Fundamental purposes of the shot

List the  fundamental purposes of a shot.

The shot is the basic unit of video and cinema production. The shot has a narrative purpose. Shots are the building blocks that the director uses to build the story.

The purposes of the shot are

1- Highlight or emphasise the principal subject

2-Present a purposeful variation in its size

3-Add more information

4- Establish the relationship between elements in a fame

5- Favour the appearance of the performer.

4 challenges for EFP

Mention four problems one may face while doing EFP

Electronic Field Production uses both ENG and studio production techniques. All EFPs take place on location.

Some of the problems that producers may face while doing EFP are

1- Space: Since all EFPs take place on location, in indoors events one may have to deal with the problem of less space, and for outdoor events, one may have the problem of too much space to cover. Lighting and sound may be problematic.

2- Weather: The producer must have a back-up plan in case the weather changes. Sudden rain or unexpected clouds may cause problems during outdoor shoots.

3- External noises, and unwanted sound: Interviewing people during mega events and ensuring that the interviews do not have leaking sound or other unwanted noises is also a big challenge for EFP productions.

4- Permissions for sites, vehicles, and other equipment related issues sometimes pose major problems, especially in the case of national events, which usually give the best locations to the national broadcaster.

4 Options for TV Reporter for news coverage

What are the four options a TV reporter has in covering an event?

A TV reporter has four options while covering an event.

First, she could record the event and send the video tape / data card to the news station, where it would be edited along with a voice-over, sound bites and transmitted.

Second, she could directly transmit the event as it unfolds, by use of  the SNG (satellite news gathering) technique. Here she has no control over the broadcast and merely reports the event as it takes place.

Third, she could transmit her news via mobile phone. She dials the studio number and is connected to the news presenter for updates. She may also use a ‘video-phone’ do deliver her ‘stand-up’ updates.

Fourth, the reporter could use the microwave transmission method. Battery run microwave cameras are fitted to the camera. This method can only be used a short distance away from the news station, and is not practical in areas with very high buildings.

Consumer vs Professional video cameras

Give any four differences between consumer camcorder and professional camera.

There are broadly three kinds of video cameras from a market point of view: consumer cameras, prosumer cameras and professional cameras.

Consumer cameras or low-end are available off-the shelf in electronic stores and are priced around Rs 15,000 to 50,000 rupees. Professional cameras are high-end cameras that cost form about Rs 1 lakh upwards.

1. Size and weight:  low-end cameras are small in size and weight. Some can be carried in pouches and are hand held. High end cameras are normally big and come with a number of accessories. They are normally shoulder-mounted, or need tripods, dollies etc for mounting.

2- Settings: low-end cameras have mainly auto-settings, focus, exposure, shutter speed and audio all come with auto-settings. they are point-and -shoot cameras. In high end cameras, most parameters like focus, exposure, shutter-speed, audio etc can be set manually to suit one’s requirement.

3- Lenses: Consumer cameras come with zoom lenses, with limited range. They have digital zooms, and low depth of field. You cannot change the lenses. Professional cameras come with zoom lenses, with high zoom range and greater depth of field. One can change the lenses on a high-end camera according to the need.

4- Audio: low end cameras do not come with external microphone inputs. they have built-in microphones. They do not have separate faders to control microphone levels. High end cameras come with built-in mics as well as external microphone input connection facility. they have faders to adjust the microphone volume levels.