Preparation
Whilst students are preparing storyboards the teacher should:
- reserve cameras and tripods
provide a training session for one camera-person from each group, using the Before You Shoot checklist:
[With thanks to Paula Jones of the South Seas Film and Television School for permission to use this material.]
The following checklist is designed to make shooting fail-safe. Every step is imperative in saving time and frustration and in achieving the best shots possible. Pay special attention to the lighting rules to avoid "blue" or yellow pictures, subjects in shadow or in glare. Practise these until they become automatic.
SETTING UP THE CAMERA
1. Set up tripod and secure.
2. Put camera on tripod and check all is secure.
3. Adjust viewfinder and handle to suit.
4. Check that battery is in and that it has been charged.
5. Close the VTR selector slide.
6. Remove the lens cap.
7. Slide the operator switch to switch on the camera.
8. Insert the tape. (check that erasure tabs are sealed off).
9. Set the white balance mode to auto (see lighting).
10. Set the focus mode to auto
11. Press start/stop button and check that 'rec' mode is displayed in viewfinder. Roll on tape for 5-10 seconds.
12. Now press start/stop button again to stop recording while the following check is done.
CHECK LIGHT SOURCE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS
Filming Indoors
1. INDOORS with only natural light ...
switch to 'OUTDOORS'
2. INDOORS with a mix of natural and artificial light ...
switch to 'AUTO'
3. INDOORS with fluorescent light only ...
switch to 'AUTO'
4. INDOORS with any other artificial light ...
switch to 'INDOORS'
Filming Outdoors
1. Dawn and Dusk ...
switch to 'AUTO'
2. Any other time of day ...
switch to 'OUTDOORS'
CHECK RELATIVE POSITIONS OF LIGHT AND SUBJECT IN SHOT
Indoors and Outdoors
1. Check that subject is placed against a darker background.
2. Check that there is no strong natural or artificial light from directly behind subject.
3. Where this is unavoidable eg. a tree with a brightly lit field behind it press 'BACKLIGHT' and hold down during shooting.
4. Check that light is not directly in subject's eyes.
5. Check that light is not creating shadows in shot (turn camera on)
6. You should adjust your light source and your white balance at each new location or for each scene in which your light source alters.
Students wanting more guidance on the nuts and bolts of filming including technical tips, short-cuts and special effects should visit The Complete Eejit's Guide to Film Making
.
- prepare another unit which the rest of the class can work on while groups are filming.
- warn colleagues about the filming and seek their cooperation.
- establish a booking sheet for the camera so that students know exactly what day they are to film and can bring necessary props, costumes, etc.
Students then shoot their video, ensuring that they adhere to the storyboard and carry out all editing in camera ie. filming again over any 'disasters'. This is not the place or time to enter into the process of video editing unless the expertise and personnel are readily available.
The field director has total control. He/she must plan the look of the story in advance and be decisive and clear about what is wanted. This means either a storyboard, shotlists or blocking notes. On location each set up sequence must be blocked and rehearsed whether shooting a sequence for documentary or drama.
Calling The Shots
| Director/Calls
|
Sound/Camera Responds
|
| "Silence on set"
|
|
| "Camera check"
|
"Camera OK"
|
| "Sound check"
|
"Sound OK"
|
| "Everybody ready?"
|
"Ready"
|
| "This is a rehearsal" or "This is a take"
|
|
Crew and talent quiet and ready for action
| "Standby"
|
|
| "Roll record"
|
"Rolling....speed"
|
| "Action"
|
|
Talent begin action and complete the sequence freezing the final action or reaction until they hear "cut."
| (5 second final count)
|
|
| "CUT"
|
"ALL CUT"
|
Remember that you must pre-roll your camera at least 5 seconds before shooting begins a past roll at least 5 seconds before the final action. This leaves sufficient space for editing. Some cameras may need up to 10 seconds pre - past roll you should check this before shooting.
Repeat the full process for every shot. If something goes wrong during filming call CUT and start the whole process again.
Shot set up and composition
- Camera person sets up shot from storyboard and director checks it and approves it.
- If the scene requires movements set up "marks" for actors to hit end rehearse with camera until everyone is satisfied.
- At this stage a sound check is done.
NB To check that you have recorded everything Press "RECORD REVIEW". The camera will rewind and play back the final 2 shots of your footage in the viewfinder. As long as they are there so is everything else. However you MUST roll the camera on 5 seconds from that point before beginning the whole filming process again or you will lose a great proportion of your scene and consequently will not be able to edit it.
[With thanks to Paula Jones of the South Seas Film and Television School for permission to use this material.]
- For a more indepth guide to all aspects of TV production see Television Production
.
- Invite parents and/or another class to a film festival in which the videos are given their "world premieres".
