Digital Media Technology

Construct the Primary Audio Narrative. The primary audio portion of a program is often constructed first by inserting the spoken word or performance-based segments of a story such as dialog, sound bites, narration, and voiceovers into the timeline in sequential order from the beginning to the end. Insert B-Roll and Natural Sound.  After the primary audio portion of the narrative in place, the editor has to jump back to the head of the timeline to begin inserting B-Roll and natural sound. Insert Titles and Graphics. Once all your video clips are in position in the timeline the editor can begin inserting lower-thirds and graphics. Add Sound Effects and Music. Not every project requires music and sound effects, but when including them in a project, it is usually better to hold off doing so until the basic structure of the story is sufficiently developed. Add Transitions and Effects. Once all of the clips have been inserted into the timeline and the ed...

Sound Bites are "constructed" by editors during postproduction and can be as short s a single word or several sentences long. The average length of a sound bite on network news programs is les than ten seconds. Sound bites should be kept to under twenty seconds. Stand-Ups can be used as an alternative to a voiceover or in combination with it. A stand-up can be used to perform a visual demonstration, stress a key point, or take the viewer on a brief walking tour. Narration is the act of telling a story, usually in some kind of chronological order. Natural Sound is the synchronized audio portion of a video recording that is acquired when shooting B-Roll. Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass.

Establishing shot Wide shot Medium shot Close-Up Extreme Close-up Over the shoulder shot Proper lead-room (or nose-room) Proper headroom Bird's eye view High Angle Neutral Angle Low Angle Worm's view

When filming a scene with multiple cameras or camera setups, the videographer needs to be sure to shoot from the same side of the 180-line every time. The 180-line is an imaginary vector connecting the two subjects. Crossing the line will result in a reverse shot, making it appear to the viewer that one of the subjects in the shot has suddenly switched positions or changed direction.

Key light is the brightest source and the main provider of subject illumination. Fill light is the positioned at an opposite angle to key light in front of the subject and is intended to compensate for falloff by softening the dark shadows created by the key light without eliminating them entirely. Backlight helps separate the subject from the background by accentuating the contours of the subject's hair and shoulders.

Five Tips for Shooting an Effective Interview: 1. Position the camera, interviewer, and interviewee at eye level in relation to one another. If the interviewee has to look up or down at the interviewer, the viewer will realize that something is wrong and will become distracted. 2. Avoid placing the interviewee in front of a window. A darkened backlight image due to a window can diminish facial details, shape, and depth. 3. Follow the rule of thirds by placing the subject to the right or left of the center. Placing the subject to the right or left can produce a stronger and more visually pleasing composition. 4. Have the subject look slightly off-axis to the camera and never directly head-on. The subject should maintain eye contact with the interviewer as in a normal conversation. 5. Avoid swivel chairs. When a subject swivels in a chair, it distracts the viewer because the subjects eyes are darting back and forth unnaturally.

There are four variables that work together to determine a camera's field of view: camera location, camera angle, subject location, and focal length. 1. Camera Location The term point of view refers to the position of the camera in relation to the subject and is determined by physical location and angle. Camera location is key for a videographer to consider because it helps give to viewer a more interesting point of view. Before a videographer settles on a camera location, he or she should walk around to observe different vantage points to see which one offers the greatest potential. A videographer should work to eliminate unsightly background mergers and he or she should think of the camera location as the first opportunity to simplify the shot by selectively cropping out unwanted visual elements from the frame with the goal of improving subject isolation and emphasis. 2. Camera Angle Television reporters and documentary filmmakers often shoot at an eye-level camera a...

1.  Why should you use an external microphone? There are four main reasons why people should use external microphones. People can select the best type of microphone from a vast assortment of professional mics to fit the recording setting, subject, and application. The user will have greater control over the placement of the mic and its proximity to the subject. A professional external microphone will have better sound recording specs than the built-in mic attached to a device. Professional external microphones use a balanced XLR connector, which is better for reducing RF interference and other types of transmission noise. 2. What are the two ways to monitor your audio recording?  the objective act of measuring sound intensity and setting record levels using a VU meter the subjective act of listening to the audio signal with headphones or speakers while the signal is being recorded

There are four main styles of microphones: handheld, lavalier, shotgun, and boundary mics. Handheld mics are designed for the talent or performer to hold during a recording. Reporters use handheld mics for standup interviews or conducting field interviews. Handheld mics are commonly used mics for performers. Lavalier mics are designed for hands-free operation. Reporters commonly use lavalier mics for sit-down interviews, and lavaliers are popular among speakers who want the freedom to walk and talk at the same time without having to hold a microphone or stand behind a podium. Shotgun microphones are among the most directional microphones and they feature a condenser element with an extremely narrow pickup pattern. Shotgun mics are helpful in complicated mic situations where more than one person is speaking. In a situation where more than one actor is speaking, production crews often use shotgun microphones to clearly pick up all of the actors' voices instead of...