Shooting is of course the main activity of the production stage of digital video production. In a large film production where you are the camera operator and you have a director, after you’ve mounted the camera on the tripod you’re ready when the director calls for you to roll. Right? Well, not really. There are a few preparations you should be making while the director is still fussing with the talent.
In fact, even if you are thinking about how to make videos by yourself, here’s a list of things you shouldn’t forget to do:
1. Level the Tripod. If your tripod has a built in spirit level, use it. If not, sight the tripod from 2 angles at 45° to each other. For example - from the back of the camera and from one side. Make sure it’s not leaning in any direction.
2. Do a Manual Color Balance. In the lighting conditions under which you’ll be shooting, do a manual color balance for the camera off of a white piece of paper or a proper white card. Automatic color balance is OK sometimes, but to get the best results, you must color balance manually.
3. Check the Sound Level. This should be done with headphones on while watching the VU meters on the camera’s display. If a subject is mic’d up and will be speaking on camera, ask the person to help you set the sound level by speaking at the volume they’ll use when the camera rolls.
4. Check Your Focus. With the camera set to manual focus, zoom in, focus the lens then zoom out. If the focal distance between camera and subject does not change during the shot, doing this will ensure that the focus will always be crisp even as you zoom in or out.
5. Do an Early Slate. When you’re shooting video you don’t have to slate the shot when it is being made. You can do it earlier. So, hold the slate in the lit area, zoom in to a tight shot of it and record for about 5 seconds. Then stop the camera.
6. Frame the Shot. If you know what field of view the director will want for the shot you will be taking, frame it now. If you don’t know what the director will call for, choose a pleasing field of view - frame it up and wait for the director to tell you what is required. Better to have some kind of shot ready rather than wasting time later. It’s more efficient.
Be prepared. You and your director will appreciate it.
Learn more about how to make videos by reading my digital video production textbook.
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