Pre-Production

Planning one or more performance elements, such as a film or TV show, is called pre-production. How well the production stage is organized, efficient, and ultimately successful depends on this step. For this project, we will mainly focus on creative planning.

The creative planning will include:

Choose your idea
Brainstorming
Plan your script
Break down the script
Plan your filming locations
Choose the cast
Choose your equipment
Final pre-production checks

Planning ends when content starts being produced.

Proposal for How to set up your Camera and Tripod

Video

Prepared by Joanna Ruddock For Paul Boddy Of BRACKNELL & WOKINGHAM COLLEGE

Date of proposal

05 / 10 / 2021

1. For this project, I have been asked to produced a 'How to' video. The video should be an informative video using a step by step guide to educate your audience. I have chosen to create a video on how to set up a camera and tripod. I plan for this video to be 2-4 minutes long.

2. My basic storyline will be as follows:

First, I will introduce myself and briefly explain the purpose of the video.
Second, demonstrate how to set up the tripod.
Thirdly, I will show how to attach the camera to the shoe.
Fourthly, I will attach the shoe to the tripod.
Lastly, I will turn the camera on and display the movements of the tripod.

I will personally be delivering the practical demonstration in the video.

3. The style of the video will be contemporary, halfway between informal and formal. I plan to act neutral and happy throughout the duration of the video.

4. This video will be made for anyone who wants to learn how to set up a camera and tripod safely. It will be suitable for any age to watch as I will not be using any profanities or offensive language.

5. I plan to be wearing smart casual clothing while I run through the step by step demonstrations. In the video, I will be recording on my Lumix FZ2000 bridge camera, which will allow me to demonstrate my video on my Lumix FZ1000 bridge camera. The reason for this is because the FZ1000 was a very popular multifunctional camera, I believe it could reach a wider audience than if I used a lesser-known model or brand. I do not plan to include any background music post-production because I do not think it will fit with the style or theme I am aiming for. For the location, I am planning to shoot the video at my Grannies house. This is because she has a large dining room with a big window which allows enough natural light into the room.

6. I plan for this video to be rated U, Universal - Suitable for all. There will not be any dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, profanities, nudity, sex, violence, threat and horror in this video.

7. This video will feature me as the presenter.

8. I plan to film at my grandmother's house in Beaconsfield

9. The budget of my project will not cost any money. However, the resources I will need will be 2 tripods, 2 cameras and a microphone.

10. I have decided to be responsible for the directing, editing, camera work and sound recording myself.

Storyboards

A storyboard is a pre-production task which will display a visual representation of a scene sequence. It is useful to be able to show everyone involved what the scene needs to look like and what happens. It is a plan of action the director and artists often use before they film a scene.

Storyboards can be either hand drawn or digitally made. When learning about them we used a website called Canva.com, and digitally created a storyboard. I believe in big films like 'Lord of the ring' they hired professional artists to hand draw the storyboards. Those storyboards would then be shown to the relevant cast and crew so everyone would have the same idea.

In the image above I have created an example of a storyline detailing a few of my favourite camera angles. I hope to use as many of these as possible in my up and coming 'How to' video. Having a good variety of camera angles is important to the finished look of the video. It can seem boring to watch a video from the same continuous camera angle so mixing it up is beneficial for a more professional result.

For my second example of a storyboard, I used images from a wedding I once photographed. The storyline tells a brief story of what happened at the wedding that day. While these do not go into detail it lays a simple plan of action.

How to set up a camera and tripod storyboard

This is my official storyboard for my video. I was able to hand draw this using my IPad.

Bullet Point Plan

Opening title Graphic
Establishing shot of the room with myself as a demonstrator and completed camera and tripod set up
Cue voice over + Cut to Boom shot of the whole tripod.
Full Body shot of getting tripod set up
Dolly zoom while demonstrating how to attach the platform to the camera
Medium shot attaching the platform to the tripod, change to high angle close up while clipping the camera into place.
Medium shot while demonstrating the movements of the tripod
Cut to close up shot of camera screen, then dolly zoom out
Que partial voiceover outro + Cut to medium close up of taking a photo

Script/Shot list

*Title/Opening Graphic*

*Establishing shot - of the room with a pre-setup Tripod. Boom/Jib camera movement*

Cue voiceover

Joanna - "Hello, and this is my tutorial on how to set up your camera and TriPod. First, we will set up the TriPod."

*Full body shot of setting up the TriPod*

Joanna - "First, you need to unclip the legs. I recommend you do this all at once and then let gravity do the rest. Clip the legs back before you place it on the floor and open it up."

*Close-up, Dolly zoom of separating the platform from the TriPod and attaching the platform to the bottom of the camera*

Joanna - "Unclip the platform from the top, like this. Then attach the screw to the hole at the bottom of the camera. Don't screw too loose because you need it to be super secure, and don't screw it too tight because you may break it."

*Medium shot of attaching platform back onto the TriPod*

Joanna - "Place the platform into place while holding the clip open."

*High angle, close-up while clipping into place*

*Medium shot of while demonstrating the movements on the Tripod*

Joanna - "If you turn this, you can adjust the angle you are filming at. And if you rotate this, you can lift it higher".

*Close up zoom out while demonstrating how to set the camera up*

Joanna - "You turn the camera on using the switch. And then you adjust to your preferred settings. If you click the 'disp', this alters the display. You can zoom in and out using this dial" + Anything else I think of to explain.

*Medium close up of camera taking a photo*

Joanna - "Press down on the capture button and release, and there you have it! Thank you very much for watching. Good luck!"

LOCATION RECCE (RECONNAISSANCE)

SCOUTING OUT

Q - What were your first thoughts when looking at the location(s)? (Online & In Person)

A - I've been going there since I was a baby. It has always been a bright open space and always very warm and welcoming. I plan on filming in the dining room due to the large windows. Thinking ahead, I do believe the light may be a bit too much, but I know she has light defusing blinds.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

Q - What pictures did you take of your location(s)? Please put them in this section and comment on why they are appropriate to film in.

A -

DIMENSIONS 

Q - How big was the location? Does it fulfil all your needs for your project?

A - The house is spacious and open. However, it is carpeted, so I do not have to worry about reverb. If I did wish to film somewhere in the house with lots of reverberation, I would then film in the kitchen, where the floors are hardwood and the ceiling is tall. I think the dining room will fulfil all my needs.

LIGHTING

What was the quality of lighting like within the location? Was it natural (sunlight, fire) or artificial (bulbs/torches? Perhaps some pictures of what the lighting within the space with natural lighting and artificial lighting would be beneficial for your project?

The dining/living room are open plan and carpeted. Both sides of the house have tall windows so that I will get good coverage of lighting on either side of my face. In addition, my granny's house comes with curtains and blinds that will act as diffusers if I need them.

There is the possibility of the weather being sunny. Usually, this would be fine, but clear sunny days can cause shadows and reflections. In addition, it can make the video look less professional.

If the day is cloudy and dark, this means I will need to use the artificial lighting the room has to offer. The room mainly has ceiling lights dotted throughout, but several floor lamps and table lamps are available to move around how I like.

SAFETY 

Q - How safe is the location? Is it near any roads? Is it in an area that is out of bounds?

(REMEMBER, FOR EVERY NEW LOCATION YOU ASSESS FOR YOUR PROJECT, YOU NEED TO HAVE A RISK ASSESSMENT AND LOCATION RECCE FORM THAT MATCHES THE LOCATION FOR THE PROJECT.)

A - The location is very safe. It is based next to a quiet residential road. The neighbourhood is tranquil and peaceful, and it is rare to see more than one car drive down at a time.

RESTRICTIONS & LEGAL MATTERS

Q - Do you know if the land is owned by anyone? Are you sure you have permission to film on there? If not, it might be best to find another location with easy access. If so, we will need to see a permission to film document included within your work.   (Including your Permission to Film document/email/slip on here will also let your client know that you have the correct access to where you need to film.)

A - The house I am filming in belongs to my Grandmother. When I was thinking of locations to film in, it was between her home and the studio. If she didn't allow me to film in her house, I would've filmed in the studio for convenience unless I thought of another place.

It turned out that she was delighted for me to record the film in her house. When I told her some possible dates we worked out, we could both do Wednesday afternoon, 20th October 2021.