That Movie Magic?

Once again, there is no real magic in the creation of a video. The biggest elements that lead to success are planning and attention to details. Creative and origianal content is also a necessity. For most of our videos we’ll spend a class period or two planning what will happen, how it might get set up, and of course what everyone will say.

Getting Ready to Shoot a Scene
We’ll get the camera person setting up and then everyone will be involved in a quick rehearsal of the scene. Camera person has to be very critical of lighting. Sound person puts on headphones and we get a volume check on our 2nd rehearsal of the scene.

Shooting a Scene
Usually director yells “Quiet” and then after a few seconds begins the countdown: “In five, four, three,....” (counts two, one, zero are not audible):

  • At three - camera person starts recording
  • At two - winder signals tape is rolling
  • At one - signal prepared
  • At zero - director cues silently for action.
  • End of scene - wait 2-3 seconds before hitting the “stop” button to get a “pad” on footage for editing.

    • Editing
    Depending on your equipment this can take a variety of forms. We upload our footage into our computer. Once on a hard drive:

    1. Footage is carefully edited for content.
    2. Any transitions and titles/graphics are added.
    3. Sound effects are added
    4. Music/Sound Track is added when editing of video is complete

    Final Product
    As a final step the completed video is put into VHS form for use in our VCR’s or it can be saved as a “Digital Video” in one of the many forms found in computer usage.

    Most often a 1-2 minute video will take a group about 7-10 days to produce from planning to completion. This all depends too on availability of camera and space on the hard drive!

    Learn what skills you’ll need to develop in creating video projects.