Digital Video Production is the filming that brings your video plans to life. Carefully follow your plan in order to meet the budget, to stay on schedule, and to correctly capture your video objectives.
Like, the planning (pre-production) process, some jobs may be happening
at the same time; team members are completing their
student role assigned tasks. Some tasks, such as research for post-production
narration or sound, may take place both in the planning and production phases.
In videography, the actual filming "on location" is known as Production, while the editing process is known as Post-Production. Please use the Web sites listed in Internet Resources to read more specific production details, but here are the general practices to follow:
GATHER MATERIALS
- Digital equipment for the shoot. During the planning process the Camera Operator and Producer were working behind the scenes making sure the necessary equipment is properly "checked-out" for each scheduled shoot. It is a good idea to use a check list the day of the shoot, so you don't forget to bring equipment.
- Final storyboards and scripts
- Actors assemble their costumes
- Props and set resources are compiled
VIDEOTAPE (FILM)
- Follow planned camera angles, but modify if necessary. Read more about types of camera angles, camera shots, composition, etc. in the Internet Resources section. Frame your shots using the LCD panel.
- Use manual focus and refocus for each new take
- Capture proper lighting - use the viewfinder on the camcorder to check lighting, not the LCD panel. Do not film directly into light, change the camera
- Capture proper sound, use a microphone if necessary.
- Use a tripod when necessary to capture steady footage. If you do not have access to a tripod, set the camera in a secure location, or try to steady the camera against an object. However, handheld effects are sometimes part of the shot - the style you are attempting to capture on film.
- Leave blank space before and after scenes to allow for transition editing.
- Mark the scenes. Use a movie time-clip, a chalkboard, sign or some method to film the number of the scene before each shot.
REVIEW VIDEO
Team members usually appreciate being able to view all the video that was
captured. You can connect your camcorder directly to a television and
play the footage full screen. This is fun activity and a good time to note
team agreement regarding which scenes are worthwhile for the final version.
IMPORT SCENES TO COMPUTER
Connect the firewire
cable to the camcorder and to the computer. Turn the camcorder on and to play
mode. Forward the video tape from the camera to the beginning of the scene
you would like to transfer to the computer. Then, import the scene using your
editing software, such as iMovie® . Stop the capture. Repeat this process
until you have importing the clips you have chosen to edit. Keep all the footage
on the video tape as the master. If you make a mistake during editing, you
may need to repeat this process to obtain the original footage.
DIGITALLY EDIT THE VIDEO
Editing was traditionally analog (using tapes, such as VCR), but using a computer to create a digital video is less expensive than analog and is much easier now using iMovie and other editing software. Adding "final touches", such as credits is referred to as taking place during a post-production phase.
- Order clips and crop where necessary
- Use consistent transitions
- Add sound clips and music. Make sure to obtain proper copyright permissions
- Add narration
- Add titles and credits
CRITIQUE - FINAL TEAM
REVIEW
Now is when the team provides final feedback and if time permits for
any last changes this could happen. Consider if the budget affords any time
to make modifications. If an evaluation of your video experience is required,
you may be completing more project feedback now or after the
final publishing of the video.
PUBLISH THE FINAL VIDEO
VHS, Web (Quicklime, REAL Player), CD-ROM, digital tape are the options for
saving your video. How you need to convert the final version may depend on
your target audience and available resources. Audiences will most likely view
via VHS (convenient to share) and the World Wide Web. The most reliable media
for archiving a film is to copy the final version back to the digital tape.
You can work with your team and read more about compressing video online in
the Internet Resources for Digital
Video in Education.
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