7 Basic

Shooting
Tactics*
* To Make your next Film,
Video or Documentary More
Effective & Successful
IMMEDIATELY!!!
1 Saturday, October 9, 2010
1. Importance of LIGHT
!
Where is the light?
!
Golden Time =
Sunrise & Sundown
!
Bad = Backlight &
Bright Windows + Low
light
!
Position your subject in
front of...or to the side
of the light source
2 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Types of Light
SUNLIGHT (blue)
!
Harsh or Soft?
!
Position subject well
!
Shade, Fill, Bounce
!
Reflectors, Silks
ARTIFICIAL (orange)
!
Tungsten - white
!
Florescent - grey
!
Sodium - yellow
!
Use Light kit/Sun gun
3 Saturday, October 9, 2010
2. Pay Attention to SOUND
!
Poor sound is an indicator
of a poor project.
Bad audio ALWAYS
defeats good lighting
Garbage in/garbage out
Take extra time to record
quality sound
4 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sound Tips
Record natural/synch sounds + room tone
Quality mics/headphones & do an audio mix
5 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tip: Use Shotgun & Lav Mics
Do NOT become too dependent
w/ on-board camera mic
On-board camera mic records
ALL sound - bad
Lavaliere mic - interviews
Shotgun mic - street/field
Wireless mic - walking
6 Saturday, October 9, 2010
3. Know your TOOLS
Know every button/setting
Know connections/audio/
menus, mounting plate
Read Manual for basics
Do easy shoots to start
Practice makes perfect
OK for Mistakes & Fun
Sculptors Chisel = Art
Relax, Be Confident
7 Saturday, October 9, 2010
4. Use a TRIPOD
Buy best tripod you can
afford
Tripod that is heavy &
dependable w/ bubble
balance
Keep shots steady
Shaky shots are hard to
edit & use
8 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tip: Use IMAGE Stabilizer
Use Stabilizer button
Consider rent/buy a
Steadicam Jr rig
Reduces shakiness.
Makes your shots &
camerawork better.
Use on Hand-held.
Do NOT use on Tripod
(over compensates).
9 Saturday, October 9, 2010
5. Frame A
Good Shot
10 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Respect the Rule of 3rds
Origins - 1797
when artists
applied rule to
their paintings
Place Subject or
Object at any of
the intersections
Disrupts the
balance, creates
more visually
appealing scene
(Credit: luisrock62/morguefile)
11 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Watch Head Room!
12 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tip: Shoot a MASTER Shot
Always Start or Finish w/ Wide or Establishing shot
Paints location & setting + establishes subjects
Master visually covers mistakes - serves as transition
13 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tip: Get CLOSER to Subject
Work Outside/In..start wide,
then get closer.
Its a VISUAL medium
Faraway shots are rarely
interesting (except for master
shots/scenics)
Position camera where
VIEWER would stand/sit @
Eye level
More intense the emotion, the
closer you get
14 Saturday, October 9, 2010
6. Record shots L-O-N-G!
Count in your mind to 10
to Start & to 10 to Stop
Every camera move must
have a reason!!!
Zoom & Pan - why?
Moves should match style &
intent of piece
Stay away from trick shots
15 Saturday, October 9, 2010
7. FOCUS is critical!
One mistake you cannot fix in Editing!
16 Saturday, October 9, 2010
FOCUS Tips
HD format is precise.
Little room for focus mistakes
or carelessness.
Beware Auto-Focus that
centers on frame & shifts.
Use Manual focus when
possible.
Zoom-in for focus, adjust,
pull back & set frame.
17 Saturday, October 9, 2010
1. Importance of Light
2. Attention to Sound
3. Know your Tools
4. Use Tripod
5. Good Camera Framing
6. Record Shots L-O-N-G
7. Focus is Critical
7 SHOOTING TACTICS REVIEW
18 Saturday, October 9, 2010
1. Story is the Mission
2. Create a Plan
3. Communicate Often
4. People Skills
5. Shot List/Budget
6. Art of Interviewing
7. B-Roll, B-Roll, B-Roll
8. Pick Good Team
9. Anticipate Workflow
10. Be Prepared = Relax
10 EXTRA TACTICS
19 Saturday, October 9, 2010
Craig D. Forrest
craig@windsockfilms.com
www.windsockfilms.com
www.craigforrest.com
imdb: Craig D. Forrest
book: Commando Tactics
for Digital Filmmakers
book (in progress): Night
Train to Cairo
20 Saturday, October 9, 2010