Nearly every video production hobbyist has dreamed of the day when they can start their own profitable business. Videomaker’s upcoming Making Money with Video Webinar will help you examine your skills, assess your equipment needs, master the market and learn the best methods for selling your services.

Following the webinar, all registrants will receive a copy of our special report special report “Video Production: Business Startup Advice”. In addition to valuable information and a free special report this event will include a live Q&A segment; our team answering your questions. Our Making Money with Video Webinar starts at 11:00 AM (PST) on Wednesday, April 27th, so be sure to sign up soon!

Not interested in Making Money with Video? Videomaker’s weekly Webinar Training Series is taught by our experts and features a wide variety of video production and post production topics including Advanced Shooting, Green Screen and Special Effects, Advanced Editing, Lighting for Video, and much more.

You can win some free video tools, just by donating to the Japanese earthquake relief efforts overseas. Or just donate to help because Japan needs our help, and they’ve supported our hobby, career and love of video creation all these years.

For years we’ve enjoyed their technological innovations, we’ve used their products, enjoyed their technical advancements, salivated over the latest techno ‘gee-whiz’ toy they released. Our visits to Las Vegas for the Consumer’s Electronics Show (CES) and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) every year remind us of their importance to our industry and our lives, now the Japanese are in dire pain and despair, and video producers are giving back. You have a chance of winning some video gear at NAB 2011 due to the efforts of producer-director Philip Bloom.

The massive earthquake, then the following tsunami, and now radiation in the very air they breathe, water they drink and food they eat, has touched every single person living in the entire island country of Japan in ways few can completely understand.

Factories that build our gadgets are closing, companies that deliver our goods are unable to process the orders, and benevolent producers like world-renowned documentarian Philip Bloom are reaching out to help.

Bloom posted a “Help Japan” message on his website, offering a chance to win an iPad – his very own iPad – as incentive to donors. Other manufacturers of techno and video gadgets stepped up to the challenge and also offered “prizes” in Bloom’s drawing for cash donations to the Japanese Relief fund.

Do you recognize any of these names? GoPro, Marshall, Kessler Crane, Letus, Zacuto, Digieffects, Redrock, Redgiant, and Cineroid? You should, we’ve written about every one of them in Videomaker and they all have some connection to Japan – either due to design, or build or accessories for their products. All of these companies have donated gear for the drawing.

Bloom’s drawing will be held at NAB 2011 in Las Vegas in a few weeks, and participants need not be present to win. Many people have donated to the causes posted on Bloom’s site stating they don’t want a prize, only to help those that have given so much to the video world. Where would we be today without these companies’ designs, innovations and support?

Everyday, Videomaker hears news from companies we work with – Robin Hoffman of JVC sent us a note confirming JVC’s employees are safe, DisplaySearch tells us the chemicals needed in some semiconductors and LCD displays are affected and the supply chain is on hold.

Our own CEO, Matt York, was in Japan just 2 days before this tremendous quake, meeting with Sony reps about their latest releases in the NXCAM family. Some Sony plants have been shut down, and other companies like Canon, Panasonic, Hitachi, Grass Valley and more – all companies you read about every day in the pages of Videomaker – have been affected. Sony is donating 300 million Japanese yen to help the country and 30,000 radios to help get news updates to citizens.

So check out Bloom’s site – or follow the links below. These relief agencies below are the ones posted to Bloom’s site. If you donate and can prove a receipt, follow up with Bloom’s site for a chance to win – or just join in the conversation.

World Vision , Mercy Corps , Islamic Relief USA , Red Cross

NAB 2011 will be a somber one this year, I know it will stand as a reminder of how small this world has become and how we all share in concern for our friends across the Pacific. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to all of those who have lost loved ones during the tragedy.

Unless you’ve been living in a football void, everyone knows that  Superbowl Sunday just passed. (I’ll admit – I live in that void.) While most people tune in to watch the game, many also tune in for the Superbowl Sunday commercials. The Superbowl is the one event where people actually WANT to see the commercials, and the pressure surrounding the hype is almost as tremendous as the pressure on the two opposing teams playing a game on the field.

A few of the ads were leaked in advance to YouTube and other video social media sites, in part because the advertisers want to elicit excitement, and in part because it’s hard to keep anything secret with video uploading so easy nowadays.

My favorite, was the little boy in the Volkswagen ad trying to channel his inner Darth Vadar who attempts to make things move by using only mind skills learned from The Force. This ad has no special tricks, nor any whooshing fonts or over-the-top editing; what makes it work is everyone can identify with the imagination of a 6-year-old hoping to make the magic and do the tricks that he sees in the movies.

But the hype is more than just “is it an entertaining ad”. Anyone who has worked in commercial advertising can tell you that if the ad doesn’t keep your audience interested in the product, it wasn’t worth the money spent to design it, create it, market it and pay for its commercial timeslot. Case in point, I can never remember what the roller-skating babies ad is selling – oh yeah, “Youth” in a bottle by the Evian water company.

If one plans to produce commercials, (not counting Superbowl Sunday advertising, which is a completely different animal!) there’s a lot to consider besides content and length. A lot can be said in that 29-seconds, (planning for one-second for fade up or mechanical glitch upon execution.) Storytelling for commercials must be tight, and you have to grab the viewers at that first 2-3 seconds, otherwise they will either grab the remote to see what else is on, or head to the kitchen, bathroom or other room for a quick break from TV.

Videomaker has done several stories on marketing your business, shooting commercials, and making business plans; you can find some business related features in our “How To” site in the “business” section on our website to help you plan an effective ad strategy.

An effective advertising plan is almost more important than the ad itself. One thing too many start-up companies do is place all their advertising eggs in one basket – one BIG basket – that is, the Superbowl – and they tend to tap themselves out, hoping for the Big Win: customers clamoring for their products. But it takes more than landing a multi-million dollar spot on Superbowl Sunday to produce a good commercial, and it takes more than being seen on that spot to get customers and investors interested in your product. It’s knowing your product well and targeting your audience – and also knowing how to budget money between product development, marketing, and overhead. Too many start-up dot-com companies that launched mega-commercials during one year’s Superbowl have been dusting empty buildings for cobwebs when the next Superbowl comes around. (Remember pets.com’s talking puppet?)

If you aspire to be a video advertising producer, also check out our “Making a Profit“  and “Commercial Video” forums pages. Many of our forums regulars and moderators successfully produce commercials and have great advice for those dipping their feet into this fast-paced business. Good luck – maybe next year we’ll see your video that you lovingly produced for a new client in a multi-million spot.

And I must add as a Post Script: Here in Videomaker’s hometown of Chico California, many viewers not only tuned in for the game and the commercials, they were also rooting on our local home-grown quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

As the risk of using unlicensed music continues to grow, it’s important for us to become diligent about making sure we have the proper permission to use copyrighted music in our videos. You probably have figured out that any additional music that you use in the final edit of your video needs copyright clearance. However, music copyright laws go much further.

As a videographer at a wedding reception, there is no question that you will be capturing the the couples’ first dance. Along with their dance, your video will also capture the copyrighted song they chose to dance to. To make sure your production stays within the guidelines of copyright, you will need to acquire a music synchronization license, or sync license. A sync license allows you to sychronize music to your video. Generally, a sync license will cost a one-time flat fee and will cover a specific period of time.

When working with musical compositions, it’s important not to infringe on copyright protection. Failure to acknowledge copyright laws can cost you a significant chunk of change and put your wedding videography business on the line. Taking the time to acquire the proper licensing can help ensure the first dance, isn’t your last.

For more advice on music licensing check out What’s Legal: When Are Backgroud Sound Wth A Copyright In Video Clips OK?

Interested in more tips on Wedding Videography? Sign up for Videomaker’s free Wedding Videography Course. This free tip series is designed to help you improve your video production skills, fast. Learn More.



The problem with verbal agreements is they can easily turn into disputes over what was promised and what wasn’t. A good way to stay clear of these kinds of disputes is to always include a wedding resource packet. A wedding resource packet is comprehensive booklet that spells out the services you will be providing and at what cost. Much more than just a contract, the resource packet can also include information such as…

• The Wedding Location Information sheet: Filled out by the client, so everyone is on the same page regarding the wedding date, time and location, as well as the reception and rehearsal.
• The Video Coverage Checklist: A list of shots that will generally be covered during the event. This way the client is well aware of what your services include. You can also leave room for the client to make special requests of highlights they would like included.
• The Wedding Information sheet: Filled out by the client, and will include all the names of people in the bridal party. This will help you, the videographer, identify people when editing.
• The Videography Timeline: Also filled out by the client. This is a schedule of wedding day events, such as the time at which the photography session will take place, start of ceremony, first dance and so on. The timeline will help you keep track of where you need to be and when.

Of course, these are only some of items you might want to include in your wedding videography resource packet. Be sure to include a contract in your packet. The contract should be explicit in the terms of agreement, especially when regarding payment policy or cancellation fees, a limitation of liablity clause, as well as a coverage specification and date of completion agreement.

Though a wedding packet may seem excessive, it is not. Not only is it a great tool for clarifying what is expected, but it’s also great way to keep your business organized. And, if any disputes do arise, you’ll always have your copy of the packet to refer to.

Some of the essential questions every budding videographer asks: Why is it important to attend the rehearsal? Where do I place the cameras? How do I get the best audio possible? Which shots are critical? How do I exceed expectations and make a profit at the same time? The Wedding Video Handbook is the perfect resource to help you get up & running profitably. Read more.

Interested in more tips on Wedding Videography? Sign up for Videomaker’s free Wedding Videography Course. This free tip series is designed to help you improve your video production skills, fast. Learn more.

Deciding to start your own video production business can be an exciting endeavor. To ensure your success, it’s important to not only have the proper equipment and skills, but to make sure you’re operating legally, as well.

Basically, if you’re making money, you need a business license. Failure to comply with the licensing and permit regulations in your area can result in hefty fines from both state and federal governments, and put your business at risk. Depending on the state and county in which your business is located, the basic requirements will vary. Generally, in order to operate your local government will require tax registration (if you have employees, a partner, etc), a general business license and a DBA (Doing Business As) or fictitious name filing.

Business.gov is a helpful website for determining the federal, state and local licenses and permits required to operate your business. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can find information on license and permit requirements in any state within the U.S.

Turning your hobby into a legitimate business is easy to do. By complying with federal, state and local requirements you are not only ensuring your business doesn’t succumb to an unnecessary termination, but you’re telling your clients that you aren’t just a person with a camera, you’re a licensed videographer.