Tips from the Video
Experts
What is a videographer?
A videographer
is a person who captures memories on film. A videographer is
much like a photographer except that their subjects are moving
and speaking.
What are some key things to look for when you
hire a videographer? Hiring a
videographer can become quite a tiresome task. There are a few
things you should look at including, but not limited to,
experience, quality of equipment, an
unobtrusive style of filming and a personable attitude.
Generally, you
are looking for an individual or company with a great deal of
experience. This includes experience, not only in the specific
area you are looking for (e.g. recording a motivational speaker
or filming a wedding), but also experience with videography in
general.
Experience
aside, quality of equipment is a good concern to have. Does the
videographer have broadcast-quality digital cameras or quality
wireless Ultra High Frequency (UHF) microphones?
We also find
many people desire an unobtrusive style in a good videographer.
You want to be able to go about your event and be able to
completely forget that the videographer is even present.
Another
important trait in a videographer is that they are willing to
listen to your ideas, and work with you to incorporate them into
the final product. You should not pay someone to be rigid and
dictate how your finished video should look. Creativity is your
best friend here and you are only as limited as is your
imagination!
Having a
personable videographer is essential. These professionals are
recording something of importance to you; you want to feel
comfortable with them. Make sure that you have a working
relationship with them where you can tell them what you envision
the final video to be and they actually listen to you.
Finally,
arrange an appointment to look at the videographer's work
before you make a final decision. This gives you an
opportunity to see their work and meet the people who will be
helping you in creating this video. An additional thing to keep
in mind is not to keep yourself limited. Look into as many
videographers as possible because everyone has their own unique
approach to videography - you want the one that best fits your
needs.
Why is quality important?
Quite simply,
image is everything when you are selling yourself. The only way
to get a good image in video is to have great quality equipment.
In turn, quality is everything!
Appearances are essential. When giving a
speech or presentation that will be video taped, there are a few
key things to remember. Many speakers tend to move around or
pace the stage. When a speaker does this on tape, it is very
distracting to the audience viewing the finished product. If you
place a podium on the stage, there is a point for the speaker to
return to. The podium will narrow the probability of the
presenter roaming, thus producing a better video in the end.
Lighting is an
important attribute to any video. Make sure you have multiple -
point lighting (2 or 3 points) so the speaker looks
three-dimensional. Another thing you may like to consider is not
to have emergency exit signs or other distracting objects in the
background. Also, typically fake plants in the background
compliment the video quite nicely.
Another thing
to take into account is whether the videographer is on a
platform or riser. This can be helpful in some situations so
people cannot walk in front of the camera. It is for this reason
that multiple camera shoots are highly recommended. Multiple
camera shoots also allow for audience reactions and allows
various angles of the speaker - all of which make the video more
interesting for the viewer.
Can you hear me now?
Sound is an
important thing with any presentation. You will need a high
quality wireless UHF microphone with a direct feed to the
camera. You will also need two receivers, one of which goes to
the camera while the other is connected to the house sound
system so the live audience can hear you.
Question and answer sessions.
When running a
question and answer session, there are two tactics you can
employ. One approach is to have a microphone runner. This is
where a pre-determined individual gives the microphone to the
person with a question. This is the preferred method so you can
feed the audio to the house system and the live audience can
hear the question as well. The alternate approach is to not have
a microphone runner. Instead, the speaker incorporates the
question in his or her answer so the audience knows what was
asked.
Visual Presentations. If the speaker
is using an overhead projector or power point presentation, it
is best to provide the video production company with the
presentation so they can incorporate it into the video. This
produces a sharper image in the final video as opposed to
capturing it on film during the event and getting a lesser
quality image.
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