• Created by Unknown User (marvel@mit.edu), last modified by Unknown User (sdcheng@mit.edu) on May 14, 2014 13:26

Job Description

It is the responsibility of the Video Coordinator to produce a full video of the semester performance and of any smaller shows/events deemed necessary to archive. The Video Coordinator must:

  • Videotape performances OR find proxies to videotape the performance.
    • If a proxy videotapes, the Video Coordinator is responsible for giving the proxy instructions and getting the video files as soon after the performance as possible.
  • Making sure the final video is assembled
    • If the Ensemble camera is used, the video will be in a series of ~30-minute long clips. These need to be stitched together to form the full performance video.
    • Bonus points! (See Editing Videos): Stitch together clips from different performances as appropriate to create the best possible video of the performance.
  • Getting the full video to the Officers/Webmaster:
  • The video coordinator should get the complete video to the officers/webmaster for placement on the server as soon after the run ends as possible. People will bug you about this. So do it. DO IT FAST.

The Ensemble Camera

The video coordinator does not need to go search for a video camera, tripod, or charger, because the Ensemble owns one! Here's some tips for using the camera:

  • The day before you plan to use the camera:
    • Ask one of the officers to get the camera from its super secret officers' cabinet.
    • There are two cameras: Only one of them is able to charge and videotape at the same time. Find this camera. The other one is silly.
    • Test that the camera still works and that you know how to use it by taking a quick video with zoom of something funny.
    • Make sure that the camera SD card has been emptied. If it is not empty, save all contents of the SD card onto your computer, check with the officers that these videos have been properly archived, and then delete all files from the SD card.
  • The day you use the camera:
    • Place the camera where you want to videotape the performance. Make sure that everything you need to capture is within your line of sight.
    • Do some stupid checks: Is the lens cap off? Is the charger plugged in and actually charging? Does it have the SD card in?
  • After you use the camera: 
    • Pull the video files from the SD card as soon after the performance as possible. Save them onto your computer, back it up, and then clear the SD card
      • If you are filming multiple performances, you must clear the SD card before the next performance - otherwise, you won't have enough space!
    • If you are only videotaping one performance, make sure the video camera, tripod, and charger gets back to the officers so they can lock it up. 
    • If you are using it for multiple performances, you can leave the tripod and charger in space, but make sure that the camera is locked and secured (space dock: OK, West Lounge: NOT OK). When you have finished the run, make sure it gets back to the officers so they can lock it up.

General Suggestions

  • Confirm that you have someone to videotape the performance the day of. Have them come 30-45 minutes before house opens.
  • If there are multiple performances for a run, then videotape multiple performances!
    • Between videotaped performances, do a spot check of the video clips: Is as much of the performance captured as possible? Is there anything the clips have missed that you want in the video?
    • If there's anything missing from the video clips you have so far, try to capture it with the next videotaping.

To Zoom or Not to Zoom

Should you move the video camera during videotaping (zoom in/out, swivel side-to-side) or keep it still?

Advantages:
  • Captures the actors' expressions and the play action much better
  • Can have the camera closer to the stage and pivot from side-to-side to capture anything on the sides. This is especially important for long stages (end-to-end of Sala), even placing the camera on the furthest german is not enough to capture the whole stage and only makes it difficult to see the actors.
Disadvantages:
  • Does not capture everything; actors may move out of frame before the cameraman can react
  • Very dependent on cameraman's skill - want to be careful not to zoom in/out too quickly!
  • The tripod is not very good; swiveling from side-to-side often makes it creak.
The Verdict:
  • I would recommend at least one video be allowed to zoom/swivel and one video be completely still. See which one works best and then decide if you need other clips. 
  • Very performance dependent: If there's a lot of movement on stage, stay still. If there are some introspective moments which may be difficult to see from far away, zoom in. If the stage is too long/far away for the camera, zoom/swivel.
  • If you decide to zoom/swivel, try to have someone videotape who has seen the full performance before. If the video coordinator is videotaping, see a full dress rehearsal beforehand. Other good options may be an ASM, designers, or other techies. That way, when they videotape, they'll know what to watch for.

Final Dress vs. Performances

Should you videotape the final dress rehearsal or performances? Which should be used for the final video?

Advantages of Final Dress:
  • No audience members, so no heads blocking the stage!
Disadvantages of Final Dress:
  • Usually take pictures during final dress - and SLR cameras are LOUD.
  • Not the best performance: not as much energy without an audience, people still getting things ready
Advantages of Performances:
  •  Generally better performance: actors drawing energy from the audience
Disadvantages of Performances:
  • Audience members block the stage; can be hard to see
The Verdict:

Use the final dress performance as a trial for the videotaping (just to make sure everything works properly), but in most cases, use an actual performance for the final video. If sight line is a big issue (i.e. if there are a lot of scenes where an actor is on the ground), consider using final dress performance clips where those moments would not be blocked.

Editing Videos

Simple Version

Use a movie maker software (ex. Windows Movie Maker). Upload all of the videos from one performance, one right after the other. Make sure there are no gaps between clips. Save the file. A long performance will take a while (a couple hours, at least), so get comfortable. 

Fancy Version (For multiple performances)

Use a movie maker software of your choice (one that trims videos very finely works best). Find the clips you want to use from each performance and stitch them together as best as possible. Presumably, if you've decided to do the fancy version, you have some experience with video editing (otherwise, there are some great how-to's on the internet). Here are some tips on what to watch for while stitching:

  • Make sure no lines are cut out due to trimming. Splice between breaths, not words!
  • Make sure no big actions are cut out due to trimming. Don't splice if there's a lot of movement on stage (unless you want the video to look like stop animation).
  • Align clips with lights and sound. If lights are fading in/out, only splice to another clip if you can precisely line up the light change. If music is playing, splice to another clip that doesn't disrupt the music.
  • Ask yourself: is the change jarring? For example, if you are putting together a final dress rehearsal clip and a performance clip, is it unsettling to the viewer that the audience suddenly disappears?
  • Finally: Review places where you stitched together separate clips and make sure the change is as unnoticeable as possible.

Issues to Resolve

  • Tripod height: Currently too short to get a good angle for videotaping over an audience. Tried videotaping at the highest the tripod would go on each level of germans and ground level; found that a single audience member (height: ~5'3'') could block an actor lying on the floor center stage.
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