Preproduction

This section covers tips on planning your project.

• brainstorming
• choosing a “model”
• outline
• script
• storyboard

Camera Operation

This section focuses on setting up your camcorder to get the best results in a variety of situations.

• zoom
• auto/manual modes
• focus
• exposure
• shutter speed
• progressive scan
• white balance
• filters
• preroll/postroll
• timecode

Camera Aesthetics

This section focuses on the art of shooting awesome looking video.

• rule of thirds
• face space
• high, low and dutch angles
• background considerations
• getting coverage of a scene
• shooting for the web
• shooting tips
• accessories

Lighting

This section focuses on using existing lighting, professional lights and ideas for low cost, high quality lights available from a local home improvement store to create magically beautiful footage.

• 3 point lighting
• key light
• fill
• backlight
• background light
• the final lighting setup
• shooting outside
• making your own light kit
• using foamcore
• making a backdrop

Location Sound

In Hollywood, they say “sound is half the picture”. Yet poor sound is the hallmark of hobbyist video footage. This section covers ways to capture quality location sound, from effective ways to use the built-in mic to showing the use of inexpensive lavalier, wireless lavalier, and shotgun mics.

• using the built-in mic
• lapel mics
• shotgun mics
• handheld mics
• audio examples for all mics

The Shoot

This section shows a “behind-the-scenes” shoot that demonstrates the techniques shown in the rest of the course.

You’ll see a complete shoot for a short comedic film, watch the director direct the actors, show shots being captured in location order, see a disappearing special effect being shot two different ways, with cool picture-in-picture views of the main camera, and the finished edit of the shoot.