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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
I'm finding it tricky to video myself doing a C&B routine. I like to stand, so that's more difficult. If I frame the pic to get the table top AND my head, the cups and balls look smaller than I'd like. To get a good shot of the cups, I lose the part of the routine that includes much of the showmanship and misdirection.
Any video-philes out there have tips for lenses, techniques, angles or whatever? |
J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
What's the purpose of the video? If it is to check yourself while rehearsing then why worry about getting your head in the shot? If this is for publication somewhere, then you might want to look into a good video production person. I don’t know that you can get advice good enough to make a professional video shoot here on the forum. (Though I could be wrong - it's been known to happen!)
Jim |
kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
Tripod. Get a freaking tripod with pan and tilt. About 35 bucks at your local electronics store.
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Larry Barnowsky Inner circle Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from 4770 Posts |
Tripod and wide angle lens.
Or stand in a hole behind your table so your head is lower. |
BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-01-26 14:48, kentfgunn wrote: Jeepers, thanks, Kent. I was having a big trouble doing the routine and standing across the room at the same time. Your suggestion makes it all so "freaking" simple. (Really ???????) |
Bulla Special user Honolulu, HI 674 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-01-26 16:19, BeThePlunk wrote: Unfortunately sarcasm like that will just cause people to not answer or reply. First of all, what type of camera are you working with? |
kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
I apologize for my terse response. I didn't understand the difficulties you were having.
If you have enough space, try moving the camera back, on the tripod you obviously already have. If you have funds available, and the time to shop, you may need a camera with a better lens. I did work for Nikon for about ten years. They make a huge number of cameras that take video as well. If, by chance you've a Nikon Camera, I'd love to help you with any questions you could have. If you have any modern SLR camera it will probably take videos. This gives you access to all the lenses in your camera bag. (Shh Don't tell my pals at Nikon this, but Canon is winning this war) If you're shooting with a conventional video camera, and I'm being serious here, you'll have to experiment for the shot you want. Even when you get everything in frame you want to, you've work left to do. Lighting your shots is probably as tough, or tougher than getting a single camera framed in. You can use the garage lights you can find at home depot or Lowe's. There's a real wealth of information on the internet on how to shoot video effectively. You probably won't run into any rude magicians there either. The camera in your cell phone could have capabilities that will astound you. I'd look for apps for your cellphone that enhance its ability to shoot video. With a little gaffers tape and one of those spider-leg looking holders for your phone, you can mount that puppy right onto your tripod. Again, My apologies. I don't know all that much about magic. I have a working knowledge of optics and SLR cameras though. My small amount of knowledge made me momentarily a bigger jerk than I normally am. PS - Best website ever on cameras. (SLR-type not video) http://www.kenrockwell.com/ Kent |
Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
I do some video production and a lot of video editing.
If I understand your problem correctly, you have 2 options. 1) A 2 camera shoot with multi camera editing to a single performance video. One camera zoomed in on the C&B routine and the 2nd camera zoomed Out to capture your showmanship. Or 2) Recording 2 performances as similar as possible with one camera and then editing to make it look like a single performance. One recording zoomed in and the 2nd a wide shot In both cases the key is good editing. If you're doing this for yourself. Just record one session zoomed in on the C&B and repeat zoomed out or a wide shot.
Ihor
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Thanks, All, for the wealth of advice and options you've offered. What's up is that I want to video a routine to post on this forum, and I want it to be as good as I can figure out how to make it.
I apologize for the sarcasm in my earlier post. I don't like to see that stuff myself, and I should have exercised some restraint. And, Kent, I think your nostalgic multi-colored ball routine is quite fine, so I think you're being modest when you say you don't know much about magic. Thanks again, All. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Do like I do.
One method is camera (FLIP MODEL) on a tripod and shoot just the table area. Using Windows Movie Maker I can edit out the first few seconds while I walk into scene. Same with finish. Other way, if I want to show spectators and overall, I have a friend (Usually Scott Jenkins) shoot hand held and zoom in and out as needed.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
Thanks, Pete. It does seem that routines are best shown as a combination of wider and closer shots. Good suggestions there. Those flip phones are deceptively powerful.
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kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
If you can get someone to run the camera for you, you can do it all in a continuous performance.
Pull out some performance videos you like. See how the shots go. Get your sig-other or a pal to run the zoom control on the camera for you, as you perform. Start wide . . . have your camera-person follow the small sequence of instructions you right down for them, like tight shots on important parts of the routine . . . It'll take about a gazillion takes before you're happy. Be careful on the zooming, don't do it often or rapidly. Lighting . . . get some lights. |
TheRaven Special user 597 Posts |
IHop's options plus have a friend shoot are pretty much your choices.
You will find editing is a fair amount of work and time consuming. The easiest solution is to have a friend shoot. |
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