Standardisation Across Locations

1. Camera Settings

Camera Model: Sony Alpha 7 IV (mandatory across all locations).

Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160).

Frame Rate: 25 fps (PAL standard for global consistency).

Shutter Speed: 1/50 (to match the 25 fps frame rate for natural motion blur).

Picture Profile: S-Log3 (preferred for colour grading flexibility in post-production).

Ensure all crews set the ISO to 800 or higher to maximise the dynamic range in S-Log3.

Use Custom White Balance for each scene (record white balance details for reference).

Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (shooting horizontally with 9:16 framing in mind).

Use safe area guides on the monitor to ensure the subject and key action fit within a central 9:16 crop.

Lenses:

Standard focal range: 24-70mm f/2.8 (flexible for wide shots and medium close-ups).

Prime lenses: 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 for bokeh or shallow depth of field.

2. Framing for 9:16 Vertical Content

Subject Positioning: Frame the subject centrally within the 16:9 frame to ensure they remain prominent in a 9:16 crop.

Safe Area Guides: Use the camera or monitor’s overlay tools to mark the 9:16 safe area during recording.

Composition:

Avoid placing critical elements (e.g., text, faces) too far left or right in the 16:9 frame.

Keep action within the centre third of the screen.

Extra Coverage: Capture close-up and medium shots that can translate well into a vertical format.

3. Audio Setup

Microphones:

• Use high-quality shotgun microphones (e.g., Rode NTG5 or Sennheiser MKH 416) for directional audio.
• For dialogue-heavy scenes, lavalier microphones (e.g., Sennheiser G4 or Rode Wireless GO II) are mandatory.
• Record ambient sound separately with a stereo condenser microphone (e.g., Zoom H5 or Tascam DR-40X) for room tone.

Recording Considerations:

• Record audio externally on dedicated recorders
• Always use a boom pole with a shotgun mic when possible.
• Use windshields or dead cats for outdoor shoots to minimise wind noise.

Check and adjust levels:

Dialogue peaks: -12dB to -6dB.

Ambient audio: -18dB to -12dB.

Consistency:

• Sample rate: 48kHz.
• Bit depth: 24-bit.
• Sync audio with a clapperboard or an audible clap before each take for easy syncing in post.

4. Lighting

Match the lighting temperature across scenes:

• Daylight: 5600K.
• Tungsten: 3200K.
• Use consistent gels if shooting under mixed light sources.
• Use soft boxes or diffusers to ensure evenly lit subjects.
• Avoid harsh shadows unless dictated by creative direction.

Capture test footage to confirm lighting consistency before rolling.

5. Colour and Exposure

• Expose for highlights to retain detail in bright areas when using S-Log3.
• Use a grey card or colour checker at the beginning of each scene for accurate colour grading in post.
• Ensure all crews shoot under consistent light conditions (avoid drastic lighting shifts within scenes).

6. File and Naming Structure

Each file must follow this naming convention: [Location][Date][Scene]_[Take].mp4.

• Example: Lagos_20250118_Scene1_Take1.mp4.
• Audio files should match the same naming format with .wav extensions.

7. Communication and Reference

• Share test footage between crews to ensure alignment in composition, framing, and exposure.
• Use a shared storyboard or shot list with visual references for framing and angles.
• Keep a daily log noting: White balance settings, Lens and focal length, Audio mic setup, Lighting details.

8. Post-Production Considerations

• Ensure all footage is shot in S-Log3 for uniformity in colour grading.
• Record scratch audio in-camera even if using external audio.
• Maintain at least 10 seconds of pre-roll and post-roll for each take to allow smooth transitions in editing.
• Ensure framing leaves room for text overlays, if required, in both horizontal and vertical orientations.

9. Backup and Delivery

• Use high-speed SD cards (UHS-II, V60 or higher) for recording.
• Create two backups daily: one on-site and one in the cloud - raw footage and audio must be delivered via a Google Drive link that will be provided