This blog entry provides some tips in the production of videos which focus on interpersonal interactions (definitely not action-adventure genre).
Astute makes use of the ScreenTest(SM) methodology for this effort to more effectively go from communication goal to finished media. ScreenTest involves the following steps: creation of script, script approval, quick read of script (inexpensive non-professional video read), distribution of quick read via video streaming, critique by experts, modification of script based on critique, shoot, critique of shoot, re-edit and release.
Each step of ScreenTest leverages the power of the Internet to enable distributed and rapid review of media. In this way, Astute is better able to achieve the communication needs and provides reviewers and content experts with greater insight into how the materials will be received before the expense of production.
In so doing, we achieve better quality media products faster. ScreenTest is yet another way that Astute Technology continues to advance the process and methods of producing cutting-edge video.
Script development
Write the script so that each line is purposeful and moves the story forward.
Scripts are often used to ‘establish a scene’ with words. However, setting up a scene is accomplished through the use of visuals- they really set things up. As it has been said, 70% of communication is body language- and likely 80% of movies communicate through the visuals. Don’t slow the pace of the story down with unnecessary language- realize that the camera tells much of the story.
Production Process
It is important to produce the scripts and get approval on them. Pacing and duration of the script are usually not evident with a ‘read.’ As a result, we do a ‘rough read’ without the actors and circulate the video (you can use YouTube to circulate- with a ‘private URL’ which will not appear on the search engines). In so doing, your editorial team will be able to evaluate the length, the way the lines work and sound and come up with a creative approach to filming. Almost every time this is done, some suggestions are made to enable better production to occur.
Refine the script based on the feedback from the ‘alpha’ video and then you are ready for casting and rehearsing.
Casting
Always have your shoot date ready before casting so that you can check on availability of actors/actresses prior to (and ask again during casting).
It is important to get a sense of the range of actors and actresses when you cast. Direct them during the casting process to get a sense of their ability to take direction. Ask them to look at new material and see how quickly they pick lines up. Often times, the role that someone has been cast for may not be their ideal role- have an open mind so that you can make use of talent in a different role than you may have originally thought.
Lighting and makeup.
It is better to underexpose your scenes than overexpose. Soft box lighting can be good as well as use of appropriately colored fluorescent lighting to provide more continuous tones in the lighting– especially when shooting HD.
Make-up is also very useful- particularly for pale skinned individuals- as the camera has a tendency to overexpose them (especially if they have dark hair and/or clothing).
Try to illuminate the action and also light up the background to enable adequate overall lighting (so that the image sensor does not go grainy in the indoor backgrounds). Also this will enable separation between the characters and the background.
Sound
Monitoring is important. If you use lavallière mics- make sure that excess breathing and clothes rustling does not interfere too much as well as HVAC and other ambient noise. If you are plugging into walls- you may need ‘ground lift’ filters- to get rid of electrical hum. If you use a boom-microphone, you may miss audio when actors are looking down or speaking away from the microphone. It is a good practice to have the talent record the sound separately as a read- by themselves- with a microphone which is surrounded by a foam cone to decrease ambient sound. In this way, if all else fails, you can synch the audio to the actors using software such as ‘elastic reality’ from Digidesign or other packages that enable the seamless synchronization of audio to video.
Staging
Also be vigilant when you film of extraneous items in the scene- personal belongings that may bring embarrassment if they are in frame; keep brand information off screen as well so as not to have issues with corporations. Make the scenes as simple as possible so that the end-user focuses on the dialog and action.
Directing
Be fluid and ‘in the moment’ when directing. Remember to ‘trust your gut’ — what you record will likely be around much longer than it takes to film a scene- so try to get it right even if it takes a few extra takes. Also try to see each scene as if you were watching it in the theater– seeing it for the first time. Being able to see things afresh makes it possible to direct with greater focus and confidence to make sure that the experience that the viewer will have will be the best possible experience. Make sure that the lines and delivery make sense if you had not heard them a thousand times…
Finer points:
I find that use of hand-gestures are very useful to punctuating the action. Often you need to direct the actors to move their hands closer to their faces when gesturing- else this added element will be out of frame.
Direct for audio level- so that the soft spoken is as loud as the loud person…
Often ‘cheat’ people closer together and have them cheat to the camera to get them in frame.
For long technical scripts- consider use of teleprompter, ear prompter, or use the script itself and hold it in the position of where the actor is addressing the other actor. Make sure in any of these scenarios that the eye movement and focus is reflective of a conversation.
Have the talent practice lines and ‘block’ action before shooting. Don’t over-rehearse and get ‘stale’ lines.
Actors with a lot of stage experience can ‘over emote’ particularly on close-ups in HD. Be careful to look for this.
Filming
Often times, with todays cameras, you can film without using a tripod- freeing you up to get better shots without the inhibition of setting up and breaking down the tripod and having a fixed location. This will enable you to move with the action, more readily zoom or widen the shot and in general, be more responsive in filming the scenes. This is also the style that many video/film productions are being filmed. You need to be steady and it does take practice to do it well- use your core!
Another suggestion is to grad the AV output of the camera and hook a long cable to the camera to a mid-range HD computer monitor (less than $1K) so that you can see what the scene looks like in a much better way than the small viewfinder.
I suggest shooting in at least 720P or 1080P resolution. In this way, you can re-crop footage without loss of resolution- particularly when the output is for use on computer or the Internet (which have much lower resolution requirements).
Editing
Like playing cards- pick out best scenes- and put them in a ‘best scenes’ pile in the editor. I believe in quickly reviewing each segment of footage and classifying it as ‘must use,’ ‘maybe’ and ‘don’t use.’ Another classification is for transitions, or cut away shots.
Remember that you can show an actor when another is talking.
Reaction shots are shots of actors agreeing, disagreeing, shaking heads, moving hands, etc. Make use of reaction shots when appropriate – there is an art to making sure that reaction shots add to a scene rather than distract.
A lot of people argue back and forth about which edit package to use– like FinalCut Pro, Adobe Premier Pro, AVID, Sony Vegas, etc. It really doesn’t matter- the key is the creativity and persistence to make the video look good. The tools for cutting, transitions, and overall editing provide an equal footing these days… it is more of a question of execution at this point.
Put ambient sound between blank spots in time-line. Fade in and out dialog. The ear is sudden changes in volume… especially ‘no sound.’ So fill spots that are empty of sound with ambient sound.
Recent Examples:
These are video segments on cultural competency which were shot using the methodology explained above. The video was shot with a Sony EX-1 with 64GB of removable media (SXS media), Arri lighting kit, Seinnheiser Wireless Lav Mic System with audio feeds going into an 8 channel TASCAM mixer. Scenes were shot at 720P- with all filming done ‘hand-held’ with steady-cam setting enabled. One camera was used and scenes were shot from multiple angles and edited together.
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ScreenTest is a service mark of Astute Technology.
