Canon UC800 - Making Better Videos: Tips

Making Better Videos
Holding the camera
For maximum stability, place
your right hand through the
grip belt and keep your right
elbow pressed against your
body. Rest your left hand
lightly on the side of the
camera. With practice, you
will be able to operate the
controls by touch, without
taking your eye off the
action.
Using a tripod
To prevent any unwanted
movement, you can mount
the camera on a tripod, and
operate it with the wireless
controller
Sound recording
You can monitor the sound
while recording by attaching
stereo headphones to the
camera’s Q PHONES
terminal.
For greater creative control,
you can connect an external
microphone to the MIC
terminal.
Composition
The most important element
in the scene does not have
to be in the centre. For a
more interesting picture, try
to position your subject so it
is slightly to one side. Leave
some space on the side of
the frame that the subject is
facing or moving towards.
Don’t cut off the top of the
subject’s head, and don't cut
people off at the neck, hips
or knees (move a little bit
above or below).
Watch out for distracting
objects in the background.
Picture angle
Long shot Medium shot Close-up
Instead of zooming while recording, try to choose
your picture angle before you begin. A good way to
tell a story with video is to begin with a long shot
that establishes the situation, and then move in
with medium shots and close-ups to show the
details. Remember to change your viewpoint for
each shot.
Camera moves
n
“lit
Use pans to record a landscape or follow a moving
subject. Decide the area you want to cover and
stand facing the end of your panning angle.
Without moving your feet, turn your waist to the
starting position. Start recording, and after a few
seconds begin to turn slowly from the waist. Hold
the final image for a few seconds before you stop
recording.
Tilt the camera up to exaggerate the height of the
subject. Tilt down from the top of a building, for
example, as an introduction to subjects at the
bottom.
Remember that any camera movement or change
in picture angle should have a definite purpose.
Avoid unnecessary or half-hearted movements.
Notes:
• When you are using a tripod, be careful not to
leave the viewfinder exposed to bright sunlight or
it will melt. (The light is concentrated by the
viewfinder lens.) You may be able to move the
viewfinder out of direct sunlight by pushing it
upright, or by moving it back down to horizontal.
• Make sure that the fastening screw of the tripod
is no longer than 5.5 mm ( 3 /i6 inch), or it will
damage the camera.
• The camera has a built-in wind screen to prevent
wind noise from interfering with the soundtrack.
This has no effect when using an external
microphone.
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Additional
Information