It’s no secret camcorders are getting smarter with embedded metadata like geographic location tagging and even wicked fast face detection for super crisp shots! What about other cool features like instant language on-the-fly video translations? Enter Word Lens, a new iPhone app that translates between English and Spanish in real-time which is displayed on your iPhones video feed allowing you to read the world in your desired language!
Archive for the ‘Free’ Category
The Cat Cam
Check this out! Have you wondered what your cat does during the day? Well check out the ‘Cat Cam‘ a little micro camera attached to a cat’s collar. The camera automatically shoots a photo every two minutes from your cat’s perspective. The ‘Cat Cam’ is even available for order if you would like to strap up your feline or perhaps canine friend and see what their up to.
Talent, Not Tools.
See title. I’m not sure I need to expound on this idea since the title of this post perfectly sums up my thoughts. But since you likely arrived here via a link, I feel I should give you a little more substance to positively reinforce your click-thru behavior.
Let’s talk gear – cameras, lenses, lighting, software – we’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty (and whozits and whatzits galore). I love gear. I really do. And it sure is fun to talk about. In fact, it’s easy to talk about because, for the most part, it’s objective. It’s easy to compare megapixels and millimeters because their values never change.
And talk we do! There are countless blogs and websites that review all the latest in filmmaking techowizardy and photographic doo-dadery. My Twitter stream is full of links to gear reviews, camera tests, and tech shoot-outs.
With all the talk about gear it’s easy to fall into the gear trap. It’s easy to believe that you’re being held back by not having the right piece of technology to tell your story or create your art. “If only.” If only I had an Epic. If only I had a 5DMkII. If only I had a new Mac, or a Steadicam Flyer, or that new plug-in, or a tilt/shift lens… it’s a never ending, inexhaustible list of excuses for NOT making art.
But it’s not about the gear. I know that you know this. This is really just a reminder to myself. If you have a vision, if you have art inside you, it can (and will) find its way to the surface through whatever tool is available. Van Gough was not a painter, he was an artist. If he were alive today he might be a filmmaker. If Spike Lee was born hundreds of years ago, maybe he’d be a poet or novelist (idea credit: Godin). These guys used whatever tools they had available to create their vision. Today, we’re lucky that you don’t have to cut off your own ear to get access to inexpensive and powerful storytelling tools.
The truth is making art is scary, messy, and full of failure. It’s straight up hard work. It’s much easier to sit on the sidelines and say we can’t do it because we don’t have the right gear. But don’t fall into that trap. You don’t really need better gear, you just need better ideas.
Here’s what I’m talking about. Below is a video of New York band Atomic Tom performing a catchy tune live on the subway. They’re not using their traditional tools (guitars, drums, piano), just iPhones. The band is talented and clearly has a vision for the song. Take away their instruments and they’ll find a way to make art. And if you take away their phones, I bet they’d still find a way to play the hell out of that song. Talent, not tools, my friends.
________
Jesse Rosten is a filmmaker and photographer currently based out of Northern California. He’s a fan of creativity in all its forms.
Documentary Production: Handheld Camera Techniques
There is no doubt that a tripod lends itself to steady camera shots, as well as smooth pans and tilts. However, when you’re shooting a “run and gun” documentary, a tripod can become too cumbersome to lug around. Sometimes, a tripod isn’t needed when attempting a more stylistic handheld approach. Either way, without a tripod, your camera work is more likely to suffer from the shakes. To reduce the amount of excessive movement in your video try practicing the following handheld camera techniques.
- Keep your elbows bent and tucked near your body. Use one hand to hold the camera, and the other hand to support your camera hand, or to give additional support to the camera.
- Keep a wide stance and don’t lock your knees. By keeping your knees slightly bent you’re allowing your body to act as a shock absorber, and the wide stance will give you better balance.
- Keep your lens wide and don’t zoom in. Wider shots will make your video look less shaky, but if you zoom in you significantly increase the chances of a shaky shot. If you must get closer, physically move the camera closer.
- If you need additional support, try using the hood of a car or a park bench. Essentially, anything around you can be used to help in stabilizing your camera.
Handheld camera techniques can help create a more subjective feel to your documentary if executed properly. The secret to great handheld video is practice, practice, practice. And within no time, you’ll be able to leave that bulky tripod at home.
You don’t need loads of money to make a professional-looking film – you need to get down and dirty! Learn to maximize your resources and do more with less with The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide.
Interested in more tips on documentary Production? Sign up for Videomaker’s free Documentary Course. This free tip series is designed to help you improve your video production skills, fast. Learn More.
Video Editing with J-Cuts and L-Cuts
There are many transitions you can use when editing, such as a cut, dissolve, or fade. But how do you edit in a way that adds intrigue to your story? By using a split edit.
A split edit, also known as a J-cut or an L-cut, is a transition in which the audio and video of a clip are introduced at different times. For example, you may hear several seconds of a person being interviewed before you actually see the person who is speaking. This technique is used to add a dramatic effect to the scene and is relatively easy to accomplish. After selecting a clip, unlink the audio and video tracks. Once you’ve done that, you’re able to shorten or lengthen either track, depending on the desired effect.
Split edits are a great way to add spice to your everyday transitions while keeping the audience engaged in what’s happening on-screen. Whether you’re trying to add intrigue, maintain continuity, or just break from your normal editing choices, using a split edit can help.
To find out more about using split edits and the effect it can have your story, check out Tricks for J and L Cuts.
Interested in more tips on Editing? Sign up for Videomaker’s free Video Editing Course. This free tip series is designed to help you improve your video production skills, fast. Learn More.
Sennheiser’s Open Frequency Finder
With more and more devices crowding the airwaves it can be hard to find an available frequency without interference while setting up your wireless mics. Sennhesier has a solution, an audio tool for finding open frequencies that incorporates the FCC TV broadcast database. Simply enter either a City or Zip Code and the application provides you with a list of available and used frequencies. This is another one of those must have tools for any filmmaker serious about getting great audio without spending time looking for an open frequency which we all know can be very time consuming.
Sony updates Vegas Pro Software with new Broadcasting and Creative Tools
Sony Creative Software announced Vegas Pro 9.0d, the most recent update to it’s nonlinear HD video and audio editing application. The updated Vegas Pro 9.0d software now features closed captioning support for broadcast editors, in addition to multi-layer PSD file support and timeline burning to DVD for enhanced editing flexibility and efficiency for creative professionals. This is a free update for current Vegas Pro 9 software users, some of the feature of highlights of this update include:
- Closed Captioning Support: new closed captioning support in Vegas Pro 9.0d provides broadcast editors with a workflow that enables the importing, editing, and exporting of CEA-608 captioned data in high definition Sony XDCAM MXF material.
- Multi-layer Adobe Photoshop Document (PSD) Support: Multi-layer PSD support in Vegas 9.0d provides a highly flexible model for professionals to quickly create complex animation and professional results from a single PSD image. This new feature enables more creative compositing when working with PSD files by providing individual control over the separate file layers.
- Enhanced Device Explorer Support: Improvements to the device explorer in Vegas Pro 9.0d significantly increase support for additional cameras and devices, including hard disk and memory recording devices. The extra support provides customers with a more powerful and adaptable system for unparalleled video editing.
- Burn Timeline to DVD: Timeline burning to DVD, like the current Vegas Pro “Burn to Blu-ray” process, allows editors a more seamless final output method for their video editing projects.
- PreSonus FaderPort Control Surface Driver Support: The PreSonus FaderPort control surface offers additional flexibility for controlling and automating Vegas Pro 9.0d via hardware other than mouse and keyboard. The touch-sensitive device is perfect for controlling volume and pan parameters, as well as play, stop, start transport functionality and managing markers for fast and easy audio and video editing.
Price and Availability
The Vegas Pro 9.0d software update is available now for download online at www.sonycreativesoftware.com and is free for existing registered Vegas Pro 9 users, or $234.95 for owners of Vegas Pro 8 or prior. Vegas Pro 9 software is available in English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and French. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Vegas Pro 9 is U.S. $699.95.
DIY DSLR Bungee Body Mount
Here’s a really simple way to rig your DSLR to your body for those high-action, POV-type shots (think skiing, biking, motocross, etc). No expensive helmet-cam rigging required. All you need is a bungee cord.
Check it:
Most cameras come standard with a neck strap. You’ll need to make sure this is attached. Next, hang the camera from your neck. Good, now you look like a tourist. Chances are your camera is hanging somewhere near your stomach. You’ll probably want to shorten up the camera strap so that the camera hangs over your chest. Unless your tummy is sporting a six pack (I’ve got a six pack IN my tummy), you’ll find it much easier to wear the camera higher so it’s pushing against your chest rather than gut. To accomplish this, I had to shorten my camera strap by tying a knot in it.
Next, attach the bungee cord, hook facing out, to one side of the strap near the body of the camera. Wrap the bungee around your back and hook it to the other side of the camera strap. Done. That’s it. If the bungee is the right size, you should feel the pull of the bungee holding the camera tight against your body. Notice as you move, the camera moves with your body. Now your hands are free to hang on to the handle bars, ski poles, or dog sled(?).
Here’s a clip of me on my trusty lil’ Suzuki 450GS. This was shot with a Canon MKII and a 17-40mm f/4. The POV riding shots were accomplished with the bungee-mount method.
A couple things to note:
* You should be ’slightly’ uncomfortable. In order to hold the camera tight against your body, you’ve got to get the bungee cord relatively tight. If your torso goes numb and you can’t feel your legs, it’s too tight.
* Try to find a bungee cord with plastic hooks. Plastic is less likely to scratch your camera and less likely to poke you in the sides. Do not attempt this mount if you are ticklish.
* This method holds the camera tight for most lateral forces, but the camera is still free to bounce a little up and down. For jarring activities like running or pogo sticks you might want to add a vertical strap as well. Let me know if you find something that works.
Jesse Rosten is a filmmaker and photographer currently based out of Northern California. He’s a fan of creativity in all its forms.
Moby’s Free Music Site Supports Indie Filmmakers
Moby has a portion of his site dedicated to independent and non-profit filmmakers, film students and anyone in need of free music for their independent, non-profit film, video or short. The music is free as long as it’s being used in a non-commercial or non-profit film. If you would like to use it for profit you can apply for a commercial license, all profits from the license will be given to the humane society. The tracks are composed for film with no lyrics and sound great! In order to get access to the tracks, log onto mobygratis.com and register for a free account. Moby adds tracks every so often with over 80 tracks so far that range from 50 seconds to over 10 minutes in length, it’s a great resource for any filmmaker!
You are currently browsing the archives for the Free category.
Recent Comments