Video storytelling tips

Here’s another notebook dump from NINA’s recent cross-training workshop. These are notes from a presentation about producing video and audio, by Chris Soprych and Billy Kulpa of the Rockford Register Star.

Find the right story. Generally that’s NOT a meeting story. When you can, do video stories because they’re fun. (An example shown was a reporter attempting to eat a restaurant’s BLT sandwich that contained a full pound of bacon.)

Do a pre-interview. This gets your subject comfortable talking to you before the camera is rolling.

Edit yourself before and during your shoot. Don’t shoot too much video. That equals long editing time. Keep your stories narrowly focused. Whenever possible, know your story’s beginning, middle and end before you shoot it.

Audio is the most important component of video. Use headphones when videotaping, so you will hear the sounds as it will sound on the tape. This can head off disasters.

Also on audio: Be aware of intrusive sounds as you’re doing an interview. Fans blowing, people talking in the background, etc. Most camcorders can’t adjust the ambient sound levels.

Compose your shots before you shoot them. This cuts editing time.

When shooting B-roll (non-interview clips that show context at a scene), make each clip at least 20 seconds.

Always get your subjects’ permission to post video of them to the Web. Tell them what your story includes – print, electronic, audio, video. They should know how you will use their information.

Use a tripod for all but the most urgent, breaking news – and even then, try to use one. “Unless you are jumping out of a plane, you must use a tripod.”

Chris and Billy provided a great handout, which included not only tips like those above, but also advice on audio and video equipment. For a copy, contact Chris Soprych.