SOME TIPS FOR VIDEO DOCUMENTATION

OF PUBLIC EVENTS

• Try to use a sturdy tripod with a fluid head. Keep camera motion to a minimum, perhaps beginning with a long shot ("wide-angle") to establish the relationship between the speaker and audience, and then zoom slowly into a medium shot of the speaker. You may wish occasionally to vary the this medium shot for a minute or so by zooming in closer or zooming out, but remember that if this is not done slowly and smoothly, it may well cause distraction rather than adding visual variety.

• If available, use a mini-DV camcorder, since this format produces better-quality video and audio than S-VHS or VHS and is also more likely to survive the editing and broadcasting processes. Mini-DV tapes are available in 30, 60 and 80 minute lengths – if necessary, an 80 minute tape run in LP will last two hours. If mini-DV is unavailable, the next best format would be S-VHS – and finally, VHS if S-VHS is unavailable.

• Whenever possible, try to place a separate microphone close to the speaker. Be careful to locate and tape down cables so as to avoid creating safety problems. In some cases you may wish to use a line transformer to reduce hum or buzz created by nearby magnetic fields or radio interference. A wireless microphone often works well, if care is taken to use fresh batteries. Use headphones to check the audio, since the addition of microphone and cable creates more possibilities for problems, which can usually be corrected if caught in time.

• Although those doing video documentation often have little or no control over this factor, adequately bright lighting produces superior video. Modern camcorders can produce images under poor lighting conditions, but unfortunately also exhibit considerable video noise when asked to do this. Bright lighting almost always results in superior video.

• Remember to start the camcorder approximately three minutes before the event begins, and allow it to run three minutes after the event has concluded. If this is done the camera will produce an uninterrupted control track on the tape which will permit the later insertion of titles and credits.