Videos

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Shot: 

All video is made up of shots. A shot is basically from when you press record to when you
stop recording. Like the individual photos which make up an album, the shots get put together
to make a video.

Framing & Composition: The frame is the picture you see in the viewfinder (or on a
monitor). Composition refers to the layout of everything within a picture frame — what the
subject is, where it is in the frame, which way it's facing/looking, the background, the
foreground, lighting, etc.

When you "frame" a shot, you adjust the camera position and zoom lens until your shot has the
desired composition.

There is a general set of rules in the video industry which describe how to frame different types
of camera shots, such as the ones illustrated below

VWS (Very Wide Shot) WS (Wide Shot) CU (Close Up) 


Shows the subject's Shows the whole subject. Shows a feature of the
environment. subject.

Transition: Shots are linked (edited) in a sequence to tell a larger story. The way in which any
two shots are joined together is called the transition.

Usually this is a simple cut, in which one shot changes instantly to the next. More complex
transitions include mixing, wipes and digital effects. A moving shot (e.g. pan) can also be
thought of as a transition from one shot to a new one.

**The transition is very important in camera work, and you need to think constantly about how
every shot will fit in with the ones before and after it. The key is not so much how the transition
is achieved technically, but how the composition of each shot fits together.

important terms.

Pan Side-to-side camera movement.


Tilt Up-and-down camera movement.
Zoom In-and-out camera movement (i.e. closer and more distant).
The opening which lets light into the camera. A wider iris means more light
Iris (Exposure)
and a brighter picture.
White balance Adjusting the colours until they look natural and consistent.
Shutter Analogous to the shutter in a still camera.
Audio Sound which is recorded to go with the pictures.

Planning

1. Shoot Plan

In this case, the word shoot refers to a shooting session. If you think of everything you record as
being part of a shoot, and have a plan for every shoot, then you're well on the way to having
better organized footage.

 If you're making a feature film, then the long-term plan is to gather all the shots
required by the script/storyboard.
 If you're making home videos, the long-term plan might be to create a historical archive
for future generations If you're making a one-off project (such as a wedding video), you still
have to bear in mind the long-term implications for the shoot.

Planning means adopting an attitude in which you take control. When you get out your video
camera, instead of thinking "This will look good on video" and starting to shoot whatever
happens, think "What do I want this to look like on video?". You then shoot (and if necessary,
direct) the action to achieve your goal.

Plan the approximate length of the shoot: How much footage do you need to end up with, and
how long will it take you to get it?

Have a checklist of equipment, which could include: camera; tripod; tapes; batteries/power
supply; microphones and audio equipment; lights and stands; pens, log sheets and other paper
work.

Planning to Edit

This is critical. If you think that this doesn't applies to you, then you're wrong. Everything you
capture must be shot with editing in mind. There are two basic ways to edit: Post-
production and in-camera.

 Post-production (or just "post") editing means taking the shots you've recorded and re-
assembling them later using editing equipment. This is how the professionals work — it gives
you much greater flexibility when you're shooting and much better finished results. 
To do simple post editing, all you need is your camera, a VCR, and a few connecting leads.
What it means for your shooting plan is that you can collect your shots in any order, and you
can get as many shots as you like. At the editing stage, you discard unwanted shots and
assemble the good ones however you like. This can be a time-consuming task (especially if
you don't have much editing gear), but it's usually worth the effort. 
 In-Camera editing simply means that what you shoot is what you get — there is no
post-production. The point here is that you're still editing. You still must decide which shot
goes where, and which shots you don't need at all. The difference is that you're making these
edit decisions as you shoot, rather than in post. This isn't easy, and it isn't possible to get it
right all of the time. It requires planning, foresight, and experience.

Note: There is one other situation which should be mentioned: the live multi-camera shoot.
This is where a number of cameras are linked to a central vision mixer, and a director cuts
between cameras (for example, a live sports presentation). In this case, you can think of the
editing as being done in real time as the shoot happens.

Whichever method of editing you use, there are fundamental rules to follow

2. Shot Plan

Once you have a plan for your shooting session, you're ready
to begin planning individual shots.

First of all, have a reason for every shot. Ask yourself: "What
am I trying to achieve with this shot? Is this shot even
necessary? Have I already got a shot that's essentially the
same as this one? Is my audience going to care about this
subject?"

Once you're happy that you have a good reason to get the
shot, think about the best way to get it. Consider different angles, framing, etc. The art of good
composition takes time to master but with practice you will get there.

Ask yourself exactly what information you wish to convey to your audience through this shot,
and make sure you capture it in a way that they will understand.

Take the time to get each shot right, especially if it's an important one. If necessary (and if
you're editing in post), get a few different versions of the shot so you can choose the best one
later.

Also, for post editing, leave at least 5 seconds of pictures at the beginning and end of each shot.
This is required by editing equipment, and also acts as a safety buffer.
Video Transitions

Simple Transitions (Shot A to Shot B)

Cut: A changes instantly to B

Crossfade: A merges (fades) into B

Wipe: A is progressively replaced by B

The way in which any two video shots are joined together is called the transition. Transitions
are very important — everyone from the camera operator to the editor must have a good
understanding of how to make effective transitions.

The most common transition is the cut, in which one shot changes instantly to the next. The
next most common transition is the crossfade (AKA mix or dissolve), where one shot gradually
fades into the next. Advanced transitions include wipes and digital effects, where shots whiz
about or do complex changes whilst leading into the next.

You can also think of a moving shot as being a transition from one shot to a new one, e.g. a pan
from one person to another or a zoom from a mid-shot to a close-up.

Transitions can be a lot of fun but be warned: Over-using transitions is a common mistake made
by amateurs. In most professional productions, almost all transitions are simple cuts or
crossfades. Too many animated transitions are distracting and impact on the flow of the video.

Although it is important to choose an appropriate type of transition, the real issue is how well
the two shots fit together. Ask yourself:

 What do you intend to achieve with the transition?


 Do the shots fit comfortably together?
 Does the transition makes sense, or is if confusing?
 Does it progress the story?

Creating Transitions

A cut doesn't need any sort of processing — one shot ends and the next begins. Other types of
transition can be added in several ways:

1. In-camera: Some cameras come with built-in transitions and fades.


2. Generating Device: In live productions, transitions can be added in real-time using
special effects generators. Post-Production: Transitions can be added during editing, using
appropriate software.

Source: mediacollege

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