What skills can I gain from hands-on experience with video production?

Hands-on experience in video production helps develop skills in camera operation, lighting, composition, audio recording, shot planning, and video editing. It also enhances problem-solving and creativity in filmmaking.

What kind of equipment is commonly used in video production?

Professional video production often involves cinema cameras like the Sony FX6, stabilised handheld cameras such as the DJI Pocket 3, drones for aerial shots, tripods, ND filters, and advanced lighting setups.

How important is lighting in filmmaking?

Lighting is crucial in filmmaking as it sets the mood, enhances the subject, and ensures a professional-looking final product. Poor lighting can negatively impact video quality, making scenes look flat or unbalanced.

What is a shot list, and why is it important?

A shot list is a detailed plan of all the shots needed for a film project. It helps streamline the filming process, ensuring that no key footage is missed and that production runs efficiently.

What are some challenges in video production, and how can they be overcome?

Common challenges include poor audio quality, incorrect exposure, shaky footage, and lighting inconsistencies. These can be overcome by using high-quality microphones, ND filters for outdoor filming, stabilisers for smooth shots, and proper lighting techniques.

What are the key steps in video editing?

Video editing involves cutting footage, refining transitions, adjusting colour and audio levels, and adding effects to create a polished final product. It’s a crucial step in shaping the final story.

Behind the camera at h2o

My name is Roca Allen, and I’ve spent the past week at h2o creative on work experience as part of my college studies. During this time, I’ve dived into the world of video production by creating my own film project, allowing me to gain valuable hands-on experience.

On Monday, I was introduced to the office and began my plan for my film project. After this, I got hands-on with the Sony FX6 cinema camera. I quickly learned the importance of lighting and composition, discovering how these elements can drastically shape the final product. I also learnt how poor audio can utterly destroy the quality of a film.

The day ended with a challenge - I had to design my own lighting setup and camera angles. This helped me to understand how the camera works and how to use the lighting equipment. With my new knowledge, I set up the perfect interview scene, experimenting with different lighting and perspectives. I was proud of the result as I applied my knowledge well.

Tuesday started with crafting my own shot list, organising my filming process. Thanks to this, my shoot was smoother and more efficient as I now knew exactly what I needed and was sure that I wouldn’t miss anything when filming the footage. Later, I set up the camera for another interview in a completely new location.

This required adjusting everything - focus, white balance, aperture, zoom, and tripod height - to create an eye level, neutral shot. I also used ND filters to control exposure in the bright natural light. Back at the office, we began editing footage from Monday’s interview, cutting out any mistakes and refining the footage.

Wednesday introduced me to two new cameras which I was able to use for my project: a drone-mounted gimbal camera for open-environment shots and the DJI Pocket 3 for smooth handheld tracking. The handheld camera stabilised my shots even as I moved. After capturing the footage, we downloaded it for editing.

Later, I recorded another interview about my experiences so far, reflecting on what went well and areas for improvement. This allowed me to once again exercise my new filmmaking skills and produced more footage for me to edit.

By the end of the week, I was ready to put all my skills to the test. I created a shot list for my final sequence, filmed it, and brought everything together in the editing process. Seeing my project come to life was the perfect way to wrap up an incredible week of learning and valuable hands-on experiences and I can’t wait to apply all of the skills I have learned.