Camera Angles, Cuts & Video Blogging

[Seun Osewa]

How do you direct and edit a video blog? Do you shoot each entire entry in one continuous take (like news programmes) or shoot from a different angles?

If shooting from different angles, do you just alternate between say 2 or 3 angles (such as a close-up and a body shot) or an infinite number of random positions. And how often should you cut to a new shot?

I'm trying to determine how all I've learned about movie editing would apply to a video blog entry such as this one. I trust that you guys will be able to advice.

[Brian Boyko]

Originally Posted by Seun Osewa

How do you direct and edit a video blog? Do you shoot each entire entry in one continuous take (like news programmes) or shoot from a different angles?

If shooting from different angles, do you just alternate between say 2 or 3 angles (such as a close-up and a body shot) or an infinite number of random positions. And how often should you cut to a new shot?

I'm trying to determine how all I've learned about movie editing would apply to a video blog entry such as this one. I trust that you guys will be able to advice.

Well, the thing about movie editing and video blogging is that video blogging is the amateur version of movie editing.

In short, you're overthinking it.

I filmed this promo video blog on a FlipVideo cam, using Adobe Premiere Elements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRiqYywyH_M

[Seun Osewa]

What if one wants to make things a bit more professional?

[Brian Boyko]

Originally Posted by Seun Osewa

What if one wants to make things a bit more professional?

Then make it more professional. Shooting video for a video blog is no different than shooting video for Spielberg, there's just a much lower barrier of entry and quality is not nearly as important as content.

If anything, this is what trips people up when moving FROM Web video to "pro" video.