INTRO TO VIDEO PRODUCTION AND THE CAMERA

AIM: This lesson provides the student with an introduction to the video camera. Issues of camera care and personal safety are treated.

GEAR REQUIRED: At least 1 video camera

INTRO

The video camera is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment. It gives the user the ability to express themselves, to make people laugh or cry, to challenge or just to entertain. Cameras range in price from around $1000 to over $100,000. Because of their ever shrinking size they are increasingly easy to sit on, drop or even steal. The moral of the story is simple:- the camera can be your greatest friend but if you don't look after it it will not be there for you to use tomorrow.

There are a few basic rules that you can follow to ensure a happy relationship between you and your camera (and your teacher). The over-riding rule is to always be careful and always use your common sense.

RULES OF CAMERA USE

1. Always take a great deal of care
2. Make sure your camera is securely attached to the tripod if you are using one
3. Don't leave or place the camera where it may be knocked over or bumped
4. If the camera is attached to a power supply ensure the cables are out of the way
5. Don't leave a camera in the sun or in a place where it will be subject to excessive heat, eg. the back of a car
6. It is not good to leave the tape in a camera when it is not in use for an extended period of time, it can damage the tape heads
7. Cameras work on electricity, electricity likes water, if you get the camera wet at the least it will go nuke!!, at the worst so will you!!!! This includes any cables used.
8. Thou shalt definitely not point the camera at the sun. This may seem obvious but it's not that hard to do. It most often happens when carrying the camera between shoots, face up, without a lens cap.
9. Keep an eye on your camera all the time it is in your possession. Especially important in public. Cameras are small and can be taken quickly, unfortunately it happens.
10. If the camera is damaged in any way while you are using it, let the appropriate person know, don't go into the home repair business!
11. When you are finished with the camera, pack it away properly.

These guidelines are not an exhaustive list, however they cover the main points. Copy them into your book and see if you can add to them.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Personal safety issues are extremely important and mostly underrated when it comes to using cameras. We lose several good camera operators each year due to accidents that with little thought could have been avoided.

The main issue revolves around the fact that as you look through the camera it is easy to feel that your feet are where your camera is pointing. It is not difficult to walk in front of a bus ( personal experience), off a cliff or off a stage if you are moving around while shooting. The solution is easy. If you need to move while shooting, have a friend guide you. We should all take responsibility for each others safety.

Your camera can become one of your closest friends. Following some of these guidelines will ensure that the friendship is long lived.

Take the camera out of its case and get a feel for how it works then pack it away

...... more next lesson.