The Legacy Shootsta Kit 3
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      2. The Shootsta Kit
      3. The Legacy Shootsta Kit 3

      How to use the Legacy Shootsta Kit 3

      Learn how to set up and film with the Shootsta Kit 3

      What's inside the Shootsta Kit 3?

      Inside the Shootsta Kit 3 is everything you will need to get started creating videos.

      The Shootsta Kit 3 includes:

      • iPad

      • Autocue/teleprompter

      • Tripod

      • Gorillapod mini tripod

      • Rode Wireless GO Receiver (RX)

      • Rode Wireless GO Transmitter (TX)

      • Audio Y splitter & audio SC7 cable

      • Lightning cable to USB type A

      • Sunwayfoto LED Light

      • Sony a7iii camera

      • Spare camera battery (under the camera)

      • Sony 28-70 f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens

      • SD Card to lightning adaptor

      • Sony 50mm f/1.8 prime lens

      • Multitool

      • 2x USB type C to USB type A cables

      • 2x Micro USB to USB type A cables

      • 2x RODE lavalier/lapel microphones

      • Autocue/teleprompter rails

      • USB charging adaptors

      • Sony battery charger

       

      How to set up the Shootsta Kit 3 with the autocue

      There are 5 things that need to be set up when getting ready to film with the Shootsta Kit 3: the tripod, autocue, camera, audio and iPad.

      How to set up the Kit without the autocue is located at the bottom of this article and will follow very similar steps to setting up the Kit with the autocue.

      Step 1: Setting up the tripod

      • Grab the tripod out of the kit.

      • Fold each leg down.

      • Twist all the locks on each tripod leg open, extend each leg as far as it can go, then twist the locks to tighten.

      • Spread out the tripod’s legs and place it on the ground.

      • To adjust the height of the centre column, turn the lock at its base.

      • When you’re happy with the height, twist the lock the other way to tighten it back up.


      Step 2: Setting up the autocue

      • Before placing anything on the tripod, make sure the ball head on top is stable and facing up. To adjust the angle, use the locking knob on the side.

      • Take both rails out from the Kit.

      • Slide the first rail onto the tripod, keeping the mounting clamp at the back of the tripod. You’ll notice a ruler on the side of the rail. Slide till the 0cm mark is in the middle of the ball head. This will help your camera and autocue to balance nicely on the tripod.

      • Tighten the locking knob once you have the first rail in place.

      • Slide the second rail onto the tripod, keeping the shorter arm of the L-shape facing up. This is where you will be attaching the camera.

      • Tighten the locking knob once it’s in place.

      • Grab out the autocue from the Kit.

      • Slide the autocue onto the first rail horizontally on the tripod.

      • Once on, twist the knob on the bottom of the autocue to secure in place.

      • Using the two finger cut-outs on the front of the autocue, pull it open.

      • Fold up both plastic walls to support the top of the autocue.
        ​

      Step 3: Setting up the camera

      • Take the camera out from the kit.

      • Slide the baseplate on the bottom of the camera onto the second rail so it is facing towards your autocue.

      • Once in place, twist the knob to tighten. Next, take off your lens cap and slide the autocue’s fabric hood over the lens. If you notice your camera is sitting too high or too far away to slide the hood on, simply adjust the vertical rail to change the height or slide the autocue closer along the horizontal rail. Just make sure everything’s balanced and secure.

      Step 4: Setting up the audio

      • Take the wireless audio receiver (RX) out from the kit. The receiver is the one with a screen on the top.

      • Slide the receiver onto the small metal slot on top of your camera (hot shoe).

      • Next take out the red coiled cable from your kit and plug it into the receiver.

      • Open the small door on the side of your camera closest to the lens.

      • Plug the red coiled cable into the red jack.

      Step 5: Place the iPad inside the autocue

      • Take the iPad out of the kit.

      • Open the autocue app.

      • Load up your script, and slide the iPad into the autocue.

      How to set up the Shootsta Kit 3 without the autocue

      If you aren't filming a video with a script then chances are you won't be needing the autocue. Here are the 3 things to set up when getting ready to film using the Shootsta Kit 3 without the autocue.

      Step 1: Setting up the tripod

      • Grab the tripod out of the kit.

      • Fold each leg down.

      • Twist all the locks on each tripod leg open, extend each leg as far as it can go, then twist the locks to tighten.

      • Spread out the tripod’s legs and place it on the ground.

      • To adjust the height of the centre column, turn the lock at its base.

      • When you’re happy with the height, twist the lock the other way to tighten it back up.

      Step 2: Set up the camera

      • Take the camera out of the kit.

      • Slide the base plate onto the tripod and tighten it.

      • Take the lens cap off and place it back inside the kit.

      Step 3: Setting up the audio

      • Take the wireless audio receiver (RX) out from the kit. The receiver is the one with a screen on the top.

      • Slide the receiver onto the small metal slot on top of your camera (hot shoe).

      • Next take out the red coiled cable from your kit and plug it into the receiver.

      • Open the small door on the side of your camera closest to the lens.

      • Plug the red coiled cable into the red jack.

       

      How to set up and mic your subject

      Step 1: Set up the audio equipment.

      • Grab the Receiver (RX) from the kit. If you ever get confused between your transmitter and receiver, just remember your receiver has a screen on the top.

      • Slide the Receiver onto the hot shoe of your camera. The hot shoe is the small metal slot on top of your camera.

      • Take out the red coiled cable from your kit and plug it into the Receiver.

      • Open the small door on the side of your camera closest to the lens.

      • Plug the red coiled cable into the red audio jack.

      Step 2: Mic up your subject.

      • Grab the transmitter and lapel/lavalier mic from the Kit.

      • Clip the lapel mic onto your subject. Ideally you want to clip the mic either on their collar or between their first and second button.

      • Once clipped, hide the lapel mic’s wire under their clothes to keep things looking neat and tidy.

      • Once they are mic’d up, plug the lapel mic into the transmitter and place the transmitter into a pocket or clip it to a belt or other item of clothing.

      How to set the audio record level in camera

      Setting the audio record level in camera correctly will allow your audio to sound loud and clear in your video. To check the audio level in camera, look at the audio meter on the back of your camera. These are the green bars that are constantly moving when set up correctly. You want these levels to sit between 50-75% as your subject speaks. If you don’t see them moving at all, then you are not recording audio and if you see them fill up 100% and flash red then your levels are too high and begin to peak, distorting the audio recorded.


      There are 3 steps to setting the audio record level in camera correctly.

      1. Grab out the pair of headphones from the kit and plug them into the green jack in your camera. This green jack is under the door to the right of the red jack.

      2. Press the centre button on the back of your camera. This will bring up a screen titled Audio Record Levels.

      3. set your audio levels. You can do this by turning the wheel left or right. The bigger the number, the louder the audio will be recorded.
        When completing this step, be sure to ask your subject some questions so as they’re talking you can set their levels.
        When you’re happy with your audio levels, press the middle button again to return to the main screen.

       

      How to focus the a7iii camera

      Having your subject in focus is one of the most important steps when filming a video. This is because if your subject is blurry, we can’t fix it in editing, and so your audience won’t know where to look.

      There are two different focusing modes inside the camera: auto-focus and manual focus.

      How to use autofocus

      • To start focusing, simply point the camera at your subject. Very similarly to your phone, your camera will focus on whatever you point it at. Usually this is your subject.

      • A white box should appear around your subject’s face, indicating face tracking is on and that they are in focus.

      • Once your camera has auto-focused, it’s still important to double check; your camera is good, but it’s not always perfect.To check focus, press the c3 button. An orange square will appear on screen. Move this box over your subjects face by pushing the D pad up, down, left and right.

      • When it is over your subject's face, press c3 again to zoom in. Whilst zoomed in, check to see if your subject is sharp and in focus.

      • If they are, press c3 again to zoom back out and you’re ready to move on.
        If you notice your subject is blurry, then time to move onto your second method of focusing, manual focus.

      How to use manual focus

      • Your second option is to use the manual focus mode and gain full control of your focus. Press the AF/MF button to toggle between autofocus and manual focus.

      • You can see which mode you are in on the right hand side of the screen. AF is autofocus and MF is manual focus.

      • Now, instead of relying on the camera to focus for you, you can turn the small ring on your camera’s lens to focus.

      • Just like when you use autofocus, use the C3 button to zoom in and double check you are in focus.

      • And that is how you focus the camera from the Shootsta Kit. Either use autofocus, or it’s not perfect when you check it, use the focus lock or the manual focus mode instead.

       

      How to use the LED light

      How to set up the light

      You can screw the Gorillapod mini tripod into the bottom of the LED light. This will help when holding the LED light or setting it up when filming.

      How to change brightness

      To turn on, hold down the power button for a few seconds.

      To change the brightness, press the “+” or “-” buttons beside the power button.

      There is no magic number to determine how bright the light needs to be.

      Then hold up the light and see the difference. This is when you can make any adjustments to the lights brightness if you need.

      How to change colour

      This light also allows you to change the colour of your light from a cool, bluish white to a warm yellow, and anywhere in between. To change the colour, press the power button, then the “+” or “-” buttons to adjust. Now, changing the colour isn’t about making you look more tanned; the purpose of this feature is to match the rest of the light on your subject.

      This will ensure your subject looks their best.

      This is really easy to do. Simply shine the light on your talent and change the colour till it matches the other light around your talent.

      How to charge the light

      When you have finished using the light be sure to put it on charge using the micro usb cable.

      There is also a usb port on the light to allow you to charge other things, like your phone, in case you need it.

       

       

      How to use the Shootsta Cue app

      1) Unlock the iPad.

      The passcode is 0007 and is written on the back of the iPad in case you forget.

      2) Open the Shootsta Cue 2 app

      3) Log in to the Shootsta Cue 2 app

      Log in to the Shootsta Cue 2 app using your Shootsta account and workspace url. Your workspace url is the series of letters in the website address prior to app.shootsta.com when logging into the Shootsta: (workspace url).app.shootsta.com. If you don’t have a login, 'continue as guest' and type your script into the iPad.

      4) Create your Script

      To create a script inside Shootsta, you will need to use the Script tool in Shootsta. Click 'save' when you are finished. Make sure the iPad is connected to wifi for the script to sync across.

      To create a script in the Shootsta Cue app, click 'new script' and press 'edit' to start typing. You can copy and paste from an email or any other text source by simply pressing where the cursor is. Give the script a title straight away so you can recognise it from the others on the home screen.

      5) Set the read settings

      Font Size
      You can adjust the font size in the bottom right corner to suit your vision.
      ​
      ​Scroll Speed
      The default script speed sits at 4.5, you can adjust this in increments of 0.25. Have a test read, and adjust from there.
      ​
      ​Mirror
      Before you place the iPad in the teleprompter, you will need to turn on 'Mirror'. The Mirror button is in the top right-hand corner. This will invert the text to appear the correct way up when it reflects on the mirror

      6) Start & Stop & Scroll

      You can Start & Stop the script from scrolling using bottom centre button. You can not scroll while the script is playing, you must stop the script first.

      7) iPad in Teleprompter - Orientation Screen Lock

      Lay the iPad landscape at the base of the teleprompter. Make sure have turned on 'Mirror'. If your screen is being fussy and switching between vertical and horizontal you can lock the orientation to landscape.

      Turn your iPad horizontal or in "landscape mode". Swipe down from the top right corner to open the control panel, then press the lock icon.

       

      How to charge everything inside the Shootsta Kit 3

      The following equipment needs to be charged:

      • iPad

      • Rode Wireless GO Transmitter and Receiver

      • a7iii camera and spare battery

      • LED light

      Remember to check to see if the equipment is charged the day before you film.

       

      How to delete footage and format footage from your SD Card

      The best way to delete the footage from your SD card is to format it. This will delete everything from the card.

      Formatting your SD card is a simple process and will ensure the card is empty and ready to begin recording your new footage.

      It is vital that you have backed up or submitted to the all the footage that is on the card or else it will disappear and cannot be recovered. So please double check before formatting the SD card.

      Our golden rule is once you finish filming, don’t pack down until your footage is backed up.

      You never know who will use the camera next!

      To format the SD card inside the camera, click menu, then navigate to Suitcase icon, page 5 and then click format. Once selected, it will give you the option to choose which SD card slot to format. Since you will likely only have one SD card inside the camera, just press the one selected.

      Once the card is successfully formatted, then you’re good to begin filming once again.

      Remember, always make sure everything is backed up before formatting the SD card.

      How to change lenses on your camera

      There are two lenses inside the Shootsta Kit 3:

      • The Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6.
        This zoom lens is a great go-to lens for everyday filming. Since it can zoom, it’s great for capturing cutaways. Wide angles, mid shots, close ups, this lens can grab them all. You can identify this lens first by the name printed on the front of the lens or by the pair of rings around the lens. The bigger ring is for zooming and the smaller ring is for adjusting focus.
        ​

      • The Sony 50mm f/1.8
        This is a prime lens. That means it doesn’t zoom. This lens is often referred to as a portrait lens due to the fact that it excels at making your interviews and piece-to-cameras look beautiful. It gives you nice out-of-focused backgrounds and does great in low-light situations too. The single ring on the lens is for focusing. If you want to zoom in or out a little, the answer is simple: move the camera closer or further away.

      To change lenses, hold down the Lens Release Button hiding on the front of the camera. Whilst holding it down, turn the lens counterclockwise to remove the lens. Once you have removed the lens, place it down on a safe surface. Take the body cap off the lens you want to attach, line up the two white dots, and twist clockwise till it clicks in place. Make sure you place the body cap back onto the lens you took off and place it inside the Kit.

      Need help or have questions? Get in touch, we'd love to help!