In another article, we talked about preproduction, the stage that precedes filming, when you should (ideally) plan your project as thoroughly as possible. Now, we are going to talk about the Production stage, when you actually pick up the camera and shoot.
From the get-go, I would like to say that we, at SEEDIGITAL, believe that preproduction is the most important part of the process, so if you haven’t read the article yet, we suggest you do it now and then get back to this one.
We’ll start by talking about filming equipment. Whether you’re putting together an internal video production team or you’re relying on video production service providers, you have to make sure that you have all the neccessary gear for filming. In the following paragraphs, we’ll tell you what equipment you need on a shoot, so you know what to buy, rent or ask for from your providers.
Cameras and lenses
Basically, you should film using a digital camera capable to record at least in HD resolution (or 1920 x 1080 pixels, if you want to get technical). Ideally, though, you should have one or more cameras thet can film in 4K resolution (four time the size of HD video).
Apart from the flexibility you will have in post-production (a subject we’ll touch upon in a later post), the higher resolution will offer you the assurance that the footage you’re filming will be usable, if needed, years from now, when technology will have evolved and video consumption devices will have had much better performance than those of the present day. We are already buying more and more 4K TVs, and we are only a step away from when 4K displays will be integrated into other consumer devices like laptops and smartphones.
If you’re just starting out and for the monet you prefer to film on a smartphone or tablet, you should know that most of these devices film at a minimum of HD resolution, and some even shoot 4K. Also, a lot of them can be fitted with filming accessories – lenses, tripods, gimbals and so on.
When you’re ready to go to the next level, your best option is to go either for fixed lens cameras, most of which can shoot straight out of the box, or for professional or semi-professional digital photography cameras (DSLRs of mirrorless), which allow for manual settings and for attaching the lenses of your choice.
And when it comes to lenses, you can choose between fixed focal length lenses (which means that they can’t zoom, and the only way to make the objects in the picture bigger or smaller is to phisically get closer or further away from them) or zoom lenses (which can modify their focal length and allow for more framing choices from the same camera position). Each of these lenses have their advantages and disadvantages, too many to be discusses here, and come in various quality levels and price ranges.
In order to have a clear idea about what you should have with you on a shoot, you have to keep in mind that your gear should:
– keep up with technological advances, at least for some time
– not be so complicated that they become a hindrance rather than a help (especially when you’re filming alone or with work colleagues, not with video specialist team)
If you want to invest in your own equipment and you;re thinking in terms of cost versus usefulness, ask yourself these questions before buying:
– Does the camera you want have the option to attach an external microphone?
– Do you need special software in order to set up and use your camera?
– Do you need extra accessories, and if so, are they affordable?
– What is you filmmaking skill level? (if you’re not hiring professionals)
– What is the recommended use for that specific camera? (You’re not going to film interviews with a GoPro, for example. I mean, in an extreme situation, you can, but why would you? The principle here is to have the right tools for the job.)
Tripods and other stabilization rigs
Even if you’re going for a barebones setup, with just a smartphone, you’re going to need a stable image. And the most common stabilization device around is the tripod.
Choosing a tripod will be dictated, mostly, by the type and size of the camera you;re using, as well as your syle of filming. For simple shoots, with small cameras and static shots, a photography tripod is enough. But if you’re upgrading to a larger camera and you also want to introduce some movement in your shots, you should go for a sturdier tripod, with a fluid head, which can offer both safety, as well as the possibility to perform steady, fluid camera movements, without any jerks or pulls. Most cameras fit easily on a tripod, with the help of a standard screw, but for smarphones and tablets you will need special adapters.
If you want to physically move the camera from one place to another during the shot, there are several stabilization alternatives, from devices that steady the camera with the help of counterweights, ti motorized, eletronically controlled systems. You can find models for smartphones, as well as for larger cameras, and for most of these you will most likely need a period of time to adjust and practice to get the best results, so be patient.
If you’re choosing to hire a video crew, make sure that they own or can source this equipment and have experience in using it.
Microphones
Good sound can save mediocre filming, but bad sound can ruin even an excellent shoot.
Microphones are some of the most important pieces of equipment you can have in your kit, so make sure you record sound using good, dedicated gear. Before buying microphones, make sure they are compatible with your camera or if they need adapters and remember: unless there is absolutely no other choice, do not use your camera’s integrated microphones!
If you want to record sound for an interview (for testimonials, how-to’s, employee or founder stories etc.), where the interviewee’s voice is the most important element, make sure you’re filming in quiet environments, with no background noise. Unwanted sounds, such as ambient music, other people talking nearby, machinery or appliances that make noise, alarms etc. will be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove once recorded, which can can render your shots useless.
As a rule of thumb, your camera operator or sound recordist (if you have one on your team) should be monitoring sound in real time. If this is not possible, for any reason, it’s higly recommended that the fils be downloaded and checked as soon as they are shot.
Studio and location lights
Just because your phone or camera come with integrated lights doesn’t mean you should be tempted to use them. They are put there to offer minimum illumination, mostly for photos, and are not suited for filming.
Like with all the other equipment, there are many lighting options out there, from the more costly professional kits, to the cheaper consumer versions.
If you want to keep your company video productio in-house, it’s recommended that you train the employees responsible with lighting, because beyond the basics of how to set up lights and make them look good, they should also be able to adapt lighting to the filming location, style, person on camera and subject matter.
This is where hiring specialists comes in handy, as they bring with them strong knowledge of fiming and lighting.
Teleprompters
If you’re filming any type of video where someone is talking in front of a camera, we recommend using a teleprompter, similar to those used in television. This allows the speaker to read, rather than recite a text or speak freely. This means that speakers can add intonation and some “acting”, without having to worry about remebering lines or thinking about what they’re going to say next. What’s more, if your speaker reads the same text, in the same way, more than once, you can shoot several framings without having to worry about continuity, and your subjects are going to be less stressed. Just remember that reading off a teleprompter needs a little getting used to, as well as excercises for enunciation, intonation, breathing and gesturing.
Short Good Practice Guide For Filming
1. Angles
If you’re filming interviews, you should ideally position the camera at the eye level of your interviewee. Otherwise, you might make them look small and weak (if your place it higher than eye level), or large and menacing (if you place it lower). For illustrative (B-Roll) shots you can experiment with filming angles, but don’t get carried away. Sometimes less is more.
2. Sound
As we’ve already mentioned earlier, avoid noise and other unwanted sounds, as well as rooms with strong echo. Don’t film in empty, unfurnished rooms. If you absolutely need to, record voices by placing microphones very close to the speaker’s mouth or with a lavalier microphone. For lavaliers, you should hide the cables and emitter underneath the speaker’s clothes and you should place the microphone about 20 centimeters away from their mouth.
3. B-Roll
Keep interviews interesting by editing (related) illustrative shots over what’s being said. Not only will you video be more captivating, but B-Roll will also help you hide cuts, camera movement, as well as get rid of pauses. If you’re unable to film B-Roll for your interviews, you can buy stock videos from specialized online platforms.
4. More than one take
If you can, shoot more versions of the same lines or action. You can shoot the same angle several times and pick the best version, or you can shoot different angles of the same action and edit it into a sequence. Whatever course of action you decide on, it’s always better to shoot it more than once and be sure that you have it than to have to reshoot if your only shot turns out to be no good (which can sometimes be impossible).
