Video Marketing "Toddlers! Camera! Action"
A short guide to videotaping your little one
Remember when a picture was worth a 1,000 words? Today you’re more likely to hear parents say that “video is worth 10,000 words” – especially if the video stars are their own precious toddler.
Ironically , many viewers of these “DVD moments” might have just one word for those timeless pieces of family history: BORING!!!! What can a professional parent who is an amateur camera-hound do to capture those priceless moments so that they remain priceless forever? It’s easy if you just follow a few camcorder rules.
You are already an expert.
If you watch television, you are already an expert in knowing what will capture viewers and hold their attention. Television may not always offer the best programming in the world, but it does offer you insight into how to use your camcorder to take professional-quality video pictures of your toddler.
Think about it this. How many television shows hold on one camera shot for FOUR MINUTES and THIRTY FOUR SECONDS????? None, nada, zero. And why don’t they? Because it’s boring!!!
So why are we so compelled as parents to keep that camera rolling and rolling? The answer is simple. We all think that our little toddlers are just so cute and things they do are SO remarkable that we just know in our hearts that people will want to see every wonderful moment. Well you have one thing right; our children are wonderful. But without remarkable video skills remarkable subject matter can make for un-remarkable viewing. Luckily, there are easy ways to improve your home videos. When you analyze what television professionals do with their cameras, lighting, sound and editing, there are secrets to discover.
The Wittman “Don’t List” – for those who learn by What Not To Do
The Wittman “Do List” – for those who learn by What To Do
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Secret #1 : The cutaway (CA)
There is a way to show all four minutes and thirty four seconds of baby’s first bite of her birthday cake and still make it interesting: break it up a bit by using cutaways - just like they do on television. Cutaways, which usually last about two to three seconds, are shots of people and things away from the action. Cutaways break up a long shot with reactions. Cutaways can be the object (a shiny ball) that your subject (your precious baby) is trying to get to. Cutaways can also be reaction shots of other people (Grandpa) viewing the main action (your toddler eating out of the dog bowl). Cutaways are your friend because they break up a very long shot with something that helps hold the viewer’s interest. For every 20 seconds of main action, plan to record-pause your camcorder, look around, and shoot a two or three second cutaway shot.
Secret #2 : Shooting a sequence
Television programs and movies are edited together in sequences. A sequence is a series of short and different camera shots that are linked together to tell a story. Sequences usually have a beginning, a middle and an ending. Video sequences are a progression of shots using different camera angles, different focal lengths, and a host of reaction and cutaway shots. Sequences are all recorded at one scene or location; therefore, if you change locations or settings, you also change sequences.
Even soap operas use sequences. Picture your favorite soap. There is a two shot of John and Mary. Cut to a close-up (CU) of John talking to Mary. Cut to a cutaway (CA) of Mary listening to John who is still talking (We still hear him). Cut to a two shot of John finishing his sentence and Mary beginning her sentence. Cut to a CU of Mary talking. Cut to CU CA of John listening to Mary (We still hear Mary talking). Cut to a wide shot (WS) of John and Mary leaving the room together – hand in hand. That was one sequence. Now, you may be asking, how does this relate to videotaping my toddler? In one word: EVERYTHING!!!
Try this. Frame your camera on a close-up shot (CU) of your baby holding onto a huge messy chunk of birthday cake. Stay on that shot for 10 seconds. Then record-pause the camcorder, quickly turn it on a medium shot (MS) of your spouse and record 5 seconds of his/her reaction to baby’s precious epicurean delight. (It helps to count silently and slowly from 1 to 5.) Make sure your spouse is looking at the baby, not you and your camcorder. If they aren’t, this is your chance to “direct” them to focus on the child, not the camera. Needless to say, do this “directing” before you roll tape. After you capture the perfect cutaway, record-pause your camera, quickly move to another angle, re-frame your shot of baby and record some more cake-gorging for another 15 seconds. You have just recorded a 30 second, three-shot sequence that is infinitely more viewable than one long shot.
HINT: It helps that your reaction shots are really shots of people reacting to the subject, not just a cutaway of Uncle Jim snoring in the lazyboy. Practice this three-shot sequence with everything you shoot. Review your recordings. You will be surprised at the difference a cutaway will make. Anytime you feel that your primary shot is taking too long, record-pause your camcorder, look for a cutaway and go for it. Think about shooting everything in a sequence.
Secret #3: Focal length
For those times where a cutaway shot is not practical, and no reaction shot is available, simply change camera angles and focal lengths. Focal lengths are measured in millimeters (mm) and basically indicate whether you are zoomed out for a wide angle shot (WS) or zoomed in for a tight shot (TS). You may actually see these abbreviations – WS and TS - on your zoom lens rocker control. Wide angle focal lengths are indicated your camera lens with low numbers on such as 15mm or 35mm. Tight shot or telephoto focal lengths are indicated by high numbers, such as 85mm or 200mm. (Look on the camera lens of your camcorder and find a line pointing to the approximate focal length. It changes as you zoom through a shot.)
Consider beginning every video sequence with a wide shot, which simply shows the viewer where you are and orients him to the scene. If you want to videotape your toddler playing with the dog, beginning the sequence with a wide shot (WS) of your living room with your child and dog in the center. Hold the WS for 5 seconds. NO zooming allowed!!! After 5 seconds, record-pause your camera, move much close to the action and begin recording again. DO NOT zoom in. Your wide angle shot will look much better if you place the camera on the floor next to your child. Your auto-focus feature – available on most camcorders – will not go berserk on wide-angle shots because the depth of field is must greater than telephoto focal lengths.
A Wide shot (WS) is great for several reasons:
- Usually the best shot to begin a sequence
- Orients the viewer
- Great camera angle to edit from to a close-up
- Easier focal length to minimize camera shakes
- Great angle for a cutaway shot
- Everything is in focus – better depth of field
- Easier focal length to follow fast action
A Tight shot (TS) is great for several reasons:
- Best shot to bring viewer into the scene
- Reveals detail that a WS cannot give
- Great camera angle to edit from to a wide shot
- Brings your subject up-close and personal
- Fills the viewfinder with interest
Final Thoughts
GET CLOSE to your child. Bring the camera down to the child’s eye level. Lie down on the floor with your toddler. You will get the best results if you keep your focal length wide (WS) and bring the camera close to baby. As an added bonus, you will acquire better sound from your camera mike. The closer you are physically to your toddler with your camcorder, the more intimate your video and sound will be.
Now get out there parents….frame your shot…..roll tape…..and cue the talent!
Bruce Wittman is a distinguished video producer, editor, writer, and cameraman with over 30 years of experience in the television industry. His company, Eagle Video Productions, Inc., has over 120 clients who run the gamut from Fortune 500 companies to small North Carolina startup companies. Eagle Video has been honored with many international, national and regional awards over the years. Bruce loves to use the power of video to help companies save money or make money. He is available for consulting, support with video editing and DVD authoring or full turn key video production.
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