Basic Digital Video Camera Planning

First of all, have a good think about what you are planning to shoot with your camcorder. Planning is the key to a good production.
If you’re being paid for a project, pre-production planning is also essential. So you shold use basic filming techniques.
You can sketch up a storyboard, make notes or an interview/information session with the client...
First of all any video you take needs to have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Here's a practical example:

Timmy's first soccer final is on Saturday. It's a big occasion so you are going to capture it on video. Using our basic formula lets make it into a compelling story-

Beginning:
Open with a shot of the alarm clock, Timmy packing his bag, having breakfast then climbing into the car. All less than 5 seconds duration and if your camera has the function, set it to fade in and out to black.

Middle:
The team runs onto the field. Shots of Timmy chasing, dribbling and passing the ball at warm-up. Get the opening whistle and kick off, then move around the field for various angles and shots of Timmy. Film the coaches address to his players at half time followed by more game footage.

End:
Ref blows the full-time whistle and you video the teams shaking hands and walking off the field. Finally, close the video with a shot of our star and maybe a few words.

It is a very simplified version so here's a few tips to remember:

• Don't keep the camera rolling in the hope that something interesting will happen.
  
• Move around so you're not always filming from the one spot.
  
• Use close-ups and wide shots alternatively.
  
• Don't talk over the footage, let the pictures tell the story.