Techniques for Video Recording

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# Techniques for Video Recording
### Bradley McDonnell & Leah Pappas
### 2020/09/24 (updated: 2021-04-12)

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# Introduction

### Introduce basics of video recording for language documentation

1. Basic techniques for video recording
2. Basics of video editing

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# Why video?

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# Why video?

.pull-left[
**When there are so many downsides...**

- It could be distracting for participants...
  - much more distracting than a discrete audio recorder
  - resulting in 'unnatural' data
- It's more expensive than audio equipment 
- The file sizes are *sooo* much larger
  - and difficult to edit, process, archive, etc.
- ...
]

.pull-right[
**There are upsides too...**
- For sign languages, it's really the *only* realistic way to record the language in use
- Context, context, context 
- Records important information
  - gesture
  - eye gaze
  - facial expression
- Potentially more interesting resource for language community
- More suited to internet/popular culture
- ...
]

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# Consider the context...

.pull-left[
   |           (Masak)                  |
---|------------------------------------|
A: | dide lemak ame aku tini ni bik.    |
B: | ade itu,                           |
   | anye dide landap ci.               |
A: | mane?                              |
   | nginak.                            |
]

.pull-right[
   |           (Cooking)                     |
---|-----------------------------------------|
A: | 'it's not nice if I (use) this, auntie' |
B: | 'there is that (one),'                  |
   | 'but (it's) not sharp, sis.'            |
A: | 'where?'                                |
   | '(let me) see.'                         |
]

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# Context

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# Gestures

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# Gestures

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## What if I'm only interested in phonology?

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.footnote[
Source: https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hg3040-2014-7/?page_id=188
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# Video basics

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# Positioning the camera

- There are not necessarily hard and fast rules about where one ought to position the camera
- It is possible though to get a worse recording based upon the camera's position

### The camera should be above participants and angled slightly downwards

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# Positioning the camera

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### Difficult to record multiple people's facial expressions & eye gaze

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# Framing

### Documentary linguists want wide shots from a stationary tripod
  - No handheld shots
  - No close ups 
  - No zooming or panning
  
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### Documentary linguists want wide shots from a stationary tripod

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# Framing

### Capture as much of the participants' body as possible 
  - especially from the waist up

### Ensure that participants fit inside the frame when their arms are stretched out in any direction
  - to ensure that the video captures all gestures

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# Framing

### Don't react... anticipate
  - anticipate where participants might move, etc.

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# Framing

### There are of course reasons to position the camera differently:

[](https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/group/MAN.84462.202030/TYEP-20111026-04-FRE.mp4)

Check out this [sand story](https://elar.soas.ac.uk/Record/MPI1091525).

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# Lighting

### Lighting can be very tricky.

- **documentary linguists rarely if ever use professional lighting,**
 - **typically rely on *practical light***.

### Here are some basic tips...

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# Lighting

### Careful to position any windows or other natural light source behind you...
  - and not behind your participants.

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# Lighting

### Brighter does not always mean better
  - pay attention to your participants face (and especially their eyes)
    - light coming from directly above can create shadows that obscure their face. 
      - you may lose important information about eye gaze!
    - the same is true of the sun, 
      - it's best to video in the late afternoon or better yet on an overcast day

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# Lighting

### Make use the resources around you
  - Use lamps, laterns, and flashlights to help in dark setting
  - Certain cameras are better suited for low light
    - "Large sensor camcorders" (1" CMOS Sensor)

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# Sound

### Sound is of utmost importance for spoken language

### Spoken language should use 'double system shooting'
  - record with a video camera *and* a separate audio recorder w/ microphone
    - audio/video synced in post-production
    - Slate the recordings by clapping in the frame of the camera
    - I do this at the beginning and end of the recording
  - video camera should be outfitted with shotgun microphone

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# Sound (native to the camcorder)

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# Sound (shotgun mic on camcorder)

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# Sound (stereo mic from audio recorder)

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# Sound (headset mics from audio recorders)

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# Sound advice

### Start simple and build upon your experiences

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# What (kind of) camera should I purchase?

### Prosumer camcorders are probably best ($500 - $1,500)

### Check out [B&H](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/).

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# What about DSLR cameras...

### Unforunately, they only record short periods of time & overhead easily
  - Granting organizations in the know won't buy them

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# Recommended reading

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# Recommended equipment

Audio recorder: [Tascam DR-100mkIII](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1263849-REG/tascam_dr_100mkiii_linear_pcm_recorder.html)
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# Let's talk about [video editing](https://mcdonn.github.io/2019-lsa-institute-video/2019-video-editing-pres/2019-video-editing-pres.html#1)

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# Downloading Adobe Premiere

### We'll use Adobe Premiere in the next class

1. Go to (https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html)
1. Click "Free Trial" in upper righthand corner. 
1. Click on "Students & Teachers" 
1. Click on blue button "Start free trial"
1. Then you'll be asked for your email and other info.

### You'll need to cancel before your trial is up to avoid being charged!