Howdy from Texas,

I'm constantly amazed at the diversity of people who are using DV in a wide variety of applications. I guess the purpose of this forum is, I'd like to know a little bit about who you are, where you're from and how you're using Digital Video, whether it's for a hobby or to make a living or whatever.

If you guys could help me out, please choose "Submit a New Thread" instead of replying to this one. For each person who wants to participate, doing this will make sure everybody gets noticed.

To start us off, I guess I'll tell you a little bit about myself: I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television-Film. I helped to start a video production company in San Marcos called Media Design, which is still cranking out event video and special media projects although I'm not as closely involved anymore.

These days, on my own, I shoot a lot of raves, a lot of equestrian stuff, and a few other things but my favorite subjects to shoot are community theater and dance.

And then there's all this web business *sigh.* How about you?

Hi, I'm from Denver Colorado.

Berle, the Rocky Mountain Film Festival is coming up around October 11th in Denver. Were you planning on attending?

Hi!

I'm Dan Uneken, Dutch national, living in Sweet Southern Spain.
I own an XL-1 since february 2000. Have shot several shorts with local directors and film students, for free, to get to know the camera. By birth I am a (stills) photographer (Canon EOSes) - wanted to get the images to move and add sound. By the way I bought the XL-1 partly because of the feature where one can use the EOS lenses: an option that I have never used since even my fish-eye turns out as a tele on the XL-1 - never thought of how small a part of the projected image the camera really uses.
Have proceeded to make / participate in documentaries about wild horses, Flamenco dancing, fighting bulls, cross Atlas (Morocco) mountain biking etc, some of these activities have earned me some cash.
I live off assisting productions from all over the world that come to the area to film.
Use Premiere as NLE tool (works OK). And I love my XL-1, which is now at the workshop for a long overdue maintenance service overhaul. You wouldn't believe how much dust this camera has eaten: it looks like it has fallen down 1000 feet off a red sandstone cliff, but has never given me any problems.

All the best, keep your heads cool America, we're all on your side.

Dan.

Hi DV people,

I'm John and I live in Seoul, Korea. My monicker is Zchildress.

Recently bought an XL-1 (the day before they announced the XL-1S, I think) and have been slowly acquiring other accessories and equipment while I try my hand at writing a short web movie screenplay. It's a trilogy, in fact. Three ten minute movies to show on the web.

If those go well, ...then we'll just see what comes next. ;)

If anyone else out there is starting to dabble with the idea of making movies, give me a shout.

I'm Dan Uneken, Dutch national, living in Sweet Southern Spain.
I own an XL-1 since february 2000. Have shot several shorts with local directors and film students, for free, to get to know the camera. By birth I am a (stills) photographer (Canon EOSes) - wanted to get the images to move and add sound. By the way I bought the XL-1 partly because of the feature where one can use the EOS lenses: an option that I have never used since even my fish-eye turns out as a tele on the XL-1 - never thought of how small a part of the projected image the camera really uses.
Have proceeded to make / participate in documentaries about wild horses, Flamenco dancing, fighting bulls, cross Atlas (Morocco) mountain biking etc, some of these activities have earned me some cash.
I live off assisting productions from all over the world that come to the area to film.
Use Premiere as NLE tool (works OK). And I love my XL-1, which is now at the workshop for a long overdue maintenance service overhaul. You wouldn't believe how much dust this camera has eaten: it looks like it has fallen down 1000 feet off a red sandstone cliff, but has never given me any problems.

All the best, keep your heads cool America, we're all on your side.

Dan.

First off, it is so good to find a good DV community like this!

I'm from British Columbia, dubbed Hollywood North. Although, I think you'll find we are not a carbon copy of the great Hollywood but have a look and feel as original as any other place on the planet.

I've had the XL1 for only a couple months and I'm liking it. So much more easier on the shoulders than a betacam.

Till now I have used this camera primarily for shooting special events, mostly weddings but I am hoping to shoot a short very soon. A big inspiration is coming on here and reading what others are doing and the success DV has had.

Well, good luck in all your current and future endeavors!

I'm jealous that you're living in Andalucia. Great place. I lived for awhile in Galicia...La Coruña.

Just wanted to say hello and tell you I checked out your gallery on your web site. Nice work! All your "People" shots are very expressive.

Hasta luego.

Hey there!

Yay Canada!

My mum is from Canada, Skachawan (excuse my poor spelling).

Canada makes some good stuff, especially products from Discreet, and Alis|Wavefront, both high end 3d pro programs that I work with at the post production house.

Cheers!

Howdy Y'all,

I'm Ed Frazier from Las Cruces, NM. Since I know where to put the apostrophe in Y'all, you might guess that I'm originally from Texas and you would be correct.

Unlike most of you, I'm not a professional in this field, but have managed to make a few bucks the past two years with my Sony Digital 8, recording automobile races at a local race track. I discovered this website in my pursuit of information on the XL1S and VX2000. Based on what I've learned, I will likely have a new XL1S before the 2002 season starts in May.

I want to thank Chris as well as all the others that give up their time and talent to maintain and contribute to fourms such as this. The information is invaluable to rank amatures like myself in our effort to produce a better product.

Thanks again,
Ed

Thanks to Chris Hurd for creating this forum. Before I had home Internet access I would go to the library and check out the XL 1 Watchdog site. I printed out many pages of material on the XL 1. After a year and a half of research I got my XL 1, which I've had for a little over two years. I am using it with Final Cut Pro on a Power Mac G3 400 to produce educational documentaries. I've taught myself video editing with Final Cut, and am now at the point where I can obtain very professional results. I'm researching, scriptwriting, shooting and editing a project on the place of the Family as an institution in society--no small task! I'm slowly gathering video clips, storing them uncompressed on cd as Final Cut Pro movies which will all be edited together into the final project, with music and narration added.

Actually, it's hard for me to believe I'm actually doing something I've wanted to do since my days, long ago, as a college communications major taking TV and radio production courses. I didn't want to work for the major networks, mired as they are in mediocrity. I couldn't afford to set up my own TV station back then! How things have changed! Now, with DV and NLE applications like Final Cut Pro I can afford to take TV to new heights, producing my own "broadcast quality" documentaries, that will most likely be put on DVD. Sometimes I wonder if I'm biting off more than I can chew. But from Chris and his Watchdog, along with 2-pop.com and other sites (The Digital Journalist, for example) I have received much helpful guidance. Thanks guys!

Hey John,

I'm just across the pond from you in Japan. I'm on the beach just south of Yokohama. If you find yourself over this way drop me a line. I see from your posts you've done a bit of travel so maybe we could swap war stories

Hello All.

I am in Farmington, NM. I primarily use my Xl1 for travel purposes to put together video diaries of travel around the world. I am editing on a media100i 7.0 and love it. www.cyberport.com/~frick

BTW: I have pretty much trashed my XL1 by putting it through the elements of dusty, dirty travel. I think it's time to upgrade my body to the XL1S. Anyone out there using the XL1S body with the old lens and viewfinder?

Hello All.

I am in Farmington, NM. I primarily use my Xl1 for travel purposes to put together video diaries of travels around the world. I am editing on a media100i 7.0 and love it. www.cyberport.com/~frick Any of you other New Mexicans or other folks out there interested in collaborating on any project, give me a yell. I will send a demo.

BTW: I have pretty much trashed my XL1 by putting it through the elements of dusty, dirty travel. I think it's time to upgrade my body to the XL1S. Anyone out there using the XL1S body with the old lens and viewfinder?

Tech Question: Footage shot with my XL1 will not play back on any other deck or camera. I haven't sent it to get repaired as I am afraid that the footage will then not even play back in my XL1. Any thoughts?

Laters...

Aaron Frick

Hi Aaron,

Everybody who's using the XL1S is using it with the old viewfinder. There has been no change to the standard color viewfinder at all -- it's the same one it always was.

The older 16x lens will work perfectly with the XL1S as well.

Regarding your tapes, send along one of those cassettes when you send your camera in for service. Specify that you want the tape transport to be tweaked so that it will play that tape perfectly. The transport chassis should then be able to play back any of your other older tapes. Hope this helps,

It is a pleasure to be a part of this message board, with much appreciation for Chris Hurd.

About 3 years ago I was suprised to find that the guy with the biggest XL-1 site on the net was uploading from my own back yard here in the San Marcos, Texas area. Naturally, when I was thinking of going into buisness for myself about two and a half years ago I got in contact with Chris to pick his brain about gear and the video buisness in our area. I was pleased to find that Chris is a great guy who is both knowledgable and helpful. His site has expanded to cover other DV cameras and now we have this great Message board. - Thanks Chris!

I myself work in wedding and event video here between Austin and San Marcos, Texas. I am glad to have access to this message board and the many knowledgable people here.

Thank You,
Mat Cain
DeCa Videoworks

This one is Richard DuPree in Denton, TX. I'm on the staff of the College of Music at the University of North Texas where I manage recording services for the college. We are expanding our vision, both figuratively and literally, into DVD production. By the spring of 2002 we hope to be offering these services to students, faculty, guest artists, etc.

We have one XL-1 and two XL-1S camcorders that have been purchased since June, 2001. We did one very basic one-camera shoot of an opera production on campus in August. This was our first DVD, and I must say that it turned out very well for a starter project.

We will begin work on a three-camera shoot of Verdi's La traviata in late November and have already been contacted by KERA-TV (PBS) in Dallas about using some of this footage for a segment that they are producing.

Awesome! Please let us all know who this goes... thanks!

<< We will begin work on a three-camera shoot of Verdi's La traviata in late November and have already been contacted by KERA-TV (PBS) in Dallas about using some of this footage for a segment that they are producing. >>

Mat, thanks for joining us, I still have your camera parts, we'll trade back one of these days. Let's do lunch again soon,

Hello all,

Some of you may already know me from my all to frequent postings on rec.video.production or elsewhere on USENET. Some others may know me from my articles on abcdv.com, the XL-1 Watchdog. Still others may know me from my website, zenera.com

Unfortunately, I bet few of you, if any, know my work. I have done a number of news and event projects. I have worked as Director of Photography on one independent DV film called Sailor Come Home. I presently have a movie in preproduction called, "The Hunter's Prey" where I will serve as just about everything from Director, to CG artist, photographer and writer.

I use the Canon XL-1 for almost every project, but I have been priveledged to use other cameras on occasion. Some of my favorites are the Sony FDW-900 CineAlta and the JVC GY-DV500.

I also do 3D modelling and animation using Newtek Lightwave. Currently almost all my efforts there are being sucked up by "The Hunter's Prey" but I hope to get some models and animations out there...someday.

Well, now you know a little more about me. I look forward to reading about you on these pages.

I am looking for Event videographers Freelancers..(Weddings, Parties..), anyone up there?

Thank You
Marino Rocha

My name is Scott Nocella and I work with several people that are listed on our website, www.worldharmonyunlimited.com

The purpose of our website is to give North American Indigenous Peoples a voice in their own words. The site has footage that was shot with the xl1. You'll need a real player to play clips that are posted there. It's a place to find truth and knowledge that was meant for all. We have spent the last 4 years working on this, and it's about something the world needs here and now......peace. I have worked in many facets of televison production, and I feel it's time to put responsible messages out there so that future generations can benefit from good things. I want to leave something more than just cancelled checks and bank statements......I want to leave an example for my child of what it's like to really live. That's the essence of communication......spreading good messages.

I recently acquired a xl1s to replace my xl1, and I just love the camera. I have the manual 16x lens as well which is a lifesaver for critical focus situations. The camera goes well with my edit system which is final cut pro on a g-4 platform.

I look forward to interaction and working with other professionals.

My other passion is film-making......I love film, and the xl1s is the closest I've seen to film for a bargain basement price.

Scott Nocella

Thank you, Scott -- outstanding website and I really appreciate the concept behind it -- best wishes to everyone involved. It's an honor to have you aboard. Many thanks and much respect,

Hi ..,

I just thought that it is about time to introduce myself.

My name is Ulrik, I am 22 years old and I am a filmmaker since I was 14 and used the brandnew HI8 camera my mother bought.

Since than I did shortfilms all the time - I started with stopmotion flicks with my matchbox cars, later I filmed myself ( editing meant pressing the record button :) and as I had the luck to own a second VCR I started to edit my flicks for real and I had even more luck coz this VCR had a dubbing function.

Later on I had the chance to edit my shortfilm with some analog editing system till I collect all my money for the MatroxRT2000.

Right after I had the RT2k I started to collect my money for the XL1 ... after 1 1/2 years of collecting I finally bought the XL1s and believe me I am just in the same mood as I used my mothers good old HI8 camcorder for the first time :).


Right now I am planning my first feature film which I will start doing whenever I made it to collect enough money for a widelens *lol*.

If you wanna check out some of my shortfilms click the "www" button below and download the with DivX411 compressed moviefiles from my page.
(any comments are very welcome)


have a nice day and do movies whenever you have time
Ulrik

Danke sehr Ulrik! Sehr toll, du bist immer wilkommen bei uns.

Tschuss,

Hi,

I'm involved in putting together the Ojai DV Camp, an informative and fun DV workshop in Ojai, California slated for Jan. 26-27.

If you think you or someone you know might be interested in taking an affordable professional hands-on workshop where they can experience shooting, lighting, blocking, editing and encoding their digital movies check this website site for more information:
www.ojaidvcamp.com

Power to the people!

Hi, I guess im the opposite of ozziealfonso (great post by the way.. i love sesame street)

Myself, i'm at the beginning of my career rather then in the prime of it. When i was 18.. i decided there were 3 things lacking in my life. Sky, (im in the uk and thats our cable equivalant i guess)
my very own pc, and a video camera.
(before you ask. i had a girl lol)

so with my £35 a week (god bless youth trainging schemes) i saved up and eventually got all three. Once i got a video camera i used to fool around making videos with friends.. crazy stuff.. My mom was at uni at the time and asked if id make a video for a presentation she was doing.. so i did.. it was about body language, kind of a crazy mtv hunour style over the top 5 min thing.. i edited straight from my hi-8 camera to vhs for 12 hours straight. dubbed music on.. and then went to show it.

and people laughed.. first time i had my work shown to an audience and i loved it.. people at the uni assumed i was in my last year of a degree there.. wheni explained they asked if id every considered it as a career.. i hadnt till then.. so i went back to school.

And here i am now.. many years, a gnvq, a btec and nearly a hnd later. (I start my next semester next week)

The equipments changed, instead of a rusty vhs and a hi-8 cam.. i have an xl1s and a matrox edit suite. but my love for making videos is still the same.. i recently won a european film contest.. and the rush i got from people in the cinema watching my short film on the big screen was the same i got all those years ago.. when a class watched my body language thing..

I guess im anything but a typical student.. I work part time for a local company, putting together promos, music vids and covering live events. everything from business conferences to a three tenors concert. one day ill be at uni.. the next ill be shooting tony blair so its a little extreme to say the least.

I just finished working on assignment this week.. and next week I fly to the USA to for a 2 week shoot on a documentary.

I graduate in may/june time and gonna take things as they come.. i only hope my career is as fulfilling as ozziealfonso's :)

Current project looking for a DP or camera operator, little or no experience is OK. Need someone with a camera who wants to stretch their legs a bit.
Thanks

Hello,

Just thought I would pop in and introduce myself. I am from New Zealand, home of Peter Jackson and Middle Earth!!

Unlike Peter, I am merely a hobbiest and wedding videographer with about 10 years experience mostly using a Hi8 Sony v5000 video camera which has served me well (until last weekend).

I have recently invested in a Pinnacle DV-500+ capture card and a custom made PC and have been getting up to speed with editing footage with Adobe Premiere / Hollywood FX etc and are extremely impressed with it's performance and potential.

Recently I researched the Sony VX2000 as I felt the reviews were very promising and my trusty Hi8 camera was starting to become the weakest link in my setup. Although the picture and quality I thought was outstanding, I held off because of my love for the shoulder-mounted style of the v5000 and sniffed around other options such as the more expensive Panasonic DV-CAM range.

Then disaster struck. While doing some pre-checks before a wedding last weekend, my Hi8 heads finally decided that they had done enough. Luckily, I have a little handheld Sony MiniDV PC-7E and (although it looked pretty dumb on a heavyweight Velbon tripod) I managed to produce one of the best wedding videos I have ever done. The quality was amazing - luckily their were no awkward lighting conditions and the wedding was on the beach...

Anyhow, with 12 weddings booked in the next 3 months, I have a brand new VX2000 ordered and arriving in the next couple of days and will be doing some pretty intense crash courses in all it's features and are really looking forward to now being entirely digital from shooting to final cut.

I've also wanted to get into short film making but can't seem to come up with any decent ideas (or time with all these darn weddings :) )

Anyway, good to see a growing community and look forward to being a part of it.

BBF

How's it going mate, welcome.

I've spent a lot of time in your part of the paddock, I did a few seasons out at Mt Hutt, shooting photos and video, and snowboarding.

I've been using a DV500 for a couple of years and up until now, version 2.0 drivers that is it's been a productive tool.

Good luck and enjoy.

I am Alex Michaels. I'm a Director/ Writer who is part of Prelude2Cinema a digital movie company. we have shot two features using the Canon XL1. I absolutely love the camera. At our site, www.prelude2cinema.com, we have a free newsletter and movie clips from our movies. We would love to hear from other filmmakers.

Hello Detroit and Winsor,

Starting this spring I will begin principle photograhy on a DV film to be shoot in the Detroit area as well as Windsor and possibly Toronto. I am looking for talent (both experienced and nonexperience) to play key roles.

Its titled "OverDraft" and shows a young black WSU student who, through a bank error, gets his hands on some extra cash which he launders through offshore bank accounts... sort of a Swordfish/MenanceIISociety flick.

If anyone would like to be placed on the mailing list for casting call info, email your email address to part2productions@hotmail.com
This includes grips, graffers, boom mic opperators, PA's and people that have nothing else better to do during a warm Detroit summer...yea right!

Thanks.

Greetings all. My name is Matteo Masiello and I am a New York based writer/producer/director. I hope that I will interract with all of you in different ways, both sharing info and sharing a similar passion.

Welcome aboard! We'll see you around here :)

Regards,

I from Lawrenceburg, looking for fellow Kentuckians with XL-1 equipment and experiance.

icbn@bellsouth.net

Hello All,

I'm an filmmaker that is about to purchase his first mini DV camera (XL1S). I have been working in film for the past 11 years focusing on stop-motion and writing as an independent producer and as a hired gun.

I currently have an office in the Chicago area, but am relocating back to California next month so the idea of new space and camera will hopefully bring great inspiration!

Looking forward to meeting many and learning much from this board.

Scott

Scott,

You'll find a treasure of resources (and opinions!) that will help in making the transition to DV. I'm a screenwriter who is taking the R.Rodriguez/Edward Burns route and sold my pride and joy ( a 69 Mustang fastback 351/4v-C6 to any pony lovers) and invested in a digital set up.

I'm in pre-production and now working with a long-time friend/illustrator turned storyboard artist. I'm having the time of my life...

Best of luck and keep us posted on your journey.

Wayde
WGardner-waydeg@hotmail.com

Hi folks....

Chuck Hatcher from Dallas,TX here. I've been in the film/video business as a shooter for... well a long time... how's that..LOL

I've been shooting with an XL-1 and now an XL-1s for about 3 years. I have shot commercials, music videos and corporate projects with them and my clients are knocked out. I also shoot for 3 shows on the Discovery Channel and they require Betacam which I now find is limiting me. Grrrrrrr.

BTW... Chris Herd.... you should post a link on the yahoo club "canonxlpro" that this community is here.

chuc

Chuck,

Another Dallasite...

Great to have you here. I'm in Frisco, Tx. Drop us a note sometime. I'm shooting my first digital "film" this spring and looking to start more corporate and event/ENG work.

http://www.geocities.com/rightfieldfilms/RightFieldFilms.html

WGardner

Wayde

I am just starting out on my own DV adventure,and need experience doing more shooting. I have mostly done photography in the past. I have a XL1S and VX2000 plus a Shure wireless system, I am in need of more experience and am practicing as much as I can. I am a beginer in dv but I am learning fast. I am propritor of Fiddlestix Video Productions and will be ready for debut soon. I dont know if I can help but I am out here. I live in maryland so thats not to far away. you can email me at Fiddlestixvideo@hotmail.com Thanks. John

My family needs to be in an instution! I am just starting on my DV journey and also see a documentary in my future. Good Luck to us both, I dont have any film school experence just a dream.

This is great, I have really learned alot from all the articles and advice, I am really grateful for all this info. This has helped me with many decisions as what to aquire to make my DV dream come true! Thanks Guys!

Howdy from Texas,

You don't need film school experience. I have film school experience, and believe me you don't need it. All you need are dreams and motivation in equal portions. Welcome to the club,

Hi all!

Reasonable rates for a camera operator, editor or DP in New York City! Please come over and check out my website for more info on rates and equipment!

WWW.thevideoguy.com

Hi, from Northern Virginia! Just thought I'd introduce myself officially after being on these forums for about the past week.

Thanks go out to you guys...I've learned a great deal in just the past couple weeks and hope to learn a lot more.

I'll probably be in here from time to time hoping to get some of my questions answered.

I'm very brand new to this world. I really have no filming/digital video background whatsoever. I'm more of a PC-guru which is where most of my background is in. But I've always had an interest in filming and digital video as a hobby for a long time. I was usually side tracked and never had the time and money to pursue this hobby in the past.

But as it turns out I've got both and it couldn't have been a more perfect time...because I'm the type of person that gets bored very easily. When I get bored I usually spend money...which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. In this case, being a good thing I hope.

My only worry is that I won't be very creative. My idea of this hobby is just to have fun with my digital video experience. Maybe make some short movies, spoofs, vacation highlights, etc...with friends and family. I think that's such a cool idea. Do like a different project every month and then have a premiere party at my place. That would be awesome.

I know I would be pretty good and doing the Editing part. I'm pretty creative there once I learn a bunch of techniques and how to use certain software. But the actual "what to film" part, I may not be as creative at. But i'm hoping to get help there from friends.

Anyway, so this is me. Talk to you soon.

-mdreyes23

Hi everybody. Just wanted to introduce myself. I live in Texas and am the proud, primary user of a Canon XL1 for the company I work for. We deliver web solutions and I occasionally take the camera out to do interviews and talking heads for the web. I love this camera and when I found out there was a forum for it I just had to join. Look forward to talking to you.

If you like your XL-1, boy, have you found a home. This has to be one of the best online communities for DV shooters (particularly Canon shooters) on the 'Net. Constructive, helpful, rarely flaming.

Rest your stripes and dig-in!

Hello All,

Another brand spankin' new media lover on board!! Just wanted to intro myself. I am 21 years old in Southern Cali!!! I just love this website. As a starter I need advice. After looking at all the reviews I have decided to go with XL1S camera. However, I am thinking of getting a MAC G4 computer with a Final Cut Pro 3 software to do all the editing (I have been to alot of MAC seminars and they all use XL1's and XL1S's). I wanted advice from you guys about what kind of computers and software's professionals out there use? And what options do I have.

Because I am starting off new I want to invest in the lastest hardware specs and software out there to edit my movies. Secondly is there any newer camera's coming out e.g. Updated versions of XL1S's. If there is then I would want to wait rather than buying a XL1S now.

Thanks

Welcome to our little corner of the web here. Since the XL1S was introduced somewhat less than a year ago, there will most likely not be any changes from Canon for the forseeable near future. Now, the as far as the aging GL1 is concerned, that's another question!

;-)

Hey Chris,

I've been thinking about the GL1 as a backup. Do you have some inside information about an update?

Would you recommend waiting a while to get one?

Thanks,

Mike Avery