http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Forums Tag: New en Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:32:17 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39917 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:36:23 +0000 PhilG 39917@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks chris!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39904 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:36:17 +0000 chrisColorado 39904@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have an aiptek and they work great! Mine does video, photo and audio, which BTW, PhilG, works great for adding your audio afterwards. Mine is the MZ-DVR.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39888 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:50:48 +0000 D0n 39888@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Actually that aipek does look to be a better option than the flip series! I haven't seen them here in Manitoba, but gave out some flips at Christmas, and they worked great in low light... But If I'd seen the aipeks.....</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39887 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:39:36 +0000 birdcat 39887@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Phil -</p> <p>I too was a pro photog in a prior life.</p> <p>I would suggest an Aiptek just to get started - It's about $90 and will work fine to start (you will replace it as soon as you get serious).</p> <p>Spend the other money on a decent Non Linear Editor (you can get Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum for about $100 - I'm sure Adobe and Avid also have "home" versions).</p> <p>Digital Juice (<a href="http://www.digitaljuice.com">www.digitaljuice.com</a>) has free video tutorials on their website (called DJTV) - I would suggest watching all of Chuck Peters' ones ("Field of View") as they are great helps for the videographer (the others are great too but deal with tech issues, audio, production and how to use DJ products) - Also Chris "Ace" Gates' "Cutting Class" is a great help for editing pointers.</p> <p>The best advice I could give is to get out there and start doing as much video taping and editing as you can (just like you did when you started with photography - I used to shoot 20 rolls a week and did my own darkroom work as well - Same paradigm).</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39885 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:47:15 +0000 PhilG 39885@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks don! It should help me that much of the jargon is the same as photographer's jargon.</p> <p>The kind of videos I'm doing will be like ones were sound is added later...does that help any?</p> <p>Thanks again,</p> <p>Phil</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39883 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:04:08 +0000 D0n 39883@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> canon zr 900.</p> <p>mini dv, (excellent image quality in good light... not so hot in low light)</p> <p>external mic input.</p> <p>close to your price range.</p> <p>should do fine for learning/practicing.</p> <p>may want to find out who rents pro equipment, in your area, for when you need it. </p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39881 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:47:03 +0000 D0n 39881@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> light is light.</p> <p>optics are optics.</p> <p>now sound is something else.</p> <p>you may find a video head for your tripod useful... unless you have a three way head with seperate controls for panning and zooming.... start saving for good video tripod.</p> <p> right now a  flip mino vid cam or a compact camera (canon g9) that does video may help...</p> <p>but save up for a grown-up video cam (even used, you'd be hard pressed to find anything pro quality in that price range).... (what advice would you give to someone asking if a $200.00 point and shoot was good enough for pro photography?) look for the same manual controls you'd expect from a pro dslr (many pros would consider a rebel xt a beginners camera, and that cost more than $200.00...see what I mean?).</p> <p>Then there is sound....a whole new area of expensive equipment to learn.... </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/looking-to-get-into-videography-advanced-amateur-photographer#post-39880 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:28:45 +0000 PhilG 39880@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Hey all,</p> <p>   I'm advanced amateur photographer looking to get into videography. What are some good first steps? (Besides buying a video camera of course!) Is Videography at all similar to photography? The types of movies I'm looking to make are like slowed down videos, sped up videos, basically a fair range of videos. Will my still photography tripod work with video cameras? Please treat me as someone who has never used a video camera (because that basically what I am). I guess my price range would be anything up to $200.00 USD. Now I know from my experience with still photography cameras that that won't really buy anything anywhere nears a pros standards, so I'm looking for something basic. If it helps at all, for my photography I use a Digital Rebel XT.</p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p>Phil,</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/free-stock-footage-contest#post-39703 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:58:55 +0000 birdcat 39703@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey Jay -</p> <p>Is their stuff as good as VideoTraxx - Their prices are great - I'll probably order some of their stuff!</p> <p>Thanks for the link!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/free-stock-footage-contest#post-39702 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:36:37 +0000 Aspyrider 39702@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><a href="http://www.newdogdigital.com/">New Dog Digital</a> is running a free Stock Footage contest, over 30 gigs of free stuff!</p> <p>You'll need to submit a video on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik0JOiLUZik">UTube</a> and then register on <a href="http://www.newdogdigital.com/product_A1surplus.htm">New Dog Digital</a>! Just make a video telling why you want the footage and get creative! Then go to <a href="http://www.newdogdigital.com/product_A1surplus.htm">New Dog Digital</a> and register.</p> <p>I have some of the Surplus Video collection and it is awesome!</p> <p>J.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37393 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:38:39 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37393@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.geniusdv.com/instructors/bob_hunt.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.geniusdv.com/instructors/bob_hunt.php</a> This should be helpful to many of you as not only a possible link to learning everything from video production to editing, but also the forums are awesome. A lot of questions answered by the owner and instructors. One thing, It's never too late to make change, your the only one that can do it, and you are in control of it. So never hesitate to think about change and do it!</p></blockquote> <p> Hey Bob,</p> <p>Thanks for the post. And I definitely think you're right - there's always plenty of time for a fresh start and to get things moving forward.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37370 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:11:19 +0000 thesunsetman 37370@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Hey Guys,</p> <p>Pretty neat post with a lot of information, but there is also a lot of information out there to go through to figure out what it is you want to learn and how to put it to use. I suggest you check out my site and bio at http://www.geniusdv.com/instructors/bob_hunt.php This should be helpful to many of you as not only a possible link to learning everything from video production to editing, but also the forums are awesome. A lot of questions answered by the owner and instructors.</p> <p>One thing, It's never too late to make change, your the only one that can do it, and you are in control of it. So never hesitate to think about change and do it!</p> <p>Hope this helps and good luck shooting video!</p> <p>Bob </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37357 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:35:47 +0000 CMarion 37357@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Jeremy,</p> <p> Thanks for the answer. I will look into your recommendations.</p> <p> Chris</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37329 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:15:49 +0000 film814 37329@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey CMarion,</p> <p>Here's some info that might help:</p> <p>Camera:  look for a 3CCD MiniDV camcorder that has audio inputs and gain controls (Canon XL2, GL2; Panasonic AG-DVC20, AG-DVC30, AG-DVC60; Sony VX2100)  Virtually any professional 3CCD camcorder is TV quality or better.   (will run anywhere from $800 to $4000)</p> <p>Lights: look for a basic fluorescent lighting kit (check out <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2249/Fluorescent_Lights_Kits.html</a> for a great choice of Fluorescent Lighting kits.</p> <p>Audio:  check out the Pro Audio department at B&amp;H and look for a mid-range shotgun mic or lavalier mic kit.  ($200-400)</p> <p>Hope this helps,</p> <p>Jeremy</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/equipment-advice-for-a-newbie#post-37325 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:01:47 +0000 CMarion 37325@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The folks I work for are new to videography and so am I.  We're going to start capturing our own video, doing mostly interview style shooting and possibly some indoor event coverage. We're looking for quality good enough for tv (b roll) but will mostly be on the web. What kind of equipment should we buy? Are there kits we can buy that include lights etc?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37141 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:21:03 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37141@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p>Wow I'm so glad I found this place. Thanks for the links and the advice Blake. More than anything I'm willing to learn. I wish I had started earlier but I figured I need experience in my field which is graphic design. After doing it for four years I realize just how much I miss editing. I used to freelance for a law firm editing depositions and making dvds for them. That was so much fun but it ended as it was just freelance. So I'm starting all over again. Thanks again to everyone!</p></blockquote> <p> Then it's not exactly starting over; it's just building on a foundation that you've already put into place. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37114 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:36:24 +0000 bark252 37114@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Wow I'm so glad I found this place. Thanks for the links and the advice Blake. More than anything I'm willing to learn. I wish I had started earlier but I figured I need experience in my field which is graphic design. After doing it for four years I realize just how much I miss editing. I used to freelance for a law firm editing depositions and making dvds for them. That was so much fun but it ended as it was just freelance. So I'm starting all over again. Thanks again to everyone!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37093 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:59:09 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37093@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p>One last thing. Something I've heard time and time again: The key to this industry is humility. So don't build an ego and you'll be fine. Good Luck! Blake</p></blockquote> <p> Absolutely... as evidenced by the site, there's always a little trick or a little detail that you probably didn't know before that's just waiting to be picked up</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37070 Sat, 31 May 2008 21:47:04 +0000 SeanBlake 37070@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> This thread is awesome, there are a lot of good resources coming up.</p> <p> If you want to learn After Effects, check out <a href="http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/" rel="nofollow">http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/</a> this series of tutorials by Andrew Kramer will show you all the basics of after effects. When you're done that, you can check out <a href="http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials.html</a> for his more advanced tutorials. This is a great way to get to know After Effects. If you're looking for inspiration, you can check out <a href="http://vimeo.com" rel="nofollow">http://vimeo.com</a> and search for something like "Motion Graphics" or really whatever you want. There are all sorts of clips here, a lot of production companies post their demo reels here, companies who work with big clients like MTV and stuff.</p> <p> As far as editing software goes, Avid or FCP are the way to go, FCP=easier to learn, Avid=Slightly more powerful, although FCP is rapidly catching up. I don't know prices for FCP but I do know that Avid has reduced it's student price to something ridiculous like 150$ which is incredibly cheap.</p> <p> Oh, and the best way to learn anything: Watch how the pros do it. See if there is a local community television station that might need some volunteer work. If you're lucky, you might learn to do studio camera, CG, Floor Producer, Sound, really anything they might need you to do. You will likely be working on Live and Live-To-Tape shows, but there are basics you can learn here that you can apply to other areas. Many producers will be happy to answer any questions you might have, so don't be shy, and let people know that you really want to learn.</p> <p> One last thing. Something I've heard time and time again: The key to this industry is humility. So don't build an ego and you'll be fine.</p> <p>Good Luck!</p> <p>Blake</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37065 Sat, 31 May 2008 14:16:50 +0000 chrisColorado 37065@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote> <blockquote></blockquote> <p> <em>which is a great thing really, provided you are also good at networking</em></p> </blockquote> <p> Yes. Networking and contacts are usually big. I ended up with one contact, a guy in my After Effects/motion graphics class in college. He knows a lot and we help each other out. I also got a couple of teachers to be job references. But as robgrauert mentioned, you kinda feel like you're wasting your time. I only did one year and by the end of the second semester, I was pretty sick of going to most of my classes. The internet has a lot of good stuff you can watch/learn on your own. </p> <p>And college doesn't teach you everything. Some guys in my class expected to learn everything and when we did the online after effects class, they quit coming, because they needed a teacher. I think that's kinda pathetic. I taught myself Adobe/Macromedia Flash all by myself between classes, because the computers had it on there. I also investigated Dreamweaver, Combustion, Pro Tools, ACID and other software.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37061 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:31:48 +0000 bark252 37061@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks for all the great tips guys. I recently got a macbook pro and I'm going to be using it as my editing comp. I know Premiere and a little bit of Avid and After Effects. I'm going to try to learn Final Cut. I'm in this to try to get a job at some point but I realize that's a ways off.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37050 Fri, 30 May 2008 22:23:53 +0000 robgrauert 37050@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> oh yea, definitely gotta network. Even with a degree. It's all about who you know, but i guess it about what you know when it comes to keeping the job</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37047 Fri, 30 May 2008 20:27:54 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37047@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <blockquote><p> Yea Chris, I agree about school. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Not only have I long ago exceeded the point I'm at in my curriculum, but I'm progressing faster than my school teaches. I feel in this industry you don't even need school. There's so much you can learn on your own and on the internet.</p></blockquote> <p> which is a great thing really, provided you are also good at networking</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37044 Fri, 30 May 2008 19:53:53 +0000 robgrauert 37044@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Yea Chris, I agree about school. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Not only have I long ago exceeded the point I'm at in my curriculum, but I'm progressing faster than my school teaches. I feel in this industry you don't even need school. There's so much you can learn on your own and on the internet. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37032 Fri, 30 May 2008 10:56:53 +0000 chrisColorado 37032@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey! I think I got in late and I got in when I was 17. I got beat at a film festival by a guy who made his first movie at age 8. I'm getting into graphics/VFX/motion graphics now and know the tiniest bit of everything.</p> <p>Getting started...now there's a question. Do you want a job, or do you just want to learn and make stuff? There is a very big difference to me. I recently graduated with a 4.0 in Video/TV production from my local community college and can't get a job for beans. Most of my 5 short films have flopped badly. I keep at it and I'm now working on my first music video(it should be a big hit, I hope, but then all my movies were supposed to be hits)</p> <p>I would say(like Robert Rodriguez, the Hollywood director), skip film school and get out and make movies. Rodriguez says in his book that everyone has a couple bad movies in them and it's better to get them out as soon as possible. That's true in my case.</p> <p>I would recommend reading Rodriguez's 10 minute film school(google it or buy his book, "Rebel Without A Crew"). It will give you a good start.</p> <p>If you would like to learn software(good idea) then learn one of everything: video editor, audio editor, 3d animation, motion graphics, DVD burner. Pick one company and learn all the software it has, like Adobe's Suites or Apple's Final Cut Studio or Sony Creative Software bundles. It will help getting a job later, if you want one. Get the free trials off the company's website and fiddle around, watch tutorial videos, etc.</p> <p>Tutorial Video sites to check out:</p> <p>lynda.com (awesome. teaches almost every media software known to man, but you eventually have to pay)</p> <p>Adobe TV - tv.adobe.com(if you learn adobe stuff, you gotta go here!)</p> <p>I'd also recommend reading Videomaker magazine and "The Art of Video Production" by Leonard Shyles.</p> <p>Hope this helps. This is a favorite topic of mine as you can tell. Thanks for asking so I can answer!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37030 Fri, 30 May 2008 10:33:44 +0000 robgrauert 37030@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> It's definitely not too late, although I don't know where to point you to get you going in right direction. If you want to be an editor, make sure you realize that editors do everything these days. The cut the video, fix sound, create graphics, color grading, etc. It's a lot to learn, but once you learn it you become a valuable asset. </p> <p> If you already have a relatively new Mac, I'd suggest getting the Final Cut Studio bundle. Some say it's expensive, but when you look at what you get and how well it works, it's worth it. At least I think so. It comes with everything. Final Cut, Soundtrack for editing sound, Color for color grading, Motion for creating graphics, DVD Studio Pro for burning DVDs obviously, and a few other things. </p> <p> I'd suggest learning the programs, do some experimenting with them, and when you feel comfortable start doing some freelance work for cheap to try gain experience.  </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newbie-with-questions-2#post-37013 Fri, 30 May 2008 05:44:00 +0000 bark252 37013@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi guys. My name is Shawn and I'm a graphic designer in the Tampa bay area. I'm 27 and really would like to get into video production mainly editing and special efx. I took video classes while in school but it's been a while since I have done a project. I recently went on an 8 day cruise in which I filmed alot and I'm hoping to put together a DVD. I really want to know is it to late to try to break into video and if not how should get started?</p> <p>Thanks in advance.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-to-video-making#post-36954 Wed, 28 May 2008 19:31:37 +0000 mrjman 36954@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>just click on his link for his website... it has his email and phone number</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-to-video-making#post-36947 Wed, 28 May 2008 17:38:57 +0000 chrisColorado 36947@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>BarefootMedia: I want to talk with you. Do you have email, or even better, a gmail account so we can use gmail chat? I'd like to hear your critiques. BTW, the credit sequence is for a real film, the fifth short film I've worked on. All names in the credits are real people. My address is <a href="mailto:mexenzoaiire@gmail.com">mexenzoaiire@gmail.com</a></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/new-to-video-making#post-36932 Wed, 28 May 2008 10:33:03 +0000 BarefootMedia 36932@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Strangely enough, there two more question raised rather off the track of this thread.  But I'll address them here anyway.</p> <p>To chrisColorado, your link attaches to the opening credit sequence for an imaginary movie.  A demo reel would have several examples of the work you are hoping to find.  I also checked out a couple of the other videos you had posted there.  If your demo is all of the stuff on the site, I have one question.  You're not serious about getting work from this material, are you?  If you really want to be getting the graphic jobs you're "promoting" on the page, I'd be happy to provide some in-depth critique.  But you'll have to ask for it.</p> <p>Now let me address the issue of music for video.  There are three basic routes to legal music on your video productions.  You can purchase a license to use a finished piece composed by a professional.  You can create your own music, most easily done by combining "loops."  Or you can combine purchasing a single song with modifying it to meet your unique situation.  I have used all three methods, and will likely continue to use each according to my needs.</p> <p>But to detail how to decide which method &amp; how it works, I'm going to start a new question in the "Sound Advice" forum.  If you're curious please join in the discussion over there.</p>