Folding the Production Process - Audio - Video - Audi - Video

- Folding the production process:
As a one man show you are essentially not just a photographer anymore, you are a digital media producer of the 21st century. The tools at anyones availability right now are such that with a little training, operating the camera, and the audio recorder is something that you will get used to, but there is a trick in making this simpler than it sounds.

Here are some things to keep in mind that will make things simpler.
FOLD THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
Audio - Video - Audio - video
- Dont try to do everything at once, take your time and choose one medium to work with at a time.
Start with audio when you are dealing with potential human subjects so as not to be as intimidating. An audio recorder is much less intimidating than a camera, and it will allow you to get closer to your subjects at the early stages of introduction. Bring your camera with you if you must, but this step will allow you to get familiar with your subject and place.

Use the recorder to record sounds that are characteristic to the place, and in this case also record the source of the sound if possible.

if your subject is human, have them tell you whatever they find relevant and interesting to your subject matter. This will be useful for you to get inspired as to what to shoot so as to match the audio with images and footage.

Having recorder the audio you can now proceed with shooting video and stills. DONT DO THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY. Switching back and forth between video and stills is tricky since there are different settings for each and flipping back and forth between the two can be very confusing, so set out to do one or the other. This will allow you to focus on the particular medium and get the best results. Use the audio that you recorded as a guide to the images you select to make, this will tighten your piece and again will help and improve your piece in the edit room.

Now you have recorded the audio and have gone out and shot video to "dress" the audio. As you review the material you will most likely notice gaps. Video that you shot that does not have audio to go with it and Audio without images to "dress" it with. Take notes of things you would like to cover on your next outing, then repeat the previous steps till you feel you have covered the subject and scene. By "folding" the process and deciding what medium you are going to focus on, you can break the media-collection process down into manageable steps that don't overwhelm you in the field.

You could begin with the camera in situations where you are comfortable and familiar with your subject, however starting with audio is a great way to get acquainted with your subject matter.


- Setting up to shoot a scene:
No matter whether you are shooting an interview, entering a new place, or following someone around, there are standard ways to create scenes and establish a sense of location to your audience. It is usually done by following a "stepping in to the subject" and then "stepping out".
In other words:

"shooting wide establishing shot - Medium shot - CU and Extreme CU - Medium Shot - Wide establishing shot"

This is obviously a very extensive coverage of a scene and you can get away with a lot less coverage, however its better to have more than less
- dont forget to shoot close ups of the details in the scene,
- cut ins and cataways an also be useful, so for example if you are shooting an on camera interview, cut to their hands, their feet moving, their sweat on the neck, their tattoo, their alligator who is crawling on their feet , their shaking arm, and anything you may find interesting.