This document provides guidance on basic videography and editing. It discusses important video concepts like aspect ratio, frame size, frame rate, and compression formats. It also covers compositional rules like the rule of thirds. Technical aspects of shooting soundbites like framing, depth of field, lighting and equipment are explained. Basic editing processes like importing, trimming clips, and assembling a timeline are outlined. Different types of video stories like soundbites and voiceovers are also introduced.
1. Basic Videography and Editing
Prepared for KQED
October 17, 2013
Jim Foust jfoust@bgsu.edu
2. Basic Video Stuff
Aspect ratio—the shape of the video screen
4:3 or 16:9 most common
Frame size (resolution)
Given as two numbers with width first
640 x 480; 320 x 240 (4:3)
1920 x 1080; 1280 x 720; 960 x 540; 480 x 270 (16:9)
Higher numbers = higher quality
Sometimes shortened to height and i or p for interlaced or progressive
(720p)
Frame Rate—number of still pix per second
30 “normal” for TV; 20 or less jittery
3. A Little About Compression
Makes video files smaller
By altering resolution, frame rate, pixels, etc.
Often measured by bitrate
Higher bitrate = higher quality = larger file
Common Formats
AVI, MOV
MPEG
FLV (Flash video)
h264
7. Shooting Soundbites
Eyes at top third (or thereabouts)
Lead space in direction they’re looking (frame to left or right third)
Not looking into camera, but looking slightly off camera (both eyes should be
visible; both ears if possible) NO PROFILES!
Shoot in medium shot—head and shoulders
Can be exceptions (wider shots) for artistic purpose
As you go wider, eyes move slightly more toward top of frame, but
always in vicinity of top third
Beware of distracting backgrounds
Only one person in frame
Beware of shooting from high or low angle
13. Depth of Field
Subject distance: the closer the subject is to the
camera, the smaller the depth of field.
14. Depth of Field
Focal length: the more “zoomed in” the smaller the
depth of field.
Video Example
15. Basic Aesthetics
Separation of subject from background
Using depth of field
Being aware of the background
Avoid brick walls, etc.
Moving subject away from the background
Ideally, in event-specific stories, the background should have something
to do with story
16.
17.
18.
19. Lighting
Be aware of light situation
Don’t shoot against windows or other strong light sources
Use natural light to your advantage
Move person around so window shines on them
20. Sound—Technical
Use Lav whenever possible
Beware of background noise
NEVER unrelated background noise
21. Sound—Content
Set expectations beforehand
Tell interviewee a little about finished product
Consider “Tell me about. . .” rather than actually asking
questions
Remember that the story will have to stand on its own without
narrative/questions
24. Lav Mic
Nice long
cable
Removable (and losable) wind
screen
LR-44 watch
battery inside
Power switch: remember to turn
ON when recording and OFF
when done, or it will drain
battery.
29. Camera Controls: Behind Door
SD Card Slot
Display Button:
toggles how much
info you see on
display
Record/Play: toggles
camera between
record and playback
mode
30. Make sure you’re in VIDEO Mode
Should see video cam Icon here
If not, press the
video camera icon
here to go to video
mode
32. Basic Camera Settings
Auto white balance
FUNC > WB > AWB (can just check it)
Auto Focus (usually)
FUNC > Focus > AF
Auto Exposure
FUNC > Exposure > A
Digital Effects OFF
FUNC > Digital Effects > Off
34. Editing
Basic Editing Process
1.
Start editing project in FCP
2.
Import Video from camera/card
3.
Trim individual video clips
4.
Assemble clips on timeline
5.
Export finished project
35. Editing
Jump Cuts Example
Me with Jump Cuts
Me with Dissolve
Me with White Flash
36. Story Types
Soundbite(s)
Soundbite(s) with B-roll
Nat Sound Piece (soundbites, nat, music)
Nat Sound Piece 2
Voice Over (VO)
Narrative story (with reporter voice) not often used online.
37. Shooting B-Roll
Shot Types
The Case Against Zooms and Pans
Some Simple Sequences
Bad Sequence
Soundbite Framing Grid
Soundbite Framing Examples