Checklist for video recording

If you want to record an event or a person successful, various things have to be considered. The following checklist is intended to support you in your project.

Check in advance:

• Cameras charged
• Enough free Space on the SD-cards
• Batteries in all microphones
• For new rooms, check the conditions on site (Light situation, frame,…)
• Discuss together with the lecturer structure and procedure (how many speakers, breaks, discussions)

Take material with you:

• 2 cameras (+ SD-cards) and charging cables, if necessary.
• 2 camera tripods
• 3 headlights + 3 tripods
• 1 (with two speakers 2) radio Microphones + receiver
• 1 microphone + 1 microphone tripod for recording the audience
• 2 headphones
• power stripes, spare batteries
• Presenter, if necessary
• Plant(s), if necessary
• White sheet of paper (white balance)

Before the recording:

• Arrange on the positions of the speakers
• ALWAYS make white balance!
• Adjust Shutter/aperture for the presentation (currently we use Canon 1/120, JVC 1/25 ) → avoid a flickering image
• Connect the radio microphone(s) to camera 1, static microphone to camera 2.
• Switch all microphones on and test them with the speakers, dB-amplitude should be around 10, check sound quality and volume with a headphone (on both cameras)
• Check current light conditions and positions of the speaker (is he sitting, standing?). The lighting installation should be adapted to, not vice versa!
• Arrange the responsibilities beforehand (who capture the wide shot/normal/close)

During the recording:

• Check the Sound on every Camera with Headphones, not just the dB-amplitude. Adjust with the wheel carefully if the speaker speaks to loud or to quiet
• With 2 radio microphones: If only 1 speaker speaks over a longer period of time (e.g. Presentation alone), turn-off the second radio microphone.
• Always record the sound from all cameras (if there is no additional micro, use the internal camera microphone)
• Check the image on every camera
• Everytime the light conditions or the position of the speaker change, the lighting installation must, if necessary, rearranged. If possible during the break.
• This applies to the images settings also. During the recording just in emergencies (e.g. flickering image)