1. TCOM 4170 Spring 2014
Video Production
Amani Channel, MA
Lecture #2

2. Agenda
 Review
 Production Positions
 Planning to Shoot
 Using your Camera
 Composition
 Photo Essay In Class Assignment

3. Quiz
1.
Explain the difference between HD and SD
2.
Name 3 video formats (types of cams/acquisition)
3.
Explain what nonlinear editing is
4.
What is workflow?
5.
Explain why composition is important

4. Remember
• Goal is to create interesting stories
• Tell narratives
• Learn professional video production techniques
• Composition
• Lighting
• Audio
• Editing

5. Case Study
 Alfred Hitchcock
 Hitchcock’s Rule “The size of an object in a frame should be
directly related to its importance in the story at that very
moment.”
 Hitchcock Techniques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5cxBHJ9_i4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg6velhQxGs

6. The Filmmakers Eye
 High/low angles
High-camera above eye level = weakness, powerless, passive
Low-below eye level = power, control, confidence
 Focal Points
Center of interest in a composition
Create compositions that will be understood
 180 Rule Maintains spatial continuity
The camera should always be placed on one side of an
imaginary line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27KCpefUMxU

7. The Filmmakers Eye
 Field of View
How much space along the x and y axis a lens will include in a
frame, wide angle, normal, telephoto. Short focal length =
greater field of view
 Focal length is a measurement (millimeters) from the optical
center to the recording surface.
 Depth of field
Distance along along the z axis that will be in sharp focus

8. Basic Production Positions
 Above the line: writer, producer, director, talent
Below the line: everyone else (most production positions)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Below_the_line_(filmmaking)
 Executive Director/Client: Finance
Producer: Budget/Logistics/Keeps project on track
Director: Calling the shots/camera
Audio
DP: Lights/Camera
PA: Assists with equipment

9. Video Production Formula
 Plan: Preproduction. Write proposal, treatment, script,
determine production needs; location, equipment, crew, edit,
budget
 Shoot: Production. Capture video, talent takes according to
script
 Edit: Postproduction (polish video with music, color
correction, sweeten audio, motion graphics, special fx,
render.
 Share: Distribution.

10. Workflow
 Step-by-step management of a complex project
Process by which you efficiently plan, shot, and edit a
video/film project.
 What camera & video format?
 Where is the video stored?
 What editing program?
 How will it be archived?

11. Getting to know the camera
 How to turn it on
 Connect to tripod
 Audio
 White balance
 Focus
 Watch zooms

12. Storytelling Goals
 Tell a story
 Beginning/middle/end
 Good audio
 Good video
 Good pictures
 Emotion is good

13. The first step
 Writing the proposal. The concept of the story, what is the
plot, goal, or reason why the film/video is being created.
 Who is the talent? Shoot location(s), props?
 What equipment? Camera, mics, special needs?
 Timeline, shoot dates, deadlines
 Final deliverable (format, DVD, media file?)