8 On-the-fly Guerrilla Production Tips (page 3)

The event is over, and it's time to speak with some of the contestants. Choose somewhere interesting to shoot the interview. In this case, you decide to speak with a contestant as she shows off her trophy.

In a typical interview, the interviewee usually addresses a questioner just off screen. That can be a challenge when you're both asking the questions and running the camera. You can't be in two places at once.

The best solution is to set up the tripod, then step away from it once you're sure the shot is framed properly. If a tripod isn't available, another trick that works is to hold the camera out at an angle or steady it with a monopod, while having your interview subject continue to address you directly.

Let your subject know that, throughout the interview, you'll be monitoring the viewfinder and audio input. When checking in with the camera, make sure your audio levels remain at proper strength and that the subject remains appropriately framed and in focus.

To safeguard against identity, spelling and pronunciation errors, always begin the interview by having your subjects say and spell their names on camera, as well as give you the titles they wish to be identified by.

Don't be afraid to ask the subjects to repeat themselves, if they're drowned out by background noise or trip over an important point. This is likely your only chance to capture the moment, so make sure that what's being recorded is as close to perfect as possible.

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

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit