Several deer in an area can pose huge problems. There’s been several times when I’ve been filming a deer walking up that a hunter intended on shooting, only to have to stop following that deer with the camera because another deer started bobbing its head while looking at me off-screen. You must be constantly aware of your surroundings and what’s happening “outside the frame.” The last thing you want to do is blow it for your hunter.
Speaking of jeopardizing someone’s hunt, let’s go back to Briley’s hunt and my mistake with proper scenario rehearsal. You’ll notice that after I realized I couldn’t get the shot at that angle, I attempted to move around the tree. This was my second chance, and I blew it. I thought the deer wasn’t looking and moved around the tree quickly because I was unsure if Briley had heard me tell him to wait. The deer undoubtedly saw something somewhere during my motion, and when I emerged from the other side of the tree, she was high-tailing it. I should have moved slowly, and it’s another lesson learned—unfortunately at Briley’s expense.
Shot Placement
Proper lead room is necessary for pleasing shot aesthetics. Study TV shows and commercials to see how prevalent it is.
Yes, the camera’s shot placement when filming is just as important as the hunter’s shot placement when hunting. Many people have the tendency to zoom in too close when filming deer. These short focal lengths amplify the subtle shaking of the camera and also decrease early morning and late evening visibility because the lens’ iris must close somewhat to accommodate the narrow field of view. Also, if you happen to lose the deer within the camera’s frame, then it’s very difficult to reacquire your target. It’s similar to hunting in a thicket with your rifle scope set on 9X power; it just doesn’t make sense. If you lose the deer, zoom out until you find it again.
What we call lead room is another often overlooked and important consideration to make when filming. Proper shot composition dictates that any subject needs to have an ample amount of lead room in front of the direction it’s heading or facing. We want to see where the deer’s going, not where it came from.
When the hunter is about to shoot, you must be ready. Your hand needs to be on the zoom-out button. Again, it’s like trying to follow a deer running through a thicket through your scope when it’s set on 9X power; it’s nearly impossible. As soon as the shot’s made, you must instinctively zoom out while following the deer as it runs away.
Learn from Your Mistakes
One can read all the literature and study all of the videos he or she wants in an attempt to better him or herself at filming hunts, but the truth is, the best way to learn is from your own mistakes. The main factor is an ability to recognize your mistakes and be self-critical of everything you film when you watch the footage back, making the necessary adjustments next time you’re afield. There’s no such thing as perfect video, but with time, your footage will be enjoyed by everyone and only scrutinized by the most discerning set of eyes—yours.
12 Responses to: Filming Hunts (Part 2 of 2)
Lilcajun you had the perfect chance to show them how Southpaw’s do it. I’ll call your lanyard strap “The Gator” cause it was the only thing I saw wrong. If it was not in the way I think it would have been a perfect Southpaw doe smackdown on BayouBucks II. Nice try, I enjoyed the clip anyway. Too bad Jason did not get to hear your accent. LOL!
OHHHHHH MAN!!!!…..I hate to say it but that would have been ONE DEAD DEER and we would have had to start ALL OVER…..hehehehe…..That was a SLAM DUNK MAN!!!!……NO,NO,NO,NO,……WACK!!!!!…..OH YOU WAS TALKING TO ME??????….I’ll be honest that rite there would have had me up nights cussing myself for letting that deer get away…..YOU HAD IT BRO,IT WAS ONE DEAD MOTHA!!!!!!
Man I heard the story but didn’t realize it was that easy of a shot. I have to agree with Widow……WACK….Sorry Jason. Heheee!!!
Like the old Contractor saying goes, “DO IT, then beg for forgiveness”!!!!!!
Common Jason if you would have let him just shoot the doe the after footage would have been priceless. Just look at how he explained the Carribou shoot.
Lil C, you sure can chaulk that one as a kill. I think even Belizaire could’ve hit it. lol That was some good footage in my old stompin grounds. That place looks like it’s not for from the Morgan City line. Props to you man cause the deer don’t get any wilder than that island. Gotta get it done this year.
You know looking back at the footage you can come up with all kinds of shoulda’s, coulda’s, and woulda’s, but you can’t take it back. What is done is done and I’m sure Jason feels worse about it that LC. Thats just what makes us want more and do it all again to redeem ourself.
From looking at it, my should, coulda, woulda would be that Jason could have reached over and just pulled the strap down off LC’s elbow. Looks like it was just sitting there, not under tension. But I’m only seeing whats in the frame and you would of thought the deer wasn’t going anywhere and you had time to wait for a better shot. You never know what to expect. Thats why we love it!!!!!!
thanks for the vote of confidence bowfreak
that deer would have been shot…….
it definitely was a different experience with the camera over my shoulder!! in my eyes, that deer was dead…when he was saying no, i was starting to squeeze the trigger! lol….she was in our lap…i didnt have a problem letting off, b/c i hadnt hunted that stand in about 2-3 weeks waiting for jason to be there to film the hunt…i knew the deer were gonna be there, so i wanted to get everything on film…looking forward to filming this coming february for Bayou Bucks II, hopefully we can seal the deal!!
Still a great hunt in my opinion. Things go wrong but it’s all in the game. There is an old saying, “Everything is good for something even if it just to serve as a bad example” Great article and really enjoyed the footage. I guess that will have to be saved for the BB DVD Bloopers video.
Just like the Professor said “Still a great hunt”. That’s just the nature of the beast. Jason’s just gotta learn from the mistake and get it right next time for you. Can’t wait for the new video to get to my house. My wife is going to mail it to me over here in Iraq where I’m working. Hope to get home around Dec. or Jan. so I don’t have to miss the whole season this year.