Batteries not Included (page 2)

Every computer comes with a keyboard and mouse, but the video editor has different needs than the word processor, and there are several manufacturers with the video editor in mind. Bella Corporation and WorldTech are just a few of the companies that specialize in making the editor's workflow a little bit easier. From joystick shuttles to specially mapped and color-coded keypad shortcuts, every editor will feel like a pro with these toys in their hands.

Another class of accessories that are always a welcome addition to the shooter's kit are cables and wire accessories. Cable reels, cable ties, cable hangers and wire markers take lots of time to accumulate. Great sources of these are the video catalogs and mail-order houses. If you don't feel comfortable assembling this thoughtful and pragmatic gift yourself, a gift certificate stocking stuffer would let the video shooter in your life pick and choose what they need. Most video cameras, particularly the hand held models, come with a manufacturer provided strap. But check out your local camera specialty store or on-line retailer and you'll find a lot of alternative camera straps. The kind with the snap that clips near the body of the camcorder is great. These let you use the strap when it's needed, but remove it quickly if the strap gets in the way of a low angle shot or gets tangled up in monitor wires, power cords or other tripod danglers.

Extra batteries and blank tapes are always welcome, but be forewarned: basic batteries are expensive, often in the $50 range or more. Still, that makes this sort of gift all the more welcome. If you really want to impress the shooter in your family, put together a simple field kit with some of the easy to forget items that are always useful in any shooting situation. Start with a small fanny pack type case available from any camping store. Inside, pack a mini-flashlight or penknife, a small roll of gaffers tape, two Sharpie-style markers, a roller ball pen and one of the zippered battery cases available from camera stores with spare batteries for lights and microphones. If you shop carefully, you can assemble the whole kit for under $50. Your videographer will appreciate the kit long after this holiday season is just a memory.

Another fact of life for the video practitioner is how quickly tapes multiply. If your videographer is still storing tapes in a cardboard box, a great gift is a tape shelf that will efficiently and attractively store the tapes. You might also consider a small laminated tape-style personal labeling systems. These print neat, legible labels and can turn a messy library of field tapes into a professional looking inventory in one short evening.

Another area of gift giving that is nearly always appreciated is a book. Videomaker sells a great group of books and videos that can inspire and inform budding shooters and editors of all experience levels (see pages 5, 40 and 53), but we'd also recommend other, less video-specific books. Books on art theory and composition, perhaps written for filmmakers and film students, make great gifts. After all, the fundamentals of shot composition and even editing have changed very little from the early days of the cinema.

Soon enough folks the world over were all snug in their beds - everyone dreaming of the perfect ending to the perfect event... knowing it was well captured by the trust-worthy hard-working videographer in the family.

If you're a gift-giver, we hope that this article has helped you think of some ways to delight the household video enthusiast. And if you're the lucky recipient, we hope our tips will help you make your hints easier, because everyone receives the gift back in the form of a well-captured family memory... courtesy of you.

Contributing Editor Bill Davis owns and operates a video production company and loves receiving as well as giving video-related gifts all year!

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit