Video for Reporters
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This document provides guidance on shooting and editing video content for news organizations. It recommends focusing on short, unedited videos between 30-60 seconds. Topics covered include lighting, composition, interviewing techniques, and basic editing strategies. The document also lists some video editing software tools and provides potential video story ideas.
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Video for Reporters
- 1. Shooting video Basic strategy and editing GateHouse Media News & Interactive FOR AUDIO (877) 411-9748 Access code: 630-956-8834
- 2. Agenda Why shoot video? Strategy, housekeeping basics Lighting and composition Strategy quick tips Interviewing Basic editing strategy Top video ideas iMovie overview (optional) AUDIO (877) 411-9748 code: 630-956-8834
- 3. Why shoot video? News consumers have increasing video appetites Video will consume 90 percent of consumer traffic online this year or next By 2016, 1.2 million video minutes (more than two years worth) will travel the web every second Tablet users are more than 3 times more likely to view video than smartphone users; one in 10 tablet users view video daily Videos drive better time on site, which is good for advertising. Sources: Cisco and comScore AUDIO (877) 411-9748 code: 630-956-8834
- 4. Strategy Focus on short, unedited video 30- to 60-second videos are ideal Plan to shoot what you’re already covering Unedited or raw video should make up the bulk of your production Reserve edited video, with multiple shots and B-roll, for special projects AUDIO (877) 411-9748 code: 630-956-8834
- 5. Housekeeping Charge your camera •It should be charging when you’re at the office or home. Keep a spare card handy •It’s easy to forget one in a card reader. AUDIO (877) 411-9748 code: 630-956-8834
- 6. Housekeeping Steady your shot Use a monopod - it will make your video smoother, more professional. If you can’t get a monopod, use your environment – desks, trees, fences, etc. to steady your shots. AUDIO (877) 411-9748 code: 630-956-8834
- 7. Housekeeping Get a monopod “I know what some folks may think, ‘What's the point of a little camera on a big tri-pod?’ Well, yes, it looks odd, but your viewers and critics will thank you. Credibility in this business is measured by a lot of little things and you don't want to lose online video views by always having a poor video of jiggling footage just because your arm gets tired.” Dominic Genetti Journalist, Hannibal Courier-Post
- 8. Housekeeping Steady your shot If all else fails – pull it in close
- 9. Housekeeping Report first Determine what you want to shoot, and do that last. Do an edit on camera Delete what you don’t need before you upload to your computer.
- 10. Housekeeping Don’t talk while shooting •Your viewers will not appreciate your constant verbal prompts Check your sound quality •Bad sound will ruin a video
- 11. Lighting Don’t backlight your subject Make sure if you’re interviewing someone, he or she isn’t standing in front of a light or window.
- 12. Lighting Avoid harsh contrasts Avoid shooting in bright sunlight with heavy shadows by moving to a shady location
- 13. Composition Use rule of thirds Don’t center your subject.
- 14. Composition Employ depth of field If you’re shooting a person, include an object in the background, so the video doesn’t look two-dimensional.
- 15. Composition Avoid always shooting eye-level It’s unimaginative and boring. Try holding your camera above your head.
- 16. Composition Frame the action Let action happen inside your frame Don’t move the camera around to follow the ball or the players
- 17. Strategy Capture shots after official event Staged shots are boring and overdone. Candid shots tell a better story. (yuck)
- 18. Strategy Seek bystanders, background Don’t always rely on officials Flaming building doesn’t tell the whole story
- 19. Strategy Focus on something Crowd shots are good B-roll, but not great standalone Pick a guest, parade participant, worker, etc.
- 20. Interviewing Make your video interviews look professional Frame your shots Rearrange things if necessary
- 21. Interviewing Make your video interviews look professional Have the person look at you, not the camera. Shoot the person at a slight angle, not a straight-on shot. Don’t center your subject.
- 22. Interviewing Make your video interviews look professional Be aware of the noise your subject makes. Let them know what questions you’ll ask. Shoot a couple seconds before the interview starts.
- 23. Interviewing Make your video interviews look professional If you’re shooting a person, do a head shot, or a full body. Don’t cut someone off at the knees, and don’t chop off tops of heads.
- 24. Editing basics Background is good B-roll Sometimes your subject isn’t the most interesting thing on the scene. Crowd reactions, spectators can provide color. “B-roll should advance the story or reflect what the interview subject is saying. TV likes to use the same old shots of emergency lights on the fire truck or police car as a cut-away. Your video should do more.” Chris Young Photographer, Springfield State Journal-Register
- 25. Editing basics Vary your shots Use some close ups, for interviews or demonstrations Use medium or wide shots to show the scene.
- 26. Editing basics Think in soundbites Be selective Most videos should not be more than one minute long Don’t over pan or zoom Don’t constantly pan from side to side or zoom in and out. Get one or two good shots.
- 27. Editing basics Get movement When shooting something static, like a building front, try to get people walking around in your shot.
- 28. Video ideas Breaking news Crime-related Severe weather, aftermath Business-related features Community events Construction, renovation projects Sports action, interview
- 29. iMovie basics Toolbars Selecting clips Adding lower thirds Transition Credit screen
- 30. iMovie basics Toolbars - left camera import swap events thumbnail size
- 31. iMovie basics Toolbars - center edit tool unmark favorite voiceover reject crop inspector
- 32. iMovie basics Toolbars - right photos music transitions titles maps
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- 43. Shooting video Basic strategy and editing GateHouse Media News & Interactive
Editor's Notes
- OK, so here’s iMovie’s left-side toolbar, which is where you get started. Once you have your camera connected to your laptop, you’re ready to import your clips. To do that, open iMovie and click the camera import button. You can swap out events, or clips, using the swap events button. And the slider there allows you to control the size of your project – how much it takes up on the iMovie screen.
- Here’s the center toolbar. On the left you have the edit tool, which allows you to add clips (you can also drag them using your arrow). The favorite tool is used to select a clip you like and know you want to use, and you can unselect it using the unmark button. Then there’s the reject button, which allows you to check off clips you know you won’t use. These tools are useful, because after you’ve done through and marked everything, you can go to “View” in the top menu, and select an option to only show your favorite clips, without having to delete stuff you might actually want to use later. Then there’s the voiceover button, which will allow you to record yourself to add narration. The crop button, which we’re talk about later. And then the last button opens the inspector panel, which controls effects like audio, speed, color correction – things like that.
- And the right-hand toolbar. You’ve got music and sound effects, which will let you drag in audio files from iTunes. The photo button allows you to pull in photos from iPhoto. If you have photos elsewhere, like on your desktop, you can just drag them in. The title button allows you to add title screens. You’ve got your transitions button for in-between clips. And lastly there’s a maps tool, which lets you add maps and other backgrounds.
- The first step is to import or drag your raw video into iMovie.
- To select part of a clip, essentially cropping out the part you don’t want, use your cursor to select where to begin your selection, and drag it along the clip until you want to end your selection.
- Once you’ve highlighted the section you want, drag it into the upper panel.
- To add a lower third – the text that identifies a person or scene, select the text icon in the right-hand control panel. It will give you many options for adding text. Stick to something simple and professional-looking, like a black gradient.
- Drag the title box onto the portion of the clip where you want it to show up. Once you have it in place, you can alter the text on the right-hand screen.
- To add a second clip, repeat the first step. Select the portion of the clip you want, then drag it into the upper panel.
- If you’d like, you can add a simple transition between clips. Click the transition icon in the right-hand panel. Choose the transition you want – and again, stick to something professional, like a simple black fade. Then drag the transition where you want it – between your two clips.
- You can also add a title screen at the end. Start by click on the text icon, like you did when you added the lower-thirds. Select the type you want – I like the “lens flare” because it’s simple and looks nice. Drag it at the end of your project. Then you can edit the text on the right screen.
- Once you’re all done, save your project by clicking “File” then “Finalize Project.” Depending on how long your video is, this process could take five, maybe 15 minutes.
- Questions?