http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: suggestions - Recent Posts en Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:15:07 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-make-better-videos#post-73860 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:00:50 +0000 EarlC 73860@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>OK, the sample you'd like to be more like. Don't. Sorry, but after a minute I wanted to turn it off and comment. At 2:12 I'd had enough ... all I could take. WHY?</p> <p>Centered, straight on angle. Boring. Too much space and the reflective water caused some lighting issues as well with this one. I think the single most effective thing THIS VIDEO and yours could use is multiple shoots, repetitive performances, varying angles and POV, then using the new editing power Elements will provide you, cutting to keep some interest.</p> <p>I'd shoot tighter. Unless the background is a significant and participating point of the focus, it's NOT contributing to, but taking away from, the point of interest. In both cases, the talent. I liked your intro for your first attempt, but when you got into the production you got to it. No lag. The buildup for sample two was too long. Totally boring and nothing like the BIG PICTURE or "larger than life" description you led me to believe I'd perceive.</p> <p>Tight shots, varied angles, avoid backlighting, control the audio and you're going to have something that knocks the socks off your reference sample IMHO. What was cute in the second video was the obvious audio source being set, then placed on the block, but obviously the actual sound was recorded from a closer proximity in post. But nothing else about the second sample appealed to me to the extent your first effort did.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-make-better-videos#post-73859 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:57:51 +0000 Moab Man 73859@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It looks like the wall is in focus and not the two of you during the introduction. The dance part is suffering from bad lighting. It's dark in front of you two girls, very bright behind you, too much activity seen through the window, and overall the light is just washing out your colors. The clothing colors blend too much with the surroundings. Looked at your other video and I would make all the same statements. To put it simply, you're not lighting your subject. The background is what's lit up.</p> <p>The video you like has plenty of lighting and the girl is wearing strong colors that really pop out against the background, although I couldn't stop my eye from being drawn to the completely out of place drink bottle in front of her.</p> <p>Just so you know, for what you're doing it's not a software issue. Windows Movie Maker will do everything you're doing so far. However, I would encourage you to learn the Adobe program so that once you get your lighting correct you can use the color adjustments to improve.</p> <p>What are the setting you're using, there is a lot of interlacing (when you're moving and your arm for example breaks up) showing up?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-make-better-videos#post-73858 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:51:28 +0000 EarlC 73858@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Ally &amp; Sally, for a first attempt the first example you shared in the links above was GREAT. I do understand what you mean when you say you want to be more satisfied with the final results and I think I can see what might help.</p> <p>BACKLIGHT ... your biggest problem with the dance in a diner sequence is the backlight from the window. You could, of course, set your iris to cut the vignetting, or add gels to the windows, but probably your best bet would be to try to find a position that does not include such a large swath of backlight to contend with. I perceive that the location you used might be a bit tight, providing little, if any, choice of positions away from the window. But the backlighting works against you here, instead of perhaps helping create GREAT lighting as a source from front or side.</p> <p>THE WINDOW ... camera POV, while interesting, and in addition to backlighting, also generates bit too much distraction with pedestrian and auto activity outside, taking attention away from your routine.</p> <p>Your music levels and audio levels are good, but you might consider doing the routine to the selection, then close recording (lip syncing). It appears you're using the audio from the on-camera mic. If I'm wrong, you still are too far away from the mic and need to address that for increased clarity.</p> <p>The last thing simply is to shoot more than one take from more than one angle and/or POV, giving you the opportunity to change angles and points of view in the editing and generate a more creative and interesting piece.</p> <p>All-in-all, ladies, you did a GREAT job and I very much enjoyed you sharing your creativity. I hope you'll find some of what I said useful and that you'll share more as you adjust your productions.</p> <p>When I view the video you'd LIKE to be more like. I'll see if I have anything more ton contribute. By all means, don't stop. This is way awesome!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-do-i-make-better-videos#post-73857 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:20:53 +0000 Ally & Sally 73857@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hello! My sister and I have been making simple dance videos for Youtube and and Japanese video community called Nico Nico Douga. We've only made a couple so far, but we're not satisfied with the outcome of our videos. We took some video production classes in high school, but we're using totally different equipment for a totally different end product this time. We were hoping we could get some well needed tips from the community here!</p> <p>Our Youtube channel is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/moetwinstyle">here</a>. They're just simple videos that follow the general formula of one continuos shot while we dance (and sing).</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/kTyWCT4HzJ4"><strong>[An example of one of our videos]</strong></a></p> <p>We are using a Canon Vixia HF R20 camera with a tripod. For the videos we've uploaded so far, we've only used Window Movie Maker, but we now have Adobe Premier Elements 10 that we are using to edit our future videos. We hoped to have better lighting/quality and an overall more professional feeling product, but we're falling quite short of what we want. How can we achieve this?</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/GrC2OM0kXK0"><strong>[What we'd like to have our videos like]</strong></a></p> <p>We'd like to achieve an end product like the video above. Most of the time we'll be filming outdoors, but we'll be filming indoors from time to time as well. How can we get that "larger than life" feeling that the second video has?</p> <p>Thank you very much!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-54826 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:27:07 +0000 jjvidplus 54826@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>HD is good, but there's been talk about UDTV (Ultra High Definition TV)...it may come along by 2015, by then HD could be on its way out, going the way of VHS and vinyl records (which ARE making a comeback, some still use VHS), it remains to be seen.</p> <p>I have no plans to jump to HD, but it's always an option.  I recently won an AG-DVC20, have read many reviews (a few negative, wonder if those who posted these actually worked with it, found ways to improve the picture quality, etc.), done much research, it should be a good investment.  An HD/SD hybrid is also an option, I may be in the market for one in a few years.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44526 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:51:53 +0000 EarlC 44526@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> FYI - the primary cameras I have been focusing on are in the low- to mid-range price, say $600 to $4K...</p> <p>They are the Canon HV30, a GREAT low-end item ($600 or so) getting many, many kudos on the various boards by users applying them as backup, playback and third POV cams at gigs - records on MiniDV tape; the other two make a major jump, are AVCCAMs using AVCHD format and recording to SDHC cards - no moving parts for tape drive, making for a lighter and less maintenance tool. They are the Panasonic AG-HMC150 and JVC's GY-HM100; both 3CCD camcorders as opposed to the HV30's single chip.</p> <p>Logic says that by the time you spend the money to add better audio, microphone, brackets and accessories necessary to help put the HV30 to semi-pro use,  you'd be close to investing a significant amount of money that could go toward the other two, IMHO, more preferred camcorders.</p> <p>There are a host of other options, but all-in-all I believe these three represent some serious acquisition capabilities. Between the Panasonic and JVC, the latter offers TWO SDHC card slots as opposed to P's single slot, and JVC also (important to QuickTime capable editing users) provides native QT allowing for direct assimilation and editing of the video instead of having to convert in FCP, iMovie, etc. - essentially a true "drag-and-drop" approach further reducing digitizing/transfer wait time before you can start putting your project together.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44500 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:07:04 +0000 cnwoode 44500@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I can't believe I fell for that one.  :0(</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44499 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:05:51 +0000 cnwoode 44499@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>haha. <br /> Thanks Guys</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44247 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:22:00 +0000 NewBirthProductions 44247@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Or just buy a Sony <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/410747-REG/Sony_DVW970_DVW_970_2_3_Inch_3_CCD_Digital.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/410747-REG/Sony_DVW970_DVW_970_2_3_Inch_3_CCD_Digital.html</a> and be done with it.  You can buy Earl and I one too for our advice :0</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44236 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:56:28 +0000 EarlC 44236@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> There's a LOT of available  information here that has pretty much covered most aspects of your interest. It would be GREAT (for you) if you checked out some of the most recent posts to get a strong idea of what forum participants here have been saying.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-camcorder-recommendation#post-44231 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:18:06 +0000 cnwoode 44231@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I am new to this site as of today and I hope that I have found a good place to learn from some of the vest out there.  I have a general question, but first I will explain my situation.  I started out as a hobbyist, just taking pictures with my DSLR camera.  After a while, people started noticing my work and were impressed, especially with me being so new at it. </p> <p>I recently was hired for a few birthday parties and for me that was GREAT and the pictures were loved.  Well of course word got out, so now I have been asked to take pictures and video for a wedding in September.  I am not worried about the pictures, but the video I am.  I do not own a camcorder, and I haven't the slightest clue where to start.  I am by no means a professional, but I do not believe in giving people cheap products.  I have been researching for weeks now looking for the perfect, yet not most expensive or cheap camcorder. </p> <p> I have been researching the Canon HF 11, HF 100, HG 20, HG 21 and also the Sony products.  I don't know which formats are best for long filming  MiniDV, DVD, Flash or HDD.  Should I invest in lighting, microphones etc etc.  I know this was rather long for my first post, but I am hoping that enough of you will read this, have been where I am standing, and can share your best practice approach.  Remember....</p> <p> I am a beginner, but I am by no means an amatuer.  What I mean by that is, I am VERY Tech Savvy, and electronics are second nature to me, so I am not intimidated by features or manuals.  Any suggestions, I would greatly appreaciate.  Thank you in advance!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-37734 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:32:48 +0000 Aspyrider 37734@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Shubi has some great stuff here:  <a href="http://www.movietools.info/" rel="nofollow">http://www.movietools.info/</a></p> <p>also try footagefirm.com and stockfootageforfree  <a href="http://stockfootageforfree.com/free-hd-stock-footage-of-misty-lily-flowers/" rel="nofollow">http://stockfootageforfree.com/free-hd-stock-footage-of-misty-lily-flowers/</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-37722 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:05:57 +0000 atiff 37722@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey Shubi,</p> <p> That site rocks.  Is it yours?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-37505 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:37:10 +0000 BarefootMedia 37505@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>don't forget to check the links Videomaker provides on their "free software" link at the bottom of this page.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-37442 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:19:04 +0000 shubi 37442@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><strong>Hi at all :)</strong></p> <p>We have a website where you can find a lot of free video loops: <a href="http://www.movietools.info" rel="nofollow">http://www.movietools.info</a></p> <p> Maybe some of them are helpful.</p> <p>Shubi</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34904 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:59:51 +0000 DaveArthur 34904@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Yoshomie,</p> <p>I think you will be well served by a Canon HV20 or the new HV30. These cameras are well within your budget and have excellent performance. As has already been mentioned, you have the option of HD or SD and can use miniDV media. For the moment HDV (miniDV) is the best option for most people who are beginning to shoot HD video. The HV30 gives you a couple of new features (30p format begin the biggest) but it will bump the upper-end of your budget.</p> <p>Beware the Panasonic DVC20 mentioned above. When it came out it was widely blasted as a low-end consumer camera stuck into a pro-looking plastic case. Most reviews at the time were horrible. I have to confess that I have never used one, but I would avoid the camera. You can get much more quality and value for similar money elsewhere.</p> <p>Good luck!</p> <p>Dave Arthur</p> <p><a href="http://www.HowToVideoPRO.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.HowToVideoPRO.com</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34902 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:27:36 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 34902@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>You can get a Canon HV20 for about $700. Or do some comparison shopping at <a href="http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorders/">http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorders/</a>.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34792 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:40:09 +0000 radioactivestd 34792@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It sounds like the most important thing is the commercials for your dad; since he is paying the bill. I'd go for a nice mini-dv standard format camera with a good lux rating and at least a manual focus wheel. Editing on a laptop with only a 250 gig hard drive will not be a fun experience. The files you are going to import are going to be roomates with your OS and the fragmentation will lag your system to DEATH! You could always partition a chunk of your hard drive off to help with this.</p> <p>With the ammount of work you want to do I don't see you running a 250G laptop as your editing station. You'd be better off building some external drives or an editing station with large internal drives to handle all that video. Especialy if you want to work with HD video it will eat your space.</p> <p>Trust me I'm on my second 500G internal hard drive and it's at 60% capacity.</p> <p> I'd just find a cheap 3ccd mini-dv camera with a manual focus wheel and a good min lux rating, (I'm assuming you won't have pro lighting to start.)</p> <p> And watch your ass with the internet stores, there are a lot of fake websites that will steal your money. ALWAYS CHECK WITH BBB.COM BEFORE YOU BUY SOMETHING THAT EXSPENSIVE! If it's too good of a deal to be true; it is.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34788 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:23:24 +0000 Bif 34788@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Yoshomie,</p> <p>You may be far better off in the long run with the Canon HV20.  You can use it in standard def mode, or you can shoot in HD and output to the computer in SD that way you have your tapes in HD for future HD use and the convenience of being able to burn SD DVD's on the computer for now.  It has auto modes with manual overrides, and both external mic and headphone jacks.</p> <p>All of these features and more are in a very compact lightweight camcorder (this will be important while travelling and working on location).</p> <p>This will leave you far better prepared for the HD future than used SD gear.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34703 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:49:46 +0000 mario 34703@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>vx1000 and trv900 are better than that canon. i wouldnt mess with anything HD espcially if you are using premiere pro.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34702 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:48:56 +0000 mario 34702@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>vx1000 and trv900 are better than that canon. i dont mess with anything hd</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34701 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:46:07 +0000 mario 34701@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>you should get a  sony vx1000 if you dont want anything TOO complicated. if you want to save money you can get a trv900 that gives the same quality. you can get a vx for about $1000 maybe a little more. trv900 for about $600-900. im selling one for 500.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34654 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:38:33 +0000 yoshomie 34654@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>this is the other option i am considering just for comparison.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8220061&amp;productCategoryId=abcat0403004&amp;type=product&amp;tab=7&amp;id=1166236338024#productdetail">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8220061&amp;productCategoryId=abcat0403004&amp;type=product&amp;tab=7&amp;id=1166236338024#productdetail</a></p> <p>but like i said is it worth it just for the extras that come with the standard def camcorder?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34651 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:03:54 +0000 yoshomie 34651@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>take a look at this deal and please tell me if there is somthing better I know this is almost twice my budget but I maybe able to swing it if this is what I need.</p> <p>here is the link take a look and let me know: <a href="http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=234774&amp;up=192961">http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=234774&amp;up=192961</a></p> <p>the reason i like this is because it does what I want with all the ports and it has many adjustable features, it has free shipping, and includes things I need like a hard case, filters, wireless mic system. I really want to be sure it is the one I want, this is almost as big a decision as getting married considering ill probably be spending just as much or more time with it =P I just dont want to buy somthing that I will be dissapointed with. thanks for advice cheers.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34646 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:45:10 +0000 yoshomie 34646@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks for the suggestions I have a trypod (not a great one but it will work for now) and as far as the hi def goes I'm not sure if it is a must or not I want it but I dont know if i need it. here is my delma I would be fine having a standard def camcorder because alot of what I will be shooting will be on the web. but if I need HD for like a church DVD then I dont wanna be sol I have seen standard def camcorders and they look fine and you can get more features for the money but I'm undecided what exactly I need. I think what I am going to do is record all my footage direct to harddrive using adobe CS3's onlocation so I dont lose any quality and I can setup the viewing screen better. so what would be the best SD camcorder that I can hook upto my laptop with the most features and best picture quality?</p> <p>I'll check back now and again so keep the suggestions rolling =) and once again thanks for all the help.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34593 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:19:59 +0000 silverchainfilms 34593@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>For the money, I would definitely suggest getting the DVX 100, you can get one on ebay for around 1000.0 slightly used and it also shoots on 24p, its one of the best and most cost effective prosumer cameras on the market, I'm speaking from experience, its a brilliant camera and well worth the money!! It gives you the most crisp look, might as well be film!! Except it is digital, but the 24p option gives the look!! Just be sure to bid on one where the seller has a high rating!!</p> <p> Enjoy!!</p> <p> Greg Brock</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34588 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:23:32 +0000 Ken 34588@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> yoshomie,</p> <p>The DVC20 mentioned by Aspyrider is a shoulder mount design, which is best if you're running around a lot, shooting unscripted action.  It is standard definition, not hi-def ... don't know if that matters to you.</p> <p>Another possibilty, going for around $700 street price, is the Canon HV20.  This is a hi-def camcorder. It's a small hand-holdable design, not a shoulder mount design.</p> <p>An item I did not see in your list is a tripod.  A good tripod is a must.  Expect to pay at least $200.... some of the better ones are over $500.</p> <p>Good luck!</p> <p>Ken Hull</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-34584 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:11:20 +0000 Aspyrider 34584@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>You're Welcome, Glad I could help!</p> <p>J.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-places-to-find-free-video-loops#post-34582 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:10:15 +0000 yoshomie 34582@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok thank you</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-1000-camcorder#post-34581 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:05:56 +0000 yoshomie 34581@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>ok thanks i will look into that. if anyone else has anymore suggestions I'm all ears.</p>