A few consistent habits separate professional footage from amateur footage
Grab your Guided Notes (ADD 3.2) and a pencil.
GET READY
Today's Word Bank
Every word below appears on your notes sheet. Watch closely, some get used more than once.
eye-level
focus
headroom
medium close-up
tripod
white balance
How today works: we'll look at one blank at a time. Study the example, make your best guess, then we'll reveal the answer together. Fill in your notes as we go, don't skip ahead!
1GUIDED NOTES
What keeps the shot stable?
A ______ provides stable support for the camera, no handheld shots for a news package.
GUIDED NOTES #1
TRIPOD
A three-legged stand that provides stable camera support.
2GUIDED NOTES
Where should the camera be?
The camera should be at your subject's ______, not angled up or down at them.
GUIDED NOTES #2
EYE-LEVEL
Camera height matched to the subject's eyes, angling up or down changes how the viewer perceives them.
3GUIDED NOTES
How should they fill the frame?
Your subject should fill most of the frame in a ______ ______, with just enough ______.
Two words for the shot type, one word for the space above the head.
GUIDED NOTES #3
MEDIUM CLOSE-UP / HEADROOM
A medium close-up fills most of the frame; headroom is the space above the head, not too much, not too little.
4GUIDED NOTES
What do you check before rolling?
Before you roll, always check ______ ______ and ______.
GUIDED NOTES #4
WHITE BALANCE / FOCUS
White balance keeps colors accurate under the current light; focus keeps the shot sharp.
NOW DISCUSS
Turn & Talk
You review your footage and the subject's eyes are right at the very top of the frame with almost no headroom. What would you fix before the real shoot?
Think → Pair → Share · 2 minutes · Write your answer on the Discuss line on your guided notes