what it is
After a tornado ripped apart a town about 4 miles north of me, I found myself glued to the local news station for the next six hours. We don't get many tornado's in New York state, so even a small one is big news. But for me the biggest surprise is that with almost ten thousand people living it the path of the twister, only one person got any kind of image of the actual funnel cloud, and that was with a cell phone video camera. As more and more people get cell phones with still and video cameras in them, I'm sure we will all see more and more events, both personal and news worthy in that choppy, grainy, pooly shot format. Why. because most people can't be bothered carrying an extra peice of equipment with them to a wedding, graduation, or any other kind of celabration.I have two camcorder myself, one them a three chip 24 frame semipro system that shoots great video. and yet I can't be bother hauling that and all it's accessory to an event I'm attending. but I will bring my Canon still camera, and If I think it's interesting I might put it in video mode and get a few seconds of action.Now the trick is what to do with that video, that where this blog comes in. I hope to pass on my trials and errors with making video with out a video camera.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Rule 5
Look out behind you!!!
Now I'm not just saying to look out for the obvious, your buddies doing the peace sign over your head, but what's in back ground can really take away from what you want people to see and hear. you could be taking about the cure for cancer with all heart felt sincerity. but if there's a picture of a girl in a bikini behind you, guess what people are going to notice. Make sure there's nothing behind you that could distract your audience. Or better yet put some thing in the back ground to reinforce what your saying. also be aware of contrast, if your sitting in front of a window on a sunny day your going to be completely in the dark. The best bet is do a test run and take a good look at the pictue.
See you later
Now I'm not just saying to look out for the obvious, your buddies doing the peace sign over your head, but what's in back ground can really take away from what you want people to see and hear. you could be taking about the cure for cancer with all heart felt sincerity. but if there's a picture of a girl in a bikini behind you, guess what people are going to notice. Make sure there's nothing behind you that could distract your audience. Or better yet put some thing in the back ground to reinforce what your saying. also be aware of contrast, if your sitting in front of a window on a sunny day your going to be completely in the dark. The best bet is do a test run and take a good look at the pictue.
See you later
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Rule 4 Sound Please.
what did they say?
A good looking image is important for your video, but don't forget the sound. If you using a web cam and your not moving more that a few feet from the camera, then your probably OK. But if your planing on moving around to demonstrate something, then you better think about an external microphone. I recently bought a pair of cheap wireless labile mics on eBay that seem to do the trick for me. I wouldn't use them on a professional shoot, but for selling my krapp on eBay they work great. Also be aware of other noises in the room, or the next room. Always check the sound with a pair of head phones (or even the ear buds from your iPod) before you start recording.
A good looking image is important for your video, but don't forget the sound. If you using a web cam and your not moving more that a few feet from the camera, then your probably OK. But if your planing on moving around to demonstrate something, then you better think about an external microphone. I recently bought a pair of cheap wireless labile mics on eBay that seem to do the trick for me. I wouldn't use them on a professional shoot, but for selling my krapp on eBay they work great. Also be aware of other noises in the room, or the next room. Always check the sound with a pair of head phones (or even the ear buds from your iPod) before you start recording.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Rules for Good Video 3
Let there be light.
If you going show me something let me see it! Now you don't have hire a crew to light your bed room if you just plan on rambling on about how life sucks in your parents 4 bedroom Mc-Mansion, but we would like to see your face. now most of the time the problem isn't the amount of light on your face, its how much light is on what's behind you. Sure you could go out and buy a light kit for $100 bucks, but some times rearranging the lamps are all you need to do. Get your self one of those goose neck desk lamps with the old style incandescent bulb, and that should make a good primary light source. Try not to mix lamp types like florescent and the new energy savers, they will drive the Camera crazy and you will end up with a green face. and we do want to see that face.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Rules for Good Video 2
2. Have some thing to say.
I know this sound elementary, but how many You Tube videos have you seen were people are just rambling on and on. So think about what you want to say, write it down if you have to and then read it aloud to your self before you turn the camera, or cell phone on. What did you say, you just want to shoot some outdoor scenery. That's fine, but "have some thing to say" zoom in on a stream, find some animals doing something. Just don't plop the camera there just to see trees, make it interesting. There are a million stories out there, you just need to dig them out.
I know this sound elementary, but how many You Tube videos have you seen were people are just rambling on and on. So think about what you want to say, write it down if you have to and then read it aloud to your self before you turn the camera, or cell phone on. What did you say, you just want to shoot some outdoor scenery. That's fine, but "have some thing to say" zoom in on a stream, find some animals doing something. Just don't plop the camera there just to see trees, make it interesting. There are a million stories out there, you just need to dig them out.
Rules for Good Video 1
Here are some simple rules for making better videos with any device.
1. Know Thy Stuff.
Nobody can just pull a piece of equipment out of a box and start using it with any kind of proficiency. Give your self time to press all the button and see what it can do. If it's a camera shoot shoot and shoot some more, Pets are great subjects for first videos. I don't care how good you are at your craft, don't think you can unpack your new camcorder in the parking lot and start shooting a wedding in two minuites. This is particuly ture with camera phones. You may think you got a great shot by looking at the LCD on the Phone, but when it ends up on You Tube you may see some thing total diffrent. Don't get discouraged. just keep trying.
1. Know Thy Stuff.
Nobody can just pull a piece of equipment out of a box and start using it with any kind of proficiency. Give your self time to press all the button and see what it can do. If it's a camera shoot shoot and shoot some more, Pets are great subjects for first videos. I don't care how good you are at your craft, don't think you can unpack your new camcorder in the parking lot and start shooting a wedding in two minuites. This is particuly ture with camera phones. You may think you got a great shot by looking at the LCD on the Phone, but when it ends up on You Tube you may see some thing total diffrent. Don't get discouraged. just keep trying.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
some times
some times I get very excited about the potential for new means of creating visual communications. other time I wonder if it's such a good idea. As much as I like You Tube I can see a lot of people who really can't produce an image that is viewable or audible enough to express what they want to say. I'm not looking to teach people how to make Hollywood movies. I just want people to say what they want to say and be clear about it.
Friday, January 11, 2008
we don't need no stinking camcorder
We are entering a world where the tools to create quality video content are no only becoming cheaper, but down right easy to use. Will some one create the next Star Wars on a Cell Phone? you never know.
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