Production

Lighting

Camera Good camera-work will allow your audience to see things from your perspective. From close-ups for detail and emotion, to long shots for perspective, camera angles, movement, and composition, will keep your project flowing. Poorly executed camera work can make the best scripts confusing and uninteresting. So, plan your shots and practice those camera moves.

Focusing

When focusing remember this rule. Zoom all the way in and focus on an area high in detail, such as the eyes. Then zoom out to your desired shot. Don't use the auto-focus if you can avoid using it. The auto-focus tends to focus on something other than your subject. You may also notice that it will change focus during a pan or zoom. Anytime the distance between you and your subject change readjust your focus. Some lens have a "macro" setting. This setting is very useful when focusing on very small or very close objects. Shooting slightly out of focus can provide mysterious effects, but should be avoided as a general rule. To see an example of an out of focus blurry shot click here.

Keep your camera steady

Shaky camera work is a sure sign of an amateur production. Using a tripod is the key to creating steady shots. If you are unable to use a tripod, try using a tripod substitute like a desk, chair, or the top of a car. If you are going to hold the camera yourself, try bracing yourself against a wall or sitting to minimize body movement. If you're using a viewfinder avoid any contact between it and your eye. This will keep any head movement from shaking your camera. The more you zoom in, the more any camera movements or shakes will become apparent. Getting closer to your subject will allow you to zoom less, creating steadier shots. If your camera has image stabilization, turn it on. This option will help take some of the shake out of your camera work. For moving shots keep your knees bent and move slowly and smoothly.

What format tape to use

It depends on the level of quality you need and can afford. VHS is considered low quality. Its' picture does not have as much resolution as other videotape formats such as SVHS or Hi8. However VHS is very convenient, the tapes can be played back in a standard VCR. These tapes also cost about 1/3 as much as SVHS or Hi8. Newer formats such as DV (Digital Video) offer an even higher quality of recording that was until recently only available to the professionals.

White balance

White balancing is the setting that instructs the camera to analyze the proper color temperature of the light and set itself for the most pleasing results. Most cameras have what is called "auto-white balance" which instructs the camcorder to analyze the color temperature of the light and set itself for the most pleasing results. Auto white balance may work in two ways. Most consumer cameras white balance by simply choosing between preset outdoor and indoor white balance setting. Professional cameras auto-white balance continuously. The camera fine-tunes itself to compensate for color temperature changes. Failure to properly white balance can result in improper or unnatural colors. To see an example of picture that was not properly white balanced click here. To better understand how lighting can effect white balance continue on to the Lighting section.

Monkey tip: Keep the auto focus, auto-iris off, and the image stabilization on if possible.

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Production		Lighting