Nine20 Marketing Podcast - Camera Work
Podcast Production
The Nine20 Marketing Podcast
The Nine20 Marketing Podcast was a class project that encompassed all facets of podcast production. This involved detailed tasks across three main stages:
- Pre-Production: Planning, scriptwriting, and assigning roles.
- Production: Managing technical aspects such as lighting, set design camera, and sound, along with presenting.
- Post-Production: Editing the main content and creating a blooper reel.
My Role
I was assigned the role of Head Camera Operator during the production phase of the podcast. To successfully handle this responsibility, I needed to complete the following tasks:
- Research Best Practices: Investigate industry standards and techniques for camera operation in podcast settings to ensure professional quality footage.
- Understand Camera Operation: Become thoroughly familiar with the camera equipment, including all its functions and settings.
- Apply Learnings on Set: Implement the skills and techniques learned from research and practice directly during the podcast filming to capture the best possible visuals.
Best Practice Research
Ronnie Norton
As mentioned in the “Photography Work” section of this portfolio, I had the privilege of learning from Ronnie Norton, who has over 50 years of experience in the photography industry. Aware of my responsibilities as Head Camera Operator for the podcast, I seized the opportunity to discuss potential operational challenges with Ronnie. For more detailed explanations, please refer to that section of the portfolio. Here is a brief outline of the key learnings:
Effective Use of Lighting Techniques: I learned how to effectively use lights and lighting techniques to properly illuminate the subjects, ensuring clear and visually appealing footage.
Optimizing Exposure: Ronnie taught me how to adjust the camera’s exposure settings to best highlight the features of the subjects, enhancing the overall visual quality of the shots.
These insights were applied during the technical rehearsal and on the actual shooting day of the podcast, significantly improving our production quality.
Best Practice - Technical Aspects
Though studying best techniques and watching successful podcasts several key factors were noted and needed consideration when determining the best camera setup for our podcast:
Positioning: Camera placement is critical to ensure comprehensive coverage of the podcast set, capturing the desired perspectives and interactions.
Framing: Effective framing is crucial for visual composition, ensuring subjects are centered and engaging. Techniques like the rule of thirds and leading lines should be utilized to enhance visual appeal (Millennial Mindset Foundation, ND).
Camera Angles: A variety of camera angles, including wide shots, close-ups, and medium shots, adds depth and variety to the visual narrative (Adobe, 2024).
Camera Setup:
- Primary Camera: Positioned to capture the main action and interactions on the set.
- Secondary Cameras: Provide alternative views and enhance visual depth by capturing different angles.
Understanding Camera Operation
Technical Rehearsal - Issues Found
During the technical rehearsal scheduled in our shooting plan, we tested the equipment and applied our learnings, encountering several issues that needed attention:
Lighting Heat: The lights used during the shoot caused the room to become very hot, as they were left on for extended periods.
Storage Issues: Some of the SIM cards failed to save videos longer than 16 seconds.
Battery Life: The camera batteries did not last more than 1.5 hours, requiring frequent replacements or recharges.
Wardrobe Concerns: Some of the presenters’ clothing blended into the wall, affecting their visibility in the shots.
These challenges highlighted areas for improvement in our setup and operation to ensure smoother production on the day of the actual shoot.
Technical Rehearsal - Solutions
For the day of the actual shoot, we implemented the following solutions to address the issues identified during the technical rehearsal and to minimize their impact:
Podcast members not needed on set at that moment were asked to leave the room to reduce heat and congestion. Breaks were scheduled throughout the day for staff who were needed continuously.
SIM cards that failed to save data correctly were labeled and excluded from use to avoid recording issues.
An extra battery for each camera was charged and ready to be used. Batteries were scheduled to be swapped during every break to ensure cameras did not run out of power mid-shot.
Presenters were advised to wear colorful and/or textured clothing on the day of the shoot to ensure clear differentiation from the background.
These proactive measures, identified thanks to the insights gained during the technical rehearsal, allowed for a much smoother and more efficient shooting day.
Applying Learnings on Set
Primary Camera - Wide Shot
Secondary Camera 1 - Close-up (Host)
Secondary Camera 2 - Close-up (Guest)
Shooting Day
Thanks to thorough preparations, including planning, rehearsals, and external research, the shooting day proceeded without any technical errors. As evident from the footage, examples above, each camera captured a different angle, enhancing the visual depth and appeal of the podcast.
Overall, I am delighted with how this section of the podcast turned out. I believe that I met the expectations set for me in my role as Head Camera Operator and learned a lot of valuable lessons in the process.