Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik
Video-Making Tips | We Are BC
ANY VIDEO-RECORDING DEVICE WILL DO
You don’t need to be a filmmaker to get involved. We’re looking for a diversity of authentic voices. We will consider videos shot on everything from Smartphone cameras, iPads and laptop webcams to camcorders and professional video cameras. That said, we can only use videos of an acceptable sound and picture quality so please refer to the Submission Rules on our website and the tips in this handbook for guidelines on how to make a great video.
WHAT TO FILM
So, you want to participate and want to know what to film?
Submit a 30-second video clip (as an individual or team of colleagues) reflects on one or more of the following concepts:
- How do you generate an income? What does this look like? How do you feel about this?
- How do you feel the current state of our economy affects you, your loved ones, residents of BC? Are you satisfied with how your tax dollars are spent?
- How do the choices you make in your life impact the economy?
- What are your dreams or fears for the future of BC’s economy? Or for your own life as it relates to work and money?
Show-and-don’t-tell. Show us your story through images. Try to explain your point of view with pictures and keep the talking to a minimum. A picture says 1,000 words in far less video time than 1,000 spoken words, which means more of your videos will make it in the final film.
You can include text on signs, which can be made of any material but be imaginative! Your face can appear in the video (either by filming yourself, or asking a friend or colleague to film you). If you would prefer to not show your face and remain anonymous, your video can be from your point-of-view and rather than showing yourself, show us what you see.
You can submit a video as an individual or as a team of colleagues.
VIDEO CRITERIA: FORMAT AND CONTENT
- We only want 30-second, unedited video clips made in British Columbia from July 17 to August 15, 2013 that features BC residents. We are not looking for finished films. We are looking for footage as it was shot so please leave the editing for us.
- Videos should generally have good quality sound and picture. Refer to our video-making tips that follow in this handbook.
- Maximum length of submissions is 30 seconds. Contributions longer than 30 seconds may be excluded from consideration due to time constraints of reviewing contributions. Contributions shorter than 30 seconds will be accepted. We Are BC’s film director may or may not include part or all of the video you submit in the final film.
- Contributions can be shot on any format (e.g., mobile phone, laptops, iPads, digital cameras, video camera, etc).
- Contributions must be “filmic,” “documentary” or “live action” style. We are looking for true stories and not works of fiction. We are not looking for animated or illustrated submissions, however, you can play with performance, genre or style as much as you like.
- Please do not add text, titles or music to your contribution. You must own all the rights for any music, featured photographs or video archive footage used in your film for use in any media. Please avoid showing any logos or business name(s) that you do not have permission to include in your video.
- Show us your story through images. Try to explain your point of view with pictures and keep the talking to a minimum. A picture says 1,000 words in far less video time than 1,000 spoken words, which means more of your videos will make it in the final film.
- We welcome videos in languages other than English provided that you can provide a written translation of your work, matching the original language with the English translation one sentence at a time. Email these translation documents, along with your confirmation number, to: wearebc@sfu.ca
- You should try to make your contributions factually accurate and reflect the honest views of yourself or those of the people included in the film. Always respect the feelings and privacy of those you refer to or include in your footage.
- Your contribution must comply with our Eligibility, Terms and Conditions and Submission Rules.
PREPARING FOR SHOOTING YOUR VIDEO
- Decide what you are going to film. Will your face appear in the video or will use the camera to show viewers your point of view?
- Decide what video recording equipment you will use.
- Test your video recording equipment. Record something and play it back to be sure you have good quality, clear picture and sound.
- Decide where you are going to film. Be sure you have permission to film there.
- Decide who is going to be in your video. If you are filming someone other than yourself, you will need to have permission from each person in your video. If you submit a video that includes anyone under the age of 19, you will need to be that person’s parent or legal guardian, or obtain permission from that person’s parent or legal guardian.
- Ask for help. Getting friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to help you either by holding your camera, placing objects in or out of your frame, or asking people to be quiet, can be a great way to inspire them to get involved while making video recording easier and more fun!
Video-Making Tips PART 1: GETTING GOOD PICTURES
- Shoot landscape rather than portrait. When using a phone, iPad or similar device, you will need to turn it on its side to get the widest image possible. Video camcorders record in landscape automatically.
- Tell your story through images. Include a background or location that helps the viewer to better understand what you are trying to say.
- Make sure there is enough light to clearly capture what you want to show. Start by adjusting the exposure on your camera if this option available. If you are filming inside, consider turning a light on or moving a lamp closer to your subject. If you are filming outside, you can stand next to a light-coloured wall or hold up a piece of light-coloured cardboard to bounce some sunlight onto your subject.
- Avoid having bright light (for example, a window on a sunny day) directly behind any person in your video as this will lead to him or her being a silhouette, unless this is the effect you want.
- Make sure your subject is in focus. If the subject you are filming is moving around a lot, stick to auto focus as manual focusing frequently can result in your video being more confusing and less engaging.
- Keep the camera steady and any movement to a minimum. Stay focused on what you are showing us long enough for the viewer to see it clearly. Use panning, zooming and focusing in and out sparingly as too much of this can be confusing. Wherever possible, place the camera on a tripod. A table, chair or other object can also work in place of a tripod.
- If the video equipment you are using gives you options for quality, choose the highest quality possible.
- Consider what you are trying to say at all times. Be sure you are recording what you want viewers to see. Keep your distance from your subject and film a wider angle to show more information, or move closer to your subject and film a closer angle to reveal more details.
- Wherever possible, compose your image following the Rule of Thirds. This means imagining that your frame is divided into 3 even sections horizontally and vertically and that your subject falls on one of the intersecting points of these lines. Example:
(Rule of Thirds image: http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html)
Video-Making Tips Part 2: GETTING GOOD SOUND
- Make sure you can hear what you want the audience to hear in your video.
- Wear headphones while you are recording wherever possible and pay attention to the sound to make sure you are getting good, clear sound and avoiding any unwanted noises.
- If there is talking in your video, be sure you choose a quiet place to shoot your video. Filming inside usually gives you more control over sounds than filming outside. When filming inside, be sure to turn off any noise-producing objects (e.g., air conditioning, fridge, etc). When filming outside, try to choose a spot where you are sheltered from wind, and away from any noises (e.g., traffic, crowds, etc) unless this is sound you want in your video.
- If your video equipment has the option to connect an external microphone and you have access to an external mic, use one to capture better quality sound. If you don’t have this option, filming closer to your subject should generally give you better quality sound.
- Test your sound recording. Play it back to make sure you can hear it clearly.
- If you do record unwanted noises by accident and time permits, make any necessary adjustments and record a second time.
- Experiment with the distance from your subject. If the sound you recorded is too quiet, you will need to get closer to your subject. If it is too loud or distorting, you will need to move farther away from your subject.
[1] A team contribution consists of two or more contributors and is meant to encourage colleagues to submit together. One individual aged 19 years or older must submit a video on behalf of a team.
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
If you have any questions or suggestions about how to make great videos for the We Are BC film, please post your questions/comments on our wall:
For more information and video-making tips, please contact We Are BC film director,
Sarah Van Borek, by email: wearebc@sfu.ca
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No matter what you do, where you live, or how you make your living, your voice matters!
Join us and share your unique and invaluable perspective on camera!