Steve Stockman's Blog, page 18
February 29, 2012
How to Shoot Kids and Animals
You can work with animals and kids as long as you know what to expect.
"Never work with kids or animals" goes the old showbiz saying. And it makes sense. It's nearly impossible to get exactly what you want—and when you do, the cute kid or animal will get all the credit for being adorable. You'll get none for capturing it.
Yet we do it, because people love watching them. Keyboard cats and babies singing Beyonce kill on video.
The question is, how do you get video of them that isn't awful?
Follow these tips and you've just increased the odds (All these rules work for both kids AND animals, btw.)
Here's how to shoot kids and animals:
1) Never ask them to do something they can't. It will annoy them, and drive you absolutely nuts. I tried once to get a cat to sit still while two guys on a crane flew over it pointing a camera. Impossible. The cat freaked out every time. We changed the shot.
2) Be the most exciting thing in the room. Kids and animals focus on whatever's exciting. Why won't your three year old look at you when you ask him to? Because he's in a roomful of presents and candles and balloons and cake and relatives. Now if you were holding one of the presents and offering it, he might look at the camera.
3) Treats work. Don't try to get a dog to do something cute right after you feed him. Instead, pull out the treats and camera just before suppertime. Want your dog to look alert? Wave around a piece of baloney. Last I checked, kids cooperate for candy, pastries or extra time with video games.
4) Explain what you want: Kids understand more than you think, and if they like you, they'll try to do it. Animals don't speak English, but while you're explaining things to them, you'll realize how stupid you were to expect that they'd actually do it in the first place (see tip #1).
5) Both tire fast: Kids and animals have short attention spans. Even the most adorable subject will get pissed off if you try to get them to do something even one more time than they want to. And watch out—kids bite. Schedule your shoot for when they've just woken up, not just before nap time. And watch for signs of fatigue. If you stop early, they'll be more cooperative next time.
6) Keep the camera rolling. Whether they'll perform is a crap shoot. When they perform is a crapshoot inside a crapshoot. This is the one of the few times I'll advise you to shoot non-stop and edit later.
February 21, 2012
Your new best friend, Specificity
Let me introduce you to specificity, your new best friend. You guys want to be buddies because being more specific about what you're shooting automatically improves almost any video.
Instead of the random tourist shots of"Our Vacation," shoot the video "Samantha's first time out of the country"—which focuses specifically on what it's like for 15 year-old Samantha to visit France for the first time—dealing with a new language, different money and jet lag.
Instead of "Our Company" how about a video about "How we deliver shoes to your door" or "Roz, the Customer Service Genius"?
If you're shooting "a birthday party" make it more specific by focusing on "Sarah at her birthday party" or even more specific by zooming all the way into "Sarah's first piece of birthday cake."
Whenever you're about to hit record, ask yourself, "What's special about this person or place in this exact moment in time?" The more specific your answer, the better your video.
By the way, are you following me on Twitter? It's all the rage.
(image by John Finn via Flikr.com)
February 14, 2012
One Simple Idea
The best videos focus on one simple idea. That doesn't mean they're dull or boring, just that what you remember when it's over is clear and easy and focused.
Case in point: This very funny new video from Social Media Week, a global media conference happening all over the world this week. The single clear idea: Social Media Week helps you see the future of social media.
Nicely shot, well acted and directed, and an idea that demands numerous sequels.
Hey! Are you following me on Twitter? I'm thinking perhaps you should. @SteveStockman
February 11, 2012
Shoot Short Shots? There are No Rules (p. 106)
An example from How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck (p. 106)
I spend a lot of time telling people to shoot short shots. That's because (a) our brains process information so fast that long shots are likely to be boring and (b) most people don't know how to do it.
I get a lot of mail that refers to "the rule of shooting short shots" To which I say "Rules? Where we're going we don't need…rules." (Geek points to the first to get that movie reference.)
Instead of focusing on "rules" that there are penalties for breaking, think in terms of skills that there are benefits to learning.
The more skills you have, the better you'll be. When you learn to drive, you drill the basics. Five car lengths distance between cars on the freeway. Hands at ten and two. Signal 200 yards before the turn. Fill the tank before you return Dad's car. But when we're on our own in real life, we don't slavishly follow what we learned. We relax into a driving style that gets the job done for us, while hopefully not forgetting those lifesaving tidbits. Like the gas thing.
Same with shooting video. Practice the short shots. Drill them. Understand them. Then go out and do what you want.
The better you are, the more you get it and internalize the basics, the more you can successfully screw with the form. Here's the 8 minute opening shot of grand master Robert Altman's great 1992 film The Player.
Hey! Are you following me on Twitter? I'm thinking perhaps you should. @SteveStockman
February 6, 2012
Video and Travel and Beer and Non-Profits
I'm doing two talks about video the week of February 13.
Travel and Beer
I'll be appearing with Patricia Schultz, author of 1000 Places to See Before You Die in a cool we-just-made-this-up "Video and Travel" talk and book signing February 17. Better still, we're going to be at Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, the home of Anchor Steam Beer.
There'll be post-talk "complimentary beer tasting" (or as I like to think of it, "Free Beer") and tours of the Anchor Brewery too. Anchor tours are a tough ticket in their own right– if you like beer, travel or video, be there and bring a video camera!
To get tickets– FREE– head to one of the Book Passage Bookstore locations in San Francisco.
I'll give tickets away on Twitter next week, so follow me @stevestockman.
Great Non-Profit Video Tips but No Free Beer
I'll be joining my friend Andy Goodman for a live Webinar on Why Bad Video Happens to Good Causes on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14 at 1pm EST, 11am PST on the NTEN network.
What better way to say "I love you" than sharing 10 tips non-profits MUST know to succeed in video? I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
The good news: no need to travel. Just go to the NTEN.org site and register, and the webinar will come to you in the privacy of your own office. The bad news: you will need to bring your own Anchor Steam.
January 31, 2012
How to Do Great Talking Head Videos
Do you have an example of a great talking head video with no external b-roll?
And not a choddy, or multiple talking heads edited into one video. But a true, single person, talking head video– that's interesting.
Not all businesses can afford big production companies. Any ideas?
–Jaye
Excellent question, Jaye*, but to answer it, I need to start by questioning your premise:
You imply that there aren't more great talking head videos because of a shortage of money. But the truth is that the reason there aren't more of them is because of a shortage of talent.
The truth is that not everyone is interesting on camera. But a great talking head video has to start with a great talking head.
The web is loaded with examples, but I'll name two: Philip DeFranco, a Youtube star I've already written about, and Daily Grace from my friends at mydamnchannel.com:
Both sit at the same webcam that comes free with their laptop. Their big-production-company production values? A couple of Ikea lamps. What they have instead are distinct on-camera personae that appeal strongly to their audiences. They have talent and commitment that make us like watching them on screen.
You can't make great talking head videos without talent in front of the lens. Forget production values and budget. Okay, don't forget them. Just put them aside until you've answered this question: Who in your company might be truly entertaining for your audience? If the answer is "Ummmm….." followed by dead silence, consider either hiring someone…or doing another kind of video.
*thanks to Jaye for not one but TWO great questions to answer– a bloggers dream! Were you perhaps wondering what a "choddy" is?
January 28, 2012
Too Shy to Shoot Video?
In about a week and a half I have to go to my sister-in-law's baby shower. I'm planning on shooting some video. I'm somewhat nervous about it since I want to do some fun shots but I don't want to overshadow the event.
I read in your book that most people are used to phones and point and shoot cameras being around. But I still feel that getting some of the good shots might feel intrusive. Help!
–Billy
First, a reality check. Unless you're shooting naked while hanging from a light fixture above the food table, it will be almost impossible for you to overshadow a pregnant woman at her own baby shower. If you are a male and un-pregnant, you might as well be a chair.
Shooting video can sometimes be intrusive. While you're getting a shot your head may block Aunt Trudy's view of the guest of honor's protruding abdomen– but then, so might the balloon bouquet. Or Aunt Shania. Or the waiter. There are lots of things that block people's views momentarily at family events. No need to be self-conscious about being one of them.
People may notice you at first, but they will soon get bored and focus all their attention on the awesome baby gifts or terrible food. Or both.
Still too shy to shoot? You might try talking to people.
Make your sister-in-law your partner. Take her aside ahead of time and say something like, "I've got some great shots planned that you'll love later. I'm going to be really focused on the viewfinder, so if I accidentally get in the way, just tap me on the shoulder." Then you can relax, knowing she'll discretely chime in if there's a problem.
Or ask someone whose view you might block if they'd just excuse you for a quick moment… and then slip in and get the shot. You'll be done before they know it. And don't forget– you can always apologize if you do get in the way. After you have the shot, of course.
You may still feel self-conscious at first. But with practice, that will fade. Don't let shyness keep you from doing what you're there to do. Annoyance at an event is temporary. Bad video of an event is permanent.(flickr.com photo by chriggy1)
What's your question about video? Perhaps you should ask it.
Too Shy to Shoot VIdeo?
In about a week and a half I have to go to my sister-in-law's baby shower. I'm planning on shooting some video. I'm somewhat nervous about it since I want to do some fun shots but I don't want to overshadow the event.
I read in your book that most people are used to phones and point and shoot cameras being around. But I still feel that getting some of the good shots might feel intrusive. Help!
–Billy
First, a reality check. Unless you're shooting naked while hanging from a light fixture above the food table, it will be almost impossible for you to overshadow a pregnant woman at her own baby shower. If you are a male and un-pregnant, you might as well be a chair.
Shooting video can sometimes be intrusive. While you're getting a shot your head may block Aunt Trudy's view of the guest of honor's protruding abdomen– but then, so might the balloon bouquet. Or Aunt Shania. Or the waiter. There are lots of things that block people's views momentarily at family events. No need to be self-conscious about being one of them.
People may notice you at first, but they will soon get bored and focus all their attention on the awesome baby gifts or terrible food. Or both.
Still worried? You might also try talking to people.
Make your sister-in-law your partner. Take her aside ahead of time and say something like, "I've got some great shots planned that you'll love later. I'm going to be really focused on the viewfinder, so if I accidentally get in the way, just tap me on the shoulder."
Or tell someone who's view you might block that you're about to do it, and if they'd just excuse you for a quick moment… Don't have a long discussion, just slip in and get the shot. You'll be done before they know it. It never hurts to apologize for getting in the way, either- after you have the shot, of course.
You may still feel self-conscious at first. But with practice, that will fade. Don't let shyness keep you from doing what you're there to do. Annoyance at an event is temporary. Bad video of an event is permanent.
(flickr.com photo by chriggy1)
January 24, 2012
New Business Video Vocabulary Word: "Choddy"
I got a great question from blog fan "Jaye" which I'm saving for a bit later. But in his letter, he referred to a "choddy." I try to stay up on film and video jargon, but this was a new one to me. Being a naturally curious and jargon-hating sort, I googled it–
And found stopthechoddy.org. It turns out "choddy" is a somewhat-used term to describe an immediately familiar style of testimonial video– the same ad copy read straight to camera by multiple actors, in a sincere tone of voice.
As for "stop the choddy"? I'll let them explain their mission statement in the video below. I immediately sat down and wrote them a $1000 check to support the cause. Okay, I didn't. But I might have if it was a real organization.
January 16, 2012
Making Great iPhone Video
Steve Krafft, a veteran Phoenix TV reporter and good friend, submits this guest post on shooting great iPhone video — then puts his reputation where his mouth is by showing you one!
If you have an iPhone 4 or the new 4s, and you're using the techniques in How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck you will find it easy to fill your phone with lots of great video clips. You'll have a rich assortment of angles and perspectives. You will have natural sound on your video. The raw material is there to produce something truly memorable.
So what do you do next on your iPhone? Download the iMovie app. For under 5 bucks it turns your phone into a editing suite. The app is so user-friendly you can learn how to work it without reading instructions, but there are great free tutorials if you need them.
Here are a few tips and tricks I learned editing my movie (below) with iMovie:
Change Perspective! You want to keep the point of view fresh for the viewer. Mix long establishing shots with medium shots and closeups. For example, I might begin a clip with a closeup of a smile, or perhaps a tear, then cut to a wider shot showing where that person is and what he or she is doing.
Transitions are important! iMovie has pre-designed transition graphics that range from playful themes to news wipes. Used sparingly, they give your video a nice finished look.
Pay attention to sound! You can record your own narration to run under the video clips by pressing the little microphone on the screen. iMovie also lets you add in music beds that come with the app, or music from iTunes. Make sure to keep natural sound and music beds in the background so they don't overwhelm any narration you record.
Once you finish your iMovie, you can send it to iTunes or load it directly onto your iPhone Camera Roll, YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and CNN iReport. It's easy! iMovie is a palette and you are the artist.
Thanks Steve! Read more about shooting great iPhone video.
