Joy Robertson
"Personal Portraits"
KOLR-TV
Springfield, MO
417.862.6397
Check out some of my stories on our website:
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/personalportraits
Shooting a story alone – with a tiny digital camcorder – has its advantages. For a few years now I've been shooting pieces tagged ‘Personal Portraits' this way and they are aptly named – the camcorder adds a personal fly-on-the-wall touch, and the story subject tends to relax… almost to the point they forget I'm recording. You can capture offbeat moments and remarks you might miss otherwise.
The tiny camera fits nicely into my purse or bag, or just over the shoulder. There's a small light which I can use, and a ‘night shot' setting if the situation calls for it. I still shoot to Digital Hi-8 tape, and each tape will allow an hour of video. The batteries last well over an hour, and try to make sure they're always charged… but I'm not shy about plugging into the wall if I get desperate.
I rarely use a tripod, but keep a small, collapsible one around just in case. I also have a tabletop tripod (cheap, but effective… heck, you can even get the camera at Wal-Mart – I did!) and use that sometimes to set on a tabletop for interviews.
The camcorder's small size and quick access allows me to shoot what I want, when I want. Sometimes you'll run across a story unexpectedly, and you're always ready to go.
SOME TIPS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER:
-
Try to shoot in the best light possible – don't be shy to ask if you can turn lots of lights on, move closer to a window or shoot outside. People will generally do whatever you ask.
-
I like to interview people as they work… you get great comments this way. Toss questions their way when they least expect them.
-
Use the camcorder's outside monitor when you shoot – this way you can glance at it, but also keep eye contact with your subject. In bright outdoor light you may have no choice but to use the viewfinder. If you find yourself running low on battery, close the monitor and look through the viewfinder. This will help extend your battery life.
-
Get in close to the subject for an interview. The sound is better this way… but you'll be amazed at how the effective the camcorder's built-in microphone is at catching nat sound some distance away, too.
-
Roll on nearly everything. You'll overshoot but will get wonderful off-the-cuff moments.
-
Be aware of temperature! Don't keep the camcorder inside the air-conditioned house all night then expect to shoot immediately in the heat and humidity.
-
Turn the camcorder's monitor backward if you can, 180-degrees (pointing the same direction as the lens) to see yourself as you shoot 2-shots or stand-ups.
-
If your subject is in front of a bright background, hit the ‘backlight' button if you have one to keep the subject from being ‘blacked' out. Sometimes the backlight button helps in the most unexpected places. Try it, and see if your shot looks better, but remember to turn it off when you're finished.
-
Include some of your comments and questions in the story – this adds to the ‘home video' feel and makes the story seem even more ‘real.' Chances are, if the audience were seeing the same thing you are, they'd ask too.
-
If someone gives you a chuckle for showing up at a crime scene or other big story with a camcorder, ignore them and get in there and shoot… show ‘em how quick, smart and effective you can be as a journalist with this tiny but powerful piece of technology.
Some of my favorite stories on the website:
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/personalportraits
Hoggin' with Crowbar
People Watching
Protecting Loggerheads (this was shot on a whim, on vacation)
The ‘Family Ties' series
‘Memories in the Making'
All the ‘Jeane St. Clair' stories about Hospice
Gloria's Thanksgiving Story
A Whole New World – Cochlear Implant
Umbilical Stem Cells Transplant
Julie Johnson – Gastric Bypass
