Static shots vs Handheld = Music Video

[Cieloent]

Just had a meeting with a record company that felt on a current project I was doing that I had to many static shots and not enough handheld. Which actually is not very true since it is a couple of artist on the song and 50% was handheld and 50% tripod.


Another video I showed them was more like 70% handheld and 30% tripod and they liked that more.


So to anyone who is actually filming what are your thoughts on this? I think a mixture of both is good, but this certain company seems like the handheld look more. To my understanding handheld is good, but it is always nice to have some static shots especially when you are shooting a wide scene.

All opinions are welcome


Thanks

 

[Alex H.]

There's no hard and fast rule... no magic equation of percentages. It boils down to how you want to tell the individual story for any given video. That said, lock-down shots for music videos can be pretty uninteresting, or downright boring (again, that doesn't hold true 100% of the time). Music videos need to keep the pace with the music. You might want to look at adding some other visual interest to your non-handheld shots, such as a little dolly movement. Tripod shots are also really good for closeups, rack-focus shots, etc., but these types of shots are more than just locked-down and have some sort of movement or other visual interest in them.

 

[Cieloent]

There's no hard and fast rule... no magic equation of percentages. It boils down to how you want to tell the individual story for any given video. That said, lock-down shots for music videos can be pretty uninteresting, or downright boring (again, that doesn't hold true 100% of the time). Music videos need to keep the pace with the music. You might want to look at adding some other visual interest to your non-handheld shots, such as a little dolly movement. Tripod shots are also really good for closeups, rack-focus shots, etc., but these types of shots are more than just locked-down and have some sort of movement or other visual interest in them.

Thank you for your opinion on this matter, I personally like low angle tripod shots as it would almost be impossible to do something steady like that handheld. Regardless I guess this is something I need to work on and understand that artist/companies are maybe looking more for handheld shots / more camera movement to keep the pace going.

Thank you

 

[Cools]

Well, companies and musicians don't always know best. They might like something because they've seen it somewhere else or think it's cool to use a certain gimmick to stand out. It's our responsibility to make sense of all the ideas coming in and determine what's most appropriate for the music and the vision for the video.

Use your judgment and artistic vision. Think about the final product first, not about which technique is "cool". However, sometimes you do have to follow the "trends" to stay competitive.

 

[Alex H.]

I personally like low angle tripod shots as it would almost be impossible to do something steady like that handheld. Regardless I guess this is something I need to work on and understand that artist/companies are maybe looking more for handheld shots / more camera movement to keep the pace going.

Those low-angle shots may benefit from something like the ZaZa Slider, which can be set at ground-level. Dolly left or right, or push in or pull out.

At some point, sadly, you must also consider what the client wants.

 

[Cieloent]

Those low-angle shots may benefit from something like the ZaZa Slider, which can be set at ground-level. Dolly left or right, or push in or pull out.

At some point, sadly, you must also consider what the client wants.

Thank you for the excellent tips on the slider. This is a learning process for me still and I guess it bothered me that the project was not accepted. Regardless I will continue to work on my craft and only try to get better.

Any and everyone else is welcome to enter this conversation. I guess I need some kind of jib shots as well as dollies :embarasse

 

[Alex H.]

Just remember: slider, dolly, jib... these are just tools. Be aware of them and what they can add to your shots. There are still many options that can be added from a tripod alone: slam your zoom, rack focus, loosen the tripod head for that "Law & Order" shaky cam.

It's a matter of planning each shot out, knowing what tools you need to get the shot as well as how to get the shot with the tools you have.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice...