This workshop will be for camera testing – it’s a good chance for you group to get hands-on with some gear, and while it’s important that you have some time to experiment, we want to follow a bit of structure to get the most out of it.

To get started, we’ll split into our groups.  Then, 2 groups will use the MC50s, and the other 2 groups will stay and set up the x200 kits.  Then we’ll swap half way through the workshop.

MC50 groups:

Start by making a quick plan about how to use the time.  While these kits are simple, they offer all the necessary manual controls, and also have a wired lapel mic that you can use.  Your group should consider:

• Coverage: frame up Singles (CU, MCU), 2 Shot (MS), Establishing (WS), how will audio work with these?
• Lighting: use available, think about Jake and Amir as an example
• What about movement? Will everything be on the tripod/locked off?  I would recommend this, handheld is difficult to get right, but try both out
• What are the roles?  Director, DOP/Camera, Sound, Talent, is that all?  Rotate roles as well

You’re free to shoot whatever you like, but one idea might be to re-shoot the scripted scene from week 2, now that you’ve had some time to think about how to improve it.  Please return to the classroom no later than 11:45 So that you can transfer the footage onto a laptop.

x200 groups

In today’s session we may only have time to get acquainted with these kits.  If so that’s fine – the idea is to get the basics down, then you’ll need to borrow the gear and practise in your own time.  This not a suggestion, it’s essential!

Firstly, I’ve updated the x200 Handbook for our studio.

We’ll go through:

• Basic setup:
  • Safety first! One person per task ALWAYS
  • Tripod setup
  • Battery
  • Power On
  • Insert Memory Cards
• Audio: why do this first?
  • Shotgun Mic
  • Boom Pole
  • XLR cable
  • Headphones
• Lens control block: 3 rings, what are they?
• Frame & Focus
• White Balance: why & how
• Frame & Focus
• Exposure
• Frame & Focus
• What happens if:
  • Lighting conditions are changing?
  • Subject is moving toward/away from us?
  • Everyone is on set all at once?
  • Boom operator is in front of camera (can’t see levels/cans don’t reach?)

Then we’ll have some time for a quick run through, and transfer the footage onto your laptop.  Consider the roles that you need with this kit – there is a lot to learn and a lot that can go wrong.  Every group member should be practising on this kit at least once a week from now on.

Wrap:

• Arrange a time for you production crew to meet and practise on the x200 kit
• Make sure someone books the kit!
• Read the protocol for ‘calling the shots‘ on set
• Compare your tests from each camera and see how they are different
• Write a reflection on the 2 kits and the differences between them; what are the advantages/limitations of each?