Basic Training: Camera Magic (page 3)

You can also create real-time effects in camera. For example, continue following your subject as they move towards you and have them walk towards the camera until they fill the screen. Then, pause the tape and reverse the shot. Have them walk away from the camera and record as they leave the shot. This will only work if they do not slow as they approach the camera and they must walk away at the same pace they were going as when they came towards the camera. Again, music helps to give a sense of pacing.

You can also use swish pans to get into and out of a scene. To end a scene, record your last shot and suddenly pan quickly left, right, up or down, hitting pause at the fastest point of the pan. If done correctly, this gives a blurred effect to the last 2 seconds or less of the shot. To swish into a scene, start your swish, hit record and come to a halt where your scene is taking place. Be forewarned, an in-swish is a little harder to execute, and takes some practice, because you have to steady up the camcorder quite quickly following the swish.

As with every bit of camera magic, each of these techniques will take some practice and a great deal of planning. Storyboard your shots so that you know what you will need to prepare for and practice before you actually shoot your story. With a some good solid planning, knowledge of your equipment and a bit of practice, you should be able to perform camera magic that will turn your projects into magical moments, instead of just drab home movies. Perhaps better still, if you do it right, you won't even need to edit.

Dr. Robert G. Nulph is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies and an independent video producer/director.

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