Instruction manual

Plain flood lights are excellent, and available at local hardware stores. They’re
also available in different colors (red, green, blue, etc.) for color lighting effects. A
dimmer for each flood light could be used to create a basic light “show”. Photography
bulbs (not flash bulbs) in the proper lamp could be used for regular lighting.
Lights can be attached to railings and tops of doors by using C-clamps. If needed,
nail up a 2”x 4” wooden beam, and make a place to hang a light.
Any room with white walls can be turned into a mini-studio, and “painted” with
colored lights. A white outdoor wall can become a multi-colored backdrop at night. To
fill a white wall with colored shapes, take a razor knife and a 3’x 4’ sheet of cardboard,
and carefully cut out about 25 small circles... and/or ovals, stars, or lightning bolts. This
device is known as a Cookaloris, nicknamed Cookie. By shining a light through it, the
pattern will appear on the wall and on anything or anybody in between. Find a way to
support your homemade Cookie - like with a coat hanger or rope - and you must be very
careful not to place it too close to a light, which could cause it to catch on fire.You’ll
need more than one Cookie and one light to illuminate a background area that’s big
enough for an entire band.
When shooting indoors, and automatic water sprinklers are present, MAKE SURE that
the lights don’t get near the heat sensors. And be very careful when using sharp
instruments to cut with.
Power Requirements - Home video camcorders need either an AC power adapter or a
rechargeable battery to operate. The convenience and portability of battery power is the
preferred way to go, especially for all hand-held camera work, and when shooting in
more than one location.
Never assume (dangerous word) that the mere presence of an outlet guarantees
that sufficient voltage is flowing to it. Older buildings and outdoor facilities are notorious
for having patchwork repairs to at least one electrical outlet, and it’s usually the one
that’s needed the most. An inexpensive circuit tester is available at most hardware stores,
and outlets can be checked in advance.
Camera Mounts - A tripod has 3 adjustable legs, which allows the operating height of
the camera to be raised or lowered. If needed, tripod height adjustments must usually be
made between Takes. Some tripods have optional wheel attachments. This makes it easy
to move from one camera position to the next, provided that it’s on a reasonably smooth
and level surface. However, it’s usually too rough to shoot while rolling the tripod.
A tripod will have either a fluid or friction head, on which the camcorder is mounted. A
fluid head is preferred, as it permits smooth Pans and Tilts. It’s more difficult to make
smooth camera moves with a friction head.
Snap Zoom - It’s possible to switch off the automatic Zoom control, and Zoom in and
out manually. An extremely fast Zoom is called a Snap Zoom, which lasts less than one-
half second. An example would be a shot of a singer’s head, then Snap Zoom Out to show
their entire body.