Visual Storytelling Techniques

The following visual storytelling tips were delivered by Richard Koci Hernandez, a Ford Foundation fellow at UC Berkeley.  Check him out at delicious.com/koci, multimediashooter.com or twitter.com/koci.

Thanks to the Knight Digital Media Center, which has much more information at multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu.

Watch everything with a discerning eye – how do they do that? How did they bring the cinematic? (even in a commercial) – pay attention to cut lengths Honda commercials – great storytelling The idea of practicing – practice whenever you can Radio lab  www.radiolab.org, check out the “Moments” segment, Being thoughtful and the Music was key:  Cut to the audio accompaniment – punctuate at end of scene

Before you shoot: 1) Make a shot list – already overwhelmed, not going to get easier :SHOTS YOU CANNOT LEAVE WITHOUT, take a 3-by-5 card with shots on it 2) Create a storyboard 3) Practice 4) Simulate – the night before, understand the angles, the positions

GREAT VIDEO IS 51 PERCENT AUDIO -audio is the foundation of great video -always wear headphones, listen for unwanted sounds -monitor your audio -do a sound check (what did you have for breakfast? Get a normal sense of voice; not 1, 2, 3)

BE STILL: the art of holding your shots – yes, use a tripod or better yet a monopod (besides stillness, can give you new angles) Or one of the clingy ones Shoulder stabilization - Hold your camera like it’s a super hot cup of coffee - If you do have to handhold, be on the widest angle possible

Hold your shots for at least 10 seconds (silently count it out) Stay with the moment, even after it’s passed You need love handles on either side of your shot – give it some cushion: you can split but you can’t splice as easily

Excessive Panning and zooming: try not to do it Hold your shots, look for the moments that are captivating and capture it Instead start with a wide angle shot and hold it for 15 seconds, then make your move to zoom in or pan, and hold the next static shot for an additional 15 seconds TIGHT MEDIUM WIDE (try to break the tendency to zoom)

Break spatial barrier, get in closer  -- keep it wide and move in: move your body Generally zooming moments get cut – what remains is what is wide or what is close No fades, no zooms – they don’t make it in

In the Blink of an Eye – greatest book on editing (act like blink) Cut on blinking

DETAIL shots will save you – they will be your best friend Can supplant B-roll (non-active shots)

NO PANNING when people are moving Unless you’re following them and they’re leaving the frame BUT allowing people to leave the frame can give you a natural exit point And then you can pick up again with a detail or when they’re entering another shot

Look for interesting angles – bend your knees a little Practice during a story that is about someone who does something repetitive Also: SHHHHHHHHHHHH! SHUT UP AND GET ON WITH IT – DO NOT TALK, BREATHE, RESPOND If you keep your mouth shut, people will continue to talk – after they’ve answered a question, don’t respond…see what happens.

THE INTERVIEW: Avoid yes/no questions “Describe for me” Try to evoke feelings and emotions “what’s your name, and…” – goes against conventional wisdom, but sometimes can get better responses for video COACH PEOPLE – try to repeat questions, ask related questions

LIGHTING and proper microphone placement: STUDY LIGHT Learn to light with natural light before lighting with artificial light TIP: Always have the sun or the main light source over your shoulder

Get the microphone close Don’t forget room-tone and ambient sounds from the scene Learn to nod and smile Silence is your friend You can’t fix it in post.

Can light with handheld LED Buy some black felt that you can tape or tack up as an interview backdrop Shoot from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. If in the 9 – 3, find the shade

Get microphones as close as you possibly can – a fist away from their mouth

Framing: HEAD AND NOSE: leave room Understand there will be an identifier on the screen that will obscure Leave room from their line of sight – pleasing – rule of thirds, split the frame into thirds, tictactoe style – the sweet spots are in the intersections

Look for interesting perspectives to fill the frame

You have 10 seconds to captivate people – the openings are important After a few moments, most drop off KEEP IT INTERESTING Mediastorm.org – best visual storytelling on the web

WATCH Geri’s Game on You Tube Marry audio with slideshow 2 minute audio slideshow Also, for a spoof on clichéd news segments, You Tube spoof on classic tv news segment: Charlie Brooks on the American News Media

Hernandez's equipment recommendation list: Manfrotto 585 ModoSteady 3-in-1  $89.90 Joby GP1-01P Gorillapod Tripod Manfrotto 560B-1 Fluid Video Monopod with Head and Quick Release $140.30 Litepanels LP Micro Open Box LED Camera light $200 Piece of black felt Digital Video Secrets – by Tony Levelle