Become a Great Video Editor: Tips and Techniques you Need to Know

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It’s said that anyone can be a videographer, but only a professional can be a video editor.  While there are a few things that one would argue against that first part, it tends to be mostly true when you take a step back from it all and look at the results compared to starting points.  If you’re looking at your pile of video and audio and wondering what in the world you’re supposed to do – or you’re looking for additional tips on how to improve your editing experience – take a look at the tips that we’re going to be talking about below.  They’ll lead you to some great places.

 

Organize everything

This is the first step in making sure that you can make use of everything you have.  I get that organizing can sometimes be a black hole (especially for those that tend to go a little overboard), but it’s critical to make sure that you use everything you can and it’s easily accessible so that you can edit at will.  The last thing you want to be doing is going around and looking at everything, right?  As far as a system goes, use one that works for you.  Some like to sort by scene, date, location, etc.  Try out a couple until you find one that is easy to find everything.  The only recommended categories are that you separate your different mediums: audio, video, etc.

Every scene must be important

When you’re filming, you simply get down everything you think you’re going to need.  That’s a normal part of the process, but now you must make sure that you narrow down the footage so that each scene is shot from the perfect angle to make the most impact on your video.  Additionally, you may feel as though one or two scenes don’t actually fit into the video after all.  That’s normal and part of how it all works.  Don’t stress about it.  Just move on and create a good video.  Make sure every scene serves a purpose in your finished product in the best way.  Even if it means omitting perfectly good footage because it doesn’t fit quite right.  That’s part of being an artist – knowing what fits and what doesn’t.  Put your personal feelings towards the tossed work aside.

Think about your audience

Remember who you’re creating your video for.  If it’s for something formal, keep the cheeky transitions and comments to a minimum.  If it’s meant for YouTube fun and games, consider putting some attitude into your music or audio, etc.  Remember that you need to always make sure you keep your audience in mind when filming but also editing.  The finished product should frame the message and atmosphere of the video shots themselves.  Another thing is to make sure that your final product is perfect.  Now, don’t freak out.  In this case “perfect” means that your editing shouldn’t be visible.  All the audience should see is the superb filming and enjoying the background music and crisp audio.  You know you’ve done a good job when they don’t congratulate you on editing, but on your shooting.  This is a compliment, not an insult!  Only a fellow editor will understand the secret pain that it causes you not to point out how terrible that audio was before you fixed it, etc.

Choose your music carefully

Your music is often the hardest choice in editing a video.  It’s because it unintentionally sets the mood for the movie, and you want to make sure it’s the perfect choice.  If you choose something wrong, it’s jarring or distracting to the point of displeasure.  The best option is to take a look at the amazing royalty free music Filmtv-tracks is offering, through a series of various pop/rock music, everything from classical piano to epic orchestral soundtrack music scores.  You’ll find something in that vast music library that you can use to create a great backdrop and compliment the video instead of distracting from it.  Have your top three options and make sure you try each one with the finished product.  One will feel right, even if it’s frustrating to have to do the work.  You need to make sure it’s the right choice, or it’ll negatively impact your video and leave it lacking something, even if your audience can’t quite put their finger on it.

Step away from it every once in a while

Like any creative process, we all get too close to it once in a while.  It’s part of breathing life into the project.  Make sure you leave a couple days in between serious editing sessions so that you stay as objective as possible.  It’s impossible to completely objective as course, because it’s your baby, but taking a step back for a while after you’ve finished the first draft is a really good habit that can help you out with making the rest of it easier and spotting weak points.  For an added bonus, consider bringing in a circle of beta testers to watch it and tell you their honest opinions.  It may be hard to take, but it’ll make sure you get the feedback you want so that your video can benefit from it in the long run.  It could really help you make a name for yourself in filming!  A good eye combined with a great editing team: now that’s something!

 

If your dream is to become a great video editor, all of these tips should help you get on the right track with editing and tweaking.  No one said the path to perfection and success was going to be easy, right?  Do your best to get there by making the process a little faster and easier so that you spend more time working and less time trying to figure out where you put that one file that you accidentally lost track of.  You have the eye for filming, so make sure it stands out with excellent editing.

The 5 Most Anticipated Movies of 2016

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2016 has already started off to be a great year for movie fans, celebrating everything from directors, writers, actors, songs, costumes to special effects. There are plenty of “must see” comedies, dramas, kid friendly movies, action packed thrillers and more to look forward to. This year has already seen several movies that were great, whether they won an award or not, like Deadpool, Zoolander 2, Straight Out of Compton and the Hateful Eight. Following are the 5 most anticipate movies for 2016 that we still have to look forward to.

1. Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
Director: Zack Snyder
March 25
Batman, fearing the actions of Superman if left unchecked, takes the superhero on in Dawn of Justice, as the planet tries to figure out exactly what kind of a champion it really needs. Because of the battle between the two icons, a new threat is born – Doomsday, created by nemesis Lex Luthor. Now it’s up to Batman and Superman to settle their differences and stop Doomsday, along with help from Wonder Woman, before they destroy Metropolis. What’s not to love about a superhero movie like this?

2. The Jungle Book
Director: Jon Favreau
April 15
This Disney, star studded new version of the Rudyard Kipling tale is sure to be a hit, thanks to a live-action Mowgli in a jungle packed with incredible CGI creatures voiced by mega stars that include Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o among others.

3. The Huntsman: Winter’s War
Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
April 22
Chris Hemsworth returns to fight evil Queen Ravenna, played by Charlize Theron, who was resurrected by her Ice Queen sibling, played by Emily Blunt. The brave hero also falls into a forbidden romantic relationship with Sara, played by Jessica Chastain, a fellow huntsman.

4. The BFG
Director: Steven Spielberg
July 1
Legendary director Steven Spielberg is bringing us a new fantasy adventure July 1st, the adaptation of the BFG, a popular novel by Roald Dahl. The story is about a young Londoner named Sophie (newcomer Ruby Barnhill) and a mysterious giant (Mark Rylance) that introduces her to the perils and amazing wonders of “Giant Country”. Bill Hader, Michael David Adamthwaite, Jemaine Clement, Chris Gibbs, Daniel Bacon and more also star in what should be a fun movie, appealing to kids of all ages.

5. Bourne 5: Jason Bourne
Director: Paul Greengrass
July 29
The suspenseful film series that delivered plenty of chills and thrills will be returning with “Jason Bourne” and Matt Damon, its fifth installment and sequel to the Bourne Ultimatum released in 2007. In this film, the CIA’s most deadly former operative is drawn out of the shadows. Additional actors include Julia Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander and more.

There’s an abundance of buzz going around this year for every kind of movie fan. If you love movies as much as we do, you should definitely plan on seeing the film listed here. So, whip open your calendars and pencil in the dates listed here because you’re definitely going to want to see them all.

How to Get the Best Voice Over

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When it comes to how to achieve the best voice over, the key to success is to present it in a very natural sounding way. Anyone can read out loud, but few can effortlessly do it in a way
that sounds natural – it’s just simply not that easy. The following information will help you
learn what it takes to get the best voice over.

First, Find Your Voice
Todays standard voice over is far more casual and more conversational than in the old days.
You know what I’m talking about – the days when that rich, deep voice called someone down to
try for a prize on your favorite game show or introduced the runner’s up at some world famous
pageant. Gender doesnt matter these days either – good news for women hoping to get into the voice over genre. All of that said, you will need to speak clearly and determine if your
voice character fits into the narration spectrum.

It Begins With the Script
Voice over scripts vary greatly in length and styles, ranging from something as basic as
reading a few lines, maybe even sprinkled throughout the assignment, to a project consisting
of 10 pages of text. If possible, ask to have editing rights for clarity, not necessarily
changing the message – only to help the delivery sound more natural and move smoothing from
section to section. In addition, if there are any elements that you’re unsure of, like
technical terms, words of names you’re not sure of, ask for clarification. There’s nothing
more uncomfortable than mispronouncing a word or someone’s name during a voice over recording
and worse, having to go back and fix it.

The Right Tools
Creating a professional sounding voice over calls for a few tools including editing and
recording software. ProTools, Adobe Audition and Sony Sound Forge are a few popular options,
but there are a lot of them out there. Apple has a few options as well, including WavePad,
Logic Studio and Soundtrack Pro. You can also find more budget friendly choices like Audacity
and GarageBand which are worthy contenders as well. Pick the best (and most user friendly)
product that you can afford because you’re going to be spending a lot of time using it.

Next, you’ll need a good microphone. Ideally, a “good” microphone would be considered a
diaphragm studio condenser mic, however any high quality microphone will work. You’ll also
need an audio interface or adapter cable to use to plug the mic into your computer, along
with a mic stand. You’ll also want to invest in a good set of headphones which are essential
for tracking your recording. Using the headphones, you’ll be able to hear every little
detail, making it easier to make more effective performance decisions. Also, don’t forget the
recording environment. A sound booth/voice over studio type set up would be ideal, however
any quiet location with minimal sound reflections will work in a pinch.

Learn from the Pros
If you find yourself a bit stuck concerning how to deliver your script, take a quick break
and watch a few commercials. Pay attention to the inflections they use and the pacing, take
what you learn and work it into your project. This doesn’t mean you should out and out copy
what they did, just look for the best aspects and incorporate them.

Don’t Be Afraid to Push Your Voice
Try pushing your voice a bit harder than you typically do and record several takes with
inflection variations. Having access to additional options can come in hand during the
editing process. It’s also important to keep in mind that the voice over needs to catch the
viewer’s interest without causing a distraction from the visuals.

Prior to handing the finished voice over project to the client, be sure to test it out on an
assortment of playback systems. Besides listening to it on your computer, create a DVD and
play it in your living room and even in the car if you can. If you hear something that
doesn’t sound right, testing will give you the opportunity to fix it before your client hears
it. If your client wants to make changes, do it because there’s nothing better than a
satisfied client. If the voice over is for a project of yours, be your own best client and do
it right.

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The 5 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2016

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It’s been estimated that the video game industry is set to bring in almost 100 billion in profits this year, worldwide. While there is a long list of “winners” expected to be released, here are our top 5 most anticipate video games of 2016.

1. Overwatch
Blizzard Entertainment
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: Spring 2016
Anybody that played Blizzard’s 1998 hit StarCraft is going to appreciate Overwatch. Blizzard is famous for world renowned games like World of Warcraft (who hasn’t played this role playing wonder?), StarCraftII, Heroes of the Storm or Hearthstone and this first person shooter is sure to please as well. Overwatch features great visuals and an awesome collection of more than 20 characters and that’s just until more downloadable content is released. Gameplay includes teams battling their way across maps of locations like Egypt, Japan and London.

2. Doom
Bethesda Softworks/id software
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: Q2 2016
Doom, a game that transformed the first person shooters in 1993, is getting a reboot this year from the same developer’s that brought the world the infamous “BFG”s and a wealth of crazed demons. Let’s face it, you’d be hard pressed to find any gamer that hasn’t heard of Doom” before. Id Software is concentrating on a push forward combat style of action, where gamers battle demons that were accidentally released from hell. What can you expect? Plenty of huge weapons and nonstop action. Another difference from the original and other Doom games is a bloody melee takedown system, making it possible for gamers to tear the demons a part, a violent feature that provides a level of gore of the likes of Mortal Kombat.

3. Far Cry Primal
Ubisoft Montreal
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: February 23
Far Cry Primal has gone prehistoric, meaning no gas powered vehicles, present day firearms, etc. Instead, you’ll live kind of like a caveman, use primitive weapons and call upon vicious beasts, ranging from wolves to owls. So far the games has been well received, with IGN stating that the result of this new Fry Cry being a competent, game with an abundance of surprises to discover and things to conquer.

4. The Legend of Zelda Wii U
Nintendo
WiiU
Release Date: Sometime this year
The popularity of Zelda’s past and all the mystery surrounding the upcoming game makes waiting for its release excruciating for fans. That’s right, not much is known about this much awaited Nintendo game except that it’s probably going to be massive, more than likely the largest in the series. We have heard that Epona (sporting the bow and arrow Zelda is famous for, except having undergone an upgrade) has returned and that game play is set in an open, vibrant world. To date, Zelda Wii U remains one of the most anticipated games coming out this year.

5. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Eidos Montreal/Square Enix
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: August 23
Mankind Divide, developed as the sequel to “Human Revolution”, is by the same talented team of creators, is an exciting combination of stealth, action and role playing that follows suit. Deux Ex Mankind Divided will also give players the gratifying conclusion that Human Revolution didn’t.

These are just a few of the fantastic video games due for release in 2016 and if the other contenders are anything like the ones listed here, it’s going to be an exciting year for gamers.

10 Helpful Tips for Shooting Film from a Drone

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Today shooting film from a drone is more approachable and more affordable for filmmakers on a budget. Even a newbie can learn how to achieve jaw dropping, results that in the past were only accessible to mega Hollywood productions. That said, using a drone for cinematography can be challenging and not just because learning how to safely pilot one takes a while. It can take quite a bit of trial and error to create useable results.

  1. Before flying, make sure to find out about the rules in the area you’ll be working in – some country’s don’t even have rules in place yet because it’s still a fairly new technology. Also, use sound judgement when flying.
  1. Plan out each shot prior to taking off, making the most out of the drone’s battery life (currently, their drone batteries last around 15 minute each).
  1. Always check out the weather conditions in advance because if you fly your drone in unstable weather you’ll more than likely end up with unusable footage, especially in high winds. Flying in bad weather conditions can also be unsafe (crashing creates the possibility of shrapnel) as well as cause costly damage to the drone.
  1. If you haven’t had a lot of practice flying a drone, or none at all, fly it in a wide open space (treeless field, etc.), away from urban/congested areas, out of reach of homes, people and vehicles.

 

  1. Practice your skills, starting off by taking off, climb a couple of meters, hover, fly from point A to point B and patiently land. Once, you get comfortable with these movements and for the best results, practice flying the drone using nice, fluid, slow movements. Then, practice getting close to something, then slowly rising above it to showcase awe inspiring landscapes.
  1. Use the drone to tell your story in a way that outshines most other filmmaking tools. While drone technology won’t magically make you a fantastic filmmaker, it will definitely revitalize your ability to be a compelling storyteller.
  1. Keep possible distractions at a minimum (turn off that cell phone), focusing only on properly operating your drone and the story you’re creating
  1. Crashes are bound to happen, even for the experts. The best you can do is to figure out how to reduce amount of breakage. If you’re about to crash into something, but are in a position to move right or left, try turning off the throttle which will also stop the rotating propellers. This will reduce the chances of breaking the propellers, motor and other damage as well.
  1. Make sure that you don’t fly near airports or higher than 122 metres (400 feet). The last thing a drone operator wants to do is collide with a plane.
  1. Experiment with the camera’s settings so that you learn how to produce the results you want when it’s attached to the drone. The more you learn about this incredible technology the more effective you’ll be at shooting and discovering different, unique results.

Once you’ve worked your way through these 10 tips for shooting film from a drone, it will be time to get serious about the process and there’s a lot more to learn. For filmmakers, it’s a process that will end with incredible results.

 

photo credit: droneexaminer.com

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5 Common Filmmaking Mistakes You Should Avoid

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As your career in filmmaking begins to develop, it’s important that your actions don’t end up derailing it during the beginning stages. Following are 5 common filmmaking mistakes you should avoid, giving you a much better chance of succeeding.

  1. Not Knowing Why You Want To Make Movies
    Filmmakers make movies for several different reasons, be it passion about a subject, the potential of $$$ to be made, and/or a deep love for the craft. Before you jump into an attempted filmmaking career, it’s important to determine what it is that drives you. Realizing the real reason (s) you want to make movies will help you predetermine which the road you want to take and increase your chances of success.
  2. What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
    The majority of filmmakers begin their careers because they’re really great at a specific thing. Some have a flair for motivating actors, others excel at directing action and others, the lucky ones, are great multi-taskers (there aren’t many of these because filmmaking is so time consuming). What a lot of filmmakers fail to recognize is that it’s a business that involves a wide variety of unique skill sets. They overlook the fact that the craft also requires business management skills, from sourcing new clients and hiring actors to publicity and marketing, to managing cash flow. It’s not likely that you’ll have the expertise, or the time, to do it all yourself so don’t try. Successful filmmakers recognize their own skill sets and fill the gaps appropriately.
  3. Working with the Wrong People
    Filmmaking is a passionate, tiring and in many cases, spur of the moment business. Under these circumstances, it’s really tempting to hire people without thoroughly interviewing them and checking their references. Besides the interview process, its important to ask yourself if their experience and skills complimentary to yours and most important of all – will you feel comfortable working with them? Of course, make sure to have detailed written contracts in place, covering any and all creative collaboration.
  4. Been There, Done That
    If you’re going to the effort, including all the blood, sweat and tears, in order to create a short film, try to come up with something new and original. Whether it’s a new story, style, effect, plot, or techniques used, create something that makes people take notice and distinguishes your film from the countless others out there. While this is easier said than done, with a great creative team, it can be achieved.
  5. Emotional Triggers
    Instead of attempting to tackle a massive theme, especially if you’re new to the industry, concentrate on something smaller scale that both you and your audience have a personal connection with. Choose a dilemma or trending issued that most of us has experienced or felt, or an idea that most of us has had, and focus on that idea in your film, like no one has before. Taking this approach will help you come up with a film that’s genuine and sets off the right emotional triggers.

Putting music in your film has its importance; it can serve the emotional side of the movie and enhance the storytelling. It is essential for any film producer to keep the music in mind when shooting the movie.

Filmtv-tracks is a great source for premium Royalty Free Music where you can find the perfect music for your film at a very affordable price.

Needless to say, there are short films that have made some of these mistakes yet somehow turned out to be outstanding. That said, unless you’re already at the point in your career that you’re considered a world-class filmmaker, with the practical experience required to understand when, where and why to break the rules, you’ll want to avoid making the 5 common mistakes listed here.

Learn from Video production professionals

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Follow Video production professionals

Video editing and post-production is a vast area and there are several things that have to be taken care of when you are dealing with videos. It is a continuously evolving industry and hence, there is constant learning involved. If you are looking for a particular technique in video editing, you can always search for it online and learn. However, it is a great idea to follow some professionals rather than randomly searching for learning something new. We bring to you a list of video professionals that are highly skilled and will give you the best tips!

  • Andrew Kramer

Founder of a popular online motion design and VFX company, Video Copilot, Andrew has also made a couple of videos about After Effects and his experience on After Effects made Video Copilot come up with plugins for After Effects like Element 3D and Optical Flares, which have now grown to become one of the most standard tools used in the industry.

He works closely with J.J.Abrams and has been a part of several popular films. Also, he was a keynote speaker for the Adobe AE World conference held recently.

You can follow his tutorials on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

 

  • Philip Bloom

One of the most widely followed video professional on social media; Philip Bloom is in constant touch with movie directors for all their video editing needs. He deals with the camera gear and the techniques to be used, which is an area that can be classified as pre-production. You can visit his website to know more about the camera and its techniques, or if you want to learn more about DSLR movie making. You can follow Philip Bloom across popular social networking sites.

  • Larry Jordan

A television producer, director and editor, Larry Jordan is also a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America and is also certified by Apple in the field of digital media. Every week, he comes up with a newsletter and a podcast that is available on iTunes. He has done significant contribution to the field of video editing in the Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro fronts. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and his own website, larryjordan.com.

 

  • Dave Dugdale

Dave Dugdale has come up with one of the best tutorials ever. He started his website ever since he started using a DSLR, so that you can also be a path of his journey and learn along. Now, his website features free tutorials, reviews about cameras and camera gears and there are also in-depth courses that will allow you to explore video editing and editing to its fullest. His site is called Learning Video, as he thinks that it can be a common forum where everybody who is interested to learn can learn.

You can follow Dave Dugdale on social networking sites or can navigate to his website called learningvideo.com.

 

So why wait? Start your professional video journey now by following these experts!

The benefits of Shooting On Super 16mm

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Arri 416 - super 16 mm only   Photo credit: rokkie.tv    

The trend: Super 16mm film 

An artist has their favourite painting style.  A writer has their favourite genre, a musician has their favourite beat, etc.  When you devote your life to the artistic form, you find what works for you and what doesn’t.  Since art is all about interpreting what you see, feel and hear and then making it your own, each person’s style is as unique as a fingerprint.  Those behind the camera have their own favourite styles too, from different lenses, to focuses to poses that make each of their photos and videos unique.  One of the ways the filmmakers leave their touch on the world is through what camera they choose to use.  Each choice creates a different mood and atmosphere, whether the viewer is aware of it or not.  A hot and impressive style right now is actually a blast to the past: the Super 16mm film.

Some photographers say that you can never get the feeling that old film cameras can give you, especially if you’re looking for the grainy and slightly blurred features when shooting people-themed video.  Those who have worked with film all their lives find that switching to digital can never give you that same feeling.  We could spend all day debating whether that point is true or not, but the point of this is to focus on the Super 16mm film camera.  This is a film camera that is able to give the same feeling and ambiance that you’re looking for, making it perfect for those film makers that are looking for a pure experience.

Most movies are shot digitally so that the content can be edited, cut, switched, modified, etc.  It’s a modern world that is all about using the first several takes to make sure that the perfect one is created from them.  With shooting with a digital camera, the final product comes from manipulation.  When shooting with film cameras, however, such as the Super 16mm, there’s more authenticity to it.  You can’t simply splice and dice the film the same way you can with the digital format.  You have to get it right the first time so that the editing is minimal.

With a digital camera, the focus is on the crisp picture, the perfect edits, and getting the right combination of takes to make sure that you can get the perfect cone after patching them all together perfectly.  With a film camera, the focus is on getting the right take from start to finish.  The audience notices the brilliant acting and the realistic focus that is a bit grainy to give an honest touch to the acting.  The focus remains on the story being told, not the special effects of digital filming.

When you’re looking at genres, the fast paced and action filled thrillers tend to go for the high end digital cameras.  They need the crystal clear picture to go along with the special effects that make those movies so popular.  Fo those slower paced dramas that centre around human evolution and character depth, the Super 16mm is the best way to go.  It allows the audience to see through the camera’s eye in a literal sense: you are focusing on the characters and the stories instead of seeing the production behind it.  The camera is transparent so that you can enjoy the struggles and triumphs of the characters, only when the final credits roll do you remember that you were watching a movie, and not part of the story itself.

Using the Super 16mm film camera allows for a more fulfilling human experience at the movies so that everyone gets a chance to experience an alternate reality, one where they feel changed when the story ends and you have to exit the theatre.  Digital cameras can be as high tech as they want, but they’ll never take the place of the soulful filming that traditional film cameras have.  We are in the best part of the world where we get to experience both kinds and enjoy each genre to its fullest extent.

 

Academy Award nominated cinematographer Ed Lachman, his work on Todd Haynes’ new film “Carol,” starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

PROFESSIONAL VIDEO TIPS AND TECHNIQUES YOU SHOULD KNOW

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Thе rеvоlutіоn іn Intеrnеt tесhnоlоgу hаѕ mаdе vіdео рublіѕhіng роѕѕіblе fоr аnуоnе wіth a саmеrа рhоnе, a brоаdbаnd соnnесtіоn, аnd a fеw wіdеlу аvаіlаblе tооlѕ thаt іn mаnу саѕеѕ аrе соmрlеtеlу frее. Hеrе аrе ѕоmе ѕіmрlе tірѕ tо kеер іn mіnd whеn сrеаtіng a vіdео;

  1. Tоріс

Thе mоѕt іmроrtаnt fасtоr іn dеtеrmіnіng thе ѕuссеѕѕ оf уоur vіdео іѕ уоur сhоісе оf a tоріс. If уоu саn’t соvеr thе tоріс іn 30 mіnutеѕ оr lеѕѕ, уоu nееd tо fосuѕ оn a ѕіnglе thеmе wіthіn thаt tоріс. Alwауѕ rеmеmbеr thаt уоur gоаl іѕ nоt tо ѕhоw реорlе еvеrуthіng уоu knоw аbоut a ѕubjесt. Yоur gоаl іѕ tо іdеntіfу оnе рrоblеm, оnе thіng уоu thіnk уоur vіеwеrѕ nееd аnd wаnt tо knоw hоw tо dо, аnd thеn fосuѕ оn ѕhоwіng thеm thе bеѕt wау tо ѕоlvе thаt рrоblеm.

Dоn’t аdd оn аnоthеr tоріс – kеер іt fоr уоur nеxt vіdео рrоduсt. Strір аwау аll thе еxсеѕѕ bаggаgе untіl уоu nаrrоw thе fосuѕ tо a ѕіnglе tоріс. Thеn gіvе іt tо thе vіеwеrѕ wіthоut gоіng іn оthеr dіrесtіоnѕ аt thе ѕаmе tіmе.

  1. Video Length

Onсе уоu hаvе сhоѕеn a tоріс, уоu’ll nееd tо соnѕіdеr thе lеngth оf уоur vіdео. Thе mоѕt ѕuссеѕѕful vіdеоѕ аrе nо lоngеr thаn 30 mіnutеѕ, whісh іѕ a gооd rulе оf thumb fоr thіnkіng аbоut hоw lоng уоu’ll bе аblе tо kеер thе vіеwеr’ѕ аttеntіоn.

  1. Audio

Hоwеvеr уоu сrеаtе уоur vіdео, іt’ѕ іmроrtаnt tо mаkе ѕurе thе ѕоund іѕ сарturеd  еffесtіvеlу. Rесоrd a ѕhоrt tеѕt vіdео, аnd рlау іt bасk tо a соllеаguе. Cаn thеу hеаr thе wоrdѕ сlеаrlу?

  1. Lights

Lighting in video production is highly important. To easily overcome lighting issues, you can shoot your videos outdoors so as to keep your video colourful. But when shooting outdoors is impossible, you have to bring into the room as much light as possible maybe by opening blinds, lamps, etc. You can also make use of cameras that feature built-in light.

  1. Pасе

Pасе іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt іn videography. Yоu knоw mоrе аbоut расе thаn уоu thіnk – juѕt іmаgіnе аll thе tіmеѕ уоu’vе ѕwіtсhеd аwау frоm a ѕlоw-mоvіng TV рrоgrаm, оr аll thе tіmеѕ уоu’vе fаllеn аѕlеер durіng a mоvіе. Whеn уоu ѕtаrt wіѕhіng thаt a mоvіе оr рrоgrаm wоuld mоvе fаѕtеr, уоu hаvе іdеntіfіеd a рrоblеm wіth thе расе оf thе ѕhоw.

It’ѕ hаrd fоr еxреrіеnсеd рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ tо mаіntаіn аn іntеrеѕtіng расе fоr 60 mіnutеѕ. Take note of this whеn уоu’rе рlаnnіng уоur vіdео – dоn’t trу tо hаndlе mоrе thаn 30 mіnutеѕ оn уоur fіrѕt аttеmрt. Make it ѕіmрlе; a ѕhоrtеr vіdео саn bе muсh mоrе роwеrful аnd еffесtіvе іf уоu аrе саrеful tо kеер іt mоvіng аt аn іntеrеѕtіng расе. A lіvеlу 15 tо 20-mіnutе “hоw-tо vіdео” wіll bе muсh mоrе ѕuссеѕѕful thаn a lоngеr рrоduсt thаt ѕееmѕ tо drаg оn аnd оn.

If уоu аlrеаdу hаvе еxреrіеnсе wіth ѕhоrt fоrmаtѕ аnd wаnt tо trу a mоrе аmbіtіоuѕ рrоjесt, ѕеt уоur ѕіghtѕ оn a ѕіxtу-mіnutе vіdео. Thіnk оf nіnеtу mіnutеѕ аѕ уоur mаxіmum durаtіоn fоr a hоw-tо fеаturе, but оnlу аftеr уоu hаvе bееn ѕuссеѕѕful wіth ѕhоrtеr vіdео рrоduсtѕ. In аll саѕеѕ, ѕtаrt ѕmаll аnd wоrk уоur wау uр tо lоngеr fоrmаtѕ.

 

SOURCE

Mіllѕ, M., Cоhеn, J., аnd Wоng, Y.Y. A Mаgnіfіеr Tооl fоr Vіdео Dаtа. Mау 1992, Mоntеrеу, CA, рр. 93-98.

Interested in Becoming a Director of Photography? Here’s what you need to know.

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Like any positions in the film industry, most students figure out the hard way that just because you earn a film related degree doesn’t mean you’re going to become a professional director of photography overnight. That said, it’s a rewarding career path that, if you’re passionate about cinematography, will be well worth working for. The following information provides things to consider that will help you get the most out of your journey.Photo credit: blog.fnac.ch

What is a Director of Photography (DP)?
A director of photography is responsible for determining the best camera, lens as well as the necessary lighting equipment for the project, the overall look of the video, and hiring the lighting and camera crews. They also create the lighting for every shot and advise and oversee the crew regarding where to place the camera equipment and lights, along with the camera movements. The DP also collaborates with the director to develop lighting strategies and camera actions that will help tell the story. Coming up with a great video production is much more than simply recording a scene, and a professional DP will be able to take the film production far beyond an average production.

Education
While most DP’s have obtained an undergraduate/graduate degrees in photography or cinematography, some pursue degrees in media studies, art, acting or film production.

Hand On Experience
The important thing to remember is that the earlier you get “hands on” experience, the better when it comes to finding employment and moving up the ranks. For example, if your college or university has a TV station, try to work there part time to learn the fundamentals of film production.

Pursue an Internship
Go after at least one internship before graduating and look for other opportunities, including working on commercial products and/or Interested in Becoming a Director of Photography? Here’s what you need to know.. Even if you’re generally focused on motion pictures, any kind of professional experience will help you build credibility.

Practice Makes Perfect
Never stop practicing your craft. Even if you get a job related to the industry, consider making your own films in your spare time, using the contacts you have in the industry to network with the people who might recognize your talents. Someone who has made the journey before you has the best perspective for you to learn from.

Regardless of the path you choose or the relationships that you cultivate, having a strong work ethic, great attitude and artistic aspirations is essential if you want to work your way up to DP.

This information for becoming a director of photography will help guide you and the included links will take you to other practical resources for more in-depth coverage.

Useful Links:
Camera Crew Breakdown
Grip & Electric Departments
8 Cinematographers Behind Famous Directors
Roger Deakins’ Forum
Evan Richards’ Cinematographer Index
Shane Hurlbut’s Inner Circle