Filming Tips

Filming Tips

Before Filming:

Go to your filming location the day before to check out the lighting and surroundings. Think about noise, is there a road nearby that could disrupt your sound?

Use your storyboard to make a complete scene list. Now you are on location look to see if there is anything that you hadn’t thought of using, or an area that is better to use than the one you planned? If filming near or in-front of shops/houses it is polite to ask permission first. If filming inside shops, you must certainly ask permission.

Always take the weather into consideration when filming outside, give yourself enough time incase the weather postpones your filming.

Pack your Camera, Memory Card (and spare) a tripod, a lens cloth, and an extra set of charged batteries.

Lighting:

Before shooting, determine where the light is coming from (front, side, or back), If backlit, add more light so the front of your subject is lit, or move to another location.

If necessary, set your camera mode to match your shooting conditions, (Night, movement modes etc.)

Avoid bright sunlight (making sure your shadow isn’t in the shot).

If you’re filming inside, turn on all of the lights.

Shooting:

Think about the scene you are about to film, refer to your storyboards and how you pictured it in your mind. Then set up your camera in an area you believe will be best. You may not get it right first time, so try multiple shots at different angles and positions.

Think about the where the light is coming from and if there Is any background noise to take into account. If you are filming dialogue try to get close enough to pick up their voice clearly and try to stay on eye level so that the camera is neither looking up or down on your subject.

Perspective

When a camera's lens captures light and reflects it, the light bends in appropriate ways, depending on the angle of the viewer. This is similar to how your eyes work: when you tilt your head up, your eye sees things differently than if you look straight ahead, although you may not notice it because your brain has learned to accommodate for the perspective change. When filming your scenes, think about how you want the images to look to the viewer and what feelings you want the images to convey.

• Try to eliminate background noise as much as possible.
• Check your shots and make sure you are happy with them before moving on.
• Make sure your actors speak loud and clear.
• Make sure you do not have anyone or anything in your shots that should not be there (bags on the ground, things on a table behind etc)

Use a tripod whenever possible.

It is unlikely that there will not be a tripod available but just incase you are unable to get one, or the surface you are on isn’t stable enough for a tripod, hold your bent arm tight against your body or try to lean against a solid surface to stabilize the shot.

Use your camera’s auto focus mode, however check when Zooming and Panning that the shot remains in focus (try not to zoom or pan too quickly)

Remember to press “Record” several seconds before you cue action to begin, allow the camera to actually start recording before your subjects begin to talk, otherwise you may find you miss the first few seconds and you need to do another take. Also recording a few seconds before and after a scene will make it easier to edit.

Try to capture an establishing shot at the beginning of each scene.

Get shots that tell the beginning, middle, and end of your story.

Change locations and take shots from different angles and perspectives for variety.

Look for details or objects within the scene that will help tell your story, or add them as props and explain in your planning/evaluation why you thought they were needed.

The Mis-en-Scene of each shout must be analysed in your blog. If you cannot explain why something is in the shot…then it shouldn’t be there.

Watch your footage back and be critical of your own work. If it doesn’t make sense to you, it certainly won’t make sense to the viewer.

Make sure your footage answers the questions, who? what?, when?, where?, and why?

Change the position your subject or camera sometimes for a more interesting shot.

Make sure there is no unnecessary space around the subject.

Keep the background simple.

Include a few props that will make the shot more interesting, but do not distract from the subject and make sure there are no objects obstructing the camera’s view.

Remember to keep all the crews belongings (coats, scripts, bags, equipment etc) behind the camera

Make your actors feel comfortable and relaxed by talking and interacting with them. It can ruin your movie if it is obvious to the viewer that your actors are nervous.

If filming in public, respect others who are using your workspace and try not to get frustrated about people getting in your way; (they have just as much right to be there as you do) If you feel you need people to move or be quiet simply explain what you are doing and ask politely.

At the end of the review your footage to ensure you have all the shots you need.

If you have to re-shoot on another day, do so at the same time of day so the lighting matches your earlier footage.