Shortform TV reporting
What is electronic news gathering?
Typically short and broadcast immediately with the two main elements: a-roll and b-roll.
What is A-roll?
The video and audio clips that contain the key speaker/interviews.
What is B-roll?
The video and audio that provides atmosphere and context.
What is Electronic Field Production?
Typically more polished and pre-planned for broadcast.
What is a total/wide shot?
Shows the subject and its surroundings.
What is a medium shot?
Shows the subject from the waist up and part of the background.
What is a close-up shot?
Shows a particular part of a subject with more detail, like framing a subject from shoulders up.
What is an extreme close-up shot?
The image being shot is a part of a whole, such as an eye or a hand.
What are jumpers in video production?
Abrupt visual inconsistencies or mismatched transitions between shots that disrupt the flow and continuity of the video (e.g., frames that are too similar or breaking the 360° rule).
What is the left/right principle?
When interviewing someone, the interviewer should be on one side of the camera, and the interviewee on the other. Alternate sides in multiple interviews to avoid jump cuts.
What is a camera pan?
Horizontal motion to shoot landscapes or transitions.
What is a camera tilt?
Vertical motion to shoot tall objects or gradually shift focus.
What is a camera lift?
When the camera moves vertically up or down, often to follow motion or change perspective.
What is camera travel (walking shot)?
When the camera moves along with a subject as they walk, maintaining consistent framing.
What is the rule of thirds?
Dividing the screen into three rows and columns, placing key parts of the shot where lines cross for balance.
What is the 360° rule?
Allows the camera to move 360° around a subject but never cross the 360° line.
What are the camera levels used in TV journalism?
Eye level, high angle, and low angle.
What effect does an upwards camera angle have on the viewer?
It conveys power, importance, and authority.
What effect does a downwards camera angle have on the viewer?
It conveys powerlessness and distress.
What is an over-the-shoulder shot?
A shot from behind one person, focusing on the subject or action in front, often used in interviews.
What is a POV shot?
A shot showing the scene from a specific person's perspective, giving viewers a sense of immersion.
What is parallel movement?
Depth movement where the subject moves closer or further from the camera.
What are front, mid, and back plans?
Front Plan: Closest to the camera, often the main subject.
Mid Plan: Middle layer, further from the camera.
Back Plan: Furthest, providing background context.
What is the 180° rule?
Restricts the camera to stay on one side of the imaginary line between two main subjects.
What does the focal ratio affect?
The focus of the camera; a smaller "f" value creates a blurrier background.
What happens in the pre-production phase?
Planning: scriptwriting, hiring cast/crew, scouting locations, and scheduling.
What happens in the production phase?
Filming: capturing all raw footage.
What happens in the post-production phase?
Editing and finishing the video.
What is a one-man crew?
Just the journalist.
What is a three-man crew?
Journalist, cameraman, and audio technician.
What are rushes?
Raw, unedited footage shot during filming.
What is the color temperature for a candle flame?
1000-2000K.
What is the color temperature for domestic lighting?
2500-3000K.
What is the color temperature for early AM/late PM?
3000-4000K.
What is the color temperature for fluorescent light?
4000-5000K.
What is the color temperature for electronic flash?
5000-5500K.
What is the color temperature for average daylight?
5500-6500K.
What is the color temperature for noon sunlight?
6000-7000K.
What is the color temperature for a cloudy sky/shade?
6500-8000K.
What is the color temperature for a clear blue sky?
10,000-15,000K.
What is the purpose of expanded focus?
To get closer to the subject.
Which camera button checks sharpness?
Focus assist.
What is an establishing shot, and how is it shot best?
A powerful image to set the mood for your video, often a wide shot.