Technology

Familiarizing yourself with the latest video technology will help you overcome tech-related obstacles. Since video technology seems to change on a daily basis, keeping up-to-date in this area is crucial to your survival in the world of movie-making.

Sub-categories

Best Camcorder of NAB 2013 - Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

Jackson Wong - April 11th, 2013

Videomaker's Best Camcorder of NAB 2013 is the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K. The team at Blackmagic Design has been hard at work preparing the release of the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K. We may begin with this one by looking at the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, which looks virtually the same save for a 4K insignia.
Best Light of NAB 2013 - Zacuto PlaZma

Jackson Wong - April 11th, 2013

Videomaker's Best Light of NAB 2013 is the Zacuto PlaZma light. It's hard not to like the light from the Zacuto PlaZma light. This technology has been in development for some time with Zacuto, and shipping models are sure to be scrutinized since the plasma element in video lighting is so young.
NAB 2013 - Panasonic microP2 Resizes P2 to SD

Jackson Wong - April 09th, 2013

Panasonic resizes the P2 card to a microP2 card, and is not to be confused with SD media cards, even if they're now the same size. These microP2 cards may remind you of their same-size relatives the SDXC card, this time with two capacities at 32GB and 64GB. Panasonic creates these with the broadcaster in mind, the type of shooter that goes into harsh environments of negative 4-degrees F and 140-degrees F areas. The durability test concludes with 1,500G impacts and vibration.
NAB 2013 - Phantom Flex4K Camera Presents Slow-Motion at Its Finest

Jackson Wong - April 08th, 2013

If you've never seen video from a Vision Research camera, you're in for a treat with their test video shot with the Phantom Flex4K. Now if you're casualing shopping for a camera, maybe you want to pick one up on the side, you'll be stuck window shopping.
NAB 2013 - Blackmagic Production Camera 4K Brings New Definition to Production - While the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is the Coolest Oxymoron

Jackson Wong - April 08th, 2013

Blackmagic Design seems to know how to push our buttons, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K are sure to make many people very happy, both producers and viewers alike. "Exciting" hardly seems to do it justice when we hear that a pocket camera will have a Super 16mm size 1080 sensor that can grab 13 stops of dynamic range, capture CinemaDNG RAW and an SD card recorder for Apple ProRes. The second button Blackmagic Design is pressing is for the producer in all of us, get a load of the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K. This camera is a 4k digital film camera with a Super 35 sensor, a global shutter and 6G-SDI for live productions. The large sensor size will allow for a minimal crop factor leading to truly wide shots with wide angle lenses, and there's still the ability to shoot good old HD, zoomed in, without degradation. The EF lens mount will make many interchangeable lens owners pleased.
Cinema 4D to be integrated in next version of After Effects

Luis Maymi - April 08th, 2013

Adobe Systems Inc, and MAXON, the developer of CINEMA 4D, announced they have entered into a strategic alliance to give users a seamless 2D/3D foundation.
NAB Show 2013 to Bring Innovative Technology and Products to Las Vegas

Jackson Wong - April 03rd, 2013

The NAB Show contains sights sounds, smells and products, that will be yours courtesy of your Videomaker editorial team. We'll do our annual awards to highlight the biggest products to know about, and likely touch on some that you'll simply drool over. The biggest companies will be there, including the ones you might never hear about unless you command a workstation in a master control room.
5 Low Angle Tips

Jordan Claverie - Tue, 03/26/2013 - 4:11pm

We often don't take the time to lay flat on the ground, or gaze up under tables, but there's a completely different world to be seen from low angle shots. Using low angles effectively in your story can be a challenge, but these tips for going low can help get your brain working toward even more creative uses. In no particular order, here are some ways to use your camera with very little clearance above a solid surface.
Double Your Editing Speed

Jordan Claverie - Tue, 03/26/2013 - 11:44am

Ask any veteran editor about their number one obstacle and the answer is always time. Deadlines dictate the day and push creativity up against the wall. When it comes down to it, the difference between a good editor and a great one is speed. The one who has more time to better craft an edit is the one who uses more efficient video editing techniques. For the novice editor and intermediate editor with some experience, working faster and more efficiently is a constant quest. The truth is, with a little effort, a bit of knowledge and some time put in up front, you can learn to increase your edit speed.
Prepping a Background

Jordan Claverie - Tue, 02/26/2013 - 3:45pm

You have your fancy on-camera expert, your fancy DSLR that does 60 frames per second at a million megapixels, and some very fancy lighting equipment in the form of those awesome LED panels, but all anybody can think of when they look at your video is why are all those dirty dishes on the table behind that guy? Is anyone going to finish that sandwich? It's going to get ants.