Forums » Production Techniques

31. ralck
    Member

    

    Chris,

    Are you using the 2.0 version of Jahshaka, or did you somehow get a preview of 3.0?  I just downloaded version 2.0 to play around with, but haven't yet.  There's a lot of talk online that 3.0 will be a lot better... I guess I'll just have to play around with 2.0 and find out when the new version comes out.

    Here's another question about all this free stuff... what are the license restrictions?  As brought up in a different thread, we found out that academic licenses aren't the same as retail licenses... do these freeware apps allow us to use the content we create with them in commercial endeavours?  I'll start reading up on some of these licenses, but I invite others to help out. :)

    Posted 4 months ago # Login to Send PM

32. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    I'm using Jashaka 2.0. Know of any good tutorials outside of the website?

    Most of this software is under GNU public license. There are others under similar licenses. I read these to make sure, and so far haven't found any problems. ONE EXCEPTION: Maya PLE specifically says "Not for Commercial Use" on it's welcome screen. The point is of course that you buy the real Maya.

    You raise a GOOD POINT. I will put info about this in the book as well.

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33. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    I now have a blog here on videomaker for the freeware book I'm writing. It's called Free Stuff: Making Movies for Nothing. Check it out! http://videomaker.com/community/blogs/freeware/

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34. BarefootMedia
    Member

    

    I used Lightwave shortly after it came out to do several animations for a title sequence of a series I produced for a local government agency.  I tried Blender and found it next to useless.  That's because I couldn't locate any decent 3D objects to use.  On the other hand, at www.daz3d.com, they profit by selling high quality 3D objects (mainly for use in creating 2d stills for publication.)  So they give away a full function 3d animation program (now with a lip-synch function) with a ton of objects to build an environment for the figures they've provided.  Additionally, they give away something new every couple of weeks.  The interface is easy to use and more or less intuitive.  (I've moved up to Carrara 3D Express, now around $60.)

    Audacity is also a top notch audio editor.  I use it to remove noise and equalizing when I need it.  I actually use it as my audio editor in Vegas.  While it is kinda limited on the "render to" settings, I really only use WAV's when editing, so no problem.

    Celtx is really cool because in addition to using standard script formats, it can also generate prop lists, schedule field shoots & automatically get a cast & crew list then give estimates for expenses.  I don't use it much since very little of what I do is scripted.  But Celtx ROCKS.

    Of course open office totally mirrors Microsoft Office in all functions, including reading all the formats.  So you can write in a word processor, calculate in spreadsheets, create power-point presentations (great for sales presentations) and create databases.  It is the best supported freeware I've used and the learning curve is pretty much non-existent.

    And I'll close with a program I found on the mother lode of freeware Download.com (used to be C-Net.) It is called MPEG Streamclip 1.1 and while it doesn't do a lot, it does it really well.  I use it to trim movies I shoot with my MP4 web sharing camera.  I like it because it is even easier to use than any NLE I own.  But the real strength comes in converting video files into MP4's.  It has the option to use a two-pass compression for great quality with amazing compression.  I used it to convert a 706 MB AVI file into a 32.4 MB MP4.

    Excellent forum postings by the way.

    Posted 4 months ago # Login to Send PM

35. grinner
    Member

    

    where there is a will, there is a way.

    I average about one docuemntary a month and have for quite some time. I scout the locations, play line producer in setting up the shoot, play director in orchestrating, play camera dude and host at the same time (usually while racing a car) and then I edit it myself, animate my own grafix, do my own sound design, ect. I even distribute it myself.

    you can check it out here:

    http://ModdinArt.com

    I made the site in flash, learning as I went. I am picthing the show myself, with no agent. It's the one man band approach/perspective thats it's selling point.

    Never wait on a budget to create. You wish ya created more later in life.

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36. Aspyrider
    Member

    

    Hey Chris, are there any totally free editors out there? Do you use them? Any good?

    J.

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37. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    Jay, yes there are totally free, good solid editor out there. Keep an eye on my blog and as the chapters for the book appear, read them. I'm still finding software. There's a lot of great sites! I will use all of them, unless they're only for Mac, because I don't own a Mac.

    Grinner, you are basically the same as me, though I don't get a movie done a month, except at work and they're wildly varied genres, mostly corporate/promo.

    Thanks everybody for your input. this book is going to be FANTASTIC!!!!

    Posted 4 months ago # Login to Send PM

38. ralck
    Member

    

     Chris,

    To get back to you, I was playing around with Jashaka 2.0 and couldn't figure it out either!  I had trouble just importing a video or image so I think you got even further than I did!  According to the website, they promise lots of tutorials to using version 3.0, so hopefully that will be helpful. :-P

    I've got an idea for your book, Chris.  You could do a chapter about free and/or open source operating systems like various forms of linux.  Ubuntu is pretty easy to learn for someone used to windows.  I would think a mac-only person might have a little bit more of a learning curve, but I could be wrong.  The cool thing about this chapter would be that you could show that it's possible to make a free editing machine that can do just about everything you'll want (at least for the majority of the low-budget videomakers out there).  You could discuss things like Ubuntu and Fedora as the more windows-like systems, and then things like freeBSD and Gentoo as some of the more experienced systems.

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39. ralck
    Member

    

    Chris, another program that I just found out about, if you don't know about it already, is Cinelerra.  It's a free and open source program I think mainly designed for Linux, but they might have a Windows or Mac build... I haven't looked into it enough yet.

    Here is the wikipedia page about it:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinelerra

    I plan to play around with it a little later and see what it's like.

    Posted 4 months ago # Login to Send PM

40. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    I added Cinelerra to the list. Thanks!

    So far, I've reviewed Windows Movie Maker, Avid Free DV, Audacity, Anim8or, Microsoft Photo Editor, media-convert.com(I know, not a freeware, but it's awesome!) and Riva FLV Encoder.

    I spend a good amount of my freetime learning Blender, so that chapter will be truly awesome!

    Go to Blog: http://www.videomaker.com/blogs/freeware/

    Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

41. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    OK, new chapters are VirtualDub, the promised Avidemux and Blender and also GIMP. I will be taking a break to finish my 7th short film - The Earthling. Enjoy! Blender should keep you busy. 

    Check it out: http://videomaker.com/community/blogs/freeware/ - this link actually works, unlike the one above.

    Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

42. MJ
    Member

    

    Hi Chris

    Your freestuff is excellent!

    You mentioned that you are using a notebook to edit on...whats the RAM size & dows it have an upgraded video card?

    I am having difficulties with my computer(notebook) and editing software. It has 504RAM...Apparently I can't upgrade my video card..

    Anyway, it seems you are having much success so I thought I would check it out with you.

    Cheers

    MJ 

    Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

43. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    Ha! Good one. LOL

    I have 256 MB of RAM and am having trouble teaching myself Adobe Premiere Pro. All that freeware uses is miniscule compared to pro stuff. I fit two freeware programs on my 512 MB flash drive to make room on my laptop. I don't want to mess with video cards, but looks like I'll have to teach myself something else.

    Thanks for the compliment. Enjoy the new blog chapters!

    So, yes. I'm the ultimate cheapskate perhaps - NO video card, Flash Media Camera, using internet freeware a lot, on a laptop, 256 MB of RAM. go figure.

    Posted 3 months ago # Login to Send PM

44. mcortez
    Member

    

     I am so jealous. I am so busy I barely have time to get in front of my computer these days, let alone have time to take my camera out and take some footage. I really appreciate all the interesting suggestions.

    dvd duplication

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

45. domineaux
    Member

    

    I'm new to video creation. Therefore, you could say I know zip about zip.

    I've found just like with most all projects, finding competent information is difficult.

    When you are new to a technology that is for sure. 

    Forums are always a good starting point, not reviews, because posters will tell the whole truth as they see it.

    Sure you have to weed through the complaints made, etc.  That is why we have a brain to sort out the chaff from the wheat.

    I'm going to visit alot of the sites mentioned in this thread.

    I do have money to buy stuff, but you can still throw money away on software and not get what you need.   

    I think this is a good informative thread, thanks to all participants.

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46. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    Hey domineaux!

    To help new readers find what they need quickly in my blog/book, I just added a feature in the Table of Contents where certain chapters are highlighted whether they are the best in their section or whether they are good for beginners who know "zip about zip".

    Good luck and may you find the best freeware for you.

    Chris

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47. Cubulo
    Member

    

     I basically only use trials.  I will buy my favorite when I run out of trials.

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48. domineaux
    Member

    

    ChrisColorado blog/book idea is good.

    I plan to check out the site. 

    DL and running trial/eval versions of complicated softwares is a very futile effort.  I've spent days working and learning a program and found one thing it did not have that I needed.  All that work for nothing, not counting the times the software is buggy.  Buggy goes with shareware software. Be prepared for issuses using shareware and betas.

    IMO, a good blog with comments can build a complete review of a software.  That is, if commentors are actually making constructive responses and not just I'd buy it or no kinda stuff.

    There will always be what I call company ferrets that will get onto the boards and hipe their software or bad mouth someone elses.  I don't trust reviews on seller sites, because most reviews are not honest.  If I have not choice I will read through the reviews, but still I'm careful.  Afterall, the seller wants people to buy the reviewed stuff... there is always a link to buyit now.  LOL 

    You mentioned Maya PLE you DL and are working with now.  I think that is an other point that should be made. If a software is too expensive for you to begin with, why spend a lot of time learning it.  Afterall, even if you love it you can't afford it.

    You might also think about mentioning the retail price on each reviewed item.  Guys like me... If the price is more than I want to pay I won't even waste my time thinking on it.

    Kudos to BarefootMedia for your linke to the Daz3D.

    I have no current 3d or animator software, which I've got to look into.  A free copy of the Daz3D was more than I would have expected to find. Thanks for that.  Also your comment about the software you are using that was reasonably priced.  I can sure do that as well.

    Again,...good thread and thanks to all 

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49. chrisColorado
    Member

    

    You mentioned Maya PLE you DL and are working with now.  I think that is an other point that should be made. If a software is too expensive for you to begin with, why spend a lot of time learning it.  Afterall, even if you love it you can't afford it.

    You should meet my friend Russ who thinks the exact opposite! He told my about PLE and said to quit learning freeware since the places who give you jobs want you to know the pro stuff. You are both right. Either way can be argued and I'm open to both options. 

    You might also think about mentioning the retail price on each reviewed item.  Guys like me... If the price is more than I want to pay I won't even waste my time thinking on it.

    It's freeware, hence it's free - so far. There are some programs in my book that have special prices/deals or are shareware and I will mention these in their respective chapters. Maya PLE for instance is NOT for commercial use. Domineuax, you can think about the programs that have chapters so far. All of them are FREE!

    I have no current 3d or animator software, which I've got to look into. 

    That I can help you with. Blender has a chapter now and i'll be using it again in a few minutes. There is a wiki (Blender 3D: Noob to Pro) I recommend for learning it and the chapter has a link to it. The program itself is extremely useful and I like it a lot, even though it is Dutch and some things, like Importing don't quite mean the same thing. Also no cut, copy and paste, but the program is still amazing and is used by many pro 3d people and companies.

    This is the truth as I see it.

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

50. domineaux
    Member

    

    ChrisColorado

    I'm going to dropping on your blog frequently. I've not gotten to the software place yet.  I just received my HDR-SR12 today, and the tripod is still in transit.

    Right now I'm trying to get the stuff together and then I start the big learning curve.  LOL

    Are you saying the MAYA PLE is free, no timebomb or anything to cut you off?

    Maya is supposed to be the dog that hunts for what it does, which would make it a great choice to learn if you don't have to buy it. 

    Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM

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