The things you learn... at DVinfo.net

Edwin Wilson · December 7th, 2007, 08:19 PM

For those who don't follow the intro threads, my roommate and I started three years ago making a video for my agency's annual awards banquet. What we started on a whim has become an expected tradition, and each year we're expected to come up with something new, around 15 minutes long. Previous years we worked with photos taken by ourselves or others, videos from in-car cameras, and video shot on a DV cam (Sony HC20). We had been using Vegas to edit, although probably not using it in the most efficient method.

This year, we've switched to Macs, using FCS, and new cameras (V1U's). We decided to do a little spoof video in addition to the usual photo slideshow. Having no real experience prior to this, we had a learning curve akin to Everest. A couple of things we learned:

1) Hey, that new wireless lavalier mike? Yeah, how about making sure it's turned ON before rolling tape.

2) Those sunglasses, and shiny car bumper, and windows... they tend to reflect the cameraman really well. Hope you like trimming clips.

3) Are you sure the "actors" (read: co-workers) can really act?

4) Bullet hits? Aw, we can composite those in with Motion. Um... have you used Motion yet? No? Isn't there a way to keyframe? How many pages is that manual?

5) You've got the second camera set to the same settings as camera 1, right? Oooh... well... we can correct that in post. (Repeat above, replacing "Motion" with "Color")

6) Do we have any more Tequila in the house? That'll make this look better.

Thankfully, our audience has low expectations. I think we'll play this one for the cheese factor.

So... What were the big learning points on your first production?

Carl Middleton · December 7th, 2007, 08:40 PM

The cheese factor is a lifesaver.

I did an edit of a rather large comedy skit, 12 hour turnaround urgent project, narrator had noo experience.... it worked. and well. Because it was intentionally cheesy. :)

C

Ger Griffin · December 8th, 2007, 01:48 PM

i was so addicted to the zoom it was ridiculous.
every time something happened, i zoomed.
It was almost like a nervous twitch.

Thankfully that ws a long time ago.

Edwin Wilson · December 11th, 2007, 06:01 PM

I forgot another one:

Coming from an SLR still camera background, I kept forgetting that you can't crop in Photoshop to fix your framing. (Well, I suppose you can crop in the NLE, but not the same thing). Forgetting about action safe zones, as well.

I'm going to have to tape reminders to the camera like I did the SLR; ie, "Check ISO!!!"

Jeff Anselmo · December 11th, 2007, 08:49 PM

A good three and a half years ago, we had an opportunity to shoot a commercial for a lodge up in Utah. I decided to borrow my friend's XL2, figuring I could handle it, no problems. Little did I know. (What's this 24p/30p/60i switch for?)

We now have the XL2 for ourselves, and eventhough we've used it for a good year now, we still feel we haven't used it's full potential.

--JA
www.madjavaproductions.com

December 7th, 2007, 08:19 PM	#1
Edwin Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Braselton, GA Posts: 25	The things you learn... For those who don't follow the intro threads, my roommate and I started three years ago making a video for my agency's annual awards banquet. What we started on a whim has become an expected tradition, and each year we're expected to come up with something new, around 15 minutes long. Previous years we worked with photos taken by ourselves or others, videos from in-car cameras, and video shot on a DV cam (Sony HC20). We had been using Vegas to edit, although probably not using it in the most efficient method. This year, we've switched to Macs, using FCS, and new cameras (V1U's). We decided to do a little spoof video in addition to the usual photo slideshow. Having no real experience prior to this, we had a learning curve akin to Everest. A couple of things we learned: 1) Hey, that new wireless lavalier mike? Yeah, how about making sure it's turned ON before rolling tape. 2) Those sunglasses, and shiny car bumper, and windows... they tend to reflect the cameraman really well. Hope you like trimming clips. 3) Are you sure the "actors" (read: co-workers) can really act? 4) Bullet hits? Aw, we can composite those in with Motion. Um... have you used Motion yet? No? Isn't there a way to keyframe? How many pages is that manual? 5) You've got the second camera set to the same settings as camera 1, right? Oooh... well... we can correct that in post. (Repeat above, replacing "Motion" with "Color") 6) Do we have any more Tequila in the house? That'll make this look better. Thankfully, our audience has low expectations. I think we'll play this one for the cheese factor. So... What were the big learning points on your first production?

December 7th, 2007, 08:40 PM	#2
Carl Middleton Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL Posts: 562	The cheese factor is a lifesaver. I did an edit of a rather large comedy skit, 12 hour turnaround urgent project, narrator had noo experience.... it worked. and well. Because it was intentionally cheesy. :) C __________________ Carl Middleton Whizkid Mediaworks

December 8th, 2007, 01:48 PM	#3
Ger Griffin Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 579	i was so addicted to the zoom it was ridiculous. every time something happened, i zoomed. It was almost like a nervous twitch. Thankfully that ws a long time ago.

December 11th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#4
Edwin Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Braselton, GA Posts: 25	I forgot another one: Coming from an SLR still camera background, I kept forgetting that you can't crop in Photoshop to fix your framing. (Well, I suppose you can crop in the NLE, but not the same thing). Forgetting about action safe zones, as well. I'm going to have to tape reminders to the camera like I did the SLR; ie, "Check ISO!!!"

December 11th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#5
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	A good three and a half years ago, we had an opportunity to shoot a commercial for a lodge up in Utah. I decided to borrow my friend's XL2, figuring I could handle it, no problems. Little did I know. (What's this 24p/30p/60i switch for?) We now have the XL2 for ourselves, and eventhough we've used it for a good year now, we still feel we haven't used it's full potential. --JA www.madjavaproductions.com