You’ve probably heard the term shutter speed, but do you actually know what it means, how it works, or how to choose the right speed? There is actually a super simple golden rule to go by, but also a lot more to it than you might think. In this How to Video episode, we’ll be tackling all things shutter speed. We’ll go over what shutter speed and shutter angles are, the only rule you’ll need to remember, and the differences you’ll see when increasing or decreasing your shutter speed. In the video below, Creative Director Nick LaClair (and his dog Jeff) will illustrate how shutter speed works, and show examples of what your footage might look like if you choose to work outside of the golden shutter speed rule. What is Shutter Speed?Shutter speed is just that, the speed of the shutter on a camera. A camera shutter is a curtain, cloth or metal, that opens and closes in front of the camera sensor. It stays closed until the camera is fired, opens to let light pass through the lens and hit the sensor, then closes again afterward. The time in which the shutter is open is the shutter speed. This is technically a photography term, but with modern digital cameras, the same general process occurs for photo and video. How is it Measured?Shutter speeds are typically extremely fast and are measured in fractions of a second. Most DSLR and mirrorless cameras have a wide range for shutter speed. They can go from as fast as 1/4000th of a second, to as slow as leaving the shutter open for 30 seconds. Types of ShuttersWhile all shutters function similarly, you may encounter different types of shutters depending on the type of camera you’re using. The most popular are as follows: Focal-Plane Shutters: These are typically found in DSLRs and consist of a series of thin steel blades. Typically very close to the focal plane, focal-plane shutters can also be referred to as leaf shutters. Electronic Shutters: These can be found on a variety of cameras, and on cheap and expensive models. They actually do not feature a physical shutter. Instead, they simply turn the sensor on and off to capture exposure. Rotating Disc: These are typically used in camcorders or pro cinema rigs.. It has a semicircular disc that spins in front of the sensor to let light in. This is where the term shutter angle comes from, which we’ll cover below. What is Shutter Angle?Shutter angle is a different way to measure shutter speed. Used in mainly camcorders or pro cinema cameras, shutter angle is a reference to how rotating disc shutters used to operate in film cameras. The degrees refer to the amount of the sensor that is being covered up at any given point by the rotating shutter. The degrees are derived from how much of the sensor is being covered up at a given time. In the illustration below you can see the 180-degree shutter is taking up half of the space allowing only a certain amount of light to hit the sensor. With new technology, this is all done automatically rather than with an actual rotating disk, but the outcome is the same. Figuring out what shutter angle to work with is also very simple since unlike shutter speed, it’s a constant. For example, a 180-degree shutter will equate to a shutter speed that is double your frames per second no matter what you’re shooting at, meaning one less setting to adjust as you film. Shutter Speed Golden RuleIf you take nothing else from this post, remember this one rule to make your footage look the best at any given time. Your shutter speed should be about “twice” your frame rate. So if you’re shooting at 24 frames per second, your shutter speed should be set to 1/48. Likewise, if you’re using a camcorder or cinema camera, you could set your shutter angle to 180 degrees. This rule allows you to shoot at a rate that mimics real life. When we view things in the real world, there is a certain level of motion blur that occurs naturally as your eyes and brain process visual information. Shooting at double your frame rate makes your footage look as close to this as possible. This will make your footage more enjoyable to watch and more cinematic. However, there are certain circumstances where you may not want this look. Here are all the considerations to take into account when setting your shutter speed. Slow Shutter SpeedThere are specific situations where you might want to slow down your shutter speed. Typically, a slow shutter speed allows you to do one of two things. The first is to avoid LED and fluorescent light flicker. At certain shutter speeds, you might notice that light in the background will start flickering. This is because it is refreshing at the same rate as your shutter. If you turn your shutter speed down, this should take care of it. The second would be for artistic reasons. When you slow down the shutter on a camera, it allows more light to hit the sensor, creating a much more intense blur effect, as seen in the image below. This is typically referred to as a long exposure shot in photography. In terms of shutter angle, a low shutter speed would be the equivalent of a higher shutter angle Fast Shutter SpeedOn the other end of the spectrum, you typically use a fast shutter speed when you need an ultra-crisp image. Think sports, nature, or action shots. In film, you might do this to make the scene feel full of adrenaline since you’ll be able to see every bit of detail. Faster shutter speed can also be used if it is too bright out, but as mentioned earlier this will affect your final output. One way to get around this is by using neutral density filters (ND) filters. ND filters are essentially sunglasses for your camera. They allow you to keep the shutter speed where you want it while also helping control the amount of light that is let in. When it comes down to it, sticking to the golden rule is a safe and reliable way to make sure that your footage comes out in the best way possible. Experimenting with different shutter speeds can be an easy way to add some creative flair to your project. Let us know what you think in the comment section below. The post How Shutter Speed Impacts Your Footage appeared first on SproutVideo. from SproutVideo https://sproutvideo.com/blog/how-shutter-speed-impacts-your-footage.html via IFTTT from https://johnsmith0190.tumblr.com/post/630154171160641536 from https://alvindukes.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-shutter-speed-impacts-your-footage.html
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Is it possible to run a shoot safely in a pandemic? It’s been several months since the world came to a screeching halt, and many of us are eager to get behind or in front of a camera again. However, the stakes are clearly high. For cast and crew, and anyone close to them, a serious illness could be a matter of life or death. In this post, we’re looking at how major production studios have adapted to the new normal through emerging best practices to help everyone stay safe. Pandemic ProblemsFilming in a pandemic comes with a host of challenges. Most videos featuring actors require them to interact without face coverings, and in close proximity to each other. Under normal circumstances, that’s hardly an issue. But when you’re trying to prevent the spread of an airborne disease, it’s clearly problematic. Of course, it’s not just your on-camera talent you have to worry about. A typical film shoot is a busy, bustling place. There are usually more people behind the camera than in front of it. Sadly, there have been reports of both cast and crew members becoming ill, and there has been at least one death associated with a production. Clearly, it is paramount to take safety precautions and to prioritize the health and wellbeing of cast and crew above all else. If you’re considering whether to produce a video in the near future, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the safest option is to figure out a way to produce it without bringing everyone on set. Constraints can fuel creativity if you start seeing them as an opportunity rather than a negative block. For instance, SNL found a creative way to manage production remotely, and an entertaining horror film about a Zoom seance went viral. So, what can we learn from these different approaches? Mainly that COVID will impact all aspects of your productions, from the concept and location, to the production and, of course, the cast and crew. ConceptWith a few exceptions, plots involving lots of combat scenes or intimacy, or almost anything requiring people to perform lines face to face are being scrapped. Instead, we’re seeing imaginative ideas that focus much more on individual experiences, or limited casts with far fewer extras. For example, Tilda Swinton stars in an upcoming short that focuses on the isolating experience of waiting for someone to reach out. The Human Voice is remarkable for how transportive and very “right now” the plot feels. Content that can tap into our collective experience will resonate and connect with audiences. LocationA lot depends on the specific location where your shoot is taking place. Regulations vary tremendously, as do the chances of catching a serious illness. Many major productions have shifted from the US to overseas locations with much lower rates of illness. A change in location does not come at a low cost, and there are significant logistical challenges to doing so. Moreover, travel is still restricted in many areas, so extra steps and paperwork are often required for a drastic move such as this. A less drastic option would be to move your production outdoors, to an area within your home country with lower rates of infections, or to choose a location that makes it easier to control access to the set. Some studios have already upgraded their ventilation systems to help prevent the spread of disease, and others are adding more controls and policies over how the set can be accessed, and by whom. For instance, Pinewood Studios in Atlanta is monitoring the health and safety of workers by implementing weekly COVID tests, using an app to track symptoms between tests, and badges linked to testing results are required for accessing different areas of the studio. Cast and CrewThe health and safety of those working on your production is everything. While there are specific guidelines in place in many areas, the situation is continuing to evolve. The safest option is to abide by the stricter set of regulations that applies to your production. If there aren’t any local regulations you can refer to, or if they feel inadequate, the “Safe Way Forward” guidelines, published in a joint effort by multiple unions, is an excellent reference. It builds on the reopening white paper from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers published in June. New RolesSo far, there are two big ways small-scale productions have changed. The first is that there is a medic present on set, even for a small, five-person shoot. And, one person is now designated to be in charge of COVID precautions. For it to be done well, you can’t just pile these extra responsibilities onto an already-stressed producer. This role entails: enforcing mask wearing and distancing requirements, and making sure materials like sanitizer and PPE are readily available. They’re also in charge of a meeting at the beginning of the shoot to inform everyone of the rules. And, most productions now include COVID protocols in the call sheet beforehand, as well, so everyone knows what to expect. More Participants in Pre-ProductionAnother shift that’s occurring is to involve more of the team in the pre-production planning than before. By doing so, you can provide reassurance that their concerns are being met, and answer any questions they may have. Of course, this is being done remotely via video chat or phone. Minimizing In-Person ContactYet another change we’ve seen is to make every effort to minimize person-to-person contact as much as possible. For instance, many productions are enabling actors to handle more of their setup than before. It could be as simple as coaching them on mic placement so they can do it themselves, or applying their own makeup. Larger shoots are also implementing the recommended “Zone” approach to avoiding unnecessary contact between different team members. The basic concept is to divide the team into different zones according to the type of work they are doing on the production. Then, restrict or alternate access to the set accordingly to reduce overlap between the different zones. Depending on the nature of the work being done, different safety protocols might apply to different zones. For instance, set builders and designers typically do not need to interact with the cast, and can often perform their work while wearing PPE. Meanwhile, cast members need to interact with the director and producers, and are unlikely to be able to wear PPE at all times. Therefore, members of that zone will likely require stricter testing protocols than those able to wear protective gear. By carefully defining zones for your production, and devising the appropriate protocols for each zone, you can reduce confusion on set. Lessons From a Major ProductionWhen it comes to managing the safety of your team, there are lessons to be learned from one of the largest productions to be green-lighted since the pandemic broke out. Filming paused on Jurassic World: Dominion earlier this year, but recently resumed over the summer. The level of collaboration and coordination required to restart production was nothing short of herculean. Here are some of the key changes that allowed production to restart. LocationThis installment in the Jurassic Park franchise benefitted from its original filming location in England. Because it was already planned and underway, it required fewer approvals and logistical headaches to get the go-ahead. AccommodationsFirst, the production team booked an entire hotel to house the cast and crew for the duration of the shoot in England. Prior to the pandemic, this was not a usual practice, even for large productions. The cast and crew received COVID tests upon arrival, and were asked to stay quarantined for an initial two-week period. Only then were they able to move about the hotel and socialize. Pandemic ProceduresA 107-page safety manual stipulated how all other aspects of production would be handled from a health and safety standpoint. Everything, from temperature scans and weekly testing, to serving meals on set was covered in detail. Production ZonesOne important change was to divide the cast and crew into different teams according to their role in the production and how vital they were to its completion. In an interview for the NY Times, one of the stars compared it to a closed set. The director, cast, and essential crew comprised a “Green Zone” with stringent testing protocols. Anyone working on pre-production, like sets or props, had more limited access to the set. CostsOf course, these changes were not easy, or cheap. Operating a large, 750 person production required medical staff on set, around 18,000 COVID tests, and 150 hand sanitizer stations, plus hand-washing sinks and temperature scanners. The cost for all the safety enhancements was estimated at around $9 million. Based on data from other productions, COVID precautions can increase your budget by 25% or more. OutcomeWhile every precaution was taken, filming was halted after four crew members tested positive for COVID-19 in August and had to self-isolate. While no one became seriously ill, it shows how difficult it is to maintain a quarantine bubble on set. Production was able to resume, but adjustments were made to the scale of production in different locations. For instance, a spike in cases in Malta led to a significant reduction in anticipated team size. The stop-start-stop nature of production, along with the evolving situation, make video production a truly difficult feat in these circumstances. Going ForwardIf you decide to move forward with a production, you really have to think through how to do so as safely as possible. And, if you can devise a concept that obviates the need to bring everyone together, you should explore it. There are still many unanswered questions, as this is truly uncharted territory. Ultimately, we expect the video industry to get back to work slowly, with many adjustments along the way. Are you planning to produce a video any time soon? What sort of precautions are you taking? Share your tips in the comments below. The post Staying Safe on Set in a Pandemic appeared first on SproutVideo. from SproutVideo https://sproutvideo.com/blog/staying-safe-on-set-in-a-pandemic.html via IFTTT from https://johnsmith0190.tumblr.com/post/629433154046918656 from https://alvindukes.blogspot.com/2020/09/staying-safe-on-set-in-pandemic.html How to create a logo with Turbologo? Turbologo is a website that helps you create a logo for your company or business. Undeniably, aside from the name of the company itself, a logo is very important. It is a part of marketing tricks to make your brand be always remembered by customers and people, in […] The post How to Create a Logo with Turbologo appeared first on Viral Viral Videos. via Viral Viral Videos https://viralviralvideos.com/2020/09/10/how-to-create-a-logo-with-turbologo/ With the number of online businesses growing daily, the competition for each and every online business sector is increasing as well. Therefore it becomes more and more difficult to reach your customer and generate traffic for your online business. And no traffic means no conversion, which leads to a negative revenue and possibly – bankruptcy. […] The post Best Methods to Increase Traffic for Your Online Business appeared first on Viral Viral Videos. via Viral Viral Videos https://viralviralvideos.com/2020/09/09/best-methods-to-increase-traffic-for-your-online-business/ With over 2.7 million users globally, Facebook is one of the best places for you to increase brand awareness, obtain new leads, and build your customer base. Your Facebook business page is where those interested in your product or service will go for more information or directly engage with your business. They will be looking […] The post 4 Ways to Optimize Your Facebook Business Page appeared first on Viral Viral Videos. via Viral Viral Videos https://viralviralvideos.com/2020/09/08/4-ways-to-optimize-your-facebook-business-page/ SproutVideo is celebrating ten years in business! That’s ten years of growth as a bootstrapped company, and unrelenting focus on all things video. Here are our top takeaways from what we’ve learned over the past decade, and what we’re excited about for the future. 1. Video Will Keep Getting Easier, and Harder, to ProduceOn its face, that’s clearly a contradictory statement. But hear me out. There’s no question that it’s easier than ever to produce a quality video. The phone in your pocket can shoot 4K, and beyond that, other tools and software keep becoming more accessible and user-friendly. As video becomes easier and easier to make, people create more of it, and watch more of it. There’s a certain level of desensitization and fatigue that accompanies that. Just think about how you react to seeing yet another Zoom meeting on your calendar. It’s therefore harder to create content that grabs attention and engages viewers. Standards for production values keep inching higher, and viewers are faced with more choices than ever before. So, what can you do? Keep producing content, keep tabs your competitors, and constantly check for ways to improve. 2. The Promise of AI for Video Has Yet to Be FulfilledIt seems like every year, predictions are made for ways AI will revolutionize video production. We’ve seen headlines that made it seem like camera operators and editors would want to find new careers, and fast. While much has changed, video production remains very much the same. It’s true that progress has been made in terms of the capabilities of AI for video production, but there has yet to be a meaningful impact on the way most video is produced. One major exception is the advances made in drones. The latest drones can recognize and track a subject, even if they move out of frame and reappear, with automatic obstacle avoidance and landing. They practically fly themselves at this point. Looking to the future, it’s a matter of time before video production will become more efficient and automated as AI for filming and editing becomes more ubiquitous. Until then, we’ll keep recording and cutting footage the old-fashioned way. 3. Video Has Redefined CommunicationsWhen SproutVideo first launched back in 2010, Youtube was only five years old. Online video was seen almost exclusively as entertainment, and producing video was very expensive and time-consuming. Consequently, much of our earlier marketing efforts were directed at convincing companies that video was a worthwhile investment. Clearly, much has changed since then. Video is significantly easier and, in many cases, less expensive to produce. Many organizations have shifted to a video-first way of communicating, both internally and publicly. We see two main reasons why video has taken off for business communications:
Be More PersonalVideo allows you to foster a stronger connection with prospects and customers, as well as employees, without actually meeting face-to-face. It’s not really possible to communicate with the same level of nuance via text and still images. Tell AND ShowWith text or still images, you can tell people all about your products and services. With video, you can actually show them in action. The impact is significant, and measurable. According to Wyzowl, a majority of consumers would prefer to watch a video about a product than read information about it. In that context, it’s not surprising 95% of marketers agree video improves the customer’s understanding of a product, and has been shown to improve conversion rates. 4. Basic to Polished – There’s a Place for Every Level of ProductionIt’s natural to want to make the very best video possible, but we’re here to tell you something surprising. It’s not always necessary to take your production values to the nth degree. In fact, different types of video serve different purposes, and there’s room for all levels of quality provided the production matches the goal of the video. Shorter is Better. Mostly … Unless it’s NotConventional wisdom dictates that shorter videos have better engagement. But the reality is that engagement is more tied to the quality of your content and how well it’s targeted at your intended audience than anything else. Of course, depending on where you’re sharing your video, you might run into hard limits in terms of length. Certain social platforms or video ad placements come with strict length requirements. Outside of those particular uses, the ideal runtime of video can vary significantly. After all, humans will watch anything from a six second ad spot to a feature length film. So what video length is ideal? What is right for you? It all depends on your message, audience, platform, and how you want to tell your story. You Can Do a Lot With a LittleIt can be intimidating to get started with video if you’re of the mindset that you need lots of fancy, expensive gear to produce high quality video. We’re here to tell you that’s just not the case. There are many, many ways to put a video together, ranging from basically free to incredibly expensive. At the bottom of the range, you’d be surprised what you can put together with a little time and effort. Of all the tips we could offer on this point, it really boils down to diving in and getting your hands dirty. Practice makes perfect. The more video you make, the better you’ll get at it, no matter what tools you’re working with. You Can Do More With MoreObviously, gear helps. A bigger budget helps. The right location, lens, lighting, and editing software can add style and make your video stand out from the crowd. Similarly, the larger your crew and the more specialized your talent, the more unique and polished your video is likely to be. Borrow, rent, or buy – whatever your budget allows. If you’re unsure what you need for your next project, our How To Video series has guides to the important differences between cameras, lighting options, and microphones to help you get started. 5. The Power of Live VideoFor built-in excitement, it’s hard to beat live video. While it’s been around for sports, news, and events for a long time, it’s finally become a common practice for businesses too. The draw for viewers can’t be ignored. A majority of viewers would rather watch a live video than read a blog post or view social media content, and no wonder. Nearly 80% of marketers have found that live video drives authentic engagement with their audiences. If your organization is among the 45% of businesses that have yet to start live streaming, there’s no time like the present to go live. Here are six simple steps to live streaming for business, and our guide to multi-source live streaming to help you get started. 6. The Value of Evergreen VideoAs a counterpoint to the above, evergreen video is the rare video that stays relevant for a long time and continues to appeal to viewers. While live video has a right here, right now pull, evergreen video has lasting value. Generally speaking, evergreen video is hard to make, but here are some tips that can help.
For more inspiration, read our post about fourteen types of evergreen video you can make for your business. 7. Video Remains an Art, Not a ScienceThe best marketers and video producers care about the success of a video, and rely on different data points to inform their definition of success. For instance, viewer engagement can tell you a lot about whether a video succeeded in getting your message across to your intended audience. Also, the tools that enable video creation are increasingly technical and automated. For instance, CGI has come a long way since the early days when it was blatantly obvious which elements were filmed in real life and which were not. However, despite all the data and all the technology that goes into making a video, you can’t replace or fake artistic vision. We believe that’s what really separates the good from the great when it comes to video. What it boils down to is storytelling. The tech and data are important tools, but ultimately, they serve the message, not the other way around. Without a hook, a story to tell, and some creativity, all the data and gear in the world won’t help your video succeed. The HookTo grab the attention of your audience, and keep it, you need a hook. Whether it’s the overall plot or just the first few seconds of your video, the hook is what keeps the audience engaged and glued to the screen. Essentially, an effective hook will indicate what your audience will get out of watching your video, but leaves them wanting more. If you need some inspiration, a popular Netflix series might help, or, try thinking of it like a teaser video. The StoryStorytelling is not just for fiction. Any story, even an informational video, can be told in a compelling way. From imaginative advertising to corporate videos and feature length films, there is surely a story to tell. When we hear “story” we think fiction – of happily ever after. But you can consider any message a story insofar as it should be clear, concise, compelling and make your audience want to be along for the journey. Whether it’s action, adventure, comedy, or instructions on how to hook up a dishwasher, there’s an interesting way to tell each story. Taking responsibility for the craft of the story will make sure you don’t lose viewers. While it’s true that what makes a great story can be broken down into data points and formulaic story arcs, it’s equally true that the best storytellers often thwart convention. Creative ApproachYour story might be a tale as old as time, but with the right approach, it can feel fresh and resonate with viewers. By nurturing and channeling creativity, you can find your own style and stand out from the crowd. Refer back to the first lesson. More video is being created today than ever before. To rise above the noise, you need to do things differently. 8. Inspiration Can Come From AnywhereIf part of your job requires you to be creative, you’ve probably encountered some form of writer’s block at some point. Everyone has a trick or two for overcoming it, but here’s what we’ve found really works. Take notes, whether written, recorded, or photographed. Inspiration can strike at the strangest of times in the oddest of places. If you can make it a habit to capture your thoughts when they occur, you can start to build up a bank of ideas to draw upon when the time comes. Mix up your exposure to different experiences, ways of life, and types of media. The cross-pollination of ideas can help enhance your creative process in unexpected ways. It could be as simple as a museum trip or joining a local meetup group, but whatever it is, get out there and get it started. 9. Bring it In-HouseThere will always be a need for video studios. Different types of productions necessitate specialized experts, or a large crew, certain equipment, or a particular style. However, the demand for video is so high that in order to keep up with it, organizations need to bring it in-house. Not all of it. But enough so that you can produce the videos you need on a regular basis with ease. As long as video remains a special project, it will require too much effort to become a regular part of your marketing and communications. If the tools are right there, and it’s easier to jump in front of the camera, it will become second nature. 10. We Haven’t Hit Peak VideoThis is the culmination of all the prior points: despite the increasing volume, advances in technology, and innovative uses appearing every day, we still have not hit peak video. In fact, we don’t know what peak video will even look like. The goalposts keep moving towards the horizon. We’re excited to see where certain trends will take us. In particular:
Ten years ago, we felt like video was an exciting and expansive opportunity for business, and of all the things that have changed, that still holds true. What will the next ten years hold? Share your insights in the comments below. The post Ten Lessons From Ten Years in Business appeared first on SproutVideo. from SproutVideo https://sproutvideo.com/blog/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-in-business.html via IFTTT from https://johnsmith0190.tumblr.com/post/628198789602213888 from https://alvindukes.blogspot.com/2020/09/ten-lessons-from-ten-years-in-business.html |
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