Progress of a Novice Videographer

Deciding the trial for capturing video to the screen wasn't going to work, I chose a different route for this week's blog. There will be discussion of how progress can be seen in video from the beginning of a semester to the end.

This semester I signed up for an internship that allowed me to video high school football games. After each week I would go back to Grid Iron Game of the Week to review my progress to make sure I was getting better.
During week one of the internship I started out with the zoom camera, that captures the up close shots by being able to zoom in further than the other cameras. This camera is the main focus of the broadcast, and was the key to having crisp, clear, and clean shots. Here is a blip of me videoing a high school football game, the portion I am shooting is at 48:47-49:07. In this segment a player is getting up, and running off the field. This is where you need to maintain a steady shot, so the viewers do not assume an amateur videographer.

The last game that was broadcast I also handled the zoom camera. For this game the teams were fighting for the playoffs and the atmosphere made for a great football game. With all of the back and forth plays steadying the camera and following the players is more difficult. The sections I have picked out for this game show more professional camera work than previous attempts, 8:10-8:19 and 91:14-91:41. The differences between the beginning of the semester to the end was more confidence in having the right shot, zooming in without being jumpy, and panning without missing the shot.

This blog will be taking a break during the holidays, but will be back when the Spring semester starts back, January 7th. Happy Holidays everyone!

Video Broadcasts vs. Radio Broadcasts

After having trouble screen capturing video from the Friday night football games, the video portion will be pushed back to next week. This week's blog will focus on the differences between a video broadcast, for a high school football game, and a radio broadcast.

When it comes to broadcasting the main goal is to get the information about the game to the viewers/listeners at home. Most if not all of the viewers/listeners are fans/alumni/family that live out of state. So to accomodate them, broadcasters commentate both on radio and online in video.

Radio broadcasts are beneficially to listeners on the road, and away from home. Commentators are normally alumni of the teams playing or long time announcers that have been around for many years. With the game being broadcast on radio you get the same environment as a video broadcast just without the visual elements.  For a radio broadcast it also costs less to broadcast a game than it would for a video broadcast.

Video broadcasts are able to do what radio cannot, show the plays that weren't able to be seen before. These broadcasts are shown online for any viewer to tune in to. Commercials come on at normal times that they would in a football game, during the breaks in the action. The visual you get from the games online also shows viewers from home, or out of state how their team looks from the last they have seen them. Video broadcasts may cost more, but normally more viewers tune in to make up for the cost.

The next blog will be focused on breaking down video from high school football games, I promise. There will be explanations of certain shot angles, what correct shots are, and what not to do while videoing.

Technology in Videography: Slow-Motion Cameras

In last week's edition of my blog I discussed a full length broadcast of a high school football game. I was going to discuss about video shot during some of my internship games the past few weekends. Problems arose trying to get the video from GridIron Game of the Week so that post will be pushed off until next week. This week slow-motion technology will be discussed.

First off what is slow motion? According to Wikipedia slow motion is "an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down." These high-tech cameras "can shoot 2,500 frames per second, and cost around 125,000 dollars." Cameras like these help add dramatic effects to a scene in a movie, show a replay in a sporting event, and much more.

Slow motion video records like any other video camera, but has the advanced technology of slowing down the picture frame by frame. When using these kind of cameras mounting on a tripod is essential for a steady shot. Shaky camera movements can distort the slow motion and cause the viewer to lose focus from the shot. "One downside to shooting in slow motion is having more footage than desired." There could be a cup falling over in five seconds and be as long as a minute after slowing the video down.

Next week portions of the video shot during Friday night football games will be shown.  There will be explanations of certain shots angles,correct shots, and what not to do during a game.

This post was updated December 3, 2012 at 10:30am.

From Start to Finish: A Football Broadcast

Broadcasts for the big games on Saturdays, and Sundays are always fun to watch, but most viewers have no idea what it takes to get the game to households.  This blog entry will provide a behind the scenes glimpse of preparation required to broadcast a high school level football game.

Getting set up for the game in time is the most essential part of a broadcast.  Without preparation cables, laptops, cameras, headsets, and internet will not be ready on time.  Call time for the high school football games, if it is a 7:30pm start, is 5:00pm.  This gives the crew ample time to unload the equipment, set up the tripods, cameras, and other equipment in a reasonable time frame.

After all of the equipment has been unloaded the set up process begins.  In situations like these knowing if the building has wireless internet or not can make or break the broadcast.  Coming prepared with a cellular wireless network card will allow access to internet, and the ability to broadcast the game.  During this time multiple ethernet cables are combined, and ran from the computer to the on the field camera.  This process requires many pieces of tape, and help from other group members.  Once the wires are ran headsets, and other devices are tested to make sure they work. 

When 7:30pm rolls around all of the equipment is set up, and the crew members are at their respected cameras/stations.  Every member of the crew wears a headset, and radio to communicate back and forth to each other.  The producer also has a headset, and determines which camera will be viewed at a certain time.  Also commercials, cutaways, and pregame interviews are part of the producers responsibility.  In the press box for the game there's the producer, color commentator, announcer, and statistician, so it tends to be a bit cramped. 

After the game is over, cameras are put back in their cases, tripods are zipped back in their bags, and equipment is rolled out of the press box.  So all-in-all on average the time spent at the games is around six hours, 5:00pm to 11:00pm.  The work put into the games are well worth the time, and being able to watch some good games also makes the experience fun.  

All of the games are posted online at www.gridirongameoftheweek.com and have multiple games running from Friday to Saturday. 

I would like to thank everyone at Grid Iron Game of the Week, for their cooperation.

Tune in for next weeks blog, where I will try to upload portions of the video we shoot during the games.  There will be explanations of certain shots angles,correct shots, and what not to do during a game.

The Basics of Videography - Part Two

In "The Basics of Videography - Part Two" users will learn how to tilt, pan, and zoom properly without having a shaky or unprofessional shot.

To start out your shot make sure the camera is level, which is much harder to accomplish without a tripod. 

Keys to a level, steady shot are:

1. Bending the knees slightly
2. Keeping elbows close to the body
3. Take a deep breath before a shot to control breathing
4. After the shot hold the camera to the side, to prevent arm fatigue.

A shot without tilts, pans, and zooms is like taking a picture with a camera, without zooming in, and adjusting the picture.  When tilting a camera the motion is one of up or down on a vertical axis.  To tilt a camera properly an understanding of where the shot goes is key.  Having this knowledge makes for a smooth shot, and not a jerky response.  Panning a camera is turning left or right on a horizontal axis.  When panning knowing where the shot goes is also key, and a more important concept than with tilting.  To make an easy pan left or right, make sure to have a foot planted in the direction panning towards, and a wide base for more movement.  Using the zoom feature on the camera allows for a tighter shot, and more up close experience for the viewer.  One of the important ideas about zooming is steady, slow, and crisp zooms.  To accomplish this only put slight pressure on the zoom button, mashing it down will only cause a shot that viewers will depict as one of an amateur.  Zooming in with these tips makes for a professional, and clean shot that viewers will want to see again.

Next week's blog entry, will show pictures of a real broadcast for a Friday night football game.  The blog will be focused on the setup before, during, and after the game.

The Basics of Videography - Part One

 

The basics of videography start with how to setup and take care of the equipment that is being utilized by the user.

Tripods, camera, cords and cases are essential tools needed to accomplish an accurate and professional shot.  When setting up a tripod, the user should look for a level location to setup in and make sure to lock down the hinges on the legs.  When attaching the camera to the tripod, be sure the camera is locked in tight without any movement on the base.  To keep the camera from falling off the tripod during the shoot, use tape to secure the front and rear of the camera to the base.  Also use tape to secure the camera’s power cord to the floor to prevent cord damage as well as an injury to a passerby.  When all videoing is finished, return the tripods, cameras and cords back to their respected cases.  This will make setup easier next time and keep equipment safe.

Following proper setup procedures, practicing with a camera a few times a week, and watching instructional videos online will help make the basics more of a habit.

Next week's blog entry, "The Basics of Videography - Part Two", will discuss how to properly use your camera, tips for creating professional shots, and how to maintain a steady shot without a tripod.

This post was updated December 3, 2012 at 10:50am.