Instruction manual

purpose, it should occur at the same time, and be moved to the same place, during each
Take. After each Take, it must be returned to the original position. After breaks, be
careful not to leave cups, cans, towels, chairs, or other surprises in view.
Continuity also applies when shooting multiple angles of concept scenes. Watch
out for items that can be easily bumped out of position - tables, chairs, lamps, trash cans,
doors, paintings, telephones, books, cups, ashtrays, vehicles, etc. If an item is
intentionally moved during a scene, it should be returned to its original position after
each Take is completed. Small chalk marks are very helpful in marking original positions.
And of course, the clothing, positions, and actions of each performer must carefully be
recreated during each Take.
Let’s suppose that you want to shoot 3 different angles of the following scene
description: “Johnny walks down to the bottom of the staircase, bends over and picks up
a folded newspaper, and throws it against the wall.” Even with this simple scenario, the
following decisions should be made during rehearsal:
A) Which foot and which step to start with.
B) The path and speed of descent.
C) The placement and/or action of hands during descent.
D) Facial expressions.
E) Eye and head movement.
F) The positioning of the newspaper at the bottom of the stairs.
G) The velocity of the newspaper.
H) The newspaper’s impact point on the wall.
* * *
If you’d like to shoot with better quality than a regular home camcorder, try to
find a rental facility with an Industrial Super-VHS camcorder with 1 or 2 chips. (I’ve
rented a 1-chip Super-VHS camcorder for $125 per day.) These models operate much
like a regular home camcorder. If you can demonstrate care and ability with a home
camcorder, you may be able to rent a 1 or 2-chip Industrial camcorder. An S-VHS
camcorder can also record in regular VHS mode.
Industrial equipment is primarily used for corporate, training, or even wedding
videos. Industrial video cameras and camcorders can have 1, 2, or 3 chips or tubes.
Broadcast cameras have 3 chips or 3 pickup tubes. Technically speaking, a 3-chip or tube
camera makes better pictures than a 2-chip or tube model, and a 2-chip or tube camera is
better than a 1-chip or tube model. However, a 3-chip Industrial camcorder will require
an Operator with much more than home camcorder experience.
If you live in a major city, it’s possible that the cable TV operator will have a
Public Access channel, which offers programming produced by local citizens. They
sometimes offer (for a small fee) instruction courses in broadcast camera operation and
editing. Once a person is qualified, the use of the equipment is free. Upon completion, the
clip can be scheduled to appear on the cable system’s Public Access Channel or other
local broadcast or cablecast. Plus, copies of the clip can be used to promote the band...