Communications Technology

Learning Unit - Video

In groups of 3 - 4

Outcomes:

Create a 2-3 minute video production using Adobe Premiere as an editing tool.

Day 1 - Arranging Groups

This project is to be completed in groups of 3-4 students so choose your partners now. The teacher reserves the right to arrange groups
Have one group member take notes as the teacher shows you how to specify your directory when capturing video. You will use the studio DC-10 for this procedure. It is essential that you know where you are placing your video as it will avoid the loss of files and won't waste hard drive space.
View the teacher demonstration on Adobe Premiere. Adobe is for editing video that has already been captured in Studio DC-10.
Get together with your group and create a treatment to hand in by tomorrow. A treatment is a single paragraph description of what you video will be about. This must be typed and given to the teacher at the beginning of class tomorrow.

Day 2 - Review of Camera Technique

Hand in your completed treatment.
Review the video segments closely while you preview the following questions and answers. This information will be on your written test.

Camcorder Basics

Why should "Auto-Focus" not be used? / It doesn't always focus on your subject.
What is "White Balance"? / The camera's method of adjusting colour balance.
What are two methods of adjusting "White Balance"? / "Through the lens" and using a "white translucent window". You can adjust white balance by focusing on a white surface. It also helps to use a colour monitor to verify the colour balance.
Relative to your subject, where do you want the sun to be when you are recording outdoors? / In front and to the side as it will minimize the backlighting and not force your subject to squint.
The way to use a zoom is to: Zoom in on the subject, focus then gradually zoom out. The zoom should be used sparingly.
What is the relationship between sound and distance from the camera? / The further the subject the more background noise.
In what situations will distance most negatively affect the quality of your sound? / In a noisy environment.
What is a "Fluid Head"? / A moveable attachment between a camera and a tripod.
What are alternatives to a "Tripod"?/ A monopod, sturdy surface or tree.
What are two ways to stabilize the camera when holding it with your hand? / Use a tabletop or a tree.
Why should a light source be carefully placed at an angle when shooting through a reflective surface. / So the glare from the surface will be directed elsewhere and the camera won't pick up that glare.

Basic Video Production

What is "runup time"?/ It's the delay between when you press the record button and the camera starts recording.
What is an axis?/ An invisible line between two interacting subjects.

Why do you not want to cross the "Axis" especially when shooting sports or action scenes? It confuses the viewer and makes one player look like twins playing against each other.
How can you cross the "Axis" if you need to? / With a neutral shot or cutaway.
Name 3 types of shots./ Closeup shot, medium shot and long shot.
Longer shots are good to set a scene
Closeups are good to tell a story
A "Cutaway" is a way to end a scene.
What is a Pan? / Moving the camera left or right
How do you get a great pan? / Focus on an interesting subject then slowly pan and end by focusing on another interesting subject. Don't "spray-paint"
What is a tilt? / A vertical pan
Why should you hold at the beginning and end of any camera movement? / For editing purposes later.
When people exiting a static scene, it is good to let them walk off.
Name 4 transitions/ fade to black, tilt to/from the sky, walking in and out, jump and whip pan

Name 3 different types of filters? / Ultraviolet filter, prism filter, neutral density filter
An "Impromptu View Finder" is a rectangle you make with your hands to adjust the size of your shot? /
What is a "Dutch Tilt" and what is it used for?/ It's an angular shot used to fill a screen with a tall subject.
What is "Depth of Field" and what are two ways to change it? / It is the amount of focus between the foreground and background and it can be adjusted through the amount of light or through use of the zoom lens when set to "telephoto".
A wide angle setting will give more depth of field by allowing more objects to be in focus.
Why would you want to add an interesting object to the foreground of your shot? / To add interest to an uninteresting subject.
Name two alternative sources of "night lighting". / A flashlight with waxed paper, automobile lights or free light
How do you fix a situation where you have a dark subject and a light background? / You could change position, push the back-light switch on the camera or use a reflector.
Why do you not position a light source below a subjects eye-line? / It makes them look "ghoulish"
How do you achieve "mysterious" lighting? / Place the light source to the side of the subject.
How do you achieve "anonymous" lighting? /1 Place the light source behind the subject
Give two reasons to never touch a "quartz" light with your bare fingers? / You can damage the bulb or burn your fingers
Bring some pencil-crayons and pencils for your story-board tomorrow

Day 3 - Written Test & Introduction Story-Boards

Take 10 minutes to review your notes and discuss the various video techniques.
Take 20 minutes now to take the written test.
Here are the rules:
You will have only the test site open on your computer.
You will have all papers off your desk and all books put away.
Do this now. If there are books, papers or other web-pages minimized/open on your desktop - you will receive a "0" "zero" on the written test.
The test must be written at this time or under the teacher's supervision at a selected time.
Click here enter the session name as video11 to take your test

Story-boards

Ask for the handouts on story-boards
After the discussion on story-boards you will be given story-board blanks on which to plan your video.
At this time decide on the responsibilities of your team members. The roles may include camera person, actors, props person and technical supervisor (sound & video effects)

Include a sheet with your story-board which outlines the roles and tasks for the various members of your group

Day 4 - Story-Board Completion.

Complete your story-board today as it is due at the beginning of class tomorrow.

Days 5 - 7 - Shooting

Show the teacher your completed story-board.
Get a camera and tape. You may need to borrow a camcorder from the library. The tape you are to keep for the duration of this unit.
Let the teacher know exactly where you will be when shooting. Remember- no excessive noise, horseplay or misbehavior when shooting. If your group causes a problem, all filming will be restricted to this room.
Once you have the teacher's "ok" get your footage.
Be sure to use your story-board as a reference so you don't waste footage.
You may want to leave your technical person back to study Adobe Premiere.
Your group is completely responsible for not misplacing your tape.
Have fun!
Hand in your completed story-board for marking at the cleanup bell.

Adobe Premiere references are available in this classroom. Online tutorials are available here:

http://www.find.com.au/tutorials/adobe/premiere/
http://studio.adobe.com/expertcenter/main.html (You will need to register for this one)

Days 8 -9 - Capturing

Refer to your notes as you use the Studio DC-10 and capture your video to your specified directory.

Days 10 - 12 - Editing in Premiere

Use this time to import you footage into Premiere and complete your edits.

Day 13 - Show time

Show your final product to the class
Teacher will assess your video at this time. - Refer to the assessment for this module.

If you enjoyed this module, here are two good resources to look at:

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