One of our members set Videomaker Magazine straight in this month's issue at DVinfo.net

Glen Elliott · June 23rd, 2003, 10:27 AM

I was thumbing thru the new issue of Videomaker Magazine and began reading a letter written to the editor. I soon noticed it was written by no other than our very own Edward Troxel, lol! He set them straight on a lot of sloppy info givin on an earlier article they did on DVDit and even made sure he made mention he uses Vegas- a program the editors rarely shed light on. They all seem to be riding Adobe Premiere. Way to go Ed, heheh!

Mike Rehmus · June 23rd, 2003, 10:59 AM

Videomaker is not very accurate in a lot of areas.

I attended one of their weekend shooting seminars in Chico about 4 years ago and was appalled at the misinformation they were giving to a (largely) educator audience.

The hands-on gear was inadequate and only 2 of the groups managed to produce a finished video. The other group's equipment just crashed. All of the equipment they used was stuff sent in by manufacturers for evaluation.

Needless to say, I don't subscribe to their publication.

I'm glad Edward spoke up.

Glen Elliott · June 23rd, 2003, 11:05 AM

I can't really speak for any of their seminars as I'm locate far, farrrr away from CA, or FLA. I actually have to say I do like their publication. It's a good mix of beginner/intermediate level articles. I've found some of their lighting articles to be particularly helpfull. On the flip-side I subscribed to DV magazine and they were the complete opposite- seemingly geared towards way more advanced applications and equipment. Half the articles weren't even worth reading because they dealt with some $100,000 hd pro cameras and advanced Avid systems.

I'm sure any publication is riddled with misinformation from time to time. Honestly, I don't find them to be any more misinformed than any other publication.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 23rd, 2003, 11:47 AM

Videomaker is a good entry-level publication. Anyone who has more than two years worth of back issues will notice that their articles recycle. "How to storyboard your video," "how to use microphones," "lighting your subject," etc.

Glen Elliott · June 23rd, 2003, 12:18 PM

What's the next step above Videomaker in terms of advancement and knowledge of the field. Like I said I tried getting into DV magazine but it seemed too advanced for me, plus the articles were mostly about equipment I couldn't even begin to afford!

Ben Lynn · June 23rd, 2003, 12:21 PM

Videomaker is a great beginner and intermediate level magazine. They are geared at mostly an untrained audience and they hit their mark very well. If your beyond that point and tired of the same beginning lessons then by all means go for another mag.

People have to crawl before they can walk and videomaker helps get people going in video and they get people interested in it. They do a great job and you can expect some errors from any magazine.

Ben Lynn

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 23rd, 2003, 12:37 PM

If you're interested in the craft side of motion image acquisition, there's no beating American Cinematographer. Even the ads are educational.

Mike Rehmus · June 23rd, 2003, 02:29 PM

I think you need to expand the number of mags that you read once you leave Videomaker.

the candidates are

DV mag (which I find is consistently the best).
Videography
Video Systems
Millimeter
Film & Video
AV Video Multimedia Producer
I also scan Keyboard and EQ.

I dropped American Cinematographer not because it isn't a good pub but it is geared towards feature film work and silver-based film work.

That said, some of their books are great and should be reviewed.

BTW, I don't think videomaker 'makes' it into the intermediate level very often. Their editor that specializes in lighting is the only person who had a good session at the training seminar. The rest of the presenters were frequently inaccurate about the technology aspects of video. Especially the guy that talked about sound.

Chris Hurd · July 7th, 2003, 11:37 AM

I'd have to say that the one saving grace for VideoMaker is that Bill Davis writes for them occasionally.

June 23rd, 2003, 10:27 AM	#1
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	One of our members set Videomaker Magazine straight in this month's issue I was thumbing thru the new issue of Videomaker Magazine and began reading a letter written to the editor. I soon noticed it was written by no other than our very own Edward Troxel, lol! He set them straight on a lot of sloppy info givin on an earlier article they did on DVDit and even made sure he made mention he uses Vegas- a program the editors rarely shed light on. They all seem to be riding Adobe Premiere. Way to go Ed, heheh!

June 23rd, 2003, 10:59 AM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Videomaker is not very accurate in a lot of areas. I attended one of their weekend shooting seminars in Chico about 4 years ago and was appalled at the misinformation they were giving to a (largely) educator audience. The hands-on gear was inadequate and only 2 of the groups managed to produce a finished video. The other group's equipment just crashed. All of the equipment they used was stuff sent in by manufacturers for evaluation. Needless to say, I don't subscribe to their publication. I'm glad Edward spoke up. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 23rd, 2003, 11:47 AM	#4
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Videomaker is a good entry-level publication. Anyone who has more than two years worth of back issues will notice that their articles recycle. "How to storyboard your video," "how to use microphones," "lighting your subject," etc. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 23rd, 2003, 12:37 PM	#7
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	If you're interested in the craft side of motion image acquisition, there's no beating American Cinematographer. Even the ads are educational. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 23rd, 2003, 02:29 PM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I think you need to expand the number of mags that you read once you leave Videomaker. the candidates are DV mag (which I find is consistently the best). Videography Video Systems Millimeter Film & Video AV Video Multimedia Producer I also scan Keyboard and EQ. I dropped American Cinematographer not because it isn't a good pub but it is geared towards feature film work and silver-based film work. That said, some of their books are great and should be reviewed. BTW, I don't think videomaker 'makes' it into the intermediate level very often. Their editor that specializes in lighting is the only person who had a good session at the training seminar. The rest of the presenters were frequently inaccurate about the technology aspects of video. Especially the guy that talked about sound. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 23rd, 2003, 11:05 AM	#3
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	I can't really speak for any of their seminars as I'm locate far, farrrr away from CA, or FLA. I actually have to say I do like their publication. It's a good mix of beginner/intermediate level articles. I've found some of their lighting articles to be particularly helpfull. On the flip-side I subscribed to DV magazine and they were the complete opposite- seemingly geared towards way more advanced applications and equipment. Half the articles weren't even worth reading because they dealt with some $100,000 hd pro cameras and advanced Avid systems. I'm sure any publication is riddled with misinformation from time to time. Honestly, I don't find them to be any more misinformed than any other publication.

June 23rd, 2003, 12:18 PM	#5
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	What's the next step above Videomaker in terms of advancement and knowledge of the field. Like I said I tried getting into DV magazine but it seemed too advanced for me, plus the articles were mostly about equipment I couldn't even begin to afford!

June 23rd, 2003, 12:21 PM	#6
Ben Lynn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 636	Videomaker is a great beginner and intermediate level magazine. They are geared at mostly an untrained audience and they hit their mark very well. If your beyond that point and tired of the same beginning lessons then by all means go for another mag. People have to crawl before they can walk and videomaker helps get people going in video and they get people interested in it. They do a great job and you can expect some errors from any magazine. Ben Lynn

July 7th, 2003, 11:37 AM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I'd have to say that the one saving grace for VideoMaker is that Bill Davis writes for them occasionally. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!