Basic rules of filming
It happens every time; at least sometimes! When I plan to film that
special occasion, like a wedding or making a worthwhile record of a
holiday. I tell myself that I won’t forget those little rules about
producing a good video. So I know I will make sure I have enough close
ups and cut-aways. Sadly, I fail my own rules more often than I should,
and have to make do with what I’ve got so editing can be tricky. Easily distracted I suppose - My
excuse!
Although many of these points have been covered before, I feel it is
worthwhile reiterating some of those old thoughts: GOOD
AND BAD!
COMPOSITION
Bad composition is in my opinion the most common let
down with amateur camera work, some are much better than others, or
should I say, worse than others! Well, I think it is a natural gift, but
there are definite rules, easily forgotten during the excitement of the
moment.
1Tone balance; The picture must be well balanced both
in colour and tone. The weight should not be all on one side, although a
little more weight at the bottom of the frame is acceptable.
2.
Colour balance; the same applies, a large area of the same colour on one
side or a corner distracts from the subject. So you need to have both
eyes open.
3. Avoid a large gap between
the top of actors heads and the top of the frame.
4. An important
shape should be positioned at about a third into the frame.
5. The
horizon should never be at the half way point (normally!).
6. With one person speaking, in a side or three quarter shot, the
speaker must face into the frame - NOT THE EDGE!
7. If face on, the
person should be near central, not near to one edge.
8. In big close
ups, top of head is usually out of frame.
9. A person speaking must
be in focus, not the background!
So obvious, many will say, but I
keep on seeing these mistakes and they really can spoil an otherwise
good epic and marks are lost when it comes to judging.
Another
suggestion I made before was to study the way shots are composed in good
films and TV productions. Professionals seldom make big mistakes, so I
think it is a good idea to really study them. Analyse them as examples;
you could even do better! There are sometimes far too many gimmicky
shots such as The Dutch Tilt’, or too many zip pans from one side, then
back, which are distracting. Only my opinion, but I look for nicely
composed pictures that the Cameraman has obviously given much thought
to. At the other end of the scale, a kind person offers to take a shot
of you and your friends having fun (“Just set it for me and I’ll take a
shot.”). The result from the inexperienced person is very rarely good,
with the shot usually disappointing.
CAMERA OPERATION
SIMPLE RULES
Similar rules apply with camera
operation, referring to the starting and stopping of a shot, where to
start and stop. It sounds obvious, but
there again there are rules which, if overlooked, make editing an
extremely tricky task.
1. Always allow a run in at the beginning and
a reasonable run at the end of the take.
2. When panning, compose
your picture at the start and at the finish, making sure that the camera
is level, (check the verticals or use a spirit level). Hold the camera
still for a few seconds before starting the pan and hold the shot after
the pan.
3. Do not pan too fast! There is however a use for rapid zip
pans if you are covering, candidly, a conversation. When a person is
speaking, listen for a pause and zip pan to another or others in the
group. This can be
done a few times during the shot and the zips are
cut out when editing.
4. Use a tripod whenever possible, but
especially with telephoto shots.
5. It is best to get an assistant to
pull focus when taking a long telephoto scene of a person walking
towards the camera in a crowd as the auto focus will hunt. So practice
runs are essential. (Clearly only for manual control cameras.)
6. On static shots,
stand away from the camera or use a remote control. A colour monitor is
a useful accessory.
7. A polarising filter is a useful accessory to
reduce reflections in glass or water etc.
I’ll just pop off now
to practice what I preach - that’s if I can find a battery that’s
charged up! (But that’s another story.)
John Woolmer