Getting great footage for video analysis
Getting great footage for video analysis
Footage quality is critical to successful video analysis, says Jim Dickin. In short: use a suitable camera, a tripod and try to shoot from an elevated angle.
First, the camera
Modern video cameras are relatively inexpensive and can produce some outstandingly high definition (HD) results. They're much better than even a few years ago.
For filming sport, many video cameras in lower price ranges are absolutely up to the task. You need not spend $1000 on a suitable camera.
I'm using a Canon Legria camcorder with SD memory cards as a quick and easy way to get the footage from camera to computer. Macs have SD card readers built in, as do many PCs and laptops. If this is not the case for you, SD card readers are cheap. Any camera capable of shooting HD and from a reputable brand will give you good results.
Keep balanced
The tripod is often overlooked, yet absolutely vital in getting the footage you need. Again you should aim to purchase a well-regarded brand - this is not the area to skimp on price wise. The quality of your tripod dictates the quality of your panning with the camera and smooth footage is always better. Aim for the best tripod your budget allows.
Ensure the tripod head is included in your purchase, as these are sometimes sold separately.
Tripods are also important for filming on a mobile device like and iphone or ipad, and can make the difference between jerky footage and a clear picture for use in Ubersense or a similar app. An iPad mounted on a tripod, using a time delay app, can also let athletes can view their own performance and see what the coach is seeing - an invaluable process.
I have just started using the excellent Wallee system to mount my iPad on a tripod. Wallee (below) works for Samsung as well. The case has a mount built into the back of the unit which be used with a hand grip, mounted on the wall, or placed on a tripod. all using interchangeable mounts.
Elevate
Once you've got your equipment you're ready to begin to gather your footage. You'll need to take into account vantage point. The options are end on or side view, and the decision is down to the preference of the coach and players for whom you are taking the video.
Height is paramount for you to be able to view tactical developments in games. You may be filming from the top of a stand on a clubhouse roof or even a purpose built scaffold, but height really makes the difference.
In rugby at ITM level we are very fortunate in being able to take the side wide view, the end view and the broadcast view and then splice them together to watch concurrently.
Give it some space
The shots above are may be taken from higher vantage points, but they're not the shots most videographers would take.
Shots in analysis footage tend to wider than those used videoing the game for viewer use. This is literally big picture stuff - filling the frame and getting tight into the action isn't necessarily what you're after.
Wider shots allow the analyst to spot trends and patterns that they might otherwise miss if the film focused solely on the action.
The example below synchs multiple video feeds and plays it together, something possible via analysis software such as SportsCode. Imagine the benefit to your sport of being able to view the action from multiple perspectives.
Sharing
I prefer to use Dropbox or to synch via a cable and dropping the movie directly into the app via iTunes.
Get in touch
Jim Dickin
j.dickin@kingscollege.school.nz
