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OK! So, I’ve compiled a video manual over a year or two for my media class, and I’ve posted it here, as unlike the poor attempt at an intro to video production and processing. The following is Copywrited and permission is required reproduce or replicate any of the following information. Anyway without further adieu;
Video Production For Beginners | Operator
Pre-Production Activities
Equipment Purchasing P. 1
- Digital Cameras
- Tripods
- Film
- Lenses & Filters
- Cables/Cords & Misc.
Computer Preparation P. 5
- Is my computer fit for video editing?
- Necessary programs
Production Activities
Camera Movement P. 6
- Pans & Tilts
- Angles, Shots & Frames
- Zooming & Dolly-shots
- Extra Techniques
- Camera Support
- Common Amateur Mistakes
Audio Capture P. 8
- Sound
- Ambient Sound
- Dialogue & 5cript
- Common Amateur Mistakes
Lighting P. 9
- Normal Lighting
- 3 Point lighting & Other Set-Ups
- Filming Inside
- Filming Outside
- Common Amateur Mistakes
Post-Production Activities
Video Editing P. 11
- Getting Comfortable With Adobe® Premier Pro
- Capturing Footage
- Building A Library
- Working With The Timeline
- Setting Duration Of Clips
- Video Transitions
- Extras
Audio Editing P. 15
- Audio Transitions
- Audio/ Music Integration
- Audio Level Modifying
Extra P. 16
- Tips & Tricks
- Exporting To DVD/ Tape
Digital Cameras
Basics
Before you buy your digital camera, be sure you know the terms. If this is your first video camera, it may seem very intimidating to purchase it right away, taking your time, and reviewing all the possible options makes the process much easier. In the end, you will see the benefits, and have a camera that does everything you need it to do. In this current time, with technology so rapidly growing, prices also change rapidly. Based on your needs, expect to spend the following:
Entry Level (-$300)
First, consider what you’ll be using the camcorder for. If you want to be a YouTube star or are starting a video log, you should buy a camcorder with a webcam function. If you’re going to be bringing the video camera to family events and on vacation, you should look for something small, light and easy to use. If you’re going to be shooting your big movie or doing professional work, you’ll want to spend a little bit more to get higher end features and better quality.
Medium Level ($300 - $750)
Producing a video for your new company? Shooting sports games? A medium level camera may be what you need, having extra on-board features, and a higher resolution and better auto-focus. These cameras are for light commercial use, as they don’t produce HD video, but very comparable quality, such that they are perfect for aspiring professionals and people looking for a clearer picture, then its cheaper counterpart.
Professional level ($750 - $2000)
Shooting advertisements and producing very high quality video are necessary to you; you demand the best technology for your videos. These cameras produce 1080i high definition video, you will need a large hard drive, as the uncompressed video has extremely high file size, and such that deleting projects after you finish is usually necessary. For internet production 730i is acceptable for HD video, and will save you time. Look for a light camera if possible, unless using shoulder mounted ones.
Tripods
Basics
Weight in relation to tripods, is often stated that the heavier the better, as a guideline, it depends on your purposes, if you need to walk a lot, and move around, no one wants to lug around a 30 pound tripod just to get a steady shot, many light tripods made of aluminum are very capable of a steady shot, and they’re also much cheaper. Secondly weight is important as you consider what you’ll be putting on it. If you’re using a small camera with no accessories you’ll not need anything too weighty but if you have a very large camera and/ or use larger lenses you will probably want to invest in something that will take the weight.
Weight & Stability
Weight doesn’t always equal stable. Test the tripod out with your camera on it if possible. Test it fully extended to see how stable it is. Will it be sturdy on a windy day? Will it take the knock of someone bumping it on the way past?
Height
For height, look for a camera with a maximum height that you can look into without having to bend.
Tripod heads
One of the key things to think about with tripods is how they attach to your camera. There are many options available and it is worth thinking ahead and testing the options as the tripod head not only keeps your camera steady on the tripod but will also determine how much flexibility you have once it attached on it. There are two main types:
Ball Socket:
These are great in terms of flexibility and moving your camera around but you might find them a little bit too loose, or hard to control. They are very smooth though and have a very nice feel to them.
Pan & Tilt:
These are great for locking into position and are generally more affordable. They are not quite as fluid to move around and take a little getting used to use but are generally more common, as most people find them easier to operate.
Film Types
Most standard definition consumer camcorders record either to mini-DV tape, DVD or hard disk. Each medium has its advantages and disadvantages.
Mini-DV Tape
Small and digital format, means so translation for the computer, this means you waste less time transferring to a computer to editing. Mini-DV’s are often used in consumer HD & ND Cameras.
DVD
DVD’s are portable, no rewinding, easy file storage, and easy to transfer to any computer with a DVD drive. Although less common, DVD recorders are just as easy to use, if not easier then mini-DV’s.
Hard Disk
Probably my favorite medium for recording, HD’s have as much space as you can afford, so no need for extra tapes. These have a huge recording capacity, and link easily to any computer.
Lenses & Filters
Lenses
Wide angle lenses can create a first person view. Fish-eye lenses can create an older but warped views, but not good for close-up shots. Which lens should you use? If you do basic filming, no lens is necessary, but if you need to create a first-person view, use a Wide- Angle Conversion lens.
Filters
Filters can create romantic effects, and also angry images. Different colours can make people appear to have smoother skin, and make different scenes look more interesting, the only real way to learn about filters, is too go and experiment with them, as you will find the perfect one for you.
Cables & Cords
Cables and cords join your equipment together, the higher their quality, the faster you can transfer information. Look for gold plated terminals, for the best signal. You will need a signal transfer cable, such as a FireWire cable, or a USB cable. You will also surely need a camera power cable. The power cable should come with your camera.
Section 2 | Computer Preparation
Is my computer fit for Editing?
With technological demands increasing, you will need at a minimum the following requirements:
Minimum
- 2.0Ghz Processor
- 512mb Of RAM
- 10Gigabytes Of HD Space
- FireWire/ USB ports
- Compatible Video Editing Software
Recommended:
- 3.0 GHz Processor
- 2.0 Gigabytes Of RAM
- 100 Gigabytes of HD Space
- FireWire/ USB 2.0 Ports
- Adobe® Premier
Necessary Programs
In this Manual we recommend the Adobe series program Premier, specifically PRO CS3. The retail price of these programs runs from $100.00 for Elements, And $800.00 for PRO CS3. You need elements for basic editing, PRO CS3 had extra features, and a much more streamlined interface.
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
Section 3 | Camera Movement
Pans & Tilts:
Pans & Tilts create an interesting program, they diversify normal and potentially boring shots. Pans are any movement on the horizontal axis that the camera exhibits. Tilts are similar motions on the vertical axis. The occasional pan or tilt will spice up the video.
Angles, Shots & Framing
Angles determine the nature of the shot, a flat shot may be acceptable if it encloses the subject well. However if the subject is very detailed, switching up the angles such that the texture is more prominent, may make the shot more interesting.
Shots are what video is composed of. Finding a perfect shot can make your movie that much better. Look for the most captivating and interesting shots, Lighting at the location is also a big factor, which we will analyze in the lighting section.
Zooming & Dolly-Shots
Zooming is something I would not recommend unless you have a tripod. Zooming, multiplies the vibrations your hands create a lot, even with a tripod, zooming in too intensely will still create an unsteady shot. Dolly-Shots are shots when the camera is moved on a perfect horizontal axis. Using either a real dolly, or a wagon, basically anything with wheels that rolls fairly smoothly can be used.
Extra Techniques
Try and experiment, with different angles and pans and tilts, create a new shot, watch action movies, take note of all the different non-standard shots they use, and try to apply them to your application. This will add an extra element to your videos.
Camera Support
Tripods, Monopods, and Steadicams are all methods of achieving a smoother shot. If you need portability choose a monopod, as it will provide a relatively steady shot. Tripods are for very steady shots, when one will be panning, tilting and zooming. SteadiCams are a neat tool that lets you walk the camera and it suspends the camera, these are very expensive, but create a very unique effect, that is possible in many places, generally these are used in professional applications.
Common Amateur Mistakes
Never pan back and forth in one shot, as you will disorient the viewer.
Never cross the axis of movement, if the subject is walking down a hallway, stay on one side, otherwise they will appear to change direction.
Keep your pans and tilts consistent, don’t start one, stop it, then continue, keep the same pressure until you are complete it. Only use a dolly on smooth surfaces, as you will get a very bumpy shot if you don’t.
Section 4 | Audio Capture
Sound
Sound is an extremely important part of any video, sound is a totally new element, and many people think that no effort is required to achieve professional audio quality. Using proper mikes (Omni/Unidirectional) can mean a world of difference, so can quality.
Ambient Sound
Ambient sound can be your enemy, it happens everywhere there is background noise that you don’t want in your video, unfortunately if you don’t have specific mikes, ambient noise can be a serious issue. To combat this noise, use unidirectional mikes for outside audio, as they don’t pick up noise from every direction like Omni-directional mikes do.
Dialogue & 5cript
Dialogue and 5cript choose what information your video carries, and in what nature it does. Drafting a quick 5cript can mean the difference between “ Oh.. what was I supposed to say?” to confident lines, that even the viewer will notice. Dialogue should be practiced a few days before filming. It is easy to distinguish between the people who memorized their work, and those who didn’t.
Common Amateur Mistakes
Never record dialogue in an open area, locate a sound proof area for recording. Never use an Omni-directional mike outdoors near roads, or any other sound producing device. Verify the recorded audio is of acceptable quality and volume, before finishing. Teach people who have not used a mike before how to talk to it (usually an inch away)
Section 5 | Lighting
Normal Lighting
Lighting is never good under incandescent lighting, as it created an orange ugly colour on your shot. Use studio lights if available, if not take sample footage on location, and look at it after, if acceptable continue to shoot. There are plenty of bad examples on amateur videos everywhere. Having good lighting can separate you from your competition for home videos.
3 Point Lighting
The subject has a fill light, which is at face level, and a key light, roughly 10 feet high, and a backlight anywhere form 3-6 feet high, this is a very popular lighting set-up that yields professional results.
Filming Inside
Look for incandescent bulbs (Most common) and distracting wallpaper. Also avoid windows if possible, unless they provide a very even cast of light.
Filming Outside
Watch out for the sun! It has the potential to ruin your shot, with a flare, or very bright, and high shadows. Try to shoot with your back to the sun, and the wind.
Common Amateur Mistakes
Don’t film the sun. Don’t use incandescent lighting. Avoid heavy shadows on the subject. Don’t make the subject too bright, or too dark. Lighting just takes practice to master.
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POST-PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES
Section 6 | Video Editing
Getting Comfortable With Adobe® Premier Pro
In the following section we will be using Adobe® Premier Pro CS3, many techniques may be applied to other programs, but it its best if you own a copy of Adobe® Premier series programs to follow along.
The Standard layout of Adobe®Premier Pro CS3
The layout is very neat and easy to use. With practice it is very easy to process video fast.
Capturing Footage
Capturing Video Footage In Adobe® Premier PRO CS3
To capture video, connect your video source to your computer, and turn it on VCR mode, or play mode. Then it should show your video, click capture when you locate the footage you want. Then it will collect all the footage you need. A useful feature is the scene detection, which detects when you stopped recording, and restarted, so it’s easier to manage your library. Press stop when you are done. Be attentive when you are capturing to make sure you don’t get useless footage, and you get everything you need.
Building A Library
A library with audio and video files
Add all the media you could possible need in Premier, you can drag it in, from any file, form then you can drag on the timeline. Laying down the timeline is very simple when you have all your files organized properly also, delete any files you are positive you won’t need later, they will waste your time sorting through.
Working With The Timeline
A typical timeline, with audio and video files
Once you have your media in your library, you can drag the media you want on the timeline, it will automatically go in the section it fits in, either video or audio track. There are also multiple tracks, which make dragging on the timeline, and switching video clips much easier, not having to worry about cutting clips off. Don’t drag a clip under another, you will lose the one you drag under it, instead take the slice tool and time to the exact point you want to cut, and slice it, delete the section you don’t need. The other tool you will need after, is the move tool, which allows you to move any clip in its section, this is useful for organizing clip order, and audio order, it can also be used to add in transitions, audio or video included.
Setting duration of Clips
If you need exact time, right click on a clip, and click ‘Speed/Duration…’ then type in the exact time you need, this will modify the speed of the clip, and is useful for making speeded up clips, or slow shots. Useful if you need to meet exact time parameters.
Video Transitions
In the bottom-left panel, choose video transitions, and choose any of the effects, drag it onto the end of a clip, and you will notice it makes a smoother transition, dip to black is popular to avoid jump-cuts, when you want to get rid of the same angled shot, but the subject moves.
Extras
Editing is your prime opportunity to be creative in your video, with programs like Adobe® Premier PRO CS3, the possibilities are nearly endless, special effects programs can also be used combined with it. You can customize your layout for Premier, and make it more suitable for your purposes.
Section 7 | Audio Editing
Audio Transitions
Audio transitions are useful for making audio seamless, using cross fade, it will lower the volume then switch clip and slowly ramp up, this is useful for switching music, or sound effects.
Audio/Music Integration
Using appropriate music with audio is very effective in some videos, light background music with dialogue can be an effective way to create a dramatic scene, or even a romantic one, and it all depends on the music. Always use appropriate music for your target audience and the situation in the video.
Audio Level Modifying
The volume can easily be adjusted. Go to the time line, and you will see a yellow line on the audio clip, you can push this up by clicking and moving the mouse up, or down, in the reverse direction. The lower the bar is, the lower the volume, the higher, the louder. This method is good for general sound volume editing, you can double click the audio clip to change it even more. Or you can right click on the clip and click ‘Audio Gain’ and type in an exact numerical value.
Section 8 | Extra
Tips & Tricks
- Look for used Audio/Video equipment if you can’t afford the new stuff. It may be just as good for your purposes.
- Read all the reviews for any equipment you plan on buying.
- Always prepare for the day of filming, to maximize your time.
- Get permission to film on private property, when filming in public, do not obstruct any right-of-way areas, such as a sidewalk.
- Do not film explosions, gun-fights or violence on public property, without permissions.
- Save on Premier every 5 minutes, just incase.
Exporting To DVD/Tape
Once you complete your project, save it, then go to File>Export>DVD to export to a DVD, and go to File>Export>Tape, and have your camera connected to your computer, in capture mode, with a tape you can film on inside it.
Jul 07, 2008 7:53 pm - Damn i don’t even know what to say...
3*s because its too much to read but, i don’t wanna intentionally kill your rating so neutral..
Jul 07, 2008 7:56 pm - Damn i don’t even know what to say...
3*s because its too much to read but, i don’t wanna intentionally kill your rating so neutral..
Jul 07, 2008 8:16 pm - I refuse to read all of this but from skimming over it I can tell you put a lot of effort into it. I’ll give you 4* and if I ever decide to do anything like this I will come back here and read the egg all of the way through.
Jul 08, 2008 3:02 am - I didn’t read of all of it but lots of writing means> effort=means life wasted=means
you have no life +5* from me to make you feel better about not having a life not offensively
Jul 08, 2008 7:12 am - I just don’t want people to c/p this egg etc. That’s why I said it’s copyrighted, And thats pretty funny that I misspelled it. To the comment above, I did not write this purely for rotteneggs, It was a school project. That’s why it’s formatting and spacing and the ’s didn’t show up correctly. And you can take my word for it, I have a life, a fairly interesting one at that.
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