Digital Video Tasks

A series of filming exercises to develop video

production skills
Roles and Responsibilities
Who does what in your film crew
Director
Decides where and what to record

Camera person / Lighting Operator

Operates the camera and checks lighting

Sound Person / Shot Logger

Manages recording of sound. Logs all shots taken on
paper log sheet

Floor Manager
Co-ordinates the action in front of the camera.

Who does what in your film crew

Camera Handling Games (1)
LO: Familiarise yourself with camera settings and a
tripod

Earthquake
Record a group of people who appear to be on land when
the earth is moving.
To create the effect, the camera on a tripod, has to be gently shaken or
moved. The actors begin by standing still and then try to adapt to the
movement created by an earthquake.
Camera Handling Games (2)
LO: Understand how collaboration is key in a film
crew
The Disappearance
Set up a wide shot of a group sitting on chairs or
standing together
One person operates the camera while the other one
acts as director
Create a sequence where, one by one, each student
disappears

Do not move the tripod or camera

Record each shot for the same length of time (3-4
seconds)
After each shot, pause the camera and move one
person away
Slow Motion
LO: Plan, shoot and edit a slow-motion walking
scene
The Walking Scene during the titles
of Reservoir Dogs has been copied
many times over the years.

Your task is to create your own version of this

Reservoir Dog
s

classic Buxton Advert

scene using five different shots.

Plan your idea using a storyboard or

shotlist
Shoot your footage. Take three takes of
each shot. Frame each shot carefully
Shooting a sequence
LO: Create a linear film by shooting a sequence of
shots
A sequence is a number of different shots
that can be edited together to create a
linear film
SEQ 1 preparing to go running. This could start
with a short sequence of the runner sitting on a bench
putting on their trainers
a wide shot and a close up of tying the shoe laces.

SEQ 2 Finding the right music on the phone,

and warming up. Another short sequence of wide
shots and close ups of stretching and doing warm
up exercises.

SEQ 3 starting the run. The runner moves off in

Shooting a sequence
LO: Create a linear film by shooting a sequence of
shots
A sequence is a number of different shots
that can be edited together to create a
linear film
SEQ 4 Running. To make this interesting you need a
number of different shots, including close ups of feet running from
the side and from behind, close ups of the face from the front and
from behind, the POV (Point Of View) of the runner hold the
camera at eye level and jog with it pointing ahead.
SEQ 5 - A variety of different running shots showing
the runners:
- coming in to the frame from left to right and going out
of the frame,
- coming towards the camera and going past the camera
in a fixed shot,
- coming past the camera from behind it and going out
Shooting a sequence
LO: Create a linear film by shooting a sequence of
shots
For the five sequences how many shots do
you need?

- Use the shotlist template to plan

your film. Each sequence should be
counted as a scene.
Camera Action
LO: Plan and produce a short instructional video
sequence
Instructional Videos

1) Planning LINK: How to m

ake a cup of t
ea
Choose an activity (eg Putting on a tie, watching TV,
making a cup of tea, opening a door).

Create a storyboard with six shots capturing the action.

Think about how to communicate the detail to the
audience.

2) Shooting
Film each shot three times

Create a paper log sheet of each shot used

Camera Action
LO: Plan and produce a short instructional video
sequence
Instructional Videos

3) Reviewing Footage LINK: How to m

ake a cup of t
ea
- Review your footage on the computers deciding
which shots to use.
- Create a paper edit using the shots on your log
sheet

4) Import and Edit

- Produce a rough cut add music/sound effects.
- View edit against storyboard, then add credits.
- Produce a final cut to export.
Camera Action
LO: Plan and produce a short instructional video
sequence
Instructional Videos

5) Watch each others! LINK: How to m

ake a cup of t
ea

6) Evaluate

At the start of the activity I thought the task

would be
Working in a group is
I was pleased with
When I watched our work
Next time I would
Scene by Scene
LO: Plan and produce a recreation of a video scene
A shot-by-shot recreation is a an excellent test of your
imagination, planning and technical skills.

Watch the Doritos roulette advert

1. How many shots are there?

2. Sketch out or write down whats in each shot
including shot type and action.
3. Plan where and how you will film your own
version. You MUST recreate it scene by scene
(but maybe without rabbits!)
Bob and his Nemesis
LO: Turn a script into a filmed narrative

1) Read the short narrative. Make a note of

the most important narrative moments and key
character details which need to be conveyed.

2) Storyboard or create a shotlist of the

sequence making use of appropriate camera
shot sizes and camera movements. How long will
each scene last?

The whole scene should last no more than 45-60

Bob and his Nemesis
LO: Turn a script into a filmed narrative

SCRIPT
Bob checks his watch. It is early and he is the first to
arrive at school. He walks into the building and takes out
a stolen key to open the locker of his nemesis in order to
steal some homework.

He opens the door, looks inside and finds the file. At that
moment he hears a noise, turns around and realises he is
not alone. His nemesis is watching. A chase takes place
and Bob runs outside trying to evade capture.

As he turns a corner he meets a dead-end. He turns

around and realises his nemesis has been joined by
another person. They walk towards Bob and he falls to
Bob and his Nemesis
LO: Turn a script into a filmed narrative
Shoot your footage.
- Take three takes of each shot.
- Frame each shot carefully.
- Record each shot on your log-sheet

Edit your footage adding titles and music

Bob and his Nemesis
LO: Turn a script into a filmed narrative
Watch each others films!

Evaluate

Write for 30 seconds about the use of sound in

filming

Write for a minute about the camerawork in

your film

Write for two minutes about the process of

group work
Bob and his Nemesis
LO: Turn a script into a filmed narrative
Watch each others films!

Evaluate

Write for a minute about the camerawork in

your film

Write for 90 seconds about the process of

editing

Write for 2 minutes about the process of group

work
Single Shot
LO: Understand the importance of planning in a
continuous shot sequence
Watch this music video by Nerina Pallot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2D7GGkrJPM
Or this by The Verve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74
The whole sequence is filmed as a single shot!

YOUR TASK: Plan and produce a continuous

video sequence lasting 30 -45 seconds
- At least five events must happen in
your film
- Use a combination of tracking and
panning
-
One Minute Film
LO: Plan and create a one-minute film without
using dialogue
YOUR TASK: You will be given a scenario and
must plan and produce a one-minute film. You
must communicate the idea of your film without
using dialogue.

- Take a minimum of five different shots

- Film your shots in order
- Add transitions, titles and music in the
edit
One Minute Film
LO: Plan and create a one-minute film without
using
YOURdialogue
TASK: You will be given a scenario and
must plan and produce a one-minute film. You
must communicate the idea of your film without
using dialogue.
The Scenarios
TV Anna is watching television. Billy
comes in and wants to change the channel.
Unwell Abbi begins to feel unwell and has
to sit down.
Idea Aaron is sitting in class and thinks of
a brilliant idea.
Late Andy is waiting for Bob. Andy is
Evaluation Questions
It is important to review how successful your
production was. Here are some questions to
consider
1) Which particular shots or scenes are you most
pleased with? Why?
2) How did you communicate with your audience
(mise en scene, framing, camera movement)?
3) How did you represent people or places? Why?
4) How did others respond to your work?
5) Does the production reach its target audience?
6) If you were to complete this task again, what
would you do differently?