Introduction

• The basic technical theory about video definition, frame rates and bit-rates

• Advice on what equipment you might need to purchase

• Building a pre-shoot checklist

Using the manual camera settings

• Manually setting your camera's exposure

• F-stops and aperture settings

• Depths of field and when to use it

• Shutter speed and its effects

• Camera gain and how to avoid it

• Balancing shutter speed, aperture and available light

• Exposing a difficult subject

Shot composition and framing a subject

• Correct shot composition for an interview

• Best use of available space and backgrounds

• Wide, medium and close-ups

• Examples of good/bad framing

Simple camera moves

• The importance of a good tripod

• Pans, tilts and zooms

• How to use moves effectively

• Holding a shot

Lighting techniques

• Three-point lighting

• Using a simple key-light

• Using a reflector as a fill

• Ensuring correct colour balance

• Using natural lighting

Working with sound

• Different types of microphone and which ones you need

• Positioning your mic correctly

• Getting good sound levels in your camera

• Reducing ambient noise

Shooting an interview

• Framing basics

• Basic interview techniques

• The concept of The Line

• Looking or not looking at the camera

• Shooting reverses, noddies, 2-shots and pieces to camera

• How to shoot for easier editing

Questions and answers