There are several steps to take when you are in the production faze of field production. These steps are used to make sure that the video, sound, and lighting are at its best quality.
1) The video camera must be white balanced and the zoom must be calibrated. Every camera is a bit different for this process as far as the layout is concerned; however, the procedure is similar.
White Balancing
White balancing allows the camera to acquire the colors of the scene accurately so they are not too hot or cold.
- In order to white balance properly, you will need a white sheet of paper or card. Place this white sheet in front of the lens and zoom the camera in until the card fills the viewfinder.
- Press the white balance button or pull down the white balance lever (depending on the camera).
Calibrating the Zoom
- Set the camera on manual and point the lens at the subject of the video.
- Zoom in as far as possible on any object. Then manually focus the lens by adjusting the focus ring. These steps calibrate the zoom so that the camera operator can zoom in and out without losing focus. (Often times keeping the camera on auto-focus will cause the camera to lose focus as it zooms in and out, and this could be distracting to viewers.)
Adjust the Mic levels
- (depending on what camera is being used) There are meters, which indicate how high the microphone levels are. There are 3 colors which indicate the mic levels; they are green, yellow, and red. If the meter is in the green or yellow, your mic levels are fine. If the meter is in the red, then the sound will be too loud and distorted.
- With your microphone connected to the camera, speak from the same location as your subject will be. Check the meter and make sure it is on the proper level.
- If an interview is being conducted, ask the interviewee if you may hook them up to the microphone (always conceal the microphone wire with the interviewees clothes so that it is hidden from the camera. Furthermore, make sure the microphone is not covered).
2) Plan to shoot for B-Roll
- B-Roll is extra footage, which will cover up cuts in your edited video. It will be accompanied by voice-over or narration.
- B-Roll should be footage which is related to you subject; For example, if the subject of your package is about holiday shopping and the increased business which retailers get because of the holidays, then your B-Roll should be scenes of customers shopping, retail associates selling, or footage of the different deals available.
3) After the 3 steps are taken to adjust the camera settings, set the camera on a tripod and begin filming! Don’t forget the b-roll!!
- Filming the interview is simple. Keep the camera focused on the interviewee.
- Once the interview is filmed, capture b-roll. It is important to make sure that the b-roll is creative and captivating. Always make sure the b-roll relates to the topic of the interview; this makes sure that the viewers see continuity in the piece.
