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Course Sample — Shoot Great Home Video — Lesson 2

Welcome back. In Lesson 1, you learned the fine art of camera shopping and the differences between formats and features. In this lesson, you'll get a good theoretical basis for shooting, and those with cameras should plan to get out and capture some footage on tape.

Now, let's talk about style.

The easiest trap for a beginner to fall into can be avoided if you remember to change your shot angle. Most home video looks like home video because the shooter stands off to the side of the action and shoots wide, establishing shots the whole time. Shooting video is like going to the prom. You can't stand against the wall and watch the whole time, you'll have to get in there and dance if you're going to have any fun at all. You need more than just a wide shot.

Before we go on, let's settle on some definitions. We'll need to talk the same language if we're going to continue.

  • A shot or a cut is one individual edit. It's the uninterrupted footage from one single camera. If you're shooting a video about your nephew Dan's graduation ceremony, for instance, your camera might focus on Dan as he stands in front of the mirror, combing his hair. That's one shot.
  • A scene is a collection of shots that all take place in one location. The Bathroom Scene in your video might include several shots: Dan combs his hair, Dan washes his face, a close-up of his teeth as he brushes, and so on. Together, these shots make up a scene.
  • A sequence is a collection of scenes that make up a coherent section of your project. A sequence, unlike a scene, doesn't have to take place in one location. The bathroom scene, combined with a dressing scene, an eating dinner scene, and a scene in which Mother fusses over Dan's outfit all comprise a sequence that you might refer to as Dan Gets Ready.

OK? Good. Now you're ready to watch TV. Seriously, take some time this week to watch television. Instead of being a couch potato, watch television like a director. With some practice, you'll quickly learn to see different shots directors use to build scenes and sequences. These are the same building blocks you'll use when you shoot your own video project.

Record an episode of Law and Order or any other good primetime TV show, and find a scene that's good and long. Watch it, and try to answer a few questions as it unfolds:

  • How do you know when a new scene starts?
  • How much of the new location are you seeing (just the desk, the whole room, just her shoes)?
  • What is the focus of the first shot? How do you know?
  • How far is the camera from the action?
  • Where is the camera placed?
  • Is it handheld (watch for a little wobble) or on a tripod?
  • Does it change position during the shot?
  • How long does the shot last (roughly: 4 seconds or 10 or 2)?
  • Do shot lengths remain consistent or do they change as the scene progresses?

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