Talk:Guide for shooting

Pre-Production

3 sets of 7 Flip Cameras are available.
Make sure cameras are charged and have sufficient drive space for recording. If data remains on the cameras, look for the content on one of the designated video firewire drives.
Delete footage on the cameras, once the content is confirmed, to maximize the available space.
If more than one videographer is available, assign roles and priorities in shooting.
Discuss issues with set dressing, lighting, shot composition, etc. with engineers as is useful.
Request that all cases, coats and personal items are taken to the rear conference room during the shoot.
Check the space. Close any open doors, check lighting.

Use between three and five cameras to cover all players. These shots are priorities:
- One lock down on the lead vocalist (close up).

- One lock down on th drummer/rhythm section (medium shot of drummer, or two medium shots with guitarist or bassist).

or

We'd like our talent to feel as little as though they are “on camera” as possible. So consider lessening 'impact' with these tips:
- Use small tripods. If small tripods can be used and placed strategically to handle close ups and long two-shots (shots with two people in the frame), they become less conspicuous.
- Limit the camera crew to one person in the room as roving camera operator, and a group of lockdowns. If a second videographer is available, one should be designated to check/adjust lockdown angles between songs.

NO ZOOM: Flip cameras are HD, but do not have optical zoom. Their digital zoom significantly decreases their quality (effectively cropping down to using less of the same pixels), so we discourage using zoom at all.
For roving cameras, stick on each shot at least 10 seconds.
Be sure to re-adjust the lock-down camera's shots if necessary after each song, as the band may slightly shift positions.
Be conscious of composition. Frame using *Rule of Thirds* if possible.

Pay attention to what elements are on the margins of the frame. Are there mic stands, camera stands, doors, chairs, cables, etc. that could clutter edges of shot or background? If so, readjust or try to reduce background clutter. Also, look for mic stands in front of the performers, as they are a distraction as well.
Move empty cases and clothing to the rear conference room.
When shooting, try not to violate the privacy/personal space of the performers. Use discretion.
Be sure not to step into the shot of the fixed cameras during the performances.
Position the cameras somewhere slightly different for each song to allow for multiple perspectives; it'll make for a more interesting series of videos.

A good example of a Solo Shoot: Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello by Ed Kleinberg

With just one individual to shoot it is very easy to break the 180 degree rule, which is a basic guideline for video and film making that states: a character or other element (in our case the "other element" will usually be an instrument) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. What this means is that you should not have a shot of the artist and then cut to a shot of the same artist from behind them or from the opposite side.
Another suggestion, rather than place the Flip Cams all at medium shots around the artist, maybe have one focused in on the guitar (or instrument), on a close-up of their upper body (never cut off a shot at the neck!) and then also a medium shot to combine all of the elements.