Video Guidelines for Mosaic Submissions
by Caitlin Hepworth
Here are some simple DIY Video guidelines to follow.
1. Read this whole document before you get started.
2. Allow yourself time to do this. Unless you know what you are doing, give yourself one day, or a day spread over a week for all the components. I estimate a few hours to do set up, trial a few things, get it right, practise and shoot a few versions before you make a final decision about what is best. Then a couple of hours for downloading, editing, and uploading.
3. Most mobile phone cameras are adequate for this purpose.
4. The video should have no sound at all, no narration, background noise, music etc.
5. The sound can be removed during editing.
6. If you are entering two pieces and want a video for each piece, submit a separate video of each piece.
7. If submitting two videos they should be separate from one another. Each video should focus on the one artwork and not show the other piece in any way.
8. The video will be viewed along with your still images when jurying and judging takes place. Ensure that there are no names, titles, or other identifiers in the video. Details from your entry form will be added when published.
9. Shoot your video in a landscape orientation as this works best with most platforms.
10. Your video can be one clip or several short clips merged together (this is usually better as you can trim each clip for the best bits before joining them together).
Tech Requirements
Video length 60 seconds or shorter
1. Video at 1080p HD at 30 frames per second (this is the default setting)
- On iphone go to Settings > Camera> Record Video> 1080p HD at 30FPS
- On Android go to Camera > Settings > Resolution> 1080p HD
2. File types:
.MOV - is the default iphone/imovie output)
.MP4 – is the default windows 10 Video Editor output
3. Video in a Landscape orientation
4. No sound (can be muted after video)
5. File Name: Artists Name, Artwork Title - Hepworth_Caitlin_Anastasis.mov
Editing Software Suggestions
1. iMovie App for iPhone or IOS devices
2. Video Editor App for Windows 10 (comes free with Windows)
How to YouTube Videos
There are tutorials for just about everything so please explore online. iMovie App - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJOnSgoTcT8 Windows 10 Video Editor within the Photos App. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLAqev8Vvm0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6yQwLuoO3w
Videoing a wall piece
1. Hang your mosaic on a wall in a position where there is good lighting.
2. Filtered natural light is best. Avoid hard glary direct sunlight and harsh overhead fluorescent light.
3. Check for shadows. As you move in with the camera make sure you are not casting a shadow over the work.
4. If you do not have good lighting, and do not have studio lights, bring in some lamps to help light your work.
5. Remember the colour of the globes in the lamps will affect the colours in your mosaic. Cool light and warm light have different effects. 6. Select a plain neutral wall. Avoid wall paper, textured surfaces such as a brick or stone wall and feature walls in strong colours. Don’t try to be arty. White, grey or cream is best.
7. Remove surrounding objects such as other artworks and furniture. Ensure there are no people or pets, who may dash through the room while you are filming.
8. Clear the area so that you can stand easily in front of the mosaic with the mosaic fully in the frame, then check there is enough space to move in closer to it and around it. You don’t want to be climbing on couches or over chairs while filming.
9. When you are taking the video imagine that you are exploring the work with your eyes for the first time. You want the audience to be able to navigate the work and all its details, undulations, relief elements, textures, andamento, detailed areas. In order to do this, you need to move the camera around the work capturing all its qualities.
10. Move SLLLOOOWWWLY... Move the camera at a 1⁄4 of the speed that you would move your eye. You need to give the camera time to keep refocusing and the audience time to take in what they are seeing. If you move too fast the camera loses focus and the audience will get sea sick. Moving slowly also gives you more control over camera shake.
11. Videos can be easily trimmed down so shoot more seconds than you need and then select the best bit.
12. Take several versions. Look after each version and evaluate yourself. Don't think you'll get it right in one go. Don't delete anything.
Extra Tips for DIY Video of a mosaic sculpture
Taking a video of a sculpture is very difficult due to the 3D nature of the work and the constant problem of a moving background. There are a couple of ways around this that you can try at home with not too much hassle. There are several variables to this based on the size and weight of your sculpture.
Tips for setting up your photo studio for a sculpture
1. Select the area you will use for the video (read the points above)
2. Create a ‘sweep’ for your backdrop. A sweep is a plain surface that hangs down behind your sculpture and curves out onto the floor/table/base/ plinth that you plan to put your work on. This removes the angle and shadow between the wall and the table.
3. Keep testing the size and position of the sweep as you make it – use your sculpture and your camera to make informed decisions about what is working or not regarding your set up.
4. While testing and setting up put something under your work like a towel or spare paper as the sweep gets dirty very quickly.
5. Make sure the sweep is wide enough to fill the frame of your camera and allows you to move around a bit without capturing other things in the room.
6. If you feel like experimenting, you can alternatively create a horizontal sweep that curves in a U shape behind your work.
7. If your sculpture is small, you can even use the inside of a lined large cardboard box with the sweep attached inside.
Depending on the size of the work the ‘Sweep’ could be
• a piece of cardboard (approx. 150 - 200gsm)
• An A2, A1 sized piece of cartridge paper (120 – 200 gsm)
• A large roll of cartridge paper (200gsm +)
• An ironed sheet
The sweep can be secured either to the wall or a cross bar or brace with:
• Duct tape
• Bull dog clips
• Clamps or pegs
Here are some links to look at for ideas for making your own sweep. - https://www.pixelz.com/blog/diy-1-build-photo-studio-bootstrapped-budget/ - https://fstoppers.com/product/portable-and-inexpensive-seamless-background-system-2974
Shooting the Video of a Sculpture
There are 2 options here A) Without a turning device. B) Using a turning device.
Without a Turning Device
Making a video without a turning device involves three choices
1. Pick the best angle which exemplifies the best elements of the sculpture and shoot as well as you can exploring the sculpture in one position, moving around slowly and carefully. Remember that the video is only an EXTRA to your still photographs which are from multiple angles.
2. Take three or four shorter videos with your sculpture at different angles and join them together in editing. See short How to videos on page 1.
3. Placing your sculpture on a plinth in a plain empty room, or on a plinth outdoors in nature and slowly walking around the sculpture.
Using a Turning device
If you have access to a turning device, it makes things a little easier. It allows the sculpture to be turned manually or automatically while you film.
Manual Turning devices
A manual turning device could be made of the following things a. a banding wheel (often used in ceramics) b. a lazy susan (generally used for condiments or sharing food) c. other turn table (sometimes used in pantry storage)
If you are able to use a manual turning device, you will need to experiment with your set up. You will need another person to manually do the rotation. You will need to build a clean, neutral little plinth on the turning device for the sculpture to sit on that is a little higher, so that the turning device and your assistants hands are not in the video.
Automatic turning Devices
An automatic turning device is a 360 degree rotation photography turntable - these are available from $30 - $250. If you are part of a school or studio you could consider buying one together.
a) Make a choice based on the size and weight of your work.
b) The smaller cheaper ones are only designed for lightweight objects.
c) The larger more expensive ones can hold up to 20kg or more.
d) Check the rotation speed as they turn independently (the slower the better)
e) Depending on the product you either have a fixed rotation speed OR can set the rotations per minute.
f) Make sure the top of your turntable is clean and the same colour as your sweep. Cut some clean paper to fit if necessary.
All rights and credit to MAANZ Exhibition Coordinator: Caitlin Hepworth
https://www.caitlinhepworth.com June 2021
This article has been published with the permission of Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ) and Caitlin Hepworth
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