PRACTICAL DV FILMMAKING

Practical DV FilmMaking

• Overview
• Inside video
• Films and how they work
• Pre-production
• Production tools
• Production aesthetics
• Post-production tools
• Post-production aesthetics
• Careers and distribution
• Mapping the industry
• Glossary of film and video terms

Video safety and good practice

Treat your camcorder well

Water

A camcorder can be irreparable if damaged with water. Protect it from rain and wipe off moisture from the casing. Salt water is especially harmful, and can do damage to the outer casing as well as the inner workings.

Condensation

Some camcorders warn you if condensation is building up inside the camera and many will switch off automatically. To remedy this, take out the cassette, if the camera will let you. If it is not possible, switch off and wait two or three hours. Once you have removed the cassette, leave the cassette com­partment open for two or three hours, to dry, in a non-dusty room at average temperature. Condensation is particularly problematic if you film in extremely cold places and the water freezes. If this happens, let the camera thaw naturally at room temperature and then go through the same process as for condensation.

Magnetized equipment

Any magnetic field can adversely affect recording. Television monitors, video games and loud­speakers generate fields that distort picture quality. No lasting damage is done to the camera itself but your footage could be ruined. Test how the camera performs if you are in any doubt and play back the results on a monitor. Occasionally, the actual mechanism of the camera can be affected, temporarily, but this is often solved by unplugging your power supply or removing the battery and then reconnecting.

Sunlight

Pointing the viewfinder at sunlight can do great damage to inner working parts. Worse, it can permanently damage your eyesight too.

Inside video 33

Radio transmitters and power lines

If you have ever listened to radio near an overhead power line you will have heard an amount of inter­ference. This noise badly affects your video recording, so avoid shooting near pylons or other high-voltage lines. Radio transmitters will have a similar effect on the sound and image. Mobile phones also cause problems with sound interference while recording.

Excessive use

Many camcorders are not designed to be used for excessively long periods, as for example in surveil­lance filming; the inside temperature of the camera can cause malfunctions.

Dust and sand

Take care when inserting the cassette that no fine dust or sand enters the camera. If you are using the camera in a potentially dusty environment, use a protective cover. If you don't have a cover, you can improvise with a black bin-liner, wrapped around the casing