Video production is a broad term. Writing, filming, and editing are the three pillars of video production. It’s done. That’s all there is to it.
You’ll need a guide to help you along the way (or at least an outline). Images that advance the story must be captured and edited into a finished product.
Scriptwriting
You might be under the impression that a screenplay isn’t necessary when making a video documentary. I suppose it’s possible to go out and shoot a lot of stuff and then return to the editing studio and put it all together to tell a story that makes sense. In order to make things easier, you should at least have an overview of your film planned out in advance. Your script is based on this outline.
Asking yourself, “Who should I interview?” is a common pre-production and scriptwriting question. When and where will I be filming? What kind of photography will I be doing? The final question is, “What do I want the spectator to feel or do after watching this video?”
In the pre-production and writing stages, each and every one of these factors plays a significant influence.
The fact that so much documentary filmmaking is unscripted is what makes it so fascinating. You can’t make someone say what you want them to say. Make advertising or movies if you do this.
After doing your homework, you should be able to tell if an interviewee has experienced a significant loss, and you should ask them to describe how that loss has affected them and their family in their own words. Asking the correct questions during the interview will help you get to the heart of what you’re searching for. It is possible to guide your subject in this manner, but in the end, they will have to express their circumstance on their own terms. When you have a “pre-shoot” screenplay in place, you’ll be able to focus on the information and tales that are most important to portray the overall picture.
You Want to Make Videos?
You’ve done your homework and are ready to go. You know what questions to ask and why you should ask them. Script outlines provide you a general idea of where your tale is going. Finally, you’re ready to begin filming!
This is a favourite component of the process for many documentarians. In this phase, you’ll go out into the field to gain first-hand knowledge and experience for your tale. During the filming period, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Consistency is another. Determine your preferred method of shooting and stick to it. As a viewer, you may find it difficult to follow the story if each shot has a distinct visual style.
The folks you’re hiring and working with should be able to tell that you have a strategy in place. They’ll figure it out.
Keep in mind the terms “broad,” “mid,” and “tight” when shooting your b-roll. To put the action in context, film it from a wide viewpoint. Shoot a medium shot of the same scene again. Make sure you get right up close and personal with the action. These various focal lengths can help to further accentuate the point you or your interview subject is expressing during the editing process.
Use a tripod whenever possible when shooting your film. Interviews are a good time to practice this. When used judiciously, shaky video can be effective. Disorientation can be caused by rapid changes in the scene. Keep in mind that you aren’t filming a music video here. You’re narrating a narrative.
What Is Editing?
You’ll need to put your footage together when you’ve collected it. It’s now time to go back and edit everything.
With a script, you’re already a step ahead of everyone else. When it comes to the dialogue, you already know what phrases would work and what b-roll footage can be used to accompany it.
The audience should be able to clearly see your subject at least once so that they can follow along with your thoughts and ideas. People prefer to connect a voice with a face. Trust and understanding are enhanced as a result. Set the scene with your b-roll footage. It should be used in conjunction with what is being said. There is no need to make an exact comparison. You don’t have to display the dog if someone is talking about their missing pet. For example, you can highlight the neighbourhood where your dog was found missing. Dog-lovers will be able to see you. Flyers posted around town can also be shown. The spectator can see more than what is being said because of all of these factors. However, if you are discussing a missing dog, it may not make sense to depict a car race. Regardless of how spectacular the race footage maybe.
Having to cut out favourite pictures and quotes is one of the most difficult parts of editing. The fact that you spent two hours scrambling up a mountain to capture a shot can delight a photographer. However, if the shot fails to advance the plot, it should be cut. Another difficult component of editing is dealing with ambiguous language. Because of this, many film editors are not also photographers. A photo editor isn’t interested in how much effort you put into getting the photograph. In the eyes of an editor, only what is essential to the story matters. Remove your camera’s lens cap as soon as you sit down in front of your editing machine if you’re working as a photographer and editor.
Video Production Summary
Each of these three primary themes contains several sub-details, as stated at the outset. However, the fundamentals of video creation are just writing, shooting, and editing. If you need a company to do this check out Hedgehogs vs Foxes in Ireland. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals and realized the significance of these easy techniques, you’ll be ready to branch out and develop your own unique look. No tripod is a requirement, but you will know and be able to justify your decision if asked.
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