We just got out of our Videomaker Lounge and conference room feeling the glow of our first webinar with our partnership with YouTube. We’ve watched webinars, but have never conducted one ourselves, so this was a new learning experience for us here at Videomaker. We feel everything went well, the only hitch was not enough time for the live Q&A session at the end of our seminar. But isn’t that always the case?!? Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the ‘Lighting’ Category
Videomaker Webinar Success!
YouTube and Videomaker Webinar next week!
Don’t forget, sign-up for the joint event we’re producing with YouTube. We are going to give you some tips on shooting, lighting techniques, and the best way to record audio.
We’re reprinting the original post from YouTube’s blog as posted by Mia Quagliarello, YouTube’s Community Manager. Read the rest of this entry »
Workshop Preps and the December Issue
Hard to believe, but we just shipped the December issue off to the printers. This has been a busy week at Videomaker Headquarters, we’re also getting ready for another terrific workshop this weekend.
We’ve been getting all the gear together for the two upcoming workshops: Basic Production and Intensive Lighting. It’s going to be another full house at VMHQ!
We have a nice collection of HD cameras and Lights, tripods and other accessories to teach with, and have been teaching the Basic Production Class for several years. It’s usually a great success. Having the chance to meet and greet other video enthusiasts and spend the weekend working on a video project is great fun. 
Read the rest of this entry »
New Litepanels® 1×1 Long-Throw SuperSpot™
This new video light by Litepanels is an excellent way to light your next video production. Read on for more details.
The popular 1×1 Spot fixtures, focus the 5600°K beam to 30 degrees. Now the new 1×1 SuperSpot™ further focuses the output to a 15-degree beam, which concentrates the light in a smaller area, to provide a longer throw. Like all Litepanels fixtures, the 1×1 SuperSpot remains cool to the touch and uses a fraction of the power of traditional lighting fixtures. Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the golden hour and how can I exploit it?
Back when I took CDES 97*, the slide class, at Chico State, there was a passing reference to “magic hour”, or “golden hour”, depending on whom you ask. This hour corresponds to the last hour of visible sunlight in the day, and gives long shadows and interesting colors.
We found a very useful calculator for figuring out when you can shoot in this kind of light: the Golden Hour Lighting Calculator. We’ll share it with you because we like you and want to see you get some dynamite footage.
Note that the term “golden hour” and “blue hour” are somewhat loosely named; at our headquarters, for instance, golden hour and blue hour will last approximately 30 minutes each during the month of September. And don’t forget: set up EARLY if you want to exploit this kind of light, so you are all set to use it before the sun is in position. Read the rest of this entry »
DADCO announces new 24kW Light Fixtures
Reprinted from a DADCO press release
At last – the 24kW Discharge Light has arrived! DADCO, manufacturer of the Sunray line of HMI type discharge lighting fixtures for motion picture and television, has introduced two new 24kW discharge light fixtures, the groundbreaking Challenger “SunArc” and the G4. Both the industry-leading 24kW Challenger and the G4 are designed with a host of advanced features, including a unique cost-effective convertibility feature allowing the fixture to readily operate as either a 12, 18 or 24 kW light. Read the rest of this entry »
Another Successful Videomaker Workshop
Videomaker hosted a collection of 15 video enthusiasts this past weekend to our offices in Northern California for our popular Videomaker Basic Production workshop.
Outdoor Shoot using Crane
After a series of lectures on the basics of video production that included shooting, lighting and editing techniques, we broke the class into two groups, each making their own video story.
Along with our cameras, lights, mics and other assorted video toys, we brought out our crane for some fun shots with one group and a dolly track for the other.
Once the attendees break out into their groups, they sit down to plan out their video for the weekend, using either storyboard or shot-sheet planning guides, and then we get to shooting. Half the day one class shoots in the studio while the other half shoots on location outside, then they rotate, so that each group gets the chance to learn how to work with studio lights inside as well as reflectors and boom mics outdoors.
Studio Setup using Lights
Within the groups, we also rotate the roles each member plays: Director, Camera op, Audio Monitor, Lighting and Grip, etc; so that everyone gets the chance to see what it’s like directing a crew, shooting a production, lighting a subject and making sure all the elements come together as smoothly as possible. Then, they sit down and edit their masterpiece.
The videos shot this weekend are “Film Focus” and “I Quit, I Quit!” and can be found at:
Along with the popular, “The Videomaker Fight, Charlie versus Tom” and other Videomaker Workshop videos.
Please be kind with your comments, most of the attendees are new to this wonderful business of making video!
Our next workshop is May 1st through the 3rd, and offers the Basic Production class as well as Advanced Editing. There’s still room available for this workshop, and the month of May in Chico California is probably the best weather you can experience!
Come early Thursday for our popular Thursday Night Market, a weekly fun spring-thru-fall event that’s like an outdoor Farmer’s Market combined with a “Small Town Main Street” feel that includes music, food, craft fair and kiddie activities. Mainstreet America doesn’t get better than this!
Hope to see you soon!
Wescott announces new 50 Watt Flourescents for Spiderlite
Wescott has announced a new 50-watt florescent lamp for their Spiderlite series. Each 50-watt lamp gives off the equivalent of a 200 watts of tungsten light. They’re priced at an affordable $39.90 each, or available as a multiple light pack for $159.90.
From a F.J. Wescott Press Release
50-WATT DAYLIGHT FLUORESCENTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SPIDERLITE TD5
The F.J. Westcott Company is now offering twice the power of their daylight balanced fluorescent bulbs for the Spiderlite® TD5 with a new 50-watt compact bulb. This new 50-watt lamp is the most powerful, compact daylight balanced fluorescent lamp to hit the photography market. The new fluorescent bulb pack combined with a Spiderlite TD5 will provide over 900 equivalent watts of power.
You are currently browsing the archives for the Lighting category.
Recent Comments