Executing to the Extreme

With your completed shot sheet in hand, set up your first shot. I would suggest fading up from black at the beginning of your program; most camcorders have a function that lets you do this as you shoot.

Record your first shot, then pause the camcorder. Set up your second shot, and lay it down to tape. Continue in this manner, as you move sequentially down your shot list. Don't worry if you have to turn off the camcorder to wait for a shot or run to dinner. As long as you don't remove the tape from the unit, your camcorder will make sure that your shots will flow seamlessly together, whether you simply pause the camcorder or turn it off overnight. Be careful to re-cue the tape properly if you switch to VCR mode to play back your production part way through. If you miscue, you could wind up with a snowy break in the control track of your tape.

When you reach your last shot, fade to black, as a way of putting a period on your program. Voila! Now you're not just a videographer, but an in-camera editor as…

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