1. How to Be Better Storytellers CESKM Audio & Video Production 101 presented by Maureen E. Hall 05.20.11

2. Introduction

3. About Me Writer, producer, director 25+ years experience Mostly corporate environment National and international awards Non-technical Telling the best story in the most interesting and informative way

4. What About You?

5. You’re in the Know Gather and disseminate the latest news and ideas in your organization Powerful position Learn how to use it

7. Production Value$ $$$$ $$$ $$ $

8. Production Value$ $$$$ $$$ $$ $ can still be

9. ENGElectronic News Gathering Mobile, light, agile 1- or 2-person team Camera, Audio, Tripod, Light Just what you need to get the story

10. Camera Basics Iris (aperture) controls exposure: how much light gets in the camera Measured in f/stops: the larger the f/stop number, the smaller the aperture, thus lower exposure “Stop down” “it looks too hot” “looks blown out”— lower the exposure High light = High f/stop number Low light = Low f/stop number Focus: blurry or crisp A function of distance from lens to subject

11. Tripod Stabilizes camera Smooth moves Pan: right or left Tilt: up or down

12. Lighting Natural effect Make your subjects look good

13. Audio Crisp, “clean”, articulate vs. “noisy”, “muddy”, indistinct Camera microphone is last resort or back-up External microphone(s) best for speaking Reduce “ambient sound” (unless it adds to the story) WORST DISTRACTION: sound from something you can’t see in the frame

14. Framing How to compose your shots to make them more interesting

15. P.I.C.K Your Shot Positioning of the camera & subject Background and lighting Subject stands out Intimacy Focus on the eyes Cutting Different focal lengths to cut between Focal length: size of subject in the frame Vary focal length by zooming in or out

16. Shot Cheat Sheet

17. Most Corporate Video

18. It’s called a “Talking Head” for a reason….

19. Video is a Close-Up Medium Close-Up (CU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium (MS)

20. Close-Up (CU)

21. Extreme Close-Up (XCU)

22. Medium Shot (MS)

23. Medium Shot (MS)

24. Medium Close-Up (MCU)

25. Medium Close-Up (MCU)

26. Close-Up (CU)

28. Rule of Thirds

29. Rule of Thirds

30. Other Composition Elements Little or no headroom Camera at eye level Body angled into frame Non-flat background

31. Putting it into Practice

32. Putting it into Practice

33. Putting it into Practice

34. Other Tips DON’T put subject in the comfiest chair DO ask him/her to: Tuck in their shirt Sit on their jacket DO have on hand: A glass or bottle of water at hand Tissues De-greasing wipes

35. Lighting

36. Color Temperature Tungsten = Warm Daylight = Cool

37. Color Temperature

38. Fluorescent

39. White Balance Adjust the white balance setting on the camera Hold a piece of white paper in front of the subject’s face Adjust the camera setting until the white looks white in the view finder or onboard LCD monitor

40. Balance Your Lighting to the Environment

41. 3-Point Lighting System Key Light Main (strongest) light source Fill Softer, to “fill” the shadows created by the key light Backlight Separates the subject from the background

42. 3-Point Lighting Setup

43. Litepanels 1x1

44. Litepanels 1x1

45. Putting it Into Practice

46. Avoid Shooting Toward Windows

47. Putting it Into Practice

48. Window Light as Key or Fill

49. Background Interest

50. Rules of Thumb Avoid windows as background. Use window light for key or fill. Use bounce card (3’x4’ foam core) or umbrella for back light. ALWAYS make sure light is off before you plug it in. ALWAYS warn everyone before turning on lights. Start with the dimmest setting and turn up.

51. Recording Professional Audio

52. Audio Challenges

53. Audio Challenges

54. Audio Basics Find the best-sounding location Sound blankets can help in “live” locations or to cover a persistent noise source (PC, for example) Use an external mike Keep mike the same distance from speaker’s mouth at all times Silence is golden! DON’T “step on” speaker’s last words Ask subject to repeat question in the answer

55. Mike Your Subject

56. Basic Audio for Interviews

57. Lavalier Basics Last thing before shot Between 1st & 2nd button Check the level DON’T let talent leave with the mike on!

58. PZMPressure Zone Mike Made for capturing audio in meetings 180oomnidirectional Uses table top to amplify audio Also amplifies table noises Place on a piece of old mouse pad to minimize One mike will cover table for 6

59. Monitor Your Audio

60. Record Room Tone Every room has a sound Cover gaps in editing End of interview Exactly same set-up 30 seconds to a minute

61. Telling More Visual Stories How to compose your shots to make them more interesting

62. What is B-roll? “Cutaway” material that helps tell the story

63. Create a Library Store and categorize footage from previous shoots Use stock footage Royalty-free sources you can use again & again www.istockphoto.com/Video www.pond5.com/Royalty-Free-Video www.gettyimages.com www.artbeats.com http://www.thoughtequity.com footage.shutterstock.com

65. Supporting Graphics

66. Get the Story Before You Get the Shot Pre-pro (Pre-production) Pre-interview via phone 3 most important things that… Read up Find out what “assets” they may have Photos, print materials, etc. Always have a thumb drive with you Check out the shoot location Lighting, sound, clutter Maybe find a better one Talk to subject about how to look their best

67. Interviewing Techniques Break it up Don’t let them ramble Change focal length Ask follow-up questions or ask the same question again in a different way Probe for details

68. Digital Workflow

69. Get Creative!Have Fun! Thank you.

70. Lunch & a Movie