Well, actually I’m already into DSLR “Motion Pictures”, but I still attended The Get In Motion Tour with Jeff Medford and Ross Hockrow from CineStories, because I knew that I would learn something new from these pioneering DSLR guys
Anyway, here’s some of the new.
1. Gear. And I quote ” you can have the greatest gear in the world, but if you can’t tell a story, it sucks”. Of course, it does help to have some handy gear to help you get the shots to tell that story, namely the hard to get Manfrotto Monopod 561 BHDV. It’s a monopod with three little feet, and it is the must have accessory for those “run and gun” type events.
2. People love themselves. It’s easy to make good video for a client, but way harder to make that video appeal to everyone.
3. There is a difference between a videographer and a “filmographer”. You can have both at an event. Like Ross Hockrow, I am not interested in setting my camera and recording an event. I’m proud to say that my bloodline is more of the filmographer, storytelling type, cause apparently, videography is dead.
4. Value Ad. Just like photography your work in DSLR Video needs to be better than reality. Does that mean staging some shots? Yes. Does that mean having a story idea before you start recording? Yes.
5. Stories. Stories. Stories. People are all about stories. I quote Jeff ” there is a universal longing for storytelling.” Still images allow viewers to create their own story for picture. This doesn’t happen with video. Clips need to be arranged to show the message, not tell.
6. Prime lenses required. Specially 14 mm. However a 70/200 F 2.8 zoom is great for facial close ups. It’s a little softer, and hides the wrinkles better.
7. Photographers are inherently critical. We got to watch lots of clips, and critique them. Man, some audience members were critical. I’m all for good work, but sometimes we need to lighten up! Sometimes an image is just pretty.
8. And yes, with the right gear, you can do this work alone.