Wear comfortable clothes with lots of pockets. Cargo pants are great for keeping extra tapes and batteries on hand, and they eliminate the need for you to run back to home base to restock. If you're outdoors, be prepared to get dirty. Bring a change of clothes if you'll need to get dirty or be presentable, as the case may be.
The event is over, and you've been running around like mad. You captured the action from multiple angles, and you recorded engaging ambient sound, as well as solid interviews. You shrugged off the restraints of a typical video shoot and got a number of different shots in a short period of time. Now it's time to take a breather before moving onto the next step - retelling your experience in the edit suite.
James Williams in an independent filmmaker and video journalist.
With so many things to stuff in your pockets, the following are crucial:
- Names & phone numbers of contacts
- Spare tapes
- Extra batteries for camera and mics
- Pen and notepad
Mind the following as you're rolling tape throughout the day:
- Is the subject moving; is the subject in focus?
- Are the audio levels appropriate?
- Is the image properly exposed?
- Is the subject properly framed?
Using a filter can make it easier to capture images when lighting is too harsh or less than ideal. Here are a couple of good ones to have with you:
- Neutral Density - reduces light levels in harsh sunlight, allowing for flexibility with exposure settings
- Polarizer - removes reflections from water, enhances color saturation
- Fluorescent - corrects for the green hues cast by indoor fluorescent lights
Directing: Tips for Directing Non-Professionals
Book of Forms - Release Forms
Creating Characters
Producing a Documentary Part 1
Producing a Documentary Part 2
Making Documentary Videos: The Interview
Moving Performances
Underwater Videography
Video Production Handbook
Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video