Videography has become a vast creative field. It is a profit-centred skill high in demand. It would be best to learn some basics to polish your videography skills. It is not just about recording an image. When you enter the professional field, you will realize it is a more complex process than recording and uploading. You can surely spot the difference in your videography from a professional one. It has a captivating feel to it. Various media schools in Singapore are offering videography courses. Art schools like the Academy of Design Arts and Media Singapore (ADAM) are well-known for their videography course in Singapore.
Here is a complete guide for beginners to learn about the essential elements of videography.
The Three Essential Phases of Videography
There are three essential phases of videography that can help in systematic working and production. It will assist you in keeping track of your tasks. Every phase has its importance. Compromising any phase will affect the results of your production. Here are the three main phases:
- Pre-Production
- Production
- Post-Production
The Pre-Production
The pre-production phase is your homework and planning what and how you want to execute your ideas. There are various types of videography, but these phases are basic to all. This is your planning phase that will decide the quality and success of the other two phases. It includes the following elements:
- Script-writing: A successful video project has a stunning storyline. It is crucial to write down your script and also prepare a storyboard. It will help you decide the angles and shots that need to be taken during the production phase.
- Budgeting: It is vital to allocate a budget for production expenses. It will decide the amount and quality of resources you can utilize for production.
- Cast and Crew: According to your script, you have to choose the acting talents and supporting crew for your production.
- Logistics: You might have to travel during your shoot. Determine your transportation and also add its estimated cost to your budget
- Location: According to your script, find the perfect location for the shoot. Some locations require prior permission to allow recording. It is best to survey before production to avoid inconvenience.
- Equipment: You might need a specific costume or object for your audience. According to your script, make a list of accessories like lights, an extra camera, tripod.
Production
Once you have fully structured your pre-production phase, it is time for some light, camera, and action! Here comes the actual recording part. You will fully execute your pre-production plan. Learning through a media school in Singapore will help you get professional dealing.
During the shoot, you must keep in mind about:
- Sound: It is best to use professional mikes to ensure good sound recording and noise reduction.
- Lights: According to the scene, lighting must be adjusted. It significantly impacts the feel of the shot. Some scenes might require a dimmer or a brighter light to depict certain emotions.
- Angles and shots: There are multiple types of shots like over the shoulder, point of view, and more. Each shot carries a specific purpose. Directors are now extremely creative in capturing beautifully. You can play and try new angles to enhance a scene.
Post-Production and Distribution
The post-production phase is where you assemble your shots into a proper film or video. The final footage is created through video editing. Videography courses in Singapore will also teach you the essentials of video editing. Media schools like the Academy of Design Arts and Media (ADAM) Singapore are known to teach exceptional video editing.
Majorly, Adobe premiere is used for a video compilation. You will require a computer processor that can handle heavy files and rendering.
Video editing includes:
- The infusion of sound or background music.
- Merging scenes according to the storyboard and color grading.
- Adjusting basic visual effects to create an enthralling piece of visual art.
Depending upon the type of videography, if it needs distribution, the marketers will advertise, and the video will be distributed through digital media platforms.
Are All Videography Phases Equally Important?
Successful videography is based upon thorough planning and execution of every phase. Flaws in any of the three phases will affect the final product. Poor pre-planning might lead to mishaps, uncalculated expenses, misguidance in storyboarding, or a bad narrative that cannot be fixed in post-production. Flaws in video recording might fail to deliver the storyline. Abysmal post-production can lead to the audience losing interest in watching the film. Who would like to watch a video with faulty editing and sound?
Learning through the Academy of Design Arts and Media (ADAM) Singapore will enable you to execute each phase efficiently. Their professional trainers will help you identify possible flaws and give you valuable suggestions for improvement. Once you master the basics, you can go wild on creativity and excel in visual arts and videography.
