Chapter Overview:
This chapter discusses the new era of video journalism and how to shoot a quality news video.
Video journalism is a growing field and journalists who have the ability to shoot and edit video news stories will have a competitive edge in the market.
Digital video cameras:
There are two types of digital cameras, 1CCD and 3 CCD (CCD= charge coupled device). CCD is a measurement of the number of computer chips used to process color, with 3 giving a better picture quality than 1. However, a 1 CCD camera is sufficient for basic Web video.
A digital camera can also be used to take still photographs by switching the camera from "Tape mode" to "Card mode" and using the button marked “photo”.
Accessories
Batteries – need to be large capacity battery with a back-up
Tapes – need to ample tape for the length of the shoot and a spare
Tripod – allows for a steady shot
Headphones- necessary to check audio quality
Lighting – an external light that clips on to the camera is essential
Tips for shooting the video
Focus – using the automatic focus is usually better picture than trying it manually
Zoom – Zoom only when necessary and as slowly as possible and never zoom in on someone talking
Exposure – use of the automatic exposure is often sufficient; manual exposure for low light situations opens up the iris and allows in more light
Audio options include using the built-in mike, wireless mike, or shotgun mike
- Built-in mikes are ideal for natural sounds such as sporting events and fairs.
- Wireless mikes are used in interviews. A tiny mike is place on the interviewee’s lapel and it is wired to a transmitter they can place in their pocket. A receiver is then plugged into the camera.
- Shotgun mikes are used to capture conversations among several individuals. They can either be attached to the camera directly or they are wireless and had a transmitter and receiver.
Still photographs can be taken with a digital camera by switching the camera from "Tape mode" to "Card mode" and using the button marked “photo”.
Shooting the video
Documentary-style video story – the video must tell a complete story so shooting this type of video takes planning to get the right footage. It requires a mix of shots, usually 25% wide-angle shots, 25% close-ups and 50% medium shots.
- Wide-angle shots give the viewer a sense of the environment, such as shooting the entire room or the outside of a building.
- Close-ups are shots that zoom in on someone who is talking. It is important to first zoom and then begin recording rather than doing both at the same time.
- Medium shots are shots that are somewhere in between the other two.
Breaking News/highlights/clips style video - this type of video cannot be planed for in advance so it is essential to capture worthwhile footage, such as reaction from witnesses and highlight clips of events. For high action videos where the subjects are moving, shorter clips are better and they can always be edited together with voice-over commentary.
Tips
Shoot selectively – this reduces editing time and saves tape space
Don’t pan and zoom – it is best to stop recording when switching between shots.
Hold your shots for at least 15 seconds – they can always be shortened
Be silent – the camera picks up every sound
Frame your subject – keep the subject slightly off center by imagining the frame is divided into horizontal and vertical thirds and having the subject’s face on one of the intersecting lines.
Seek the best short clips – participate in the editing of your clips to chose the best clips to convey the story.
What’s New?
New products such as the new line of video cameras from "Pure Digital" have made video recording as easy as using an old tape recorder. They have simplified buttons for play, record, stop, forward and back. They can hold between 30 – 60 minutes of video and sell for less than $200. They do not have a zoom feature and must be hand-held, but they do allow for basic no frills videography.
~All information taken from "Journalism 2.0"
~Pictures From google.com