Sony VX-2100 Manual page 13

Summary/Shooting Tips
1. Allow for plenty of slack at the head of a tape. Always record 30 seconds of footage that
you will not be using at the beginning of the tape. This is because you will need pre-roll time when you
edit; also, the first 30 seconds of any tape is usually the most damaged or worn out section.
2. Shoot more than you need. Always have your camera recording at least 5-10 seconds before
your talent starts performing. It usually takes a couple of seconds for the camera to get up to speed,
and you want to be sure to have enough lead time to account for pre-roll in editing. It is also a good
idea to wait 5-10 seconds after the talent is done before you stop recording.
In addition to shooting extra footage at the beginning and end of each shot, always strive to shoot
more shots than you think you'll need. Sometimes it's hard to tell how a production will go together
until it gets to the edit stage, and it's much easier to shoot extra the first time and not use some shots
than it is to go back out and re-shoot items you might have missed. Don't hesitate to record several
takes of the same scene if you're not sure that it turned out well the first time. To ensure adequate cov-
erage of a scene, have the talent repeat their actions and shoot from different angles and with different
compositions.
3. Get a variety of shots. Variety will make your video more interesting. Shoot close-ups, wide
shots, some with no movement, some with movement. The more you shoot, the more choices you
will have when you edit. Get lots of cutaways and b-roll. Remember: you don't have to shoot anything
in order. The best order is the order that makes the most sense to make your shoot run smoothly. You
can change the order when you edit.
4. Use camera moves sparingly. A common mistake that many inexperienced camera operators
make is thinking that they have to do some kind of move on every single shot. Until you become com-
fortable shooting and have a reason to do a lot of zooms, pans, whatever, it is safer to lock the camera
down and let the movement of the subject within the shot speak for you. It is also much easier to edit
static shots together than it is to edit moving shots.
5. Always use a tripod. Unless you're deliberately going for a hand-held, shaky look, use a tripod
whenever possible. This is the first step in making amateur videography look professional.
6. Always use supplemental light when shooting indoors. Even if three-point lighting is not
practical, the use of at least 1 light will help raise the light level of the room and make color appear
"warmer", which will improve your shot.
7. Use an external microphone for talking heads. Always use headphones to monitor audio. Use
a long enough XLR cable to get the mic as close to the source as possible. Use a windscreen when
shooting outside, even if it's not windy.
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