Workshop about producing videos using mobile phones and low-cost software. For NGOs, students, researchers, and advocacy groups.

1. Workshop at OCACPS, The University of the South
Pacific 2016
‘No-budget’ video production
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Greg Downey
Department of Anthropology
Faculty of Arts
Macquarie University
greg.downey@mq.edu.au
Twitter: @gregdowney1

2. resource video production
pocket video, iphone video, no-budget video
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3. Equipment is not the
limit.
Story is all important.
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4. 4
• Why make videos?
motivation
• Communication
• Documentation
• Advocacy
• Promotion
• Community building
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5. the basics
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6. 6
• Horizontal (turn phone sideways)
• Stabilise
• Get the best sound
• Improve your shots
• Story
the basics
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7. 7
• Turn off the phone! (airplane
mode)
• Stop talking.
• Don’t use digital zoom. (EVER)
• Don’t be afraid to video!
warnings
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8. Experiment! Learning by doing.
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9. 9
• Bracing for greater stability
• Tripod or monopod
• Selfie stick.
• Ad-libbed stabilisation (a.k.a,
visiting the hardware store)
• ‘Dynamic stabilisation’
stabilise
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10. 10
• Vary shots.
• Unusual angles & close-ups.
• Shoot like an eye (short shots).
• Shoot scene & elements.
• Get closer than you think.
better shots
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11. ‘rule of thirds’
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12. ‘rule of thirds’
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13. ‘rule of thirds’
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14. 14
• Video is compilation of shots.
• Storyboarding (what shots do we
need?).
• Beware long uninterrupted video.
• Getting ‘goal list’ for B-roll.
story
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15. A-roll video
A-roll audio
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Video composition
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16. A-roll video
A-roll audio
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Video composition
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17. A-roll video
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A-roll audio
Video composition
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18. 18
Video composition
A-roll audio
A-roll video
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Video composition
A-roll audio
B-roll video

20. Quick vocabulary
• Cut
• Tilt
• Pan
• Frame
• Establishing shot
• Slider
• Reveal shot
• ‘Rack focus’ shot
• Depth of field
• Foreground/background
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• Establishing shot: wide shot of
setting.
• Objects up close.
• Wide angles.
• Things that get discussed.
• Transitions.
b-roll

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Video composition
A-roll audio
B-roll video

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Video composition
A-roll audio
B-roll video
‘natural music’

24. 24
• Importance.
• Get closer.
• Listen to the environment.
• Don’t be your own enemy.
• Lapel microphone.
sound
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• Beware backlighting.
• Notice shadows.
• Use reflectors.
• Better to underexpose.
lighting
• Use natural light.
• Beware midday, high
light directly overhead.
• Lighting can be a
‘special effect.’

26. 26
• Write questions but reflect
spontaneity.
• Not a conversation - be quiet.
• Easy questions first.
• No ‘yes/no’ questions.
• Match subject’s energy.
interviews
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• Look at people (don’t
look at camera).
• Be curious
• Ask people how they
feel.
• Repeat questions.
interviews
• Help your subjects!
• Stand/sit next to camera.
• Ask for final comment.
• Don’t turn off camera too
fast.
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• Rule of thirds.
• Straight-to-camera v.
offset (25-30 degrees).
• ‘Nose space.’
interviews
• Shoot close, sit further.
• Listen carefully to sound
quality.
• Push back background.
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29. 29
• Scout location.
• Get reaction shots.
• See about getting sound out from
sound person (audio splitter).
• Ask yourself: what’s my goal?
events
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30. story
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• Economy (100
words/min).
• Online, most viewers turn
off in <20 seconds.
• Visual carries weight.
• Get action.
• Look & listen – make a
wish list for shots.
• What’s the pay-off?
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31. 31
• Use slide show programs.
• Public domain & creative
commons music & photos
(Pixabay, ccmixter, Soundcloud)
• Stop motion fairly easy with
tripod.
• Use your strengths.
credits, music,
graphics
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32. Tomorrow: equipment
& editing
Resource video-making
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33. Thanks for your
attention!
Bibliography online at iLearn
Photos public domain at Pixabay
or as indicated.
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