IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Hi all,
I'm shooting some stuff to appear as a 'video diary' in a short film. Its
fake of course, a very carefully scripted video diary. But should I signify
that its a video diary?

For example, include a little red dot, the word 'REC' and some timecode?
I've already got the wobbly camerawork and the bad camera angles - I'm a
natural at that. Anything else to convince the audience that the cameraman
is more of a complete novice than I really am?

Cheers all

Baz

"Baz R" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Hi all,
I'm shooting some stuff to appear as a 'video diary' in a short film. Its
fake of course, a very carefully scripted video diary. But should I signify
that its a video diary?

For example, include a little red dot, the word 'REC' and some timecode?
I've already got the wobbly camerawork and the bad camera angles - I'm a
natural at that. Anything else to convince the audience that the cameraman
is more of a complete novice than I really am?

Cheers all

Baz

Another good project. Your giving us all ideas! Right, where`s my notepad!
I would add `fake` timecode and a big red `REC` in the corner with a flashing
dot. You could also add battery level and other such icons. It should look
good.

Ian (Stingman) Gardner

"Baz R" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

But should I signify that its a video diary?

I'd go easy on that, Baz. Gimmics like flashing "rec" signs distract the
viewer and get annoying quite quickly. I suggest you use that for five seconds
or so, then as soon as you reach a convenient cut, lose the effect. The
thinking audience will assume the novice camera operator had spotted a mistake
in the camcorder setting and changed it between shots. The rest of the audience
will not notice.

When you run the finished product - if there are any moments when you worry
the audience might not remember it is supposed to be a video diary you could
re-introduce the gimmic for a couple of shots.

Don't over-egg the pudding and exaggerate the poor shooting too much. Most
real video diaries develop a style and confidence fairly swiftly. Remember
the aim is to get the audience's attention beyond the lens and onto the people
and objects you are showing them. Set up the scene then you can probably
revert to normal careful shooting for most of the movie.

If you have very steady movements you can hand-hold the camera (on a wideish
angle setting)and keep it in slow but constant motion around your subjects,
moving in and out (not zooming) as you do. When well done, that is acceptable
in regular movies now and in your case would fit the impression of a novice
video maker. In fact it is a skill which takes a bit of practice and not
one a complete novice would have from the start ... but - hey - this is show
business!

Have fun

Dave