Instruction manual

INDOOR LIGHTS - The more lights, the better. Choose a location with lights mounted
on the ceiling, shining downward. Try not to mix different types of light. In other words,
use all household incandescent bulbs, or all fluorescent bulbs (typically found in offices,
schools, and home kitchens). If you’ll shoot during the day, don’t let sunlight enter the
room. If necessary, cover up the windows with blankets or brown plastic garbage bags. If
extra light is needed, see Extra Lighting in Chapter 2.
Most home camcorders have an Auto/Manual white balance switch. If the switch
is set to AUTO, the white balance will automatically change as lighting conditions
change. The MANUAL setting allows you to choose between different lighting
conditions. (Some models don’t have Manual.)
Always consult the camcorder’s instruction manual about the proper white
balance setting for the lighting conditions you’ll be shooting in. When shooting with a
rental camera or an unfamiliar borrowed model, ask if an instruction manual is available.
If not, ask the owner for advice.
If a color TV will be available at the shoot location, shoot some sample footage in
both Auto and Manual white balance settings, then play back the tape using the
camcorder’s VCR. One setting might look better than the other, or there may be little or
no difference.
If a color TV will be unavailable at the shoot, try to shoot advance sample footage
in both Auto and Manual white balance, then play back the tape through a TV at home.
When playing back a videotape, be sure that the color TV is adjusted properly.
Many TVs have an AUTO button that will automatically adjust the color, brightness, and
other settings. Some camcorder models have a color viewfinder. However, a white
balance check through a color TV will be far superior.
If it’s absolutely necessary to shoot with a mixture of different types of light -
either indoors or outside at night - try to check the white balance in advance with a TV.
On the other hand, improper Manual white balance settings may offer a special
effect by distorting the colors. So experiment!
4) SHOOT LOCATION - As long as there is enough light, you can shoot inside any
building - house, office, school, basement, band practice room, gymnasium, etc.
Some outdoor locations include a public park, sidewalk, woods, beach, football
field, mountain top, junkyard, and open fields. The exteriors and rooftops of homes and
office buildings can also be used. (Use extreme caution on a rooftop!) Some locations
are free. Some require simply asking for permission from the owner. And wherever you
shoot, make sure that everyone is legally parked.
5) PERFORMER(S) - The Master audio of the music video will be recorded by the
camcorder during the shoot. An audio cable and adapters will be used to connect the
audio source to the audio input on the camcorder. The performers will have to:
(A) Instrument/Lip Sync to a recording of a song (the easiest option); or
(B) Record the song live, with a PA system and audio mixer.