Questions on Filming a Classroom

[Olaf99]

I have two main questions:

1. How do I acquire releases? Individually from each parent or one from the principle?

2. The classroom's existing light is via fluorescent fixtures. Should I turn these off, close the blinds, and use my tungstens for all of the light? I've shot under fluorescents before and noticed a bouncing back and forth between an orange and white cast on the white walls.

My equipment: DVX100b, tungsten shop lights, a couple of compact fluorescents, lav mic for the speaker.

I was planning to shoot in squeeze mode at 24pa, iris open (due to necessity). Also wondering if there are any recommendations for scene files?

 

[Richard Crowley]

Nobody has the authority to sign a release for a minor except each minor's parent or legal guardian (not the principal, teacher, etc.)

Good description of the location, but without knowing WHAT you are shooting, hard to offer lighting suggestions.

 

[Olaf99]

Nobody has the authority to sign a release for a minor except each minor's parent or legal guardian (not the principal, teacher, etc.)

Good description of the location, but without knowing WHAT you are shooting, hard to offer lighting suggestions.

Good point! An environmental educator will be demonstrating how much fresh water there is on the planet by cutting an apple a bunch of times (starting with this much is land, this much is salt water, this much is undrinkable etc until the apple slice is very small for how much we can drink without treatment.) as a visual aid. Much of the shoot will be a medium closeup on the educator and some closeups on the apple.

Since I'd need a release from each parent, I'll plan on getting a couple of wide shots from the students' perspective looking at the teacher. This way, I won't be showing any faces. This, as I understand, would get me out of the need for releases for the kids, yes? I still plan on getting a location release and one for the educator.

 

[Smifis]

Ask the principle to send letters home requesting permissions

 

[Jordan_S]

Just use this:

 

[Bobonli]

I've actually done this sort of thing. You need a release from each parent to photograph the students. I have the principal serve as the liaison to the parents.

One tip: make sure you get copies of the releases! I admit that I've been lax about this, taking the principal's word that they have been signed but that wont help me if I cannot produce the releases when questioned.

Having filmed students in a lab setting several times, I cannot imagine humping a lighting kit into the room. Fluoro lights stink but are you willing to contend with the potential hassle of people bumping into or touching your very hot tungsten lights? Make sure you can control the environment if you're gonna do that.

And finally, plan for/expect that at least one student will walk into the scene either because they wanted to get a better view or to ham it up. You can always edit them out. It might be worth a try to get the individual releases-of you have time- so you can get some reaction shots and perhaps a "what did you learn today" interview of the students.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Olaf99]

I've actually done this sort of thing. You need a release from each parent to photograph the students. I have the principal serve as the liaison to the parents.

One tip: make sure you get copies of the releases! I admit that I've been lax about this, taking the principal's word that they have been signed but that wont help me if I cannot produce the releases when questioned.

Having filmed students in a lab setting several times, I cannot imagine humping a lighting kit into the room. Fluoro lights stink but are you willing to contend with the potential hassle of people bumping into or touching your very hot tungsten lights? Make sure you can control the environment if you're gonna do that.

And finally, plan for/expect that at least one student will walk into the scene either because they wanted to get a better view or to ham it up. You can always edit them out. It might be worth a try to get the individual releases-of you have time- so you can get some reaction shots and perhaps a "what did you learn today" interview of the students.

Cheers,
Bob

Ha. Yes I'll make sure and set my expectations very low for the students' behavior.

As for lighting, I haven't gotten great results under flouros in the past. Any suggestions on scene file settings on the DVX 100b?

 

[Bobonli]

Can't help you with the scene file settings. I'm an EX-1 user.

 

[Jordan_S]

If you're experiencing problems with cycling or flickering of fluorescent lights, try different shutter speeds.

What's wrong with F2?

 

[Olaf99]

If you're experiencing problems with cycling or flickering of fluorescent lights, try different shutter speeds.

What's wrong with F2?

In the past my problem was with cycling. I did the shoot today but haven't logged the footage to my machine yet. I'm doubting the cycling will be noticeable though. I set my shutter on 1/48th and just adjusted my aperture between classrooms. The tight shots of students and some of the teacher's visual aids I actually went to a 1/8 ND and opened up the iris all the way to achieve shallower depth of field.

Now I'm just hoping all the parents sign releases. I'd have had it done ahead of time but someone else set up the event with four days notice. I made sure to exclude the kids in many shots so even if I don't get one signature I can still use the footage of the teacher and the location (they signed already). Thanks for your help guys! DVXUSER is the best!!!