Video Production 101

Camera, Lights, and Sound

What is the difference between

FILM and VIDEO?

FILM
A strip of sequential, still
images, taken on
photographic film. (exposed
to light and developed)

VIDEO
Audio and Visual
information is converted
into electrical impulses
and stored on magnetic
tape, or as a computer
file.

How does a video camera

work?

The Lens
Light travels through the
lens, and is reduced to a
cone-shaped beam.

CCD ChargeCoupled Device

This part of the camera
receives the light from the
lens, and converts it into
digital information. This
will be stored on a tape,
card, or drive.

Seems like

Focal Length

Most video cameras have a zoom lens. Zoom

lenses have a variable focal length, which allows
objects to appear closer or farther away without
changing the lens.

Focal length is the distance between the optical

center of the lens, and the CCD or film.

Iris and f/Stop

Iris/Aperture
The opening in the lens assembly
through which light enters.

f/stop
A number which designates the
size of the lens aperture .

ISO
A measurement of the cameras
sensitivity to light.

Break for Key Terms #1

Film
Video
Lens
CCD
(Charge-Coupled
Device)
Focal Length
Iris/Aperture
f/Stop
ISO

Three Point Lighting

Key Light

Primary source of light typically

a Fresnel spotlight. Generally all
lights are set on the diagonal.

Fill Light

This light helps minimize the

shadows caused by the Key
Light. This light is set from the
opposite diagonal angle from the
Key Light.

Back Light

This light casts a gentle glow on

the head and shoulders of the
subject; this helps separate them
from the background.

Microphones

Omnidirectional

These pick up sound in all 360

degrees around the
microphone.

Unidirectional

These pick up sounds from a

particular shape or pattern
surrounding the microphone.
(Cardioid, Super Cardioid,
Hypercardioid, Bi-Directional,
Shotgun)

Lavalier

A small, hands-free
microphone that can be
clipped onto the subjects
clothing.

Most microphones in the

studio will use XLR Cables.

Basics of Microphone
Placement

3-to-1 Rule
If you are using more than 1
microphone, then the
microphones must be placed 3
times farther apart than the
distance from their subjects.

Inverse Square Law

When you move a microphone,
the change in volume is the
inverse of the square of the
change in distance.
(Double the distance, the volume.)

Break for Key Terms #2

Three Point Lighting

Key Light
Fill Light
Back Light
Omnidirectional Mic
Directional Mic
Lavalier (Lav) Mic
3-to-1 Rule
Inverse Square Law

Types of Shots (1)

Extreme Close Up (ECU):

The ECU, if of an individual, typically consists of
their eyes, nose, and mouth only. ECUs can also be
of other objects or body parts. ECUs are the most
intense, intimate shot. They should be used
sparingly.

Close Up (CU):
Close Ups are typically of an individuals head, or
their head and upper torso. They show very little
of the background.

Medium Close Up (MCU):

The MCU is typically used in live, on-location news
interviews. These are the two-shots that show the
reporter and a subject standing closely together,
from the chest up.

Types of Shots (2)

Medium Shot (MS):

The MS typically shows a subject from the waist up and
includes more of the background than a CU. This is a more
relaxed shot than any of the close ups, and can be used to
diminish tension in a scene.

Medium Wide Shot (MWS):

The MWS will show an individual from head to foot. There is
more background seen than in a MS, but the primary focus is
still the individual.

Wide Shot (WS):

In a wide shot, you can still see the subject of your
production, but they are not the main focus of the shot. The
WS clearly shows the surroundings that an individual is in.
The WS can also be used for dramatic purposes (i.e. the hero
riding off into the sunset).

Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)

No subjects are clearly visible, just the environment.

The Rule of Thirds

Avoid the natural

inclination to center
important objects.
Instead, divide the
shot into three rows
and three columns,
placing important
items on the lines, or
the points of
intersection.

Break for Key Terms #3

ECU
CU
MCU
MS
WS
EWS
The Rule of Thirds

Camera Movement

Pan (Left or Right)

Pivot the camera left or right on the
horizontal axis (the tripod or your
shoulder).

Truck (Left or Right)

Moving the camera and tripod in a
straight line left or right.

Tilt (Up or Down)

Angle the camera up or down on
the vertical axis (the tripod or your
shoulder).

Dolly (In or Out)

Moving the camera and tripod
closer to or father from the subject.

Pedestal (Up or Down)

Raising or lowering the camera on
the tripod.

Arc (Left or Right)

Moving the camera and tripod in a
semi-circular path around a subject.

Zoom (In or Out)

Increasing or decreasing the focal
length.

Transitions
Take

an instant transition from shot to

shot.
Dissolve

one shot gradually disappears to

reveal the next shot.

Fade
Wipe

A dissolve to or from black.

A transition using a line, shape, or

pattern.

Break for Key Terms #4

Pan
Tilt
Dolly
Truck
Zoom
Pedestal
Fade
Dissolve
Take
Wipe