Videos on Diesis
For Diesis the quality of the videos available on its service is very important. Are you not an experienced videomaker?
This guide offers some small tips to make high quality videos, with widely available tools.
Videos must be unpublished. That means, they must not have been previously uploaded to other platforms, services or social networks.
Video and content quality
Viewers, whatever the circumstances where they are watching a concert or a documentary film, have high expectations both of performers and video quality.
For this reason, even if you don’t rely on a professional to make your video, there are a few issues you must take into account like the choice of an appropriate setting, good lighting and correct framing and editing.
Where to start from
You can rely on a professional or shoot the video yourself. In both cases keep in mind a few basic concepts so that Diesis may distribute your videos.
Before you start to plan or shoot your videos it is fundamentally important that you evaluate all the elements necessary to form a correct video strategy.
A few tricks will allow you to produce high quality, engaging videos.
Shooting
Remember that a good video uses different types of shots: LONG (i.e. to film a stage), MEDIUM (to film one or two musicians, or a medium-long shot for a clarinet or oboe player, or someone being interviewed …) and CLOSE UP, on details (i.e. a pianists’ hands, or the bow moving on the strings of a violin, eyes …)
Avoid zooming in/out too quickly.
Change the camera’s position but… without filming very short shots.
Take care of lighting: make it appropriate
Diesis prefers videos where the artist is already on set and is about to start playing; but… wait a few seconds before he/she starts.
Take care of the setting, it is paramount for the success of your video. Be it a theatre, a concert hall, a museum, a study/workshop, a vast space or in the open air, choose an appropriate location for what you want to achieve.
Length of music videos
Diesis sets no restrictions on the length of a video. The only condition is that songs or compositions are uploaded in their entirety (no partial recordings).
A piece may last two minutes, like a Capriccio by Paganini or a study by Chopin.
Single parts of Sonatas or Concertos are not allowed. For instance, you may not send the video of the first part of a Sonata. The video must include all of its parts.
Interviews
To shoot an interview you will need: a set with a videocamera, lights and microphones, an interviewer and an interviewee.
The interviewer may decide to be included in the frame or not.
First study the position: don’t place lights behind the interviewee.
Camera angle: from above it belittles the importance of the subject who will look a bit squashed. From below it gives the subject a touch of importance and authority. Do not place the subject in the middle leaving too much space on the sides: place him/her to the right or to the left.
Start from a wide shot: if possible, start by filming the surrounding environment before zooming towards the subjects. Viewers will have time to understand the context.
Shoot some details: they will enhance the interview, making it unusual and more entertaining.
Give it some rhythm: for instance, from a medium long shot zoom in to a close up.
The role of the interviewer is very important as it will be him/her to give the interview a slant.
If possible use two cameras: one for long shots and one for details.
Create empathy.
If the interviewer is outside of the frame he/she will have to sit or stand next to the camera shooting details.
The interviewer should always repeat the subject of the question.
Make room for your creativity!
Remember that an interview for Diesis must be between 15 and 30 minutes long.
Exclusive Videos
Remember, the video must be unpublished. This means it may not have been previously uploaded to another service or to a social media network.
Any project broadcast or available online before being sent to Diesis will be rejected.
A state of Premiere is not mandatory, meaning that a video previously sent for selection will not be rejected unless it has been published online by the selection committee.
For further information please read the FAQs.
Formats
- CODEC H264
- Profile HIGH
- Entropy mode CABAC
- Bitrate autom. 8000 Kbits/sec for 1080p FullHD
- File extension mp4
- Frame rate (between 24 and 60 fps)
- Progressive 1080p (NOT 1080i)
- Audio 48Khz
- Compression AAC-LC
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