Camera Handling Project
Video Project: Camera Handling Video - “The Stalker Video”
Good video does not happen by accident. One of the characteristics of producing a good video is knowing how to handle the camera. The proper use of a tripod almost immediately separates a professional video from a home video. The quality of your shots will improve by using a tripod as your series of shots develops into a meaningful sequence. A good videographer is familiar with how the camera can move and how each movement effects the viewer. The second characteristic which contributes to a good video production is preplanning, also known as pre-production. Professionals meticulously plan everything, before they even pick up a camera.
Your group will produce a 2 minute, video showing a pursuit or a "stake out" situation using the key concepts outlined below. The goal of this task is to learn how to use the key camera movements; to know the purpose of each camera command; and to select the appropriate camera movement for each situation. After you plan the video, you will film the sequence of shots. There should be a heightened sense of suspense as the stalker catches up to the person being stalked. The ending is your choice. The final step is clean up your editing using the video editing software. You may choose to edit by yourself using the group’s footage, or with your group. In the next project, you will add copyright cleared music.
Key Concepts and Skills
Process
Communication
Good video does not happen by accident. One of the characteristics of producing a good video is knowing how to handle the camera. The proper use of a tripod almost immediately separates a professional video from a home video. The quality of your shots will improve by using a tripod as your series of shots develops into a meaningful sequence. A good videographer is familiar with how the camera can move and how each movement effects the viewer. The second characteristic which contributes to a good video production is preplanning, also known as pre-production. Professionals meticulously plan everything, before they even pick up a camera.
Your group will produce a 2 minute, video showing a pursuit or a "stake out" situation using the key concepts outlined below. The goal of this task is to learn how to use the key camera movements; to know the purpose of each camera command; and to select the appropriate camera movement for each situation. After you plan the video, you will film the sequence of shots. There should be a heightened sense of suspense as the stalker catches up to the person being stalked. The ending is your choice. The final step is clean up your editing using the video editing software. You may choose to edit by yourself using the group’s footage, or with your group. In the next project, you will add copyright cleared music.
Key Concepts and Skills
- camera movements:
- Establishing Shot
- Long shot
- Medium Shot
- Close Up
- Extreme Close Up
- High Angle
- Low Angle
- Over the Shoulder
- Point of View (First Person)
- Pan
- Tilt
- Dolly
- the difference between a dolly and zoom
- sequencing your shots to tell a story
- post production editing and sound
Process
- Plan your sequence in storyboard form
- Shoot your sequence in order
- Ensure that you are using the camera techniques properly, and that you are using all the techniques outlined in the rubric.
- Edit your final sequence using Adobe Premiere
Communication
- Storyboard
- Plan your sequence in the order that it occurs, that is, what happens first, what happens second, etc.
- Be careful not to leave out any details
- Think about where the action will take place
- Use the proper camera terminology to describe your shots
- Each shot must include the kind of camera shot
- For example, still shot of the stalker peering around the corner; or pan the stalker walking in front of the vending machine in the max
Rubric
Handheld camera
Shots will lack the smoothness to which so many technical resources are devoted. Gives a you-are-there feel to the shots.
This video by famed director Robert Rodriguez touches on the magic of the handheld camera.
Shots will lack the smoothness to which so many technical resources are devoted. Gives a you-are-there feel to the shots.
This video by famed director Robert Rodriguez touches on the magic of the handheld camera.
