iVideotape by Dana Atchley

Camera Techniques for Interviewing Find a quiet place for the interview. This will make it much easier to understand what people are saying and to allow for better mixing with music during the editing process. Choose a setting where the lighting is best. Do not place the subject in front of a window or bright light or white wall. This will cause the subject to appear dark. Use a table light or the light from a window to help illuminate the subject Have your subject sit down. Hold your camera steady. Use a tripod or rest the camera and your arms on a table. Of course, you might want to shoot MTV style and move the camera around a lot, but this generally is not a good idea for beginners. Do not zoom in during the answers. This will make it easier to edit. Use the wide-angle zoom setting. This will make sure that your shot stays in focus. Get as close to your subject as possible. This will result in steady pictures and the best sound. Camera Techniques for supporting material You will need lots of different shots to tell your iRoom story. The iRoom story document has a list of the different kinds of shots you might videotape. Here are some suggestions for getting the best shots: Get an "establishing" shot of your room. An "establishing shot" is a wide-angle "big picture" shot that gives an overview of your room and what is in it. You can do this by holding your camera and walking around your room or by standing in one spot and panning moving the camera slowly from one direction to another). If you have a tripod use it. Note: An important rule is to turn on your camera and count to ten (silently) before you begin to pan. When you are finished panning hold the camera still (this is called "holding your shot") and count to ten before turning off the camera. "Holding your shots" will make it easier to edit. Get detail shots of the things that will be illustrating your story. This includes the things people have mentioned in their interviews. Place your camera in the best position to frame each shot. If you are videotaping posters or photos or books get as close as possible. You might want to try zooming in or out on some of the shots, but donÕt overuse this feature. If you want to use the "pro" term for detail shots they are called "B-Roll" shots. IMovie allows you to use a single frame from your video. This is very useful if you choose to tell an animated story or one with lots of pictures or photographs. Remember: "Hold your shot" by counting to ten. Once you have videotaped your establishing and detail shots then you might try some other techniques such as: xxPlacing your camera on the floor or high on a shelf. xxTilting your camera for crazy angles. xxMoving your camera around like a fly (through the air) xxxx or a cat (low to the ground). Audio Techniques: Audio is almost as important as video and pictures in telling your story. iMovie allows you to mix three different audio tracks: xx1. The audio that on the videotape. xx2. A music track xx3. A sound effects track, which can also contain your voiceover narration. When you are videotaping interviews or recording your own voiceover narration place the camera as close to your subject as possible. Make sure there are no other sounds in the room such as your stereo or TV. When you are videotaping your establishing and detail shots follow the same rule. Make sure there are no other sounds in the room such as your stereo or TV. This will make it much easier to mix your audio during the editing process. When you are videotaping things like your answering machine or pets or the sounds from toys and your TV get as close as possible. You can also record sound effects. Try making unusual sounds in front of the camera or videotape other unusual sounds that might help to tell your story. Preparing for the iMovie editing class: Create and bring a script for your iRoom story. Make notes on the script indicating what shots you will be using to illustrate which part of the story. Choose a favorite CD track and bring that to the iMovie editing class. You can use it to score your story. View your videotapes and take note of the times of the scenes that you will be using. This will save a great deal of time in editing.

Contents © 1999 Dana Atchley