Media Studies Revision - Video production techniques. Film genres.

Authors Avatar

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.

Join now!

The Versatility of Video

The video medium

  • An instant full colour image
  • Video cameras may be automatic and even operated remotely.
  • Video pictures are extremely versatile. They are able to capture microscopic images or huge images!
  • You can combine several video pictures.
  • The image can be modified and manipulated. Colours, tones, sharpness etc can all be altered in the editing process.

Video Presentation

The video picture is versatile and may be shown on a number of different size screens without losing its quality.                         ...

This is a preview of the whole essay