Hello from Las Vegas! at DVinfo.net

Alex DeJesus · February 27th, 2013, 09:03 PM

I have actually been a member for a while, but never introduced myself here. I am a solo videographer making a go of this new career after a 21-year military career of aircraft maintenance. I film mostly in dark places - musicians and dancers in local showrooms and an occasional wedding or corporate thing. I graduated from Film school at UNLV in 2006, and after a couple of detours turned a hobby into a paying job. I'm trying to keep it that way, but I'm having a tough time keeping up with the technologies.

Originally from New York City, I now live in Henderson, NV which is right outside of Las Vegas. I look forward to the NAB conventions every April, but the wife watches my spending like a hawk. I currently shoot HDV with a couple of Canon XHA1s, which I like, but am looking into upgrading. I edit with Adobe CS6. I built a PC editing rig, which was fun but always struggling with some bottleneck.

I kind of like the combination of technology and artistry in filmmaking, but I am so totally confused by all the different codecs, frame rates, data rates, long GOP, short GOP, I Frame and so forth. So I stop in here from time to time try to keep up, but not often enough, I guess. Why does this feel like a confession all of a sudden? Lol!

Anyway, that's me in a nutshell. Look forward to reading and chatting with you all. And look me up if you are coming out to NAB

Mark Watson · February 28th, 2013, 07:55 AM

Hey Alex,

It looks like my company is sending me on a trip to Vegas in March, said they won't have anything for me to do the first 5 days, and weekends off so I'm seeing how much photo/video gear I can pack for the trip. Didn't find much in the way of hotels with balconies so I got the Lenskirt to shoot thru the windows. Thinking of driving out of the city on weekends and explore a bit.

I have been shooting HDV since about 2007 on the HV30 and XL-H1A. I recently moved up to the XF305 and have been trying to find the best way to use that camera. It looks like a hand held but it really wants to be on a tripod.

It's a very technical field, but if you were in aircraft maintenance then you already know that there's no shortcuts to becoming proficient, gotta read manuals and experiment a lot. I am just a hobbyist for now, but I have made more of an effort lately to advance my skills and I can see the difference, the studying and effort is paying off. So stick with it and yes, keep coming here, as this is where I discover all kinds of practical knowledge.

I edit on Vegas Pro 12 but have CS6 also. So much new stuff to learn!

I think if I had to shoot mostly in dark places I'd have to overcome my fear of manual focusing and just get the damn Canon C300 since it apparently can see in the dark.

Good luck with your endeavor and keep us posted on what new camera you decide to go with.

Mark

Alex DeJesus · March 10th, 2013, 09:47 AM

I forgot that you said you were coming to Las Vegas this month. If you are here now or will be, just let me if there's something you need or if you want to chat. Otherwise, I'll see you online. So, I take it you won't be here for NAB April 6-11?

I haven't purchased anything, yet. Waiting for NAB and expecting to see some new things.

Alex DeJesus · March 10th, 2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Watson

Hey Alex,

It looks like my company is sending me on a trip to Vegas in March, said they won't have anything for me to do the first 5 days, and weekends off so I'm seeing how much photo/video gear I can pack for the trip. Didn't find much in the way of hotels with balconies so I got the Lenskirt to shoot thru the windows. Thinking of driving out of the city on weekends and explore a bit.

I have been shooting HDV since about 2007 on the HV30 and XL-H1A. I recently moved up to the XF305 and have been trying to find the best way to use that camera. It looks like a hand held but it really wants to be on a tripod
Mark

I forgot that you said you were coming to Las Vegas this month. If you are here now or will be, just let me know if there's something you need or if you want to chat. I wouldn't mind taking a look at the XF305 of yours. Otherwise, I'll see you online. So, I take it you won't be here for NAB April 6-11?

I haven't purchased anything, yet. Waiting for NAB and expecting to see some new things.

Mark Watson · March 10th, 2013, 11:27 AM

I won't be there for NAB (not sure I could get in anyway). If my plane doesn't crash, I'll arrive the 14th. I sent my gear ahead via USPS. I don't know how much time I'll have to go out and shoot footage but since it's a rare opportunity and paid trip.... well, I'm bringing the works; 7D and lots of lenses, Casio EX-FH25 (poor man's high speed camera), the XF305, XL-H1A w/20X and 6X lenses, SmallHD DP6 and even some audio gear ('cause there was a little space left in the box that needed filling), tripod with stills and fluid heads. I'll get a map of the area and come up with a list of shoot ideas once I get there. My main concern is taking care not to have my gear get stolen. Just got both my Sager laptops repaired. Turns out the firewire problem was caused by a faulty motherboard, so that's finally fixed! Great to have two good editing platforms up and running. Also just found that after installing the latest update for Vegas Pro 12, my graphics adapter is now supported (GTX 560M). Things are looking up!

I'll PM you once I get settled in.

Mark

Mark Watson · March 15th, 2013, 10:15 PM

Trip got axed 4 hours prior to boarding the plane. Friggin' long arm of sequestration reached way out here and got me. I was fixin to put a hurt on a few casinos too....

February 27th, 2013, 09:03 PM	#1
Alex DeJesus Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 177	Hello from Las Vegas! I have actually been a member for a while, but never introduced myself here. I am a solo videographer making a go of this new career after a 21-year military career of aircraft maintenance. I film mostly in dark places - musicians and dancers in local showrooms and an occasional wedding or corporate thing. I graduated from Film school at UNLV in 2006, and after a couple of detours turned a hobby into a paying job. I'm trying to keep it that way, but I'm having a tough time keeping up with the technologies. Originally from New York City, I now live in Henderson, NV which is right outside of Las Vegas. I look forward to the NAB conventions every April, but the wife watches my spending like a hawk. I currently shoot HDV with a couple of Canon XHA1s, which I like, but am looking into upgrading. I edit with Adobe CS6. I built a PC editing rig, which was fun but always struggling with some bottleneck. I kind of like the combination of technology and artistry in filmmaking, but I am so totally confused by all the different codecs, frame rates, data rates, long GOP, short GOP, I Frame and so forth. So I stop in here from time to time try to keep up, but not often enough, I guess. Why does this feel like a confession all of a sudden? Lol! Anyway, that's me in a nutshell. Look forward to reading and chatting with you all. And look me up if you are coming out to NAB

February 28th, 2013, 07:55 AM	#2
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Hello from Las Vegas! Hey Alex, It looks like my company is sending me on a trip to Vegas in March, said they won't have anything for me to do the first 5 days, and weekends off so I'm seeing how much photo/video gear I can pack for the trip. Didn't find much in the way of hotels with balconies so I got the Lenskirt to shoot thru the windows. Thinking of driving out of the city on weekends and explore a bit. I have been shooting HDV since about 2007 on the HV30 and XL-H1A. I recently moved up to the XF305 and have been trying to find the best way to use that camera. It looks like a hand held but it really wants to be on a tripod. It's a very technical field, but if you were in aircraft maintenance then you already know that there's no shortcuts to becoming proficient, gotta read manuals and experiment a lot. I am just a hobbyist for now, but I have made more of an effort lately to advance my skills and I can see the difference, the studying and effort is paying off. So stick with it and yes, keep coming here, as this is where I discover all kinds of practical knowledge. I edit on Vegas Pro 12 but have CS6 also. So much new stuff to learn! I think if I had to shoot mostly in dark places I'd have to overcome my fear of manual focusing and just get the damn Canon C300 since it apparently can see in the dark. Good luck with your endeavor and keep us posted on what new camera you decide to go with. Mark

March 10th, 2013, 09:47 AM	#3
Alex DeJesus Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 177	Re: Hello from Las Vegas! I forgot that you said you were coming to Las Vegas this month. If you are here now or will be, just let me if there's something you need or if you want to chat. Otherwise, I'll see you online. So, I take it you won't be here for NAB April 6-11? I haven't purchased anything, yet. Waiting for NAB and expecting to see some new things.

March 10th, 2013, 11:27 AM	#5
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Hello from Las Vegas! I won't be there for NAB (not sure I could get in anyway). If my plane doesn't crash, I'll arrive the 14th. I sent my gear ahead via USPS. I don't know how much time I'll have to go out and shoot footage but since it's a rare opportunity and paid trip.... well, I'm bringing the works; 7D and lots of lenses, Casio EX-FH25 (poor man's high speed camera), the XF305, XL-H1A w/20X and 6X lenses, SmallHD DP6 and even some audio gear ('cause there was a little space left in the box that needed filling), tripod with stills and fluid heads. I'll get a map of the area and come up with a list of shoot ideas once I get there. My main concern is taking care not to have my gear get stolen. Just got both my Sager laptops repaired. Turns out the firewire problem was caused by a faulty motherboard, so that's finally fixed! Great to have two good editing platforms up and running. Also just found that after installing the latest update for Vegas Pro 12, my graphics adapter is now supported (GTX 560M). Things are looking up! I'll PM you once I get settled in. Mark

March 15th, 2013, 10:15 PM	#6
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Hello from Las Vegas! Trip got axed 4 hours prior to boarding the plane. Friggin' long arm of sequestration reached way out here and got me. I was fixin to put a hurt on a few casinos too....