Book and Tape Reviews

by Blaine Howeson
April 1998

Sales and Marketing
Sandy Brooke (1995, Brooke Video Productions, 15946 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA, 91406, 818-786-4671, 55 min., $49)

The "Sales and Marketing" v ideo by Sandy Brooke deserves an "A" for packaging; all the cash on the cover is engaging. But if you're looking for ways to market a video business, you may be disappointed. The first question the video asks is: what is sales and marketing? The answer? The ability to prospect and find business through advertising media and phone calls. While there is a segment on how to handle an incoming call, there's nothing on how to prospect a call. Furthermore, there's nothing on how to advertise your video company.
This video deals more with how to treat potential wedding-video shoppers. Brooke has the gift to schmooze but lacks in the area of defining what sales and marketing are for the average person who wants to build a video business. This video seems to be a shrine to her business. 2

Capture the Power
Mentor Productions (1997, Mentor Productions, P.O. Box 502002, San Diego, CA 92150-2002, 64 min., $25)

If you are a videographer who is trying to maximize your post-production titling capabilities, then you'll enjoy "Capture The Power." While there are many 3D animation titling software packages available, Crystal Flying Fonts program allows you to build an infinite number of professional, graphics font designs. This training tape gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to create 3D titling, and multilayering. The procedures are explained in detail so that amateur post producers can learn and become well adverse with this software. If you're looking for exploding bricks, spilling liquid and breaking glass effects, then you'll find it in this video. 4


The Home Studio Guide to Microphones
Loren Alldrin (1997, MixBooks, 6400 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA 94608, 164 pp., $35)

If there is anything you want to know about microphones, then you'll want to get a copy of "The Home Studio Guide to Microphones." The book is a section-by-section guide to all aspects of this most intricate yet important sound tool. Alldrin takes a reader-friendly approach right from the beginning of the book, covering mike technology, techniques and stereo miking. He even offers a shopping guide for buyers. If you're into videotaping bands, or individual acoustics, you'll enjoy the blueprint layouts for miking. To complement each section, there are illustrations which further help define how the microphone works with different applications. "The Home Studio Guide to Microphones" should be a required text for any videographer interested in studio or field production. 4

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