Things I learned from shooting Shawn's Promo (Click Title to see on Vimeo).

Last weekend, Shawn Brace, Temple Bragg, and I had a whirlwind of an afternoon coordinating the shooting of this video for Shawn's new book. He's a pastor up in Bangor, Maine, and his Website is : newenglandpastor.blogspot.com in case you didn't make it to the end of the video. Temple is a teacher in Williston, Vermont, originally from North Conway in New Hampshire. Both were not only great sports (and supportive) of my amateur endeavor, but very patient and cooperative. It was a good team. And Shawn used no cue-cards, and performed in a minimal number of takes. I had an inquiry from a friend, whose comment prompted an response I thought would make a good post:

Things I learned (or at least were reinforced, if I had known them before):

1) Planning is 80% of the shoot
2) Planning keeps you on budget
3) A good slider (that tool that allows me to pan smoothly sidewas on the praying, hat, and candle shots) adds the most creativity for your money, dollar for dollar.
4) Just like still photography, post-production is a key element. More so in video, because you have to match the color gradings.
5) A class in still photography composition translates well to video better than people realize, take one if you can (or learn strong photographic composition from independent study).
6) Support is so important, even more than in still photography. Get a good tripod and fluid head. Don't cut corners in this area. Period.
7) Story board it well before you break out the camera. Shawn and I talked for about 6 six weeks prior to the shoot (which lasted all of 5 hrs).
8) Remember to shoot for the cut, allow 3 seconds prior to the take as well as 3 seconds following.
9) Composition in video involves multiple things: form, color, but also motion.
10) Secure your location before the shoot (Temple and I waited outside for some time because I didn't secure the keys to the church.)
11) Longer focal lengths (70mm or longer) produced a more dramatic effect on a short slider. If you can afford only a 24" slider, keep that in mind. We shot all our slider shots on nothing less than 100mm.

So a habit I'm trying to form is to follow up a project (or my day) in a review with the intent to take an honest look at it and seek for ways to make improvements.

Things I can improve on during for my next video:

1) Although Shawn's shot was technically ok, a more dynamic shot might be needed. Maybe some motion pulling back or something.
2) Storyboard, storyboard, storyboard ... oh, and more elaborate shot list.
3) Lighting for color balance.
4) Take more shots than you think you need (see #2)
5) Use a shot-gun, off camera mic., and monitor the ambient sound.

If there are other things you all can think of (to help improve the video) after you watched it, send it in comments.

And please check out Shawn's book (it may be the gift you're looking for to give yourself or someone else).