Over the duration of this unit you will learn the skills and acquire the the knowledge to set up and use the key pieces of equipment to undertake a visual production recording. You will then capture the information in text, graphics, audio and video so serve as a handbook in the future.

Tasks 1: How a camera works

Understanding how a camera works is an important aspect to knowing how to set it up and use it correctly.

1. Watch the How a DSLR Camera Works video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3h1F99woDU
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the How a DSLR Camera works assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Download the associated questionnaire and complete. Make as much references to the original video as required.
6. Use MS Teams to submit the completed questionnaire.

Tasks 2: Principles of Camera Exposure

One you are able to operate the camera correctly, the next stage is to set it up to capture pictures appropriately – the exposure. Setting the right exposure on the camera is crucial to capturing the image in a manner that will communicate the message of the shot. This is based principally on three elements of the camera: the shutter, the ISO and the aperture. All of which will be introduced during this task.

1. Watch the Photography Tutorial: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_B8pVoANyY
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the Exposure Principles assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Download the associated questionnaire and complete. Make as much references to the original video as required.
6. Use MS Teams to submit the completed questionnaire.

Camera Setup

The video below takes you through the process needed to set the Panasonic Lumix G7 up to shoot video manually.

Tasks 3: White Balance

The human eye and brain is able to make adjustments for subtle changes in the colour of the light sources, i.e. the colour of sunlight is different from the colour of a filament lamp (bulb). However the image will still look the same to the human eye. The camera is not that sophisticated and it has to be told how it should manage the light source. This is known as White Balance.

1. Watch the White Balance & Kelvin Color temp explained video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48c02L_nHZc
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the White Balance assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Download the associated questionnaire and complete. Make as much references to the original video as required.
6. Use MS Teams to submit the completed questionnaire.

Tasks 4: Rules of composition

Setting up the camera is only the initial process to capturing an image/shot effectively. Once your camera is running and correctly set, how and where you position it then become vital; essentially FRAMING your shot can make or break the message you are communicating to the audience.

1. Watch the Rules of Framing and Composition video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM64ycm7tz4
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the Six Rules of Composition assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Complete the assignment as requested and upload your research to your WordPress website

1. Watch the Ultimate Guide to Camera [shot size Ep. 1] video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM64ycm7tz4
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the Composing Talent assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Complete the assignment as requested and upload your research to your WordPress website
6. Film the short narrative (see MS Teams instructions for detail) The Good Deed 
7. Edit the footage filmed from The Good Deed short narrative
8. Upload the final film to your WordPress website

Watch the above video 7 Rules of Composition and explain, in your own words the first six. Then, for each one find a visual example where that rule has been used in a main stream film.

Task 5: Angles, DoF and Camera Movement

How a camera moves while shooting, adds to the aesthetics of the recorded image. The speed, direction and motivations of the camera movement all contribute towards communicating an idea or message to the audience. This task will take you though a range of movement and shot angles of the camera.

1. Watch the Ultimate Guide to Camera [shot size Ep. 3 – 5] video on the following link:
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM64ycm7tz4
3. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
4. Select the Angles, DoF and Camera Movement assignment
5. Read the instructions
6. Complete the assignment as requested and upload your research to your WordPress website
7. Film the short narrative (see MS Teams instructions for detail) A Stranger Stopped By.
8. Edit the footage filmed from A Stranger Stopped By narrative
9. Upload the final film to your WordPress website

Task 6: Setting up Lighting and Capturing Sound

1. Watch the Filmmaking 101 video below or click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Sov3xmgwg
2. Log onto MS Teams and go to the 013/20 – L3 Media year 1 team.
3. Select the Setting up Lighting and Capturing Sound assignment
4. Read the instructions
5. Complete the assignment as requested and upload your research to your WordPress website
6. Film the short narrative (see MS Teams instructions for detail) The misunderstanding.
7. Edit the footage filmed from The misunderstanding narrative
8. Upload the final film to your WordPress website

Using a mobile phone, film yourself setting up a tripod, carefully explaining what you are doing and why.

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