SAFETY

First things first...........

• At all costs do not take risks, it simply isn't worth it. If you don't feel safe, don't do it.
• Do not use mains operated equipment outside unless you have thoroughly protected it from the elements or it is designed to be used in wet conditions.
• Be aware of trailing wires and trip hazards for both you and others.
• Make sure that your videoing position is stable and is sufficient to stop you falling. If high up, make sure a suitable barrier is in place to prevent you from falling and that access to it is safe and secure.
• Make sure that any existing platform or standing is stable, secure and that it is in good order.
• Be aware of slippery surfaces, particularly in wet conditions, and do not stand on a roof.

THE CAMERA

Most video cameras will be ok but ideally it should......

• Be in good working order (Obvious I know but older ones can have annoying faults)
• Have a small jack plug socket to attach an external microphone.
• Have a small jack plug socket to attach an earpiece (to check the external microphone is picking up sound).
• Have audio and video outlet sockets (So you can copy your recordings on to another tape)
• Be capable of attaching to a tripod (Never seen a camera that hasn't got this facility)
• Be able to record and play back. (Obvious again, but there are cameras that do either or none)

The different formats.......

• Standard quality - VHS (including VHS-C) and 8mm - VHS-C are the small versions of the standard size VHS tape -The quality of recorded material on these formats are ok but will reduce rapidly the more they are copied. Will only really copy successfully once, after which colours smear and streak and images will get very ragged around the edges. These can be obtained fairly cheap although some are poor value when compared to other high band and digital cameras. Price range £250 - £450.
• High Band - S-VHS (Including S-VHS-C) and Hi8 - S-VHS-C are the small versions of the standard size S-VHS tape - The quality of recorded material on these formats are very good... although much better on Hi8.... produces a better copy than standard VHS or 8mm and will copy reasonably successfully twice onto standard VHS. With the advent of digital, these represent good value although the Hi8 camcorders are probably the best to go for. Price range £350 - £600.
• Digital - DV or Digital 8 - These provide the best quality images of all and the editing capabilities of this format make this the most desirable. However, copy quality depends on the format copied on to. If editing onto digital, there is very little discernible degrading of picture quality, whilst copying onto standard VHS, there may be some reduction on the first copy, more on the 2nd and so on. The price of these cameras have quickly reduced and it is hard to beat the value of the Sony Digital 8 format. It provides digital recordings on a normal Hi8 tape at an affordable price for the enthusiast. I use a TR8000 which has proved ideal for recording footy. (Slow motion Price range £450 - £2500.

RECORDING TAPE

General tape cost about £3.50 each for VHS-C and 8mm and about £1-£3 for standard VHS. Cheap tapes = Average quality images although the high cost of some tapes for "so-called" super high grade is rarely reflected in vastly increased picture quality.

PLANNING

Planning is the key…..

• Make sure you have agreement from the club to video (in most cases they will welcome you with open arms)
• If you can, have a long look at the ground before match day and look for good places to video from.
• If you have to leave it until match day, get there early. In all cases get there early… 90 minutes before game starts is good.
• Get the team sheets… you may need this for titling or notes on the game.

POSITION

• Get as high up as you can and as near the centreline as you can.
• Look for obstructions such as floodlight pylons or stanchions supporting the stand. Sometimes these can't be avoided, if so, make sure the important parts of the pitch are unobstructed. (i.e. the goals)
• Make sure spectators can't get in your way. Some can be really ignorant claiming they have always stood there (right in front of your camera) since 1922. Children can also be a pain, they get bored at football matches and its great fun to jump up and down in front of your camera and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
• If you need mains power, make sure that it is close by.

THE WEATHER

• Try to get under cover. Even if you video under cover, rain gets everywhere and will blow onto your equipment. If you are videoing football, it is almost a guarantee that you will come across rain at some point.
• In all cases where there is a possibility of rain, make sure you protect your equipment at all costs. If you can't protect your equipment, don't use it.
• Protection of your equipment can be fairly easy. You can buy rain jackets for your camera although these are pretty expensive and they are easy to make with some plastic bags with holes cut in them along with a bit of sticky tape. This is something you have to prepare for in advance. Make them up long before you video and make sure you test it. Be prepared for a few abortive trials.

A TRIPOD

• Very, very important. Make sure you have a suitable tripod that will allow you to swing through around 180 degrees and up and down. It should have strong, thick-ish legs (The cheap ones have really thin legs and are fairly unstable).
• Make sure that the base you put it on is also stable and if you can, secure it by tying it to something, otherwise you may find it a bit lively when you start videoing.
• Practice with your camera to make sure the head swings smoothly.

CONSUMABLES

• Take enough video tape for the whole game, and some spare....... I've known tape to be faulty.
• Try planning to avoid changing tapes during the game. Change tapes at half-time.
• A 60 minute tape should see you through one half of football. By the time the teams come out, toss up, get injured, have a fight on the pitch etc. etc. one half can normally use up to about 55 minutes of tape.
• If not using mains, make sure you have enough battery power for the whole game. It is difficult to say how much battery power you will need as this will depend on your camcorder and how much zooming in and out you do. In the end you should determine this long before the day of the game. Generally, one rechargeable battery fully charged isn't enough.

SOUND

• By far the best method is using an external microphone with a long lead plugged into your camcorder. The reason for this is that you can put the microphone in some remote place that will pick up crowd noises rather than the noise around where you are filming. For instance, if you are filming under a stand, the camcorder's microphone will only tend to pick up sound within the stand. This is restrictive and will not pick up the entire atmosphere of the game. It will also pick up the sound from you operating your camcorder and will come across on the sound track as "clonks", "bangs" and "whirrs". Put the microphone outside the stand if possible but beware of inquisitive fingers and wires that may trip.
• Finally, take an ear-piece with you to make sure sound is getting to the recording. If you plug this into the socket on the camcorder, you will be able to hear that the sound is functioning correctly. This avoids "silent" football matches.
• If you cannot use an external microphone, then use the internal one, but try to be aware of the noise you are making and position yourself in such a way that talking close by does not mess up your recording.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

• Have a little practice before the game starts to see that you can zoom in and out, whisk the camera into all positions fairly promptly without camera and tripod leaping out of position.
• Press record and tape a few seconds to check everything is working ok.
• If you are using an external microphone, make sure it is turned on and picking up sound (is the battery ok). Use an earpiece to listen.

DO A CHECK LIST

• Check lists are invaluable before you set off. Formulate one and use it to pack your equipment before you set off to the ground.

OTHER BITS TO CONSIDER

• Sometimes you may come across other cameramen who have been sent there from the regional TV station. Many of these are freelance and most I have come across are very pleasant people. However, be aware that some are distinctly anti-amateur and take exception that you may be providing a few copies for sale at the football club claiming that you are robbing them of their livelihood and their exclusive right to video. Do not be intimidated by these few, they have no rights over and above your own to video football matches and your permission from the club is all you need. However, forewarned is forearmed and they can make the afternoon/evening particularly uncomfortable for you, but please avoid punching them.

COMING SOON

Coming soon… videoing techniques, what to do with what you've taped.

Topics to include......

• Logging the good bits.
• Copying your tapes.
• Compiling the good bits.
• Selling your tapes.
• Graphics
• Expanding, developing and improving your videoing operation.