Videoing is a medium whose audiovisual power merits the effort it takes to produce. Producing good video involves many skills like camera work, audio recording, video editing, script writing, and acting talent.
Videoing Techniques
Camerawork
Set up camera far enough from wall to move around it 360 for panning rapidly between speakers during Q&A, avoid getting too close to the wallHave a chair to sit on during long shots
Multiple cameras. For static events, you might have a primary tripod camera and a secondary mobile handheld for pickup shots.
Use a tripod to avoid shaky camera
If your footage is shaky, apply stabilization to it in editing using something like iStabliize
If you want to avoid people walking in front of the camera, put up a highly visible double-sided sign saying "DUCK UNDER THE CAMERA"
Tripod movements for panning around and tilting up and down are smoothest when the screws are loosened but looseness allows the camera to slump so support the camera while panning with loose screws and slightly tighten them once you establish a stable shot
Try to establish a single stable shot for a given speaker.
Stock Up On Ammo
Carrying blank tape and batteries is
like having enough ammo. However much you think you're going to need
for a given op, opportunities happen so bring more.
Buy quantities of tape in advance so that if an emergency presented itself you would have enough to cover it
Capturing requires you keep disk space free. See data discipline
Label
tapes in advance with serial numbers at the very least. Use them in
serial and label them descriptively by which shoot they are used for
when you get the chance.
Changing Tapes
Find out what the schedule for presenters is so that you know what to expect
Change tapes ahead of time during a lull so that you won't be stuck changing in the middle of an important shot
Set the read-only bit on a tape as you pull it from the camera to prevent accidentally recording over it when reviewing tapes
Sound Recording
Sound is the core of any video. People will tolerate visual anomalies but shoddy sound will irritate an audience.
Wireless lapel mics are the best for major speakers
shotgun mics or outdoor, indoor the are too reflection vulnerable
Take board mic audio into your camera as a channel
Have backup sound recording in case one is bad
Video Kit
Essential Kit
DV Camera
Camera phone video is better than nothing if that is all you have,
but DV cameras are the minimal quality standard needed to produce
good-looking web videos. Even web-targeted video could potentially end
up in high-resolution on DVDs in the future, so don't sell yourself
short.
Wireless microphones
To record people talking clearly, you need good microphones. Use what most media uses: wireless mics that clip onto your shirt.
Camera & Bag
Tripod
Tape
Videoing Your Own Events
Monitors
Videoing Other People's Events
When you document someone else's event, you don't control all the setup details and you need to take stock of the situation quickly to determine how to make the most of the situation.
Where is their audio board for patch in?
Who is on lighting? Most events are not perfectly choreographed and don't be afraid to volunteer yourself to control lighting levels.
Videoing Indoors
In Halls & Community Centers
Expect a chair collapsing clamor at the end that will make it hard to do follow-up interviews unless you can get them into a sideroom which will probably have poor lighting
Videoing Outdoors
Lighting
Lighting control
get the brightest lighting possible, many times there are more to turn on
lights out must be queued up with the display of video on screen
Tips
Never use the internal mic in low-end cameras. You can hear the gears and tape turn on the soundtrack. Use an external lapel mic for shows without movement.
DeInterlace your video. Interlaced video only updates every 2nd line and is VERY visible when there is movement in the shot.
Configure the codec better. Never fear spending time encoding... Speed NEVER equals quality.
On camera, look directly into the camera at your audience at all times, not at the camera person.
When doing instructional videos, you may be tempted to turn away from the audience to demonstrate things. If possible, set up any kind of demonstration with yourself behind the work surface facing the audience so that you never turn your back to them.
