The camcorder/camera

The Camera/camcorder

The JVC we use is very portable and lightweight. Only one person needs to be there to work it. The tape can be re-used and it requires no processing.

Shooting Modes

• Automatic - auto focus
• Manual - greater creative control. You can vary the focus and keep it pristine.
• Menu - range of effects, transitions usually achieved in the post production.

The Plastic or Pro - Filmic material - When we look through a viewfinder or at a display screen we select or filter from all that is possible to film. This material is then ordered and arranged within a rectangular FRAME. The FRAME is the predominant organiser

Box

• Camcorder
• 2 x battery
• Cleaning tape
• Foot
• Output cables etc

The cool thing about these cameras is

1. Unlike 35 mm celluloid cameras, they don't cost £500,000
2. they are not massive needing a a few people to work them.
3. They are not as distracting as celluloid cameras

The first cameras to come out that were not celluloid were Super 8 camcorders. This was the 50s so a tape could only hold 3 minutes of film and have no sound. This can be a good though, have you ever had to sit through the 40 - 60 minute family video of a child's birthday or wedding? Apparently it's unbearable. So, we are going to take our time in composing shots with a lot of thought and not just run around with the thing shooting whatever we want.

JVC camera

You should notice that there is a dial on the side of the camcorder. It will say,

• Play
• Automatic
• Manual
• Off

Only use manual because  automatic uses a chip in the camera to constantly adjust the zoom. That is not good as the camera constantly goes out of focus when you move it around adjusting itself afterwards. Instead, plan the shot with manual. This will make it never go out of focus unless you want it to.

Instead of using the LCD screen for finding the shot, use the viewfinder. This is far more accurate than the LCD because the LCD sometimes cuts parts out of the shot. 

The Frame

Why is it rectangular? I think it is because the first film made of workers exiting a factory was maybe intending to be a moving landscape painting. Landscapes are that way as it has become a convention. It is strange how we organize everything in the frame to this convention of a rectangle. Frames within the frame are like door frames, windows or buildings. Some directors get obsessed with frames inside the frame. You should be able to notice frames within the frame from now on.

Diagonal shapes in the frame crete a nasty feel you could say as these shapes go against the frame. Someone who does this is Tim Burton or the German Expressionists i.e. Dr. Caligari.

Horizontals in films create balance i.e. a horizon. Verticals can split up parts of the frame. An example of breaking frames would be in the original Halloween where the bad guy breaks from behind a corner. Horror films have characters breaking into the shot from every angle imaginable; above, bottom, side, behind, in front, etc.

When you make a film, use pans and tilts sparing and if you do, you must practice them before hand like you would practice the 'cello yeah?