2. The video camera reads light like you would with dark sunglasses - make sure you have enough light. Also keep the light source behind you - please don't shoot into the light, sun or bright sky.

3. The mistakes of amateur video are often the camera waving around all over the place with constant zooming in and out. Use a tripod to keep the camera steady. Use your zoom control to frame the picture.

4. Think of your video image in a picture frame. Try at all times to have a picture that's pleasing to the eye. Keep the camera still and let the people move around within the picture frame.

5. The advice of the Russian photojournalist, Rodchenko, was: Think before you shoot, while you shoot and after you shoot. An American writer named Smith says: The time you spend not planning before you shoot will be spent apologizing after you shoot. Finally, an Anglo/American advertising mogul, David Ogilvy says the secret is KISS - keep it simple habeebee.

6. Check your equipment by doing a test recording and watch/listen to it before you go on a shoot. Be careful of rewinding and watching during a shoot because you may forget to go back to where you left off.

7. When shooting for editing, record a head and tail pad.