This week we have been primarily focusing on video camera work. Throughout our lessons we have been studying and understanding the key features of a video camera and the ways in which to use them. Yesterday we ran a practice shoot for our preliminary task in which we must effectively shoot a short, pre-scripted scene. This was our first example of putting what we have learned about camera positioning, angles and use of on camera settings into practice while actually in the process of filming.
We have covered 5 main areas on the topic this week:
1) Camera operation and functions:
It was important when starting to use the cameras that we learnt about each operation and function that we would soon need to use and know about. First of all was the time code- displayed in the top right hand corner of the screen, informing you how long you have been filming for in hours, minutes, seconds and frames ( 24 frames being the heighest).
White balancing was a function that allows you to capture the correct colours that are in the frame. This is done by zooming the camera into a white space or object, pressing down the white balance button and zooming out again. This needs to be done because if not the lighting conditions that your filming in will take an effect on your footage- for example if your filming inside the artificial lighting may cause a yellow tinge on your footage, whereas if your outside a blue tinge may appear on your footage.
Aperature and shutter speed are as important on the filming cameras as they are on stills cameras. The aperature function controls how much light is let into the lense, which as a result controls the exposure of your footage. The shutter speed on the other hand is the function that controls how fast the frames are being captured. A fast shutter speed means that the frames will flow smoothly when being watched, whereas a slow shutter speed will cause a more delayed reaction when filming.
2) Using the camera:
When it came to actually using the camera we had to start with setting up the tri-pod. This piece of equipment is neccessary if you are wanting to keep the camera still whilst filming instead of using it hand-held, which in some cases may be the preffered method for a particular effect, however most of the time the tri-pod is used. It also allows you to tilt the camera up and down whilst filming in a steady pace so that the footage looks more proffessional.
We learnt that, when setting up the tripod you needed to use the bubbling function on the top of the tri-pod. Bubbling acts as a spirit level which basically allows you to make sure your tri-pod is level to the ground when you have set it up. If you don't bubble the tri-pod you could accidently result in filming some wonky footage.
After you have bubbled the tri-pod it is then time to slide the camera ontop of it and lock it into place which then means you are ready to start filming. From then on it was pretty basic to learn how to use the camera. After coming to grips with the different functions and setting up the levels to be right all you had to do was hit record and start to film.
3) Use of industry terminology:
When we started to film we thought that you hit record, film the scene and cut when you feel you have achieved the shot you wanted. However we wewre taught that there was specific terminology that is used in the media industry that we would know have to learn to start using. This terminology is primarily used bu the director and the camera man. In order for all the cast and crew to be aware that filming is about to commence the director will yell 'Stand by". In return the camera man will become aware of this and reply with the phrase 'standing by' to agree that he is ready to start filming. The director will then say 'roll film' which is when the camera man hits the record button which commences filming and says 'rolling' to make the director aware that the filming has begun. The director will then shout 'Action' to start the action of the sequence which is then terminated by the saying 'cut'. The camera man will wait a few seconds after the director has yelled cut as to make sure no footage is cut off the end.
The process of starting to film is called the 'lead in', whereas the process of ending the footage is called the 'lead out'.
4) Evaluation of practice shoot:
After learning about all of this new technology and terminology we were then put to the test by being told to take part in a practice shoot. Each group was sent off with a camera, tri-pod and script. Given a time limit we were told that two of us had to act and the others had to film. Even though the actors weren't filming we all got a chance to test out the camera and help each other out.
Seeing as this was our first shoot I wasn't expecting to produce footage of high quality standard, but more of a satisfactory first attempt, which as a result is what we did. However, now that we are aware of the basics of filming we should be more prepared for our preliminary task.
5) The move between still and video cameras
Before we had started to use the video camera we were told to use still cameras in a task to create our own film poster. Personally I was aware of how to use the still camera, however some others weren't as informed. This meant the transition from the still camera to the video camera may have been more of a challenge to some than others. I think that I much prefer the video camera as appossed to the still camera because you are able to capture footage instead of a single frame.
We have covered 5 main areas on the topic this week:
1) Camera operation and functions:
It was important when starting to use the cameras that we learnt about each operation and function that we would soon need to use and know about. First of all was the time code- displayed in the top right hand corner of the screen, informing you how long you have been filming for in hours, minutes, seconds and frames ( 24 frames being the heighest).
White balancing was a function that allows you to capture the correct colours that are in the frame. This is done by zooming the camera into a white space or object, pressing down the white balance button and zooming out again. This needs to be done because if not the lighting conditions that your filming in will take an effect on your footage- for example if your filming inside the artificial lighting may cause a yellow tinge on your footage, whereas if your outside a blue tinge may appear on your footage.
Aperature and shutter speed are as important on the filming cameras as they are on stills cameras. The aperature function controls how much light is let into the lense, which as a result controls the exposure of your footage. The shutter speed on the other hand is the function that controls how fast the frames are being captured. A fast shutter speed means that the frames will flow smoothly when being watched, whereas a slow shutter speed will cause a more delayed reaction when filming.
2) Using the camera:
When it came to actually using the camera we had to start with setting up the tri-pod. This piece of equipment is neccessary if you are wanting to keep the camera still whilst filming instead of using it hand-held, which in some cases may be the preffered method for a particular effect, however most of the time the tri-pod is used. It also allows you to tilt the camera up and down whilst filming in a steady pace so that the footage looks more proffessional.
We learnt that, when setting up the tripod you needed to use the bubbling function on the top of the tri-pod. Bubbling acts as a spirit level which basically allows you to make sure your tri-pod is level to the ground when you have set it up. If you don't bubble the tri-pod you could accidently result in filming some wonky footage.
After you have bubbled the tri-pod it is then time to slide the camera ontop of it and lock it into place which then means you are ready to start filming. From then on it was pretty basic to learn how to use the camera. After coming to grips with the different functions and setting up the levels to be right all you had to do was hit record and start to film.
3) Use of industry terminology:
When we started to film we thought that you hit record, film the scene and cut when you feel you have achieved the shot you wanted. However we wewre taught that there was specific terminology that is used in the media industry that we would know have to learn to start using. This terminology is primarily used bu the director and the camera man. In order for all the cast and crew to be aware that filming is about to commence the director will yell 'Stand by". In return the camera man will become aware of this and reply with the phrase 'standing by' to agree that he is ready to start filming. The director will then say 'roll film' which is when the camera man hits the record button which commences filming and says 'rolling' to make the director aware that the filming has begun. The director will then shout 'Action' to start the action of the sequence which is then terminated by the saying 'cut'. The camera man will wait a few seconds after the director has yelled cut as to make sure no footage is cut off the end.
The process of starting to film is called the 'lead in', whereas the process of ending the footage is called the 'lead out'.
4) Evaluation of practice shoot:
After learning about all of this new technology and terminology we were then put to the test by being told to take part in a practice shoot. Each group was sent off with a camera, tri-pod and script. Given a time limit we were told that two of us had to act and the others had to film. Even though the actors weren't filming we all got a chance to test out the camera and help each other out.
Seeing as this was our first shoot I wasn't expecting to produce footage of high quality standard, but more of a satisfactory first attempt, which as a result is what we did. However, now that we are aware of the basics of filming we should be more prepared for our preliminary task.
5) The move between still and video cameras
Before we had started to use the video camera we were told to use still cameras in a task to create our own film poster. Personally I was aware of how to use the still camera, however some others weren't as informed. This meant the transition from the still camera to the video camera may have been more of a challenge to some than others. I think that I much prefer the video camera as appossed to the still camera because you are able to capture footage instead of a single frame.
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