Sports highlight project...looking for tips

[coachgrd]

Wasn't sure of proper place for this inquiry...figured this was as good as any.


I've offered to put together a highlight video of my son's travel hockey team...the first of an 8-game season is Saturday. Not ever having done one before, I'm wondering what advice/tips/direction you all could lend me. I'm going to have a tripod mounted camera in the stands following the action while I'm down closer to the ice with another camera. I'd like the finished product to be decent enough that I might burn copies for each player WITHOUT being completely embarrassed of the production. Any of you done something like this before? I'm most thankful for any advice.

Also, any specific music suggestions to go along with the highlights?

Thanks in advance! (And Black Lab...I know you must have some advice to offer! )

-Gary

[blplhp]

Jeff,

He has you accurately pegged!!!


Coachgrd,

You picked the right man. I've gotten some tips from him as well, and he does a great job with sports DVD's.

[GilbyTwins]

Good luck with the video. I'll share my experiences from shooting my son's (8 years old) Pop Warner football this year. I've been shooting video for about 12 years but this is my first capturing of full events with a goal in mind for end of year video. As an FYI, I posted a few links to the stuff I created in a previous post if you want to see any of it. The clips are listed in a few different posts here... http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... highlight=

Ideas for the actual shooting include opportunities to get the big picture obviously, but also the close, intimate shots of individual faces. These are priceless. If one of your goals is to highlight a few plays for each player in the end of year video, plan accordingly at each game. Some players do not play as much so capturing an individual effort can be a challenge. I created a review of each of the 10 games using highlights as well as plays of players that are getting a special opportunity, i.e. my son the center getting to play running back and getting a carry. Again, unique moments. I keep a spreadsheet of players to make sure I get shots of each of them.

Don't overlook the power of still shots as well. I had my wife shooting, the "official" photographer shooting, and a friend as well, each shooting about 250 still shots per game. I used these very successfully in VS to create a montage that recapped the season in about 88 seconds. Timing with music was critical for that one.

The key to staying ahead of the game for this approach is cataloging each play (by player, big play, or discard, etc....) before the next game or editing all of the tapes will overwhelm you.

I personally believe that music, whether foreground or background, makes or breaks a presentation. You can completely control the reactions/emotions of the audience with this component and take something very average and make it powerful, or conversely tame a wild event with passive music. I love that part of the creative process!

If you are creating DVDs for them, I would highly recommend Digital Juice's Editor's Toolkit #8 Sports http://www.digitaljuice.com I've used it successfully with Video Studio and it works great for backgrounds, lower-thirds, transitions, etc... to make a video look amazing. They had specials going before Xmas but I don't know about now. Regular pricing is pretty steep.

Oh yeah, one last thing. I captured it all in HD (Sony HDR-HC3) and the clarity is quite amazing. If you can go that route you will not be sorry.

[Black Lab]

I echo just about everything GilbyTwins has said. I usually have an idea of what I want the outcome to be before I even begin shooting, so I know how I want to shoot it. BUT, you also have to be flexible enough to change because things don't always go the way we want.

I always edit as the season goes. That way it doesn't seem to be such a mountain of a project. I can also get it to the kids quicker that way.

A tripod is a must. The second camera is a great idea. (If only I could get my wife to cooperate!) I think I would have the camera in the stands follow the action in a wide shot, with the ice-level camera getting the tight shots. Are you using a tripod for that one too? If you are going to be zooming in I would recommend it.

Of course editing with the two cameras will be a challenge. My initial thoughts would be the wide shot in the main track with interspersed tight shot in the overlay. Synching shouldn't be much of an issue if you will be using music.

As far as the music, hockey is a fast-paced game, so you want the music to match. My personal favorite for instrumental rock guitar is Joe Satriani.

GOOD LUCK!

BTW, thanks for the kind words guys.

[Black Lab]

Gary,

Thought of a couple of other things. A couple of years ago my son's soccer team held a car wash fundraiser. Eleven year-olds, buckets of water, and hoses...I had to tape it! I used that footage at the end, while the credits were rolling. The kids and the parents loved it! So maybe you could shoot the kids when they are putting on their equipment, or after the game at McDonald's, etc.. Bloopers would work too.

The other thing I thought of was the issue of the length of the video. I always try to get mine done in time to be shown at the team banquet. I think everyone enjoys it more when they watch it with all their teammates, coaches, etc. Anyway, the thing I have noticed is after 10 minutes or so their attention span is out the window. I know this may hurt, but our masterpieces probably aren't nearly as good as we think they are! So my advice is keep it short. Unless you are doing a documentary, I would truly keep it to the highlights. Sure, you want to get all the kids in, but don't sacrifice quality for quantity.

Keep us posted.

[blplhp]

Hi Jeff,

When you do rolling credits at the end of a sports highlight movie, what are examples of some of the content you place in the rolling credits. Just looking for ideas. Thanks.

[Black Lab]

I don't do it often, but when I do it's usually just name & number, and sometimes position. If you wanted, you could probably get stats from the coach and include them too. Nicknames that the kids call each other can be funny also.

[wywso0]

Have you thought about using a monopod for the camera down near the ice? Its a lot more portable than a tripod and doesn't take up much room - you can fit the pole between your legs. Although not as good as tripod, it's an awful better than nothing.

[coachgrd]

This is just the stuff I'm looking for guys, thanks a million.

As for some of the suggestions, I do really need to get my hands on a monopod before Saturday, they truly make a difference. Hopefull they'll have one at my local big box shop.

I am concerned about shooting video through the plexiglass...any suggestions?

I'm actually a step ahead on the photos...a team Mom will be posting images on the team webpage...I told her to make certain to save the photos for the video.

I've enlisted the sister of a player to handle the camera in the stands. I'll set it up and make sure they ONLY thing she has to do is follow the action. Hopefully she'll do OK. I've had kids videotaping my basketball team for years, I know what I might get. I'll have to make sure she understands what to do and more importantly what NOT to do. I just love it when the action makes it's way to the other end of the court and the camera stays on the other...

Always open for more ideas for the video...

-Gary

[coachgrd]

Dave:
I checked out some of your stuff from the other thread and it's indeed very cool! (and you're right, that is the finest rendition of the National anthem!)

-Gary

[sjj1805]

Moved to the Tutorials.
Thanks Guys.

[usatraveler]

I find that tight shots of reactions are great...getting a goal is a great shot, but the celebration after it is what makes it into highlight videos for me.

Careful with effects - there are many available, but each time you use one, ask yourself why you're using it. Especially any kind of wipe. That spiral wipe looks really cool, but it can also look really cheesy and distract attention. Most of my highlight videos use only cuts, dissolves, white-flashes, and black-flashes as transitions. I'll often use slow-motion effects, and occasionally color effects such as black-and-white.

Whatever you do, focus on the players. Now, the great thing about hockey is that wherever the puck is, that's where the action is. If it was baseball, and you're shooting for a highlight video, instead of following the ball after it's hit, follow the player. Maybe you'll get a fist-pump or some similar great reaction. The hockey example I can think of here is following the "hero" instead of the puck. After a goal, snap to the scorer's reaction. After a save, hold on the goalie for an extra couple of seconds even if play has continued. "Iso" shots like this help a lot.

Shooting through glass shouldn't be too bad, I've used stuff shot through nets and chain-link fences and nets. Being able to control the camera's focus helps. But through glass, shouldn't be too bad. The viewer's eyes will do what we naturally do - focus on what's through the glass. If the glass is fairly clean, and the camera focuses on the intended subject, you should be fine. Is it the glass with stanchions (metal or plastic), or is it that "seamless" glass?

If you're using still images, use the "Ken Burns" effect - pan and zoom on them. Rarely use still images as static frames, make 'em move a bit. Maybe zoom out from the team logo or an excited face to the whole picture.

Music, go for something powerful and upbeat, with a strong beat that you can cut action to. In highlights I've cut for a high school baseball team and a college soccer team, I've used Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" and Aerosmith's "Dream On." Think about lyrics as well. If you're not hearing meaningful audio, like commentator calls or player interview clips, make sure your lyrics are meaningful in relation to the piece.

Some pieces of music will be conducive to making the entire piece in slow-motion, or at least most of it. Dissolves will be your best friend here.

The "keep it short" tip is great. From personal experience, if it's any longer than 2 or 3 minutes, it had better be really riveting stuff that people will watch. Maybe a little longer if the audience consists of the people involved.

You don't necessarily need big plays to make highlights. You need good PEOPLE shots. Reactions are great. Even dramatic close-ups help out a lot. Skates hitting the ice. A nice move with the puck. A nice defensive play or a save. A player's face as he leans in for a face-off. A player's face as he's skating around in the pregame. A close-up of a player taking a shot. The team gathering around in a huddle. These kinds of things make the video.

Hope this helps!