Your Tips

The Editors
November 2007

Thank you for the informative article, What is Multicam Editing? by Morgan Paar, July, 2007.

For those of us who cannot afford any of the mentioned high-tech time-code synchronizers, one way to re-sync multiple camera clips that have been cut up for editing or moved about on the timeline is to line up their audio wave form patterns. These patterns will be almost identical for the same scene shot by different cameras. If it becomes necessary to unlink audio and video to change one or the other, after the change is accomplished, it is vital to relink them just in case the clip has to be moved again.

There is also the old tried-and-true method for checking multiple camera clip alignment. Simply play all the audio tracks simultaneously. If echoes are detected, one or more tracks are out of sync. If all tracks sound like one track, the clips are in perfect sync.
Ralph Leinoff
Via email

While shooting a live music event last year, I often had to move the camera quickly to catch some action in the crowd or on stage without hitting the stop button. When I took the footage back, I had to use some of it for cutaways for a 5-minute promo for the gig. Because it was a youth type event, the editing had to be fast and furious with many cuts and short-clips. I found the footage where I was panning or moving the camera quickly came in handy as really cool (do people say "cool" anymore?) transitions. All I needed for these spicy transitions was 4 to 6 frames of the streaky and often blurry footage between shots. I know this kind of transition is used a lot in movies, but many people probably do not realize how easy it is to get a stock of stuff like this. You can also get a variety of such transitions by zooming in on stuff outside from a moving car.
Prince R. Makaya, Production Manager, Good News Productions International - Africa
Nairobi, Kenya

Editor's note: This style of transition is called a "Swish Pan," Prince, and you inspired us to write a few more tips about how to capture your own Swishes - see the October 2007 issue's Take 5 column. We said that Prince's tip was on page 6 of that issue, but it was inadvertently omitted - sorry for the confusion!

For weddings, graduations and other event videography, I thought the following might be useful.

How do you cover yourself? With the proliferation of video-capable digital cameras and cell phones nowadays, there is almost a phobia about being video recorded, and many people see it as a violation of their rights. As an event videographer, I know other videographers who have a waiver form to be signed by anyone entering the premises where the event is taking place. There is an easier way and, according to my lawyer, just as effective.

Whenever I cover a wedding or graduation or celebration of any kind, I place a 36-inch by 20-inch double-sided sign outside the venue. It reads, "At the request of your hosts, this event is being videotaped (including audio) for their personal enjoyment. By entering these premises, you agree to be recorded and appear in the final production. If there is a problem with these arrangements, please speak to the videographer." The message finishes with the client's name and your company name. I have yet to be asked to exclude any footage.

Another precaution is to provide your customer with an insert that would go in the envelope with the invitation. This becomes slightly more personal and it can be worded to appear to be coming from your clients. If you feel more comfortable with a signed waiver, you could make the announcement into the form of a waiver the invited guests can sign and return with the invitation RSVP.
Doug Rickaby
Cobourg, Ontario, Canada

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