- Keep it simple.
To shoot good Web video it is best to minimise the complexity of
information within a shoot. Keep shot composition and lighting simple
and keep both the subjects and the camera stationary. Examples of
complex objects to be avoided include: trees, crowd scenes. Also avoid
shots of fast moving sporting events, pans across cities and city
streets with a lot of movement.
Determine the delivery system.
If the delivery of your video is on an internal corporate Intranet system
with high-speed connections, then you can use more conventional production
techniques. If however, your video is intended to run on the open WWW,
with 56K maximum speed modems, then you'll need to limit the information
contained in each shot as well.
Limiting the running time.
It is best make each clip a single concept. You will be surprised just how
much you can get into 60 seconds.
Make each shot counts. Regardless
of your viewer's connection speed, plan to tell most of your story with
static shots.. You want your audience focused on the video's content, not
on its technical limitations.
Plan your location.
When planning your shoots look for locations that will be suitable for Web
video. Make sure you have a background that works well for Web
compression.
Talking heads.
Stationary talking heads with a single-colour background are easier to
compress for Web video. However don't keep everything so simple and
stationary that your video becomes boring
Background colour.
You will also need to be careful with the colour of your background or
objects in a shot. Avoid bright reds and yellows¾ notice how some colours
seem to shimmer on videotape. Try to avoid using them in your shots.
Avoid patterns and striped clothing.
Have your subjects wear neutral solid colours and avoid patterns and
strips. Keep in mind that on the Web, the detrimental effects of strong
colours and complex patterns will be more severe than on normal
television.
Keep shots steady.
Use a tripod. A stable camera solves many of the problems associated with
shooting Web video. Keep your camera mounted on a tripod for as many shots
as possible. Avoid hand-held pan's which create shaky movement.
Shot high quietly video.
Don’t let the poor quality of Internet video influence the quality of
your video production. Always shoot with the highest quality in mind.
ã Eric Kenning E-Tutorials
cvmc@dvmg.com.au
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