Digital News Journalist

The charming blip-bleep of a Flipcam springing to life makes it seems like we can film anything. And we can. This little machine has given everyone the ability to capture a clip and add video (and multimedia) to their stories. They’ve also given everyone the ability to capture their roommate making pizza or their turtle hunting fish. Elevating the Flipcam to a professional tool for journalists can take some practice – and some tips. These are five ways I’ve found to make using the Flipcam more professional when reporting.

1. Don’t keep your distance.

Fight the urge to sit a few rows away from the speaker or shy away from the subject. You’d want to get as close to the action as possible if you showed up at a presser with a large camera, and you should use the same approach with the Flipcam. First, realize that audio quality really suffers if you’re more than five feet away from whatever you’re filming (as you can tell with the example vid below). You can also tell that the greater the distance from your subject, the harder it is to read words. So sit in the front row. Don’t be shy.

Tip 1: Don’t keep your distance. from DNJournalist on Vimeo.

2. Be careful what you zoom for.

The zoom on the Flipcam isn’t much to speak of (the full, unimpressive range of it is shown in the video below). The clip starts with a really blurry subject, and soon you’ll see how crisp the image gets when you zoom out. And what good did the zoom do anyway? It doesn’t help with the audio, and really just detracts from having a proper visual. Practice a bit before the event begins to get a feel for what the best framing and zoom level is for your need. And remember that a shaky hand is more noticeable when you zoom in, too.

Tip 2: Be careful what you zoom for from DNJournalist on Vimeo.

3. Listen for background noise. Then run from it.

The sound from the interview shown in the clip below is pretty much ideal… except for the sounds of a keg in transport punctuating the subject’s every sentence. It’s really quite distracting. If you can, move the interviewee to down the street or wait a few minutes until background distractions cease. There’s nothing worse than ruining a good sound bite with a hammer.

Tip 3: Listen for background noise. Then run from it. from DNJournalist on Vimeo.

4. Chase the action.

Juggling an interview and the Flipcam can be a challenge. My first instinct was to try to maintain eye contact with the interviewee while occasionally glancing at the screen to see how the filming was going. Inevitably, my arm would shift for a moment and lose half the person’s face, or my subject would move and I’d be focused on a very clean wall. Since then, I’ve learned to watch the screen like a hawk and to follow what’s happening through the screen. Otherwise, the subject can slip out of the framing you’re looking for. The clip shows how to follow your interview.

Tip 4: Chase the action from DNJournalist on Vimeo.

5. Stabilize

But while you’re out chasing the action, try to keep steady. Use your elbow as a kind of tripod by resting it on a surface or holding it with your other hand to keep the shot steady. I’ve turned the audio down on this clip so you can see how distracting it is to have an unsupported shot. If you have a chance to steady your hand, use it.

Tip 5: Stabilize from DNJournalist on Vimeo.