Step 2: 
Field Production 

What equipment is right for you? 

Once we've gone through the Pre-Production phase of our media project, we can move on to the production step. 

The first stage of creating any digital media project is determining and evaluating what tools will be needed to get the job done. 

Do you need a camera? A microphone? Can you use your smartphone? Is your space quiet enough, or do you need a studio space to capture your recordings? 

These are all questions we need to answer before we can start capturing media. 

Whether you are doing a long form video, a short form video, a podcast, a photo essay, or all of the above; Media Hub has you covered with equipment to check out and friendly staff to help you use it. 

For a full list of equipment that we offer, Click Here

Which Camera is right for you?

Understanding Camcorders

Comparing Camcorders vs DSLRs 
Understanding DSLR cameras

How to improve your next video

Use this one simple trick to make your video look better!

 

 

Use the videographer's best friend: A Tripod!

We always recommend using a tripod, for photography and especially for video production

A stable video camera will reduce time and stress when you edit your video later on. 

SMS has large, small, or tabletop-sized tripods for a variety of different devices. 

Whether you are using a camcorder, a smartphone, or GoPro -- tripods are the way to roll!

How to Record Video with Smartphones

How to avoid 
VERTICAL VIDEO SYNDROME

 

Cameras in modern day smart-devices, like phones or tablets, have improved dramatically over the past few years. 

Even if you don't have access to a proper video camera, the device in your pocket can still create some excellent content. 

There are a few guidelines that we recommend when shooting video with a smartphone: 

  1. Always shoot "landscape" style. Avoid "Vertical Video Syndrome" 
  2. Keep your subject close. The further away your subject is, the worse your picture and sound quality will be
  3. Avoid shooting in front of windows
  4. Use a tripod or stabilizing device

Advice for better smart device video 

Using the right microphone 
 

Controlling your sound

Bad audio can make or break a good video. 

When we are setting up a recording environment, we need to be aware of key elements that may affect our audio quality
 

  1. Is there background noise that would interfere with the subject? 
  2. Does the subject have a dedicated microphone? 
  3. Are there any environmental factors that will impact the microphone? (like wind) 

 

Come to the Media Hub front desk for a consultation on microphones, and what sound capture system would be best suited to your recording location

Have additional production related questions? 

We know our videos may not be applicable to every single project. if there's something we haven't covered, or if you have a question about a project that you're working on, you can talk with one of our trained media consultants. 

Our students and staff have years of media production experience and are here to help you with whatever kind of digital media creation project you're working on, as long as it's OSU affiliated.

To schedule a time with our consultants, send us an e-mail at [email protected] with a brief explanation of your project.

Need a controlled environment?

 

Reserve a Media Studio

 

Copyright

Copyright protects creators' Intellectual Property -- like a song, an illustration, or photograph. Without Copyright protection, no one would ever be paid or accredited for their hard work.

Generally speaking, if you didn't make it yourself, it's probably protected by copyright. If something is under a copyright then you can't use it in your own projects without permission.

Does this mean you can NEVER use other people's work? It depends.

Some work can be used under the "Fair Use" clause. Broadly speaking, content creators are allowed to use small pieces of copy written material IF they intend to use said content in particular ways. Information on what qualifies as "Fair Use" cases can be found here.

Media Hub recommends avoiding using copyrighted content whenever possible. Instead of using anything copyrighted, you will want to see what you can find online that is royalty free or is made under a Creative Commons license.

Creative Commons

Looking for free content? Check out the Creative Commons.

Any content with a Creative Content license is available for use as long as it is attributed to the creator (this is another way of saying you should put them in the credits).

There are plenty of websites that host Creative Commons content. You can find content and learn more about Creative Commons by clicking below.

Learn More About Creative Commons