This IS the Avid L2: Re: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Re: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers

Didn't catch this thread earlier, hope I'm not repeating things- scratch that, hope these simple things have already been said:
I know it will cause disagreement in this group, but in documentary, sound is usually more important than picture. With interview subjects, use a mic. A good mic properly placed. A myriad of picture problems can be forgiven if the audience can understand the person talking.
Then, especially for documentary, apply the most basic rule of news cameramen: tell a story in at least 3 shots: wide/establishing to give context; medium, and detail close up(s). It's simple but often the most experienced people forget that we have to edit what they shoot.

Think about what you're shooting in terms of editing- how it fits together. Buy a tripod, and use it. Count to ten in your head before moving the camera to the next shot.
Even if you're not the 'director,' LISTEN during interviews- then later take pictures of what the person is talking about. Seems obvious, but we've all had to make some out of nothing when the shooter could of simply photographed that something in the first place. A corollary of this is that if you're filming a public speaker, also film the public to whom they speak. Film both sides if any conversation- the talker and the listener.

For dramatic/narrative, remind your Filmmakers that reaction is often more important than action- just like scripting dialog, don't shoot just 'on the nose', and, of course, don't 'say' anything you can show.

Hopefully these points are all too obvious and simple to need to be stated, but, alas, that had not been my experience with new filmakers.

GH

________________________
Greg Huson
Secret Headquarters, Inc
Greg (at) SecretHQ.com
www.SecretHQ.com
DigitalServicsStation.com

On Jan 31, 2013, at 3:14 AM, Nick Hrycyk bigblueav@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Simple continuity. If the actor is wearing glasses and takes them off during the scene and puts them back on, make sure it happens in roughly the same spot on all takes. If they put them somewhere, be consistent. If they put them in the V of their shirt in the master, all the takes with them in their pocket become useless!
>
> Nick H
>
> --- On Wed, 1/30/13, Benjamin Hershleder Ben@ContactBen.com> wrote:
>
> From: Benjamin Hershleder Ben@ContactBen.com>
> Subject: Re: [Avid-L2] Help with presentation to small independent filmmakers
> To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 3:47 PM
>
> Hey all,
> These answers are great (and thanks to John for asking).
> Would anyone mind if I consolidated these suggestions and posted them on my web site?
> I will be more than happy to provide attribution and link to your site.
>
> Cheers,
>
> B
> ----
> Benjamin Hershleder
> Benjamin's Avid Book: tinyurl.com/avidmc-book
> Benjamin's Site: http://ContactBen.com
>
> Wear It In Post!
> Fun T-shirts, mousepads, mugs & more
> for Post Production Professionals
> http://www.WearItInPost.com
>
> On Jan 30, 2013, at 12:40 PM, Benjamin Hershleder wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > White balance, using a properly calibrated monitor (that's shielded from the sun) at the very least, and use scopes whenever possible (especially with HD).
> >
> > Properly lit green screen, and subject distance.
> >
> > Talk with post *before* shooting re: format, workflow, etc.
> >
> > Do NOT change the file/folder structure in any way when xfering from card to drive.
> >
> > Timecode . . . Jam Sync multiple cameras if possible.
> >
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > B
> > ----
> > Benjamin Hershleder
> > Benjamin's Avid Book: tinyurl.com/avidmc-book
> > Benjamin's Site: http://ContactBen.com
> >
> > Wear It In Post!
> > Fun T-shirts, mousepads, mugs & more
> > for Post Production Professionals
> > http://www.WearItInPost.com
> >
> >
> >
> > On Jan 30, 2013, at 10:58 AM, john.maio5011 wrote:
> >
> >> On February 17th, I've been asked to give a group of low/no budget filmmakers a short (1-2hours with Q&A) talk on the theme "Shoot for Post" .
> >>
> >> The idea is to give some examples and tips on how to do avoid common mistakes in filming movie shorts and documentaries that have a good chance of being watchable by avoiding things that can't be fixed in post ˆ at least not within the budget and time constraints small independent filmmakers have.
> >>
> >> Many of these folks are of the run and gun variety and most have never heard of a lined script, much less the importance good slating and note taking, to say nothing of great camera work.
> >>
> >> I have a long list of simple things to talk about like most everyone else on here does ˆ even with not so low budget productions. I'd like it to be a helpful exchange, not a critical one. Just pointing out some common things that could easily be handled in planning and production, rather than post from an editor's POV.
> >>
> >> If you have some good examples of tips for small independent filmmakers, I'd like to hear them.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Search the official Complete Avid-L archives at: http://archives.bengrosser.com/avid/
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Search the official Complete Avid-L archives at: http://archives.bengrosser.com/avid/
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

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