Making Better Movies with Your Camcorder

You've spent the time and energy to plan, block, and compose the shot. You've set the lights, and prepared the sound. Now it's finally time to start shooting. As the director, it is time for you to take charge. Before you press the red button on the camcorder, you need to let everyone know who is in control.

If you are shooting dialog and have control of the location, you should first make sure that everything is as quiet as possible: all talking and noises stop. You might need to speak up to get everyone's attention. Then, inform everyone that you are about to roll and that everyone should go to their places; you can say "stand by" or "first positions." When everyone is quiet and waiting, start the camcorder and inform the group that the camera is "rolling," or "rolling and recording." When you are ready, cue the actors to begin the shot by announcing "action."

The type of shot will dictate how much direction you need to give before you start rolling. If you are shooting real life and want the shot to seem unplanned, you may not want to give any warning at all. Do whatever it takes to get the shot. It may require setting up 50 feet away from the subject and giving no direction; it may mean setting up one foot away and jabbing the subject with a stick. In either case, a director's job is to get the shot, and you go about that anyway you see fit.

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