Composition and Lighting
What is composition?
The way we put a scene together to create maximum interest and impact. Video production is all about story telling. When shooting your trailers you are trying to, briefly explain a story, this is largely achieved by creating an atmosphere.
What makes a good shot?
When you start shooting, make sure you’re aware not just of your subject but the space around them too. If you can find interest in it then your scene will reflect that. If you think your subject is ‘good’ your shot will be good.
The rule of thirds
This rule helps us to construct interesting images. It works by dividing your image/frame into sections. If you divide your frame into halves or quarters and place your point of interest on these lines you get a ‘boring’ image.
Divide your image into third.
Natural light is the easiest light to shoot and often the most effective. Don’t shoot directly into the light because you will get a dark silhouette. If the sun is bright and you have an unprotected lens you can get lens flare. To avoid this be aware of the position of the sun, try to have your back to it.
Get closer to your subject Isolate the subject Place it higher in the frame Reduce the depth of field Alter your view point
What is video and TV production?
We must make a distinction between television production and video production. TV production:
- Broadcast – the signal is openly transmitted
- Shown to a large public audience
- Transmitted via cable or over-air either ‘live’ or ‘taped’.
Video Production
- Non broadcast programming.
- Recorded closed-circuit
- Edited
- Video productions have to be distributed via DVD, tape etc.
- Examples include commercial, corporate and event video production.
Is there overlap between video and TV production?
Yes. Increasingly in the 21st century we are seeing broadcast material packaged for home viewing. Such as box sets of ‘live’ shows such as Friends. We are increasingly seeing video productions aired in broadcast programmes. Pre-recorded news interviews are an example.
Live: The news, The BBC Proms, The Olympics
Taped: Jonathan Ross, X Factor, Britain’s got Talent
3 Types of Video production: Wedding videos, Musicvideos, Films trailers
Key terms
Broadcast – used in TV production. The signal is openly transmitted to viewers.
Closed circuit – used in video production to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors.