Tom Hepworth's Tips

Tom Hepworth, a video-journalist from BBC South came in to talk to us in the newsroom today. And here are the notes I typed up during his chat with us.
Think about what you're shooting. Marry pictures and words. If they don't match up, you'll lose your audience.

Scout the scene before getting the camera out. Take your time looking for things worth filming. Camera discipline: be economic. Got to tell story with active shots, film people doing things. Always look for the people

e.g. Restaurant - the interesting things are the eating, cooking, barwork, waiting, paying, conversing, etc.

Exterior GVs? BORING, don't get them.

a) WHAT close up of the action, e.g. cutting carrots
b) WHO close up of the face, who's doing it, e.g. chef
c) WHERE establishing shot
 d)Over-the-should/POV/etc
 f) One more

When invading someone's space - be honest with them - try not to direct people much - most people don't mind if you tell them you're doing it to make them look good - be nice with them

BE MOBILE. Shots look different if you're moving around. Use the mobility your camera affords.

Allow shots to contexualise questions during interviews.

e.g. Occupy Bournemouth - don't ask, "Why are you camping in November?" say, "You have to carry water in buckets from across town to have any in town. Is it all worth it?

Hold the shot for 10 seconds! Then you've shot more than enough.

Sound. Mic At - Mic Attentuation - can drop sound low if needed. Use a radio mic may be better often.

Framing. Close Up, Mid Shot, Wide Shot. Rule of Thirds


Lighting. Use your available light. Ideally want light to be BEHIND the camera.

When white balancing make sure your white source e.g. notepad is catching the light source to be used. Make it nearer to daylight.

Better to underexpose than overexpose, if you can't get it quite right.

Storytelling. Always try to personalise story - do a case study of some sort.

e.g. binmen; try and journey round with them to see their worklife.

Have one chance to tell story, and one minute. Get it right.

Writing. Deal in SPOKEN word, not WRITTEN word.

Try and make it personal. e.g. "there has been a protest march by angry teachers in Winchester" - works in written but not spoken. instead say - angry teachers marched in Winchester - more active, more economical.

Less is more. Keep it short.

Camera Care. Keep your camera warm so as not to have condensation problems. Silica gel useful to keep in bag.

Have the editing/production in mind when shooting

KEEP IT SIMPLE