Guidelines for the “How to” WonderVideo Contest

As seen in the past couple of blog articles, this “WonderTube” prize program seeks to increase the number and range of videos available to our customers by encouraging Wonderware distributors, system integrators, Invensys employees and customers, to create Wonderware HMI SCADA “how to” product videos. Below are some guidelines for you to assist with creating the materials.

Keep things simple. Focus on a single feature or capability. Keep it real, connect a feature with real life applications. Record with best possible video and audio quality. Include clear narrations and captions

Types of shot movement:

Pan		This is a shot taken moving in a horizontal plane – left to right.
Tilt		Camera moves in a vertical plane – up and down. Example: when you need to shoot a tall building you can start at
		the bottom and move up to the top.
Zoom		This shot brings you closer to the subject
Reverse		The opposite of zoom. Moves you further away from the subject. We used this in Las Vegas outdoors. Started
Zoom		with close up of a Hotel sign and then moved away to reveal the strip.
Wide Shot		Establishing shot or long shot. This shows the whole scene. Often we start a shoot with this. It’s good because it
		sets the stage and helps the viewer to get oriented to where he or she is.
Medium Shot		This shot shows less of the scene than the wide shot. Example – During interviews this shot would show
		interviewee from about the waist up in a medium shot.
		It is also good as a transition between wide shots and close up shots. (It is difficult for the viewer to follow what
		you are doing if you go straight from a wide shot to a close-up shot.
Close-Up Shot		This shot shows an even smaller part of the subject of course. It’s good for showing detail, like a person’s expres-
(CU)		sion, etc. In the interviews this shot would show the person from the top of the chest or shoulder up. This is the
		one Paul uses the most. (More in the interview section)
Extreme Close		We don’t use this one very often. It shows just the person’s eyes.
Up shot		It’s good for extreme detail like a bug resting on a leaf.
Other type of shot techniques/ ways for gathering video
Over the		This is a good shot for shooting people typing, moving mouse, etc. Obviously you are literally shooting video over
Shoulder		the shoulder of the subject. These are very useful in editing because they provide an easy way to transition.
Sequence		This refers to a series of related shots. Example: Shooting the Ocean in Puerto Rico, followed by a medium shot of
		some boats on the water, followed by a single water skier zipping through the water.
Length		This depends on what is going on in the shot and what you are trying to accomplish. If there is a lot of action or
of shot		movement in a shot you will probably want about 20 seconds of it or more. Paul is very thorough here and takes
		his time. The goal is to gain and hold the viewers attention and understanding.

Outside Production Considerations:

• Open image or scene shot is usually a wide shot and/or distant perspective to orient setting.
• Exterior of Building
• Signs identifying the company and/or plant, facility
• Close up or pan of building and signs
• Wide shot and pan of landscape around building (if compelling)
• If workers are walking about outside get shot of this activity
• Shot of any vehicles with company name or logo
• Tight shot of vehicle logo, pull back
• Remember not to shoot directly into the sun
• Generally you want the light to be coming from behind you

Inside Production Considerations:

• Establish shot – sets the scene of where you are. Example – reception area with company sign
• In plant area or lab area - Look for lighted displays, panels, any activity like dash boards, etc.
• Close Up or tight shots of lights, displays, gauges, switches, etc.
• Tilt shot – camera moves in a vertical plane – up and down.
• Operator standing by these. Operator’s hand manipulating these – Close Up or over the should shot of operator seated at computer.
• Over the shoulder shot of operator working with these. Wide shot of the same
• Signs or workers within the area – tight shot, Close Up
• Computer screens – pan if there is a control room; Close Up of Wonderware screens or operator sitting at computer
• Tight shot of operator’s hand on mouse, moving mouse, clicking mouse (click the mouse while moving finger off mouse and back)
• Close up of operator typing at keyboard – again tight shot of hands typing and over the shoulder of hands typing
• Group of workers at terminals typing or moving mouse. Make sure they are looking at screen and not camera man.
• It’s helpful if you direct the person “talking” on phone to nod as if comprehending the caller and offering assistance.
• Workers reading logs or tablets, notebooks; walking in lab or control room; walking in lab room reviewing logs, notebooks, etc.
• Workers pointing at screens, controls, etc. If computer is sitting on desk place items like pencil cup, company branded coffee mug

PREPARATION:

Before the video shoot:

• Decide on the location to shoot the interview.
• Decide on what type of mic to use.
• Decide on who will do what.
• Schedule interviews ahead of time so that each person knows exactly what time to be there.
• Practice run – Set up the camera, test the lighting and sound. Decide where the interviewee and the interviewer will sit. Test sound each time you move the chairs. Practice the shot and run through the interview questions.

Interviewee Preparation:

• Ask the interviewees to wear “camera friendly” clothing.
• No tight patterns like checks or pinstripes– shows too much movement on camera.
• White isn’t so good either because it can show up too bright.
• If the person is wearing glasses make sure the glasses aren’t reflecting. Adjust the angle of the glasses or the light so you cannot see the lights reflected off the glasses.

During the interview:

• Check for background noise and electrical outlets for camera, equipment. Listen carefully to the sound around you because that is what your mic will pick up. If you hear fans, or traffic noises or outside voices you may have to ask someone to stand outside the room and monitor. Also put your “Quiet Please. Video Taping” signs up outside the room.
• To put the interviewee at ease – remind them that this video will be edited.
• Check the mic to make sure it is not in the camera shot.

Post interview: 

• get footage of things the interviewee talked about. If applicable get Release form which gives you written authorization signed by the person you video tape to use the video tape of them.

I’d like to get your input and tips on what you find in developing the Wonderware software videos.

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