How to get started in digital video shooting and editing

In a digital age, video content has become an important medium for communication, marketing and creative expression. Whether you're a graphic designer looking to expand your skill set or a marketing professional aiming to create engaging content, understanding the basics of digital video shooting and editing can significantly enhance your professional capabilities. This guide will walk you through the fundamental steps to begin your journey into the world of digital video production.

Understanding the basics of video production

Before diving into the technical aspects, it's crucial to grasp the basic concepts of video production. Video production typically involves three main stages:

1. Pre-production: Planning and preparation
2. Production: The actual shooting of the video
3. Post-production: Editing and finalising the video

Each stage plays a critical role in creating a high-quality video and understanding the workflow can help you manage your projects more effectively.

Pre-production

This stage involves all the planning and preparation before you start filming. It includes:

• Conceptualising your video idea
• Writing a script or outline
• Creating a storyboard
• Scouting locations
• If you have actors or presenters, casting them
• Preparing a shot list
• Organising equipment and crew

Production

This is where you actually shoot your video. Key aspects include:

• Setting up equipment
• Directing actors or presenters
• Operating the camera
• Managing lighting
• Recording audio
• Ensuring continuity between shots

Post-production

After filming, you enter the post-production phase, which involves:

• Reviewing and organising footage
• Editing video and audio
• Adding special effects and graphics
• Colour grading
• Adding music and sound effects
• Finalising and exporting the video

Understanding this workflow helps you approach your video projects systematically and ensures you don't overlook crucial steps.

Essential equipment for beginners

While professional video production can involve expensive equipment, beginners can start with relatively modest gear:

Camera

Smartphone: Modern smartphones can capture high-quality video and are an excellent starting point for beginners. Many recent models can shoot in 4K resolution and offer features such as slow-motion and time-lapse. The more recent iPhones and Android phones can shoot in Dolby Vision HDR, providing exceptional colour and contrast.

DSLR or mirrorless camera: These offer more control over settings and generally produce higher quality footage. Entry-level models such as the Canon EOS series or Sony Alpha series provide excellent video capabilities at a reasonable price point.

Dedicated video camera: Provides features specifically designed for video shooting, such as built-in ND filters, XLR inputs for professional audio and longer recording times. The Panasonic HC-X2000E is a popular choice for beginners stepping into professional videography.

Audio

External microphone: Improves sound quality significantly compared to built-in camera microphones. The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is a popular on-camera shotgun microphone that provides clear, directional audio.

Lavalier microphone: Ideal for interviews or dialogue-heavy scenes. The Rode SmartLav+ is a cost-effective option that can connect directly to smartphones.

Audio recorder: For more control over audio, consider a separate audio recorder such as the Zoom H4n Pro. This allows you to record high-quality audio independently of your camera.

Lighting

Natural light: Learning to use available light effectively is a valuable skill. Understanding concepts such as the golden hour (the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset) can help you capture beautifully lit footage without additional equipment.

LED panels: Provide consistent, adjustable lighting for indoor shoots. Both Kenro and SmallRig offer a range of compact, powerful LED lights that's suitable for beginners..

Reflectors: A simple, affordable way to control light. A 5-in-1 reflector kit can help you bounce light, soften harsh shadows or add warmth to your scenes.

Stabilisation

Tripod: Essential for steady shots. Look for a tripod with a fluid head for smooth pans and tilts. The Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head with 190X aluminium tripod legs is a solid choice for beginners.

Gimbal: Allows for smooth handheld movement. The DJI Ronin-SC is a popular choice for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, while the DJI OM 4 is designed for smartphones.

Handheld rig: For run-and-gun style shooting, a handheld rig can provide stability while maintaining mobility. The SmallRig handheld camera cage is an affordable option for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Pre-production: Planning your shoot

Effective pre-production can make the difference between a polished video and an amateurish one. Key steps include:

Scripting and storyboarding

• Write a clear script outlining the content of your video. This should include dialogue, narration and descriptions of visual elements.
• Create a storyboard to visualise each shot. This doesn't need to be artistically perfect
• even simple sketches can help you plan your shots and communicate your vision to others.
• Consider using storyboarding software such as Storyboarder, which is free and user-friendly. If you already use Microsoft Word, that will also be more than good enough.

Location scouting

• Choose locations that suit your video's theme and are practical for shooting.
• Consider factors such as lighting, acoustics and potential interruptions.
• Take test shots at different times of day to understand how the light changes.
• Check for any necessary permits or permissions required for filming.

Shot list

• Prepare a detailed list of shots you need to capture.
• Include information such as camera angles, movements and required equipment.
• Organise your shot list in a logical order to maximise efficiency during the shoot.
• Consider using shot list templates or apps such as Shot Lister to streamline this process.

Equipment checklist

• Create a comprehensive list of all equipment needed for your shoot.
• Include backup batteries, memory cards and any necessary adapters or cables.
• If renting equipment, book in advance and familiarise yourself with the gear before the shoot day.

Production schedule

• Create a detailed schedule for your shoot day(s).
• Allow buffer time for setup, transitions between locations and any potential delays.
• Share the schedule with all team members or participants in advance.

Production: Shooting your video

With your pre-production complete, it's time to start shooting. Here are some key techniques to keep in mind:

Composition techniques

Rule of thirds: Divide your frame into a 3x3 grid and place key elements along the lines or at their intersections. This creates a more balanced and visually appealing composition.

Leading lines: Use natural lines in the environment to guide the viewer's eye. This could be a road, a fence or any linear element in your scene.

Framing: Use elements in the foreground to frame your subject. This adds depth to your shot and draws attention to your main subject.

Headroom: Ensure there's appropriate space above your subject's head. Too much or too little can make your composition feel unbalanced.

Look space: When filming a subject looking or moving in a particular direction, leave space in the frame for them to look or move into.

Camera movements

Pan: Horizontal camera movement. Use a fluid head tripod for smooth pans.

Tilt: Vertical camera movement. Again, a fluid head tripod is crucial for smooth tilts.

Dolly: Moving the entire camera towards or away from the subject. This can be achieved with a dolly, slider or even a wheelchair for budget setups.

Zoom: Changing the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or farther away. Be cautious with digital zoom as it can reduce image quality.

Handheld: Can add a sense of immediacy or tension to a scene. Use a shoulder rig or gimbal for more stability.

Lighting techniques

Three-point lighting: A basic setup using key light (main light on the subject), fill light (softer light to fill in shadows) and back light (to separate the subject from the background).

Natural light: Learn to position your subject relative to windows or outdoor light sources. A north-facing window often provides soft, consistent light.

Practical lights: These are light sources that appear in the frame, such as lamps or candles. They can add depth and atmosphere to your scene.

Colour temperature: Understand how different light sources have different colour temperatures. Use white balance settings or gels to correct or creatively use these differences.

Audio recording

• Use external microphones whenever possible for better sound quality.
• Monitor audio levels to avoid distortion or low volume.
• Consider using a boom mic for wide shots where a lavalier mic would be visible.
• Always record room tone (the ambient sound of the location) for use in post-production.

Directing talent

• Provide clear, concise directions to your on-camera talent.
• Do multiple takes to ensure you have options in post-production.
• Encourage natural performances by creating a relaxed atmosphere on set.

Post-production: Editing your footage

Once you've captured your footage, the editing process begins. This is where your raw footage is transformed into a cohesive video.

Choosing editing software

For beginners, user-friendly options include:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Industry-standard software with a wide range of features and integrations with other Adobe products.
• Final Cut Pro X (for Mac users): Known for its speed and optimisation for Mac hardware.
• DaVinci Resolve: Offers a powerful free version with professional-grade colour correction tools.
• iMovie (for Mac users): A free, simple option for those just starting out.
• Capcut: A free, open-source option available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

Organising your footage

• Create a logical folder structure for your project files.
• Import and organise your footage within your editing software.
• Create bins or folders to categorise your clips (e.g.. by scene, date or camera angle).

Basic editing techniques

Cutting and trimming: Remove unnecessary footage and arrange clips in the desired order. Use keyboard shortcuts (such as J, K, L for playback control) to speed up your workflow.

Transitions: Use cuts, fades and other transitions to move between scenes smoothly. Be cautious not to overuse elaborate transitions, as they can distract from your content.

Audio editing: Adjust audio levels, remove background noise and add music or sound effects. Use keyframes to fine-tune audio levels throughout your video.

Colour correction: Adjust the colour balance and exposure of your footage for a consistent look. Start with basic adjustments (white balance, exposure, contrast) before moving on to more advanced colour grading.

Adding graphics and text

• Create title cards and lower thirds to provide context and information.
• Use motion graphics to illustrate concepts or add visual interest.
• Ensure text is legible by using appropriate fonts, sizes and contrast with the background.

Exporting your video

• Choose the appropriate export settings based on your intended platform (e.g.. YouTube, Vimeo, social media).
• Consider creating multiple versions optimised for different platforms.
• Use appropriate codecs and bitrates to balance quality and file size.

Advanced techniques to explore

As you become more comfortable with the basics, consider exploring these advanced techniques:

Green screen compositing

Green screen (or chroma key) allows you to replace the background of your footage with any image or video. This technique requires:

• A well-lit, evenly coloured green (or blue) screen
• Careful lighting to avoid shadows or spill on your subject
• Software capable of chroma keying, such as Adobe After Effects or DaVinci Resolve

Motion tracking

This technique allows you to track the movement of objects in your video and attach other elements to them. Uses include:

• Adding text or graphics that follow a moving object
• Stabilising shaky footage
• Creating complex visual effects

Software such as Adobe After Effects and Mocha Pro offer powerful motion tracking capabilities.

360-degree video

Capture immersive, spherical video that viewers can explore from different angles. This requires:

• A 360-degree camera such as the Insta360 ONE X2 or GoPro MAX
• Specialised editing software capable of handling 360-degree footage
• Understanding of 360-degree composition and viewer experience design

Multicam editing

For projects involving multiple camera angles, such as interviews or live events, multicam editing allows you to sync and switch between different camera feeds efficiently. Most professional editing software offers multicam editing features.

Tips for continuous improvement

To continually enhance your skills in digital video production:

• Study films and videos you admire, analysing their techniques. Pay attention to shot composition, lighting, pacing and sound design.
• Practice regularly, even if it's just short clips. Set yourself challenges, such as creating a 30-second story or experimenting with a new technique each week.
• Join online communities and forums to share your work and get feedback. Platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube have active creator communities, while sites like NoFilmSchool offer valuable resources and discussions.
• Stay updated with new technologies and techniques in the field. Follow industry blogs, attend workshops or webinars and experiment with new tools as they become available.
• Collaborate with others. Working with other creators can expose you to new techniques and perspectives, helping you grow as a filmmaker.
• Build a portfolio of your work. Regularly update it with your best pieces to showcase your skills and track your progress over time.

Conclusion

Getting started in digital video shooting and editing can seem daunting but with the right approach and consistent practice, you can quickly develop valuable skills. Begin with the basics, focusing on composition, lighting and sound. As you progress, experiment with more advanced techniques and equipment.

Remember that mastering digital video production is an ongoing journey. The field is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging regularly. Staying current requires a commitment to continuous learning and practice. While this guide provides a solid foundation, truly excelling in digital video production requires hands-on experience and specialised knowledge that comes with time and dedication. You may also want to consider a professional training course such as the 'Digital Video Introduction - Shooting and Editing' course from Transmedia! (See link below).

As you continue to develop your skills, you'll find that digital video production opens up new creative possibilities and enhances your ability to communicate visually. Whether you're creating content for marketing campaigns, designing multimedia experiences or pursuing personal creative projects, the skills you develop in video shooting and editing will prove invaluable in today's digital world.