ABSTRACT

A crash course in videography, including basic information on equipment (camera, rigs, lights, lenses, stabilizers, settings, sound), planning shot lists and getting coverage, different types of shots and camera moves, the rule of 180, the 1/3 rule vs. centering action, single vs. multi-camera setups, and the connotations all these carry specific to shooting action.

Implications of different shooting styles are discussed, in terms of shot length, how involved in the action the camera itself is, and the ways it can be used to amplify the experience of moves.

Basic elements of non-contact hit alignment are reviewed with the videographer’s perspective.

Planning for the edit is given emphasis, since fights often contain more cuts than other scenes, and it’s important they all flow together well. Changing angle or focal length, maintaining the orientation of fighters, and placement within frame are stressed.

Extra consideration is given to action-specific uses of things like whip-pans to hide transitions and allow for fictive cause/effect relationships when using ranged weapons. Speed ramping and high-frame-rate shooting are also explored, along with other in-camera tricks like reversing footage, duplicating elements, chromakey, and hidden cuts.

Examples and checklists are included.