Making Movies: Cameras, Lights, Action

by: Sean Robinson and Kaye Gregg

Anime studio 5: software to use

American public on average watch 28 hours of TV a week

Tools of the Trade:
Camera
Tripod
Microphone
Lights
Computer Software

Lowest entry point:
using camera on the video setting and large SD memory card (cool!)

Upping Production Value
Sony pd 170 $1600 (many manual settings)
They use Mac for editing (I don’t use Macs, PCs work too)
Final Cut Express ($155)
Anime 5 ($44)
Sound editing: Audacity (works well–love it, I use it for podcasting)
Fast track M-Audio ($100)
Make your own soundtrack

Lighting kits: scoop lights from Home Depot, etc.

Don’t make bad videos:
Make a video that is both informative and entertaining

Challenge: move idea to reality!

Devil is in the details
get idea, write and rewrite, scout location, secure location, know light sources, outside–shoot in morning or evening (light is better), be aware of ambient sounds, take shots with still camera, test your equipment

Finding talent: searching inside your organization, look for extroverts, give them a screen test

Be prepared! Write out script on large piece of paper and hold under the camera so they can read it

Score it!
Put music into your video, archive.org (public domain clips/video loops) or create your own if you are musical, expectation to have music with video
Layer sound: voice, soundtrack, special effects sound

Microphones: stationary mic, lapel mic, if moving around a lot you can use a boom mic, or put in sound after the filming in the editing process

Sound design: work seamlessly, you shouldn’t notice it, register subconsciously, create auditory clues

More tools:
comb, water to drink and makeup
A little makeup is good, too much is a crime
Costuming: clothing should be in harmony with the surroundings

Prep work should be done before the talent gets there: check lights, camera and audio

Lighting 101:
Overhead florescent lighting: horrible, makes people look angry and green
Try to control lighting
Back light: hits at the base of the neck, separates subject from background
Fill light: in from the side, filling out the shadows
Should use: Back light, fill light (soften the face), key light (makes sparkle in the eyes) (15 degrees from the camera, 45 degrees angle)

Editing
If it doesn’t advance the story, it needs to go (even if you love the shot)
Make the subjects look and sound as good as possible

How do you do the editing?
Plan for the edit
Make the person make a script from their idea
Storyboard your script (it will keep you on schedule)

Edit wisely:
Viewers are visually sophisticated and can spot a bad edit, rely on your instinct, smooth edits and give a pace to it. Always have an intro, middle and end/wrap-up

Time needed:
40 minutes of film shot= 2 minutes usable footage
1 minute of footage=4 hours of editing
Double how long you think it will take and round up to the next Friday

Making a video in the session–we actually filmed a video that will be used for IL2009 marketing! So cool

Take Home Message:
Making videos is hard work but rocks. Rock on librarians!