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short shots Archives - Steve Stockman

Steve Stockman
In Tips and Tricks, If you’re new to video, Better Home Video, For Pros, Your Questions Answered

Shooting a Boxing Match Three Ways

I’m new to video recording/ photography and just bought your book…ITS GREAT!

How would you shoot a live amateur boxing event if there is only one videographer and his DSLR? I read that you should not keep the camera continuously recording the whole time.  Should I record 5-10 sec of footage…stop  and move to another position, then hit record again? Or should I keep recording as I’m moving to another position so I don’t miss anything important during the move– like, say, the knockout!

–Eric Hernandez

Thanks for reading the book, Eric. Shameless flattery will get you nowhere, if you … Read the rest

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Steve Stockman
In Tips and Tricks, If you’re new to video, Better Home Video, Your Questions Answered

Story as a Magical Organizing Force

I have a brain that likes things logical, nicely ordered and in line. You follow the rules, you get the result. I can’t get my head around the order of shots, stories and putting it all together.

Once a week we go to the grandparents house for dinner. We have a niece and nephew, 4 and 1 respectively, who come over as well. It is a good time had by all and I want to capture the moments as they learn and grow. I just can’t figure out what the story is. I get that I should take short shots

… Read the rest
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Steve Stockman
In Tips and Tricks, If you’re new to video, Video Marketing, Feature Film, Television, For Pros, Your Questions Answered

Shooting like the Pros

I am a professional videographer, and your advice to “shoot short shots” is totally misguided. Pros shoot more than they need so they can make their video perfect in the editing room. Turning the camera on and off is an amateur move.  How have you made a living in this business?

–Chris F., New York

Watch any film or TV show and you’ll see a series of very short shots (read why here). I argue that most people should get out of the habit of running the camera non-stop when shooting. And every so often I get a letter … Read the rest

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Steve Stockman
In If you’re new to video, Teaching and Training, Your Questions Answered

Breaking the “Rules” of Video

While I liked the direct approach of your book, I have questions about the rules.

1) You say: Don’t ever use digital zoom.  But there are situations where you can’t walk closer to your subject.  Filming wildlife, concerts, Being at the crevice of the Grand Canyon, etc. This seems like a harsh rule.  Are there exceptions?

2) You tell people to keep their shots under 10 seconds long. Filming a music performance, I often find myself on a subject for 11 or 12 seconds.  Is this an absolute rule for you?

Seems like there should be some area for adjustment

… Read the rest
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Steve Stockman
In Tips and Tricks, For Pros

The Secret to Compelling Video: Add Information

I talk a lot about how keeping your shots short makes your video more intriguing.

This video, from Walk Off the Earth is the exception that proves the rule.  We can learn a lot by looking at why it works.

Most film consists of short shots because we process visual information fast– microseconds fast.  Once we’ve processed all the visual information in front of us, we’re hungry for more.  That’s why your eyes (unless you’re staring at a screen) flit from one thing to another all the time: the rearview mirror, the wife, the road ahead, the speedometer, the road … Read the rest

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Steve Stockman
In Examples from the Book

Shoot Short Shots? There are No Rules (p. 106)

An example from  How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck (p. 106)

I tell people to shoot short shots because (a) our brains process information so fast that long shots are likely to be boring and (b) most new videographers don’t know how to do it.

Then I get email that refers to “the rule of shooting short shots.” So let’s be real clear: This is creativity, baby.  There ain’t no rules. But you do need to learn how to shoot short shots.  Instead of focusing on “rules” that there are penalties for breaking, think in terms of … Read the rest

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Steve Stockman
In 12 Tips to Improve Your Video NOW

12 Tips to Keep Your Video from Sucking– Instantly! #1: Think in Shots

This is the first of the 12 most useful video tips that I know.

Notice I didn’t say “most important”– that’s up to you to decide.  But if you try these tips, your video will get way better, way fast.  Which seems pretty useful to me.  Here’s Video Tip #1:

There was a man sitting near me at my kids’ cello recital last month. He had his camera on a tripod in front of him. At the start of the recital, he pressed record. For the next 45 minutes, he swung his camera back and forth, back and forth across … Read the rest

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Steve Stockman
In Examples from the Book

Short Shots Add Up (p. 106)

From How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck, Page 106:

Cutting makes us pay attention. Each cut to a new shot forces our brains to figure out what we’re looking at and what it means. We’re more engaged in what we’re watching because we have to work to understand it. Short shots make us participants instead of passive viewers.

Strong, focused shots actually convey more information to the viewer. Little parts add up to a deeper, richer whole. Check out this famous milk commercial that made director Michael Bay’s career: Each short shot gives us another hilarious detail … Read the rest

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