Camcorder Techniques
By Mark Sturge, Fri Dec 9th

Pre-Production:

It's all got to start somewhere, so before you even charge yourbatteries, rewind those tapes or pack the car, take a seat andhave a good think about what you are planning to shoot with yourcamcorder. 'Planning is the key' to a good production even ifyou're just shooting a small home movie.

It may sound like overkill if you head out the door to film yourchildren at a sporting event or a family birthday party, but ifyou are planning to display the video to family and friends oreven review it yourself for extended lengths of time, you willwant AND need it to be as compelling as possible.

Now if you're filming a longer feature or being paid for aproject, pre-production planning is essential. Both instreamlining the production phase of the project and displayinga professional image for your business. This is done by usingbasic filming techniques.

This may consist of sketching up a storyboard (to download asample go to www.kmsvideo.com/Resources.htm ), detailed notes oran interview/information session with the client.

"But I just want to shoot a home movie, not a production of BenHur!" I hear you say. OK then, let's bring it back to basicsshall we?

First of all any video you take needs to have a beginning, amiddle and an end. Simple as that!

Now, say you were to tell people at work on Monday morning aninteresting event that happened on the weekend. How would you goabout it? A bit of background information, then the main 'body'of the event and close it off with a punchline or resolution.You're telling a STORY.

Now go out with your video camera

and- "Tell a Story on Film".Still unclear? Here's a practical example...

Timmy's first soccer final is on Saturday. It's a big occasionso you are going to capture it on video. Using our basic formulalets make it into a compelling story-

Beginning:

Open with a shot of the alarm clock, Timmy packing his bag,having breakfast then climbing into the car. All less than 5seconds duration and if your camera has the function, set it tofade in and out to black.

Middle:

The team runs onto the field. Shots of Timmy chasing, dribblingand passing the ball at warm-up. Get the opening whistle andkick off, then move around the field for various angles andshots of Timmy. Film the coaches address to his players at halftime followed by more game footage.

End:

Ref blows the full-time whistle and you video the teams shakinghands and walking off the field. Finally, close the video with ashot of our star and maybe a few words.

That's it! A very simplified version so here's a few tips toremember-

#Don't just keep the camera rolling in the hope that somethinginteresting will happen. #Move around so you're not alwaysfilming from the one spot. #Use close-ups and wide shotsalternatively. #Don't talk over the footage, let the picturestell the story.

Now with a bit of pre-planning and good and filmingtechniques, you'll Have friends and family lining up to watchyour home movies!

About the author:Mark Sturge is the owner of KMS Productions and webmaster athttp://www.video-production-mastery.com A site where visitorscan find information, training videos and manuals that helppeople to better their techniques or discover ways toearn an income from their video taking hobby.