In Studio Video Capture Process - Using the DSLR

Setup

DO NOT use the lens to hold the camera. Always put the strap around your head, or wrist when holding the camera.

The viewing screen can be used flipped out, flipped over, used at an angle or returned to the back of the camera facing outward.

The Exposure control dial should be set to the Video Camera Icon. (click on the photo for a larger view)

Press Play button (Triangle to the lower right of the screen)
Screen should display 'no image'
If there is still a file on the camera, use alternate SD card. Leave other card with Andy to follow up.

Tripod mounting plate should be on the camera with the small nut facing towards the lens.
Lock down tripod tilt and tighten handles. Set up the camera on the tripod making sure that mount locks. Start with locking mechanism open, feed plate into the side opposite the locking mechanism under top and bottom guides. Press firmly onto lock, and it should snap shut. DO NOT leave camera on tripod without being sure it is securely mounted with all adjustments tightened.
Place the tripod in a centralized location. This will depend on number of members in the band, but the best spot will probably be in front of the glass.
Use the tripod central height adjustment to place the camera at the band’s eye level. Avoid shooting from below (up their nose!), and from above (looks like surveillance footage).

Each clip you record can only last for 12 minutes, stopping and starting between songs will guarantee that you will be able to capture all of the next song. If the camera stops mid song, simply start recording again.
Card duration will be far more than 12 minutes, but don’t let it bite you - stop and restart on all song takes, including false starts.

Make sure the other cameras you set up do not mirror the same angle as the DSLR or you will jump cut when you edit the video. Use the Flip cameras to cover wides (establishing shots, and mediums) and profiles, and that which you won’t be able to capture by framing adjustments.
Use as few Flip cams as is possible, please! Make sure you have wides and mediums (from both the Flips and DSLR) to tie all these lovely close ups together. Make sure a few shots have multiple members, but don’t rely on a poorly framed wide as your “cover” shot.
When shooting, keep an eye outside of the screen, look around you and observe what is going on in the song. Is there a solo? The idea of following the action should be your guide. Request a headphone feed of the full mix from the audio engineer to better hear the action. Headphones and extenders are readily available.
At all times you should have one hand on the tripod handle and one hand on the lens.

When shooting, you must constantly check to make sure you are in focus. A small difference in focus is the difference between a usable and unusable shot. A good method to use is you always keep your hand on or lightly touching the focus ring, when you need to change the focal length (ex. to go from a wide shot to a close up) use your index and thumb to rotate the zoom portion of the lens and keep your pinky on the focus ring so you can adjust once you get the desired focal length (this is just an example, another finger, hand configuration may work better for you, try it out and get comfortable with a way to make sure you can focus the camera.)

The general rule for shooting is to set up a shot and hold on to it for as long as you can - but never ever less than 5 seconds. (unless you set up a shot and suddenly the person stops playing or the focus has moved on to another person.) Keep in mind that not leaving enough time on a shot will result in that shot being unusable. Remember the 5 second rule - count in your head, sucka!
Move rapidly from shot to shot, but NEVER use the focal length adjustment as a “zooming” shot. This is not to be considered a viable option with our current equipment.
At the beginning of each song, start off getting wide shots of the whole or part of the band and medium shots of each person in the band. After you are sure you have gotten a decent shot of each, go in for close ups.

DO NOT begin the shoot on a close up - it is disorienting. Rely on the standard -> wide, med, close - progression.
DO NOT frame at human joints (top of shoulders, at waist, at knees) - avoid shoulderless heads, leg-less torsos, etc.
Good close ups consist of someone's head, if they are singing, a guitar at the body (what's this called?) or wider to include both hands, feet tapping, cymbals with a clear shot. Remember, you can always go a bit wider that the closest setting as often it will be too close, think about what the audience is seeing and if they will be able to distinguish what they are looking at.
Remember, these close ups are there to add emotion and character to the shoot. They should not be used as the only shots, use them as flourishes and focus primarily on getting medium shots of each musician.

Avoid reveals that aren’t following action. e.g. tilt from medium of guitar to head of singer, but not the other way around (unless they just stopped singing and began soloing).
Avoid “extreme” (too close) close ups. In this environ, we’re not shooting enough directed shots to properly set it up for the viewer in edit.

When the shoot is done, lift the mount lock, take the camera off the tripod, and bring it with you to the editing station.
Put on the lenscap ASAP
Transferring footage

Turn the camera off. NEVER EVER remove the card with the camera on, it will damage both the card and the camera.
Remove the SD card by pushing it in slightly, it will then pop out
Put the Card into the SD card reader, transfer the footage to a Raw Footage file along with the flips.
Eject the card from the computer
Verify your footage - make sure that each clip plays and is complete (use Mac’s spacebar to preview each!)

- Press play - blue triangle to the lower right of the screen.
- Press Menu
- Use the keypad to navigate to the first settings screen

1. It is the first yellow screen with a wrench
2. use the wheel or keypad to scroll down to "format"
3. Press the Set button
4. A dialogue will come up asking you to format the card, press the right keypad to navigate to "OK”
5. Press Set to confirm

- Turn off the Camera
- Remove the Battery and place on charger (in Studio C)
- Flip LCD screen back to facing the camera
- Place camera back in bag and put away, leaving the lens and tripod mounting plate attached.