How to Create a "How To" Video
Continuity is a video that demonstrates a constant action that is not manipulated. It is a smooth video that keeps going. However, a video with long continuity can get boring and lose viewers. This is why it's important for producers and editors to understand how to film and edit a continuity video that is engaging and interesting to watch. In this blog post, I did some reading and research on how to achieve a successful continuity video and created my own "how to" video.
Reading
As mentioned earlier, it's important for producers and editors to know how to make a continuity video interesting. This is why understanding basic sequences and screen direction are crucial to practice. In chapters three and four of The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel, basic sequences and screen direction are explained.
What is a Basic Sequence — According to the text, a basic sequence consists of a wide shot (or establishing shot), medium shots, close up shots and cutaways. A wide shot sets the scene for what a viewer is about to watch. A medium shot falls in between a wide shot and close up shot while a close up focuses on one particular subject in the video. When combining these shots together, it's important to apply cutaways, which are shots that bounce back and forth between different subjects to make the video more interesting. For example, take a shot of two people talking at the park. Instead of focusing on the wide shot of the two people talking the entire time, the shots can alter between the wide shot and close ups on each subject speaking or reacting in the conversation. This is commonly seen in cinema.
When shooting a continuity video or scene, it's important to get a variety of shots from different angles. Changing the camera angles by at least 45 degrees can be helpful. Cutting is also important to help make the video more visually engaging. When cutting to a close up on an action shot, it can be easier for the viewer to see what exactly is happening in that moment.
What is Screen Direction — According to Schroeppel, "Screen direction is the direction people and things face when viewed through the camera." A cameraperson usually "crosses the line" to make the scene look more interesting. They do this by creating an imaginary line called the axis, which determines the direction subjects are faced when viewed through the camera. Once they cross the axis, they are then reversing the screen direction of everything seen on camera. However, if this isn't done properly it can confuse viewers. To avoid confusion, the subject can move in front of the camera, such as a car turning around, or the camera can be constantly filming while changing directions to keep a consistent shot with better direction.
Research
For some inspiration and a better visual understanding of continuity in creating a "how to" video, I did some scavenging and found a few videos with effective uses of cutting and various angles. Below are the examples.
How to Poach Eggs
My first example is a video by Food Network on how to poach eggs. Already, I knew the video would be highly produced. As I watched the video, I was really impressed with the cutting and angles in the video. Despite poaching eggs being a simple cooking method, the way the video was edited made it look more interesting and engaging.
How to Wrap a Box
In this video, there is a use of text and angles with no narration. I like this video as it is simple and easy to follow with clear continuity with a variety of angles. Once again, this video takes a simple action and turns it into an interesting and engaging video.
How to Crack a Coconut
Cracking a coconut may not seem appealing, but this video shows the simple steps in a clear presentation. The video starts and ends with a wide shot, but the actual tutorial consists of a variety of close up and mid shots of opening and cracking the coconut. This simple video has clear narration and is a strong example of a continuity 'how to' video.
Create
For my 'How To' video, I decided to create a tutorial on how to play the basics of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day on guitar. I chose to do this because playing guitar is a hobby I enjoy doing and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is the first song I ever learned to play. It's a simple loop with basic chords and an easy strumming pattern.
The biggest challenge when creating this video was filming three times with one camera and lining up the footage in editing. However, I made sure to play the song enough times in enough angles to try to capture a variety of shots to incorporate.
Below is the video!