The art of making a short holiday film 2

(The secret of pleasing your audience)

Part 1 is available here.

Your holiday is the reason for filming.  Filming is not the reason for the holiday.

This axiom should be the basis of all holiday filming.  Think of those who are with you and incidentally of yourself.  How many video makers, with their eye glued to the camera, see their holiday only at the post production stage?

In part 1 I covered the planning stage of shooting “audience pleasing” holiday videos now comes the start of the active phase. Having thought about your final video in part 1 you know the equipment you will need for the shoot. This of course tempered with constraints imposed by the holiday.

I know all shooting should be done using a tripod.  The majority of our group film-making is done like this but remember this is a holiday.  For holiday shooting I tend to rely on the built in camera stabilisation, good shooting practice and post production.  I know this is less than ideal but HEY! This is a holiday record not War and Peace. Unfortunately it may feel like it at times (I can’t believe I have just written that).

I am not about to tell you what to film but hope to give you some tips on how to film based on my experience.  I started filming in the days of 8mm cameras when film cost was a major factor to be taken into account.  As such, cine photographers tended to keep the shot length to a minimum to avoid waste.  Today tape cost is so low that we probably waste more than we use.   As a rule whenever you start to film make each shot at least 10 seconds duration. This gives you plenty of choice when it comes to editing your film. You are going to edit the film aren’t you?  Forget about editing in camera.  Apart from being difficult and very restrictive you will loose some valuable shots and it takes all the fun out of post production.

[ As an aside, if the cost of tapes is a concern to you consider taking still shots with a video camera. 25 shots for every second of film x 60 minutes of film equal 90,000 shots per tape…. Only joking …. Really. ]

When I first started video shooting an experienced video maker told me three secrets to successful film making. As you have stayed with me up to now I’ll pass them on to you but remember they are secret. 

1. Take plenty of cutaways
   These will help you maintain continuity when editing and fill in for those inevitable gaps in your filming.  So what are cutaways?  Thing like detail shots of an object; people; animals and anything else that catches you eye.
    
2. Get in close
   Remember the size screen you will see your video on is small when compared to the cinema (even then the pros go in close when it counts).  Detail is easily lost so you compensate by going in close. Just think of the number of amateur films you’ve suffered where all the action is going on in the distance and has to be compensated for by a running commentary by your host who says things like: - “If you look in the right hand side just below the tree you can just make out the monkey”.
    
3. Shoot with both eyes open
   While you concentrate on the scene in the viewfinder be aware of life going on around you.  You never know it might be more interesting than the scene you see in the viewfinder. 

I mentioned selecting video gear to take with you in part 1.  Perhaps now is the time to pass on my thoughts and experience on this issue.

1. Never rely on buying tape/films abroad.  You might save a few pence but measured against the hassle of finding a stockist and the risk of running out of camera food it’s not worth it.

2. To Estimate the number of tapes you need work out the anticipated shooting time for the schedule you have set and add 20%.  Now round up to the nearest multiple of tapes/cards. Better to have too much rather than too little.

3. Use short (60mins) tapes and low capacity flash cards (2 GB max.).  Reason? If one tape/flash card goes missing or becomes damaged the effect of footage or stills lost is minimalised.  I know it is tempting to save space by using longer tapes and large capacity flash cards but your footage is irreplaceable.  At least until next year.

4. Travel light. If my filming equipment doesn’t fit into 1 small bag I don’t take it.  The chance of “Losing” equipment is increased by the number and size of the bags carrying it.

5. Don’t leave your camera in the suitcase that’s loaded on the plane.  You never know when you might loose the “Shot of a lifetime”.  Also the journey is part of the holiday. I know this sounds a bit obvious but……. 

Finding music suitable for videos you make is always difficult.  Why not make life easier by buying the odd CD while you are travelling.  It also forms a powerful memory invoker in its own right.

Last piece of advice for this episode.  Remember you and the people you are with are on holiday. At times leave the camera behind.  Forget about filming and enjoy the holiday experience.

Next time:  Tips on editing your epic.

Jeff Friend