This document provides descriptions of various technical skills and equipment used for videography and filmmaking. It summarizes 14 pieces of equipment including cameras (Nikon D3200, GoPro), lighting equipment (Paglight, reflectors), software (Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Wix), and equipment for stable shots (tripod, tracks/dolly, crane). For each item, it describes its purpose and limitations. The overall purpose is to outline resources available for creating a professional film trailer.

1. Technical Skills
By Dilan Ganatra

2. Nikon D3200 DSLR:
• The Nikon is used to not only take high quality pictures with but it is also
used to take high quality videos with. The D3200 allows the user to
control the shutter speed, aperture and ISO as well as having a function
to allow compatibility to have an external microphone connected. The
function that allows you to control the Aperture will allow me to control
the lens and how much it opens by therefore this will enable a specific
amount of lighting and this will allow me to focus on what I will be
videoing. Therefore, the use of aperture will allow me to create a
professional trailer. There are also limitations to the use of this camera
for example; you need to book out the camera in advance due to their
only being six available in the media studies department. In addition,
you can’t take the camera offsite after school hours, which restricts you
to filming in only school hours.

3. Tripod Velbon Sherpa 450:
• The tripod is used to take accurate and steady videos and also still
photographs that help to focus on a subject. The Tripod is used to
provide a video that will be enable a smooth and precise moving
image whilst eliminating any unsteadiness. The tripod can be used
indoors to help with high angle shots and panning and tilting up and
down. However, the tripod also has its limitations, as it can only be
used outside and on steady terrain. Therefore, the tripod must not
be taken out on grass, mud and loose gravel.

4. Paglight- C6 Power Pack:
• The Paglight is used to provide a constant light source on the
subject which is being videoed. The reason why the paglight is
effective for videography is because it is a constant running light
which can not only be used in a studio but it can also be taken
outdoors. For example, if you were filming in a dark ally but wanted
to create a shadow you could use the Pag light. In addition, the
Paglight comes with ‘Barn-doors’ and this is used to provide a
different filter of light and it also comes with a diffuser which allows
the light to be spread equally. Therefore, providing a subtle amount
of light that still makes a significant difference. There are however
limitations to using a Paglight as it takes a very long time to charge
(8hours) and the battery life is on 90 minutes. Also the school only
have five Paglights available therefore, the Paglight must also be
booked out with at least a days notice so that the battery can be
charged.

5. Reflectors + Diffuser:
• The reflector and diffuser both come together and they tend to be used in
both indoor and outdoor videography or photography. The reflector is
used to aim natural light at a specific subject to create a ‘natural effect on
to the subject being videoed as you are not using artificial lighting. The
diffuser is used to project softer natural light outwards on to the subject;
this form of lighting is not harsh and provides a soft a subtle effect. In
addition, there are different colours that can be used to provide different
forms of soft lighting on the face. The limitations, they must be booked
out before use, the reflectors and diffusers come as one (attached
together). Lastly, there are only three available for use in the school.

6. Photoshop CS6:
• Photoshop is an editing software used to help create posters,
magazine covers etc. This is because, Photoshop can be used to
manipulate photographs and you are able to crop, edit colours,
highlights, layers, saturation etc. The use of Photoshop will be very
important in creating our film magazines and posters to, as a way to
provide a successful overall movie campaign. This is because, we
are able to use different layers and edit our photos using industry
standard software. The only limitations to Photoshop is the
difficulty of using it however, there are numerous tutorials to help
us and considering we used it last year it will not be too hard to
create a film magazine and a movie poster. Secondly, is that as it
costs Photoshop is only available in school art rooms and in the
media room.

7. Wix:
• The platform Wix is used to present all of our coursework material on
from the research section right through to the construction and
evaluation. Wix is useful because it is a modern/contemporary program
and we can use it to present all work in a professional manner. Wix allows
users to enable html codes, upload media and it can be used to analysis
results and target market research. The only limitations of Wix are that
only one person can be on at any one time so that you do not overwrite
what others in your group are doing. Secondly, you must have Internet
connection to use Wix as it is run of the Internet. Other than that, Wix is a
creative, fun and sophisticated way to present work on.

8. Final Cut Pro X:
• This is an editing software which is used to cut videos/films as well as
allowing you to add frames, text and also enhance the sound, lighting and
providing the user with multiple editing techniques to enhance the quality
of their trailer. We will use Final Cut Pro X not only for editing and
producing our trailer but also for the editing and production of our
interviews and focus groups for target audience research. Therefore, Final
Cut is an important tool that will aid us in creating a successful film trailer.
Although, there are some limitations; Firstly, Final Cut is only available on
the ‘Apple iMac’s’ in the media room (11 computers in total) and Final Cut
also has a very expensive subscription fee.

9. Go Pro Hero:
• The Go pro camera is a useful piece of technology that can be used in a
film trailer to provide a distorted view as well as capture footage that
would not be able to be captured using any other device other than a Go
Pro. For example, the Go Pro can be stuck to cars, helmets, bikes or be
used hand held as well as being used underwater to provide shots that the
Nikon D3200 can not. The Go Pro also has a fish eye lens which means it is
able to capture angles that are very wide and allows a lot of the
surrounding to be in the video. There are limitation to the Go Pro for
example the school only have a limited number and it can not be used
outside of school hours. Therefore, it is hard to capture footage at night.
Lastly, the Go Pro cameras are also expensive to buy.

10. Tracks/ Dolly:
• The tracks and dolly are used for a tracking shot which rolls alongside the
action in a straight line. This is a useful piece of equipment as it provides
us with an absolutely steady shot that simply rolls alongside a character of
a piece of action. We would be able to use the Tracks/Dolly in a trailer
during a conversation or to track a small piece of action. This is because,
variation of camera angles is a way to constantly keep the audience
entertained. There are a few limitations to the tracks/dolly. For example,
the dolly can only go in one straight line and the tracks can not bend or
turn. Secondly, it cannot be used outdoors due the terrain and surfaces.
Lastly, the school only has one and it must be booked out prior to use with
staff supervision.

11. Microphone and Boom:
• Microphones are an imperative part of the filming process and this is because
it is the only way to ensure that you can enhance the sound clarity and
quality of the overall trailer. The standard shotgun microphone helps for close
by audio as it picks up direct sound that is ahead of the microphone. The
shotgun mic tends to only pick up sound waves that are close by and ahead of
the camera. In addition, the shotgun microphone can also come with a
‘deadcat’ as the covering over the microphone and this stops the noise from
the wind that may disrupt the sound quality. There are limitations to the
Microphone. For example, the shotgun microphone can only pick up sound
waves that are close and there are only two available. Secondly, the Boom is
also in production and films this is because the microphone can be extended
and the microphone can be brought forward directly to the subject which
means the camera and be further away but the audio from the subject will
still be clear and of a high quality. There are limitations however, for example
to operate the boom takes a while to get use to due to the sheer size of it and
also due to the size there is a long length of wire which on occasion can cause
a muffled sound.

12. Crane:
• The crane is a device that the camera can be attached to and the
crane can provide you with shots up easily up to 15meters high. The
crane allows you to tilt up and down as well as 360-degree turn as
well. This means that the crane can be used for establishing shots as
you can have a brief introduction of where the scene is set. The crane
provides you with a shot that is of profession videography quality and
of the quality you expect to se from high budget films. Therefore, I
will ensure that I use the crane to create an establishing shot with as
a way to provide a balanced variation between camera angles. There
are limitation to the crane however. For example, you must have staff
supervision due the complexity of setting it up, it takes AA batteries
for the camera operation stand. Lastly, the crane costs a substantial
£1600 as well so there is only one available.

13. Thank you
By Dilan Ganatra