In Box

by Jennifer O'Rourke
Special Issue 2006

A collection of letters from our readers and Vidcast viewers, compiled over the course of the past year.

Likes that Style
I read your editorial on Style this morning [Viewfinder, September 2005] and found it very well written. I've been in the industry almost 30 years. I love creativity. You wrote "Every movie director, from Alfred Hitchcock to Quentin Tarentino has his or her own storytelling and producing style." My favorite directors are the ones who refuse to put their name above the title because they know it takes about 100 other people to get that project onto the screen. I really identify with your observation on 'Noble' (from another issue)

"...this is a rare feeling, and something that we should all seek more earnestly and more often." I wish to be this Noble Filmmaker. I enjoy reading your magazine and look forward to more. Keep up the good work.
From February 2006
Rick Mervis
Burbank, California

The Sophisticated Videographer and the Rookie
I realize that you have to walk a fine line between the sophisticated videographer and the rookie. I think every once in a while you should run an article on some elementary topics, for instance, on how to get music and narration from all sources in to your project. What kind of a mic, insertion of downloaded music, CDs, etc.

If you frame it properly, I think it will pique everyone's interest even though it is elementary.

Just a thought.
From February 2006
John Tiernan
Email

Thanks for the email, John. We couldn't agree with you more and we are trying to do exactly what you have suggested. There has been a good number of changes here in editorial in the last six months and the fruits of those changes are just starting to ripen. The majority of our readers are intermediate video producers and the majority of our articles are written for that reader. That said, we will always try our best to explain technical words and procedures so beginners can understand. We are also putting in at least one advanced topic per issue, if not more. Please continue to let us know how we're doing.
--The Editors

Worldwide Audience
I enjoyed your recent editorial about Vidcasting. I started "sharing" my videos on Fire department related subject matter over the Internet about 3-4 years ago. As more people get "broadband" connections, vidcasting will continue to grow. I get emails from all over the world.
From March 2006
Larry Carlson
www.onlyREDtrucks.com

Serious Development
Dear Mr. York,
You, and your team, produce an excellent magazine! I am 18 years old, and will be studying business at the University of Illinois in the fall. Over the past 2 years, I have developed into a serious videographer. I attribute a lot of what I know about the art to Videomaker magazine. I recently incorporated my production company and have had much success in the field of video production.

Thank you for everything that you have done. Keep up the good work!
From March 2006
Jordan T. Klein
President, Klein Lab Productions, Inc.

Download and Learn
I took your survey; I am interested in reading about video production, but at sixty-seven and a retired teacher it is not realistic for me personally to be too involved. I do, however, have some influence on my family and friends in historical reenactment groups, and so what I learn in your publication is discussed widely.

Please use your Web site similar to the "Take Control" digital books folk and provide for downloading information (and charge for it).
From March 2006
RoseMary Davis

Hi RoseMary,
We are thrilled to hear you are involved in video production in so many ways in your retirement. We just had an 80-year-old gentleman on our Caribbean Cruise who was out shooting in some very challenging environments for someone of any age. We are happy to have such a wide readership.

Regarding the online educational material, we are developing a wide range of distant learning courses for delivery over the Web as we type. There is no doubt that the Internet is a great tool for learning and we are optimizing our instructional material for delivery via the Internet. Until this material is polished and posted, please check out some free instruction in the Videomaker Presents Vidcast which can be found at www.videomaker.com/vidcast. And, as always, you can check for instructional DVDs, tapes and books in every issue of Videomaker magazine.
--The Editors

The Future of Vidcast Distribution
In [Matthew York's] Viewfinder February 2006 editorial [he] mentioned "...a small number of video distributors controls the retail marketplace for instructional and special interest videos." Knowing who these distributors are would make a very informative and valuable article for your readers.

[Also] of value would be a discussion about the transition that "vidcasting" will provide us independent videographers.

Through their channels, distribution companies offer information or a filtering of what is important to the buying public. How will the independent videographer that is able to send a video product over the World Wide Web be able to assess where the market is, who will buy and at what price?

The technical ability is one thing --the marketing issue is another. I can't wait for your response in future issues. Your magazine is the best. You seem to be in our corner.
From July 2006
Dave Stover
Digital Presentations, LLC

Thank you for your comments, Dave, and interesting questions about the future of vidcasting. Videomaker has jumped into the realm of vidcasting and our editors are scouring information every day to find the best sources, technology and techniques for our readers to use this exciting new form of distribution. You can find our vidcast by using most of your favorite aggregators, or go directly to our Web site to download our weekly show at www.videomaker.com/vidcast.

In Episode 2 of Videomaker Presents, Matt York and Editor in Chief Brian Peterson discuss this very issue. We're all learning that there's a vast market of opportunity out there for independent video producers like us, and, hopefully, we'll discover new ways to make income by using this new technology. Our hope is to add more tips, techniques and definitely a look at cool tools to continue our mission of enriching video production to the masses!
--The Editors

Videomaker Presents in the Living Room
Just discovered your Internet video show - WOW!!! What an awesome idea! I got hooked on your current show and found myself watching all your archived shows. I just recently received an HP Media Center PC and found out that I can watch your wmv format broadcast on my TV set (see photo on page 6 of the September 2006 issue of Videomaker). I got so involved in your video content -- that I forget I was watching TV over the Internet. Keep up the good work. I would love to know what you're doing to broadcast on the Internet; i.e., how you did that -- what's the details?
From September 2006
Bob Horn

Hi Bob.
Since you wrote us, we've aired a 4-part look at how we do our vidcast, Videomaker Presents. Look at our Tips & Techniques segments in the following episodes: #11 is on Planning, #12 is Production, #15 is Encoding and #16 is on Marketing and Distribution. Look for more vidcast tips and techniques in the upcoming 2007 issues of Videomaker magazine.
--The Editors

Vidcast for the Real People
I watched one of Videomaker's vidcasts. [Videomaker Presents.] Extremely informative. I loved 'Carbon Nation,' the video you showed, [Videomaker Short Video Contest winner,] and especially the discussion afterwards. I like hearing how people with regular equipment are making video. I love the idea of a 'How'd they do that?' discussion with amateur video, as that is the best way to learn tips and tricks, with practical uses.
From September 2006
Jan Welke
High Level, Alberta, Canada

How Do I Get It Again?
I work for a non-profit organization called Soldiers Outreach in Maryland. I read the article on vidcasting in Videomaker magazine and would like to know more information on how to acquire the service. I could not find much information on the web. What are the requirements - would do I need, what do you all provide, etc.
From September 2006
Rocky McKoy

Hi Rocky.
It's possible that you didn't find the necessary answers when you first went onto our site; please give it a try now. We now have an FAQ page and list of requirements on our Web site, and have been updating our FAQs on a regular basis. Vidcasting is such a new element that everyone is learning at the same time.

To answer your requirement question, we currently provide the video content, and you'll provide a computer and Internet service. Find an RSS Reader that you like (some gather text news along with music and video; others just do video). Add your favorite version of Videomaker Presents (iPod, MP3 audio, large video) to your RSS Reader using the icons on videomaker.com/vidcast.
--The Editors

Ready for my Critique, Mr. Peterson
I really enjoy the Videomaker Presents "Take 20" pieces on your vidcast. Those have been great learning experiences all around. I am watching the video with a critical eye, and then comparing notes with your comments has been educational.

I have a short video I would love to have your team rake over the coals on "Take 20." I would love to have someone with a critical eye review my work so that I can find some growing points. Most of the videos I make are for a church and sometimes you don't get the most honest criticism... "that was great", and "I loved the video" is what I hear most.

I want to thank you for what Videomaker Magazine is. It is through your magazine and trial and error that I have learned everything I know about video production.
From September 2006
Steve Murphy, Media Director
Trinity UMC
Ruston, LA

Thank you, Steve! We're glad to offer this valuable service; it's not often people have the chance to get real feedback without the humming and hawing of "polite" people. Your video appears on Episode 20.

To others interested in "Take 20" critiques, send a DVD-Video, Mini DV tape, or a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM containing a DV AVI, QuickTime DV, other QuickTime, Windows Media, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 file. Don't bother with fancy labeling or packaging; we're not critiquing you on that! "Take 20" has become quite popular and we invite all our readers to share and learn with the video community through our Videomaker Presents Vidcast.
--The Editors

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