Getting in FRONT of the camera (for noobs)

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wheatgrinder

To avoid COMPLETELY hijacking a camera question thread.. http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=21778 I thought Id start this one.

It seems Im not the only person who doesn't want to see or hear themselves on the screen. However, as small time efforts demand, I may need to get out in front of the camera. Seems some folks have had some acting classes that might help folks like me BREAK through that barrier. Taking the hint, I decided I better "get over it" as soon as possible..

Last night I took the opportunity to film my self really for the first time. As it turns out I'm pleasantly surprised! I believe what helped me was a few key things:

  • Being completely alone
  • Lighting in an interesting if not downright concealing way
  • I spent a good hour or so setting up the "stage" lights, background, filling the room with smoke (Halloween fog machine)
  • Setting up good sound (testing out my new preamp, first time I used external mic)
  • Having something personally interesting to say.

All these activities had a calming effect, as well as a sort of ritual ...

I had to try and set the frame up before I started, so there were lots of mini takes, so in just setting up I sorta got used to seeing my ugly mug on the screen, so when it came time for the actual "take" I just sat down and did it!

It was late when I finished last night, so Ill have to upload my results this weekend. Now, Im not uploading because I WANT to be seen, rather, its the last "barrier" between me and being on screen.
 
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Good for you with what you're doing! :)


It sounds like it turned out better than expected! I can understand that whole "final barrier" idea. You're a bit braver than me-when I do it I wear one my masks so I don't have to see my face-the rest of me I don't care about;)-though I'll sometimes dress differently, so in fact I become an "extra" on the screen.

Fortunately I have a camera that has a flip view screen, so I can see things real time-does yours have similar?


All in all though, I think it's great you doing it and taking some chances and being pleasantly surprised at the result. And I agree doing it alone is the best, though sometimes I get my better half to some camera work. People who don't do what we do don't understand how it can be a private thing psychologically.

Keep us posted!
 
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My camera has a flip screen thingy, but I was going for a pseudo long lens, I wanted to blur the back ground so I moved the camera way back and zoomed in.. this worked pretty well, I even set up a string of Christmas lights in the background which show some nice blur and bokeh. (ha, I sound like I know what Im saying, but its just a ruse)

However, I can NOT see a 2.7" screen setup 15' away!
 
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As far as I know, its about the only way to get shallow DOF with built in camcorder lenses....

You can increase the effect by opening up the aperture as much as possible. In bright outside light, an ND filter can help lower the incoming light so you can increase the aperture without over exposing or blowing out.

Even if you don't have a manual aperture setting, you can usually get the camera to open up its eyes a bit wider with the ND filter... but if its not bright enough you might just cause gain which leads to noise, which is why ND filters are just best used outside until you get the hang of it..
 
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wheatgrinder said:
Last night I took the opportunity to film my self really for the first time. As it turns out I'm pleasantly surprised! I believe what helped me was a few key things:
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Awesome! It won't be long until you really start to like to see yourself on camera, it can't be helped.
  • Being completely alone
  • Lighting in an interesting if not downright concealing way
  • I spent a good hour or so setting up the "stage" lights, background, filling the room with smoke (Halloween fog machine)
  • Setting up good sound (testing out my new preamp, first time I used external mic)
  • Having something personally interesting to say.
Click to expand...
I definitely prefer to be alone when I film myself. It just makes it free and easy knowing there is a delete button and no one but you needs to see anything if you don't like it. I have made a couple cooking videos with a friend of mine, but I was definitely more inhibited and really had to stretch my comfort zone at first, now it's not so hard, but I wouldn't want an audience. A huge part of why I'm psychologically ok with it is that I know I am in control of the final product, that helps a lot.
It was late when I finished last night, so Ill have to upload my results this weekend. Now, Im not uploading because I WANT to be seen, rather, its the last "barrier" between me and being on screen.
Click to expand...

Cool, I hope you share with us :D
 
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I guess I never really thought about it. Being in front of the camera was always something that came very natural to me and I've done it for more than a quarter of a century.
I do make lots of documentaries and most of the folks I interview are not use to being in front of the camera. It's as easy as disarming them, really. Instead of crewing it up, yelling speed, and creating a deer in headlights vibe for em, I simply hold the camera off to one side (been doing that for 25 years as well), make eye contact with em and call em dude at some point. Everyone gets that, chicks, George Bush Jr., my wife, everyone gets called dude here. ;)
I use existing light and usually just my camera mic. It makes me just a dude with a camcorder, not TV.
 
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Dreadylocks said:
I wish I could enlist my better half, but he doesn't take direction that well and likes to do 'artistic' :hmm: things like filming on diagonal.
If you want something done right....
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:weird: Why do I get visions of the old "Batman" tv series going through my head...man those camera angles....:lol:



I know what you mean about doing something right :).
 
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that too comes easy for me. I've always been the editor of my projects and, maaaan, I can't tell ya how much easier that makes production. Vice versa, getting to edit what I've shot saves countless hours in the edit suite.
I feel like all shooters should edit at some point and all editors need to have shot.
By that, all directors should hop in front of the camera at some point. It's not unlike a restaurant owner hopin' in the kitchen so they know what's goin' on.
 
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I worked with a director who took acting lessons to get better at his craft. On set, I watched him get inside the character, as he physically showed them how to act and project their lines. That definitely opened my eyes.
 
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Maazer said:
I worked with a director who took acting lessons to get better at his craft. On set, I watched him get inside the character, as he physically showed them how to act and project their lines. That definitely opened my eyes.
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It's awesome that you got something out of that director's style. Although 'showing' the actors how to act is a very very risky thing to do, and would only work with some actors. A director should direct the acting, not dictate it. Not only does it annoy actors who already know what they're doing, but you risk losing a completely original performance or take by your talented cast.

I think the most important thing a director can do for an actor is to make her/him feel comfortable and to make sure the actor knows what you want from her/him.

My two cents.
 
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Good look at the video, good lighting-and I really have try the shallow look :)

RE: Guru- My gosh! I hadn't even thought about using a monitor for my stuff-thank you from me(even if it wasn't directed at me;))
 
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