I had coronavirus when we had the first two camera workshops, so I asked my team members to send me the work they had done so I could still understand how to use cameras and film, this is Roualeyn's post:
Workshop 1:
The first thing you should do, after unfolding, when you are setting up your tripod for filming is make sure that the yellow bubble is facing towards you and then quarter turn the handle under the head to loosen it and tilt until the bubble is in the center of the circle.
"Tip: when the camera is unattended leave the pan lock off and the tilt on to avoid accident"
The camera we were shown was the Black Magic mini Ursula with an 18mm - 300 mm lens. When attaching this camera to the tripod use the shoe under the camera along with the button on the left and the knob to the right to slide it in and lock it.
"Tip: use 'yours' and 'mine' terminology when handling expensive and heavy equipment"
The Black Magic mini Ursula uses V - lock batteries that slide and lock onto the back and use a button on the left to release.
When you want to focus on things using cameras that are on a manual setting zoom all the way into the object (the eyeball if it is a human face) using the furthest wheel on the lens. Once zoomed in it is easier to see how focused your shot is, you can use the nearest wheel on the lens to adjust. Once focused you can then zoom back out however far you want in order to achieve a nice looking, in focus image.
You can also change how bright your image is on a manual camera using the exposure wheel at the base of the lens. The white balance on the camera can be changed by pressing the touch screen 'WB' symbol on the cameras monitor, here you can pick settings to suit the light you are working with (like 'outdoor lighting', 'artificial lighting' and 'fluorescent lighting') or bring the white balance up and down manualy to your preferred setting.
