Touch screen gloves are a quick solution to using touch screens in the cold. Whether it is your smartphone or a camcorder menu, gloves with conductive metal threaded into the tips will keep you and touch screens functional by warding off numbness. Ever find yourself shooting in the early morning light? Some of the best natural light comes only in the morning or evening and that coincides with some of the day’s lowest temperatures. Trying to adjust exposure or unlock your phone may be impossible with gloves on and easy to get wrong with frozen fingers. The gloves that I found on the shelves of a department store aren’t so thick that dexterity will be lost. These gloves don’t appear much different from ordinary gloves, except for the tips of each finger featuring shiny little lines. It’s these threaded points of conductive material that will allow touch screens to sense your fingers.

It sounds simple because it is, I found a do it yourself video that I’d love to try, but this is after I’d swiped my card for the pair of gloves last Saturday. The example uses silver-coated thread stitched into the tips of the glove, the best part of making your own will be to put conductive threading at more points than just the pads of the fingers. I know use the extreme points of my fingers to operate touch screens so I’d stitch material on the very tips. You may get as creative with your needle work as you can, it’s simply not my expertise. Or if you need a quick option, look for stores to have touch screen gloves around $20.

So now, you might add gloves to your list of gear to grab, with heat resistant gloves for adjusting lights in the studio and cold resistant gloves for those outside shoots with touch screen equipment. Touch screens continue to get better and more pervasive, so we can expect more accessories to go along with them.

Disclaimer: Compatibility with individual gloves and touch screens may vary.

One of the easiest ways to continue building your skills as a video producer is to watch the work of others. By closely examining the style choices of other filmmakers you can greatly improve your own craft. If you enjoy how a certain movie was put together or wonder why it had so much impact, watch it again, but this time take notes.

Consider factors such as character and story development, shot types, lighting, editing decisions, and music. Ask yourself how the filmmaker’s choices added to the effectiveness of the scene and overall mood of the film. What does the director show you about a particular character, how did they choose to reveal it, and what is the overall impact on the viewer’s emotions towards that character? Finding the answers to these questions will help you in your own quest to bring a character or story to life.

No matter which genre you’re interested in, there are plenty of sources to learn from. By examining different styles and movie genres, you’ll find a storytelling technique that works for you. With enough practice you’ll not only be able to recreate your favorite director’s style, but you’ll be able to add your own bit of cinematic flair.

Whether you are lighting an interview or a scene for a movie, the background light must always be considered. How much light should you use? How many shadows need to be created? Should you apply a simple splash of color or something with more texture? When making these decisions it’s handy to have a variety of cookies to choose from.

A cookie, short for “cucoloris,” is a large board with a pattern or shape cut out of it. It’s placed in front of a spot light in order to throw a textured shadow or a silhouette onto the background. These shadows and silhouettes can include tree branches, blinds, or something a little more abstract. Cookies can bring additional ambiance to your scene and are not only easy to use, but also fairly easy to make.

To make your own cookie all you need is a large board, at least 24″ square and preferably 1/2-inch foam core board, though thin plywood, sheet metal or cardboard would work also. To help control the bounce from the light source, choose a board that is black on both sides. Next, use a sharp edge, such as an Xacto knife or box cutter, to cut out the pattern of your choice. Drawing your pattern on the board prior to cutting may help as a guide. Remember, if your desired effect is a silhouette, cut out the area around the shape, not the shape itself.

Cookies are a basic lighting accessory that will allow you to vary your lighting design. By learning how to make your own cookies you can create endless design possibilities while being able to be more adventurous with your choices.

Being an independent videographer usually means all expenses are coming out of your own pocket. Whether you’re just starting out as a videographer or have been making videos for some time, there probably are occasions when your greatest obstacle is working around a tight budget. The secret to making your budget stretch as far as it can is getting a handle on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects.

DIY projects can save you handfuls of money while allowing you to achieve the look you want. One example of a fairly easy project is making your own green screen. The folks at Indy Mogul explain how you can build a portable green screen with PVC pipe, material and a budget of only $40.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZQq156MDM

Once you have your green screen constructed, you’ll be able to recreate the same effects as the big-budget Hollywood movies. But don’t stop at the green screen. There are many more DIY projects that can increase your production value while keeping your costs down and your wallet happy.

Don’t know what to do with your green screen once you’ve got it built? Check out our green screen articles, tutorials, and Tips and Tricks videos which will help you get the most out of your newly constructed green screen.