A good video is made up of different camera shots. Sure, the acting/action on the screen is important, but you can do so much more with that acting/action by using the camera to help tell the story. Your camera can be as important an actor as the people/things on screen (often it can tell more!) The way you do that is by varying the look of your shot, and adding some basic movement.
Here’s a great example, and it tells a story by using the different camera shots that you will demonstrate:
When it comes time to put together your video, you want to have as much VARIETY as possible. This will make your video much more appealing than just leaving the viewer watching the same shot for long periods of time. This will also allow you to shift the importance on screen (ie sometimes it’s more important to show the detail of what someone is doing, and sometimes it’s more important to see them in action or talking or whatever.)
Here’s one more video that will give you a good idea of how different camera shots can be used effectively to help tell a story:
Here is a great site with examples of each type of shot/move.
Pay attention to how these shots/moves are used in just about every video you see. Here’s one example of a variety of shots combined into one short film. See if you can count how many shots, keep track of which types of shots, and time each shot.
Today you will demonstrate some of those basic types of shots and movements.
Your first video will include demonstrations of:
Zoom
Pan
Tilt
Pedestal
Dolly/Truck
Extreme long
Long Shot
Medium long
Medium
Close up
Extreme close up
First tip: DON’T ZOOM while recording (except when you are demonstrating a zoom, of course) if you can help it. In fact, keep any movements to a minimum. Instead, we’ll add variety and emphasis through editing. We’ll take different shots of the same thing and cut them together to tell a story.
Before you start shooting any video, please pay attention to the post about Shooting a Video for some tips on how to get the best shots possible.