action if equipment problems occur
If you discover that equipment is broken but you don’t have enough preparation time
to attempt to fix it, simply use different equipment if possible and log the damage so I
can be dealt with when appropriate. If equipment is on the wrong settings, make sure
you put it on the correct settings before the shoot begins so you don’t waste time.

4. 3.4 Check and line up correctly picture and sound levels and audio format as
required
It is a good idea to wear headphones when you are dealing with sound as it is easier
to hear everything and to get the levels right, making sure it isn’t too quiet or isn’t
peaking. If audio is being recorded separately to the video, it would be a good idea to
use a clapperboard or simply get someone to clap in front of the camera. This makes
it easier to sync the audio up as you can find the person/board in the video footage
and look for the spike in the audio and match them. Any other audio e.g. music will
be lined up to suit when editing.
4.1 Input accurate information about source materials during capture
When everything was recorded onto tapes, it was important to label the footage with
information about its name, the take, the length etc. However, now everything is
stored digitally, there is no need to do that as the footage is automatically labelled.
However, if you have footage for something like and interview or anything else where
a name of a person would be important, it would be a good idea to make a log of
those names so it can be referenced.
4.2 Select correct time code source during capture
Time code can be viewed in a few different ways:
 Drop frame time code – Rounds the time code to the nearest whole number (mostly
used in NTSC videos)
 Non-drop frame time code – Every frame in the video has a corresponding time
code number (Time code is almost always non-drop frame)
 Frames – Displays the frame number rather than the time code number
 Feet + frames time code
 Audio samples – Shown when show audio time units is selected. Allows you to move
the time indicator even more precisely
 Milliseconds – Only shown when show audio time units are selected.
Whilst shooting, time code will be recorded in non-drop frame. Using time code is
great for matching up separately recorded audio and video and you can see where
they should match up more precisely.
4.3 Select specified tracks accurately for capturing from source materials
It is a good idea to use different tracks when recording. Audio and video will already
be automatically separated. In the case of video, a main shot will be used as the
primary track, usually the one at the bottom. Any graphics or images will then be put
onto different tracks to make it easier to see the difference between the clips. In the
case of multi-camediting, each camera should have its own track so you can see the
difference. With audio, the main track will be whatever the main focus should be in
the audio, whether its music, narration etc. Other audio such as background music
and sound effects should be put on separate tracks to make it easier to tell the
difference between the audio.
4.4 Monitor the technical quality to identify any problems during the capturing
process
It is important to constantly monitor everything that is being recorded. In the case of
video, you need to make sure that there are no changes in quality, no lighting
changes and that batteries don’t run out or memory fills up. In the case of audio, you

5. need to make sure that levels aren’t changing too much, that there are no unwanted
noises and that the audio doesn’t stop recording.
4.5 Store captured materials as required, ensuring that they are labelled
accurately and unambiguously
It is important to store footage appropriately so it easy to locate when you need to
use it. All footage for the same project should be kept in the same folder, but split
into sub-folders, each sub folder having footage from different cameras or different
scenes. This allows you to find all of the clips you need easier e.g. when doing multi-
camera editing, having these sub-folders will allow you to find the same point on the
different cameras easier. The folders should also be named something like “Camera
1”, “Camera 2” etc. so you know what is in there.
4.6 Maintain accurate records in the required format
It is a good idea to keep a list of where all of your footage is stored. A good way to do
this is to have a spread-sheet that you can keep adding to when more footage is
added. Have this spread-sheet in multiple locations so it is always available. Having a
digital copy and a printed copy is also a good idea.
5.1 Check unclear or ambiguous requirements promptly with the relevant parties
Before any editing is done, it is a good idea to double check what the client’s needs
are. For example, check what aspect ratio they would like, what resolution would be
best for them and the best format to export the video in. Also, if you are working
within a team, make sure you know what every member of that teamis doing so
nothing is missed out or so 2 people aren’t doing the same thing.
5.2 Report technical quality problems to the relevant parties
Make sure all problems are reported to the relevant person. For example, report
visual quality problems to a visual technician, report any audio quality problems to a
sound technician. That way the appropriate person can take appropriate action.
5.3 Report equipment problems to the relevant parties
Again, make sure problems are reported to the relevant person. For example, report
any camera malfunctions to the manufacturer or the person you hired it from if it was
hired. It is also a good idea to log the problem to see if there is a way of preventing
the problem in the future.