Digital News - Green Screen Workshop
We had a green screen workshop with Fergus and Sam and we learnt how to set them up and how to use them ready for our after effects workshop later on. We had to bring in some scripts and create a piece to camera that we were to record and bring to the after effects workshop.
We worked in our production groups and mine worked on the reflector media green screen. This is an on location green screen that is portable and very light. The kit consists of a green reflector ring that only fits onto the Canon 7D, 72mm diameter lens of the DSLR camera. The ring then glows green creating a halo around the lens reflecting onto the screen, illuminating the picture to create a green screen effect.
We learnt that lighting is key to lifting the production values. For a news piece having harsh shadows is a big 'no no' as it distracts the attention from the story that we are telling. The shot should look like it hasn't been lit.
We got our hands on some new sound kit called Tascam. This bit of kit allows you to record sound straight into the camera, something the DSLR struggles with without added support. To use a Tascam you must:
- Ensure the batteries are in the kit, which is located on the front compartment.
- Hold down the right hand side button to turn it on.
- If sound is wanted to record straight into the camera, an AUX cable must be inserted into "LINE OUT" on Tascam and connected to "INPUT" on the DSLR.
- Insert a clip mic to the top of the camera. Check the levels on the person's mic. If they're a loud 'talker' up the "-dcb" on the person's mic.
- The sound will record on Tascam and feed into the DSLR.
- Must look at the sound levels on the Tascam to ensure there is no "toasting". Also check camera's sound levels.
- Levels can be accessed on Tascam through the menu on the device.
Something we need to work on is ensuring that we are thinking about health and safety whilst we are shooting. We need to make sure that all cables are taped down safely and that there are no tangled wires all over the floor. They must be placed in appropriate places that won't cause unnecessary trip hazards.
This was our finished set up.
We were introduced to the new libec tripod heads and taught some important points about them and how to use them.
- Its important to ensure ewe balance the tripod with the camera on so that it is secure when unlocked allowing fluid movement when changing framing or shot technique.
- The tilt bolt screw is found on the left hand side of the tripod and can be locked and unlocked via anti clockwise and clockwise movements.
- The pan control is found in the centre section.
- The fluid drag is a twist of the red ring underneath the pan control.
- The tripod plate release/ grip is a button to push in on the front of the tripod head and a screw that needs unlocking on the right hand side. This allows you to remove the tripod plate to fix a camera to it.
- It's important to have a fully unlocked tripod when adjusting, else the tripod heads will get broken and worn.
We were also introduced to an autocue. Below is what I learnt from the workshop about how the autocue works:
- There is an app for iPad that will allow you to write a script onto the iPad and this script can then be inverted to reflect on the mirror of the autocue. You can also adjust the font size and the speed in which the script travels up the autocue.
- The autocue brace attaches to the tripod plate and is then securely fastened to the tripod.
-Next, the autocue hood is slotted into place at the front of the tripod where the lens should go. This is then screwed into place with two screws at the bottom of the hood. This requires patience as it is quite fiddly.
- It is important to clean the autocue's glass with a micro fibre cloth before use as the finger prints can reduce the chances of a clean shot.
- This glass pane is then inserted into the hood in front of the two screws at the bottom.
- The camera is then fitted to a 'riser' which a second tripod plate. This prevents the two bottom screws from obstructing the shot.
- This tripod 'riser' plate must be incredibly secure when attached. This is VERY IMPORTANT.
- Place the felt hood of the autocue around the lens of the camera ensuring it is completely covered.
- The iPad holder is underneath the autocue. You must slide it out to its full extension and use the two front clips to secure the iPad into place.
- Re-adjust the holder's extension until the iPad can also be secured by the two back clips. You should then be able to adjust the speed of the script and it is important to set it to the reader's pace.
- Autocue allows the reader's eye line to look straight down the camera's lens which is important for news.
- You must rebalance the tripod once all the equipment has been attached.
- When adjusting anything on the tripod, someone must take charge of the iPad to ensure it doesn't get broken. Another person should hold the top of the camera and the autocue whilst a third person adjusts the tripod.
Autocue cameras are usually static cameras that aren't generally used for anything other than piece to camera. This enables you to lock off your tripod once you are happy with your positioning. During all the set up, each job role should be constantly going through their checks. That way when the Director is ready to 'roll' all of the checks are perfect for the piece. For example; camera operators should be checking their framing, lighting shadows, exposure, focusing, with balance and ISO. Sound should be checking their audio levels, their mic positioning and to get the presenter to do many test runs in different vocal levels to ensure that their levels are correct or easily adjustable for the live run. They should also check for any background interference that they can get rid of before the camera rolls. Finally, lighting people should be checking for shadows, hot spots, harsh lines and to liaise with the director as to whether they would like harsh or soft lighting on their subject.
Overall I enjoyed this workshop and found it very useful for learning about the new pieces of kit and what we can do with them. Here is a screenshot of what we filmed which will be used for our green screen after effects workshop with Fergus.
We worked in our production groups and mine worked on the reflector media green screen. This is an on location green screen that is portable and very light. The kit consists of a green reflector ring that only fits onto the Canon 7D, 72mm diameter lens of the DSLR camera. The ring then glows green creating a halo around the lens reflecting onto the screen, illuminating the picture to create a green screen effect. We learnt that lighting is key to lifting the production values. For a news piece having harsh shadows is a big 'no no' as it distracts the attention from the story that we are telling. The shot should look like it hasn't been lit.
We got our hands on some new sound kit called Tascam. This bit of kit allows you to record sound straight into the camera, something the DSLR struggles with without added support. To use a Tascam you must:
- Ensure the batteries are in the kit, which is located on the front compartment.- Hold down the right hand side button to turn it on.
- If sound is wanted to record straight into the camera, an AUX cable must be inserted into "LINE OUT" on Tascam and connected to "INPUT" on the DSLR.
- Insert a clip mic to the top of the camera. Check the levels on the person's mic. If they're a loud 'talker' up the "-dcb" on the person's mic.
- The sound will record on Tascam and feed into the DSLR.
- Must look at the sound levels on the Tascam to ensure there is no "toasting". Also check camera's sound levels.
- Levels can be accessed on Tascam through the menu on the device.
Something we need to work on is ensuring that we are thinking about health and safety whilst we are shooting. We need to make sure that all cables are taped down safely and that there are no tangled wires all over the floor. They must be placed in appropriate places that won't cause unnecessary trip hazards.
This was our finished set up.
We were introduced to the new libec tripod heads and taught some important points about them and how to use them.
- Its important to ensure ewe balance the tripod with the camera on so that it is secure when unlocked allowing fluid movement when changing framing or shot technique.
- The tilt bolt screw is found on the left hand side of the tripod and can be locked and unlocked via anti clockwise and clockwise movements.
- The pan control is found in the centre section.
- The fluid drag is a twist of the red ring underneath the pan control.
- The tripod plate release/ grip is a button to push in on the front of the tripod head and a screw that needs unlocking on the right hand side. This allows you to remove the tripod plate to fix a camera to it.
- It's important to have a fully unlocked tripod when adjusting, else the tripod heads will get broken and worn.
We were also introduced to an autocue. Below is what I learnt from the workshop about how the autocue works:
- There is an app for iPad that will allow you to write a script onto the iPad and this script can then be inverted to reflect on the mirror of the autocue. You can also adjust the font size and the speed in which the script travels up the autocue.
- The autocue brace attaches to the tripod plate and is then securely fastened to the tripod.
-Next, the autocue hood is slotted into place at the front of the tripod where the lens should go. This is then screwed into place with two screws at the bottom of the hood. This requires patience as it is quite fiddly.
- It is important to clean the autocue's glass with a micro fibre cloth before use as the finger prints can reduce the chances of a clean shot.
- This glass pane is then inserted into the hood in front of the two screws at the bottom.
- The camera is then fitted to a 'riser' which a second tripod plate. This prevents the two bottom screws from obstructing the shot.
- This tripod 'riser' plate must be incredibly secure when attached. This is VERY IMPORTANT.
- Place the felt hood of the autocue around the lens of the camera ensuring it is completely covered.
- The iPad holder is underneath the autocue. You must slide it out to its full extension and use the two front clips to secure the iPad into place.
- Re-adjust the holder's extension until the iPad can also be secured by the two back clips. You should then be able to adjust the speed of the script and it is important to set it to the reader's pace.
- Autocue allows the reader's eye line to look straight down the camera's lens which is important for news.
- You must rebalance the tripod once all the equipment has been attached.
- When adjusting anything on the tripod, someone must take charge of the iPad to ensure it doesn't get broken. Another person should hold the top of the camera and the autocue whilst a third person adjusts the tripod.
Autocue cameras are usually static cameras that aren't generally used for anything other than piece to camera. This enables you to lock off your tripod once you are happy with your positioning. During all the set up, each job role should be constantly going through their checks. That way when the Director is ready to 'roll' all of the checks are perfect for the piece. For example; camera operators should be checking their framing, lighting shadows, exposure, focusing, with balance and ISO. Sound should be checking their audio levels, their mic positioning and to get the presenter to do many test runs in different vocal levels to ensure that their levels are correct or easily adjustable for the live run. They should also check for any background interference that they can get rid of before the camera rolls. Finally, lighting people should be checking for shadows, hot spots, harsh lines and to liaise with the director as to whether they would like harsh or soft lighting on their subject.
Overall I enjoyed this workshop and found it very useful for learning about the new pieces of kit and what we can do with them. Here is a screenshot of what we filmed which will be used for our green screen after effects workshop with Fergus.
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