This is the second in a series of mini-tutorials on the basics of shooting video. If you know how to turn on a video camera and press record, this series is intended to help you take it to the next level for better news video results.

When it comes to video, there are three basic areas worth focusing on that will bring the quality of your final product up a notch to look and sound much more professional than Uncle Bob’s 2008 Christmas footage. Technique, planning, & publishing. This post deals with the topic of planning. Planning for your video includes the kind of thoughtful consideration you’d give to story angle and style. You must determine the reason you’re doing video, then execute it in a way that makes sense given your technology, time and storytelling commitments. Planning is also required in order to effectively do your job. The requirement to carry a video camera and still camera along with your usual notepad and pen can be intimidating, but proper planning makes it possible.

• News video is all about letting the viewer EXPERIENCE the elements of the story for themselves. In writing we do this through narrative writing, but video lets viewers see and hear the elements for themselves.
• When planning to shoot video for a multimedia story, ask yourself if the story you’re telling has some “action” element that would be exciting to show others. One way to think of it is by asking yourself, “what would I show my best friend if he/she were here on this story with me?” It could be how parts work together to make something important happen, it may be a process, it may be a demonstration, or it could be a person or animal doing something that’s more interesting on video than as a still photo.
• Consider asking if the interviewee has video. In cases where you’re interviewing a missionary to Africa or Peru, the volunteer may have taken video of their time there and can submit it for your use online. Police can often provide squad car camera video of traffic stops, etc.
• Consider video slideshows. Ever had a story with tons of great photos, but not enough room in the paper for more than two? Consider editing them together in sequence with a voice over that we could post online as a video.
• Capture important people saying important things. If someone is making a speech and you know you’ll be standing there for more than 20 min. just taking notes, why not set up the video camera on a tripod to get some footage of the speech. You could post a memorable selection or quote from the speech online.
• Longer form videos of political debates or controversial meetings can be of value to online viewers. Consider these types of videos as a resource for those readers who want more. Not everyone will watch a 45 min. video, but some will find it extremely helpful to know that they can find such coverage on their local news site!
• Sports – Even if you don’t get video of the championship game (which is a good idea), we can go out to team practice for video of the featured athlete doing their thing. Our, if you’ve got a unique sport or unique aspect to a sport, video could enhance a sports feature story.
• Plan out your use of digital cameras, video cameras and interviewing to make sure you’ve got your bases covered. For instance, when covering a rodeo cowboy, perhaps you arrive and snap some photos while he’s practicing. Then, when he takes a break, you take up your notepad and interview him, maybe even conduct the interview with the video camera rolling. Then, when he enters competition, you get some great b-roll video of him doing his thing. You’ve now got your interview notes, photos and video. Congratulations, you’re a multimedia journalist!
• If you’re covering a breaking news story, my rule is always leave the video camera rolling. Get video of the fire, interview the firemen on camera, don’t stop rolling. Then when you get back to the office, pull notes from the on camera interview.

• Some cautions: Video of school plays or other copyrighted works is prohibited by law. We also have the same obligations as still photos when taping kids. Get permission and cover your butt.
• Just think about what you’d be willing to watch online. Don’t subject your readers/viewers to something you wouldn’t waste your time watching.

Jeff Achen is an interactive media strategist for the Minnesota Community Foundation, The Saint Paul Foundation and GiveMN.org, nonprofit organizatons in Minnesota. He is also a consultant, freelance photographer/videographer, and blogger at www.mnvideopro.wordpress.com. You can follow him on Twitter.com/jeffachen or email jeffachen@mac.com.

Tags: Multimedia, photography

This entry was posted by Jeff Achen on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 4:04 pm and is filed under Learning, Multimedia, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.