Shooting Techniques
Trophy Room wants you to make great videos. A basic understanding of shooting techniques is a good start to creating better videos.
The three basic shot types
Wide Shots (WS)
Wide shots are most commonly used to establish a scene or convey a sense of vastness.
Medium Shots (MS)
Medium shots bring the viewer into the story and are commonly used to tell most of the story.
Close-Ups (CU)
Close-ups are used to show detail or actions made by talent.
High/Low Angle
Camera at an extreme angle either high or low.
POV (Point of View)
A shot intended to show the personal view of an event.
OTS (Over the Shoulder)
It is important to use ear protection when filming an over the shoulder shot and a hunter fires a gun. This also keeps the shot much steadier.
Top Down Shot
A shot that is perpendicular to the ground.
Rack Focus
A rack focus is when the focus shifts from one element in your composition to another.
XWS (Extreme Wide Shot)
Extreme wide shots are so wide the focus of attention is barely visible, if at all.
XCU (Extreme Close-Up)
Extreme close up shots are tight shots that show only a fraction of the focus of attention.
Tilt Shot
A tilt shot is a camera movement where the operator moves the camera along the Y axis, or up and down.
Dolly Shot
Dolly shots are when the camera is mounted to a wheeled platform and pushed across the x-axis or side to side while recording video. This is also known as a tracking shot.
Pan Shot
A Pan is a camera movement where the operator moves the camera along the X axis or side to side.
Two Shot
Two shot refers to a shot that encompasses two people or objects.
Reflection Shot
A reflection shot is when you film the reflection of an object.
The 30 Degree Rule
When conducting an interview/recap with a person try using the 30 degree rule. Ask a few questions and then reposition the camera 30 degrees, and ask additional questions. Try using different shot types during an interview/recap to make the piece more interesting to viewers.
Tripods
Using a tripod is just as important as the camera itself. Shaky footage is annoying and devalues the story. Take the time to set-up a tripod and your footage will improve dramatically.
Time Lapse
Time-lapse filming is a technique whereby each film frame is captured at a rate much slower than it will be played back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. Time-lapse photography is considered the opposite of high speed photography. A tripod is essential to successfully shoot a "time lapse".
Slow Motion Shots
Typically this style is achieved when each film frame is captured at a rate much faster than it is played back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving more slowly.
The 1-2-3 Rule
When filming, shoot for the edit. This means while filming think about how the piece needs to come together and get the necessary shots to do so. A prime example of this is the "1-2-3" rule.
The 1-2-3 rule is a series of shots that establish where the video takes place, as well as whom and what it is about. Usually it unfolds as a Wide Shot - Medium Shot - Close Up but can also be a Close Up - Medium Shot - Wide Shot. This helps the viewer ease into the story.
