Tips and Tricks
Published by Graham Walker on 22 Aug 2005 at 6:03 am.
4 Comments.
Filed under Vlog News.
Listen to your inner editor -
One of the great things about the Digital Video revolution is that one person can do it all, but this should not mean you can’t benefit from a little collaboration. Often as I am shooting, I will hear my inner-editor voice talking to me. “ohhh, that gives me an idea about how to edit this stuff…get more coverage of that but, shoot it in this way”. When you think you have finished shooting ask that inner-editor if you have enough material to work with.
Often this will make you realize that while you may have a lot of footage, there is something missing that could really help out later. Obviously, this is just another way of saying shoot with your end in mind, but I find doing it this way helps me gain some distance and think about the project from a different perspective.
Steve Garfield on 22 Aug 2005 at 6:38 am: 1
Nice tips Graham.
My inner editor tells me what to shoot from the start.
He says, “First get your establishing shots, then some tripod shots, and make sure you stay on your subject for at least 5 seconds, and then go to hand help to get some close ups.”
He’s so good at waht he does, I think he needs a name.
Hilton on 22 Aug 2005 at 4:30 pm: 2
I never thought of that. It’s all starting to make more sense. Thanks for the knowledge.
Curt on 22 Aug 2005 at 9:21 pm: 3
I always try to think of what the story is that I’m shooting. You have to connect the pieces of the story so people can understand it.
Are there reactions shots or detail shots that will help it all make sense? What’s the narrative thread?
Also, it never hurts to think about what you’re going to shoot in advance and have a plan. You may change it once you start shooting but having a plan can guide you on what and how to shoot the piece. Will you use titles? Cinema verite? Narration? Tell the story in sequence?
It’s all important. Plan ahead but be flexible.
Bre Pettis on 23 Aug 2005 at 10:52 pm: 4
I once interviewed an editor who said, “you just have to cut it where it needs to be cut.”
I’m no fancy pancy editor, but I’m getting the hang of it and I’m getting all sorts of ideas from watching movies and tv. I never really realized how often cuts happen.
My latest thing that I look for when cutting is motion. I look for some motion that is going in a direction and then I cut to a motion going in a different direction. This gives the eye something to do which makes it feel like something is happening.