Feature Stories
Producer Profile: Oscar Documentary Magic
An Inspiration for the Documentarian in All of Us
Distribution: Public Access Television
How to produce video productions with someone else's gear and get them broadcast - for free!
Tutorial: DVD Motion Menus
Some simpler DVD authoring programs have auto-everything, and all you have to do is "click...click...click" to make a finished project. But there's a real beauty in DVD motion menu making, and this month's tutorial is all about how you can take control of your program and make your DVD menus come to life.
Video Monitors Buyer's Guide
A Closer Look
Video Bag Buyer's Guide
A place to put your stuff, so you can get more stuff
20th Annual Videomaker Short Video Contest Winners
There are a lot of video contests popping up all over the place, but we are proud to say that Videomaker was one of the first to offer this fun and challenging event.
Departments
Tech Support
Your Questions Answered

May 2008
Table of Contents
Columns
Viewfinder
The Word Film
Basic Training: Three-Point Lighting 101
Lighting can be extremely complicated. Some movie and TV shoots use dozens of lights to assure proper scene lighting. Here's a primer to help dispel the mystery.
Lighting: Using Practicals
Lighting a scene using everyday lamps realistically is a skill that earns Hollywood gaffers top dollars. Here are some tips to using practicals in your next video.
Editing: Intermediate Codec Transcoding
As CPUs get faster, machines are able to utilize more RAM and editing software gets more efficient, the need for intermediate codecs for editing HDV may fall away.
Audio: It's a Noisy World
Unless you're sitting in the middle of a soundproof room, the sounds of distant traffic noise, construction and aircraft are everywhere.
Test Bench
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Camcorder Review:
Canon HR10 DVD CamcorderHD In a Small Can -
Microphone Review:
Azden SMX-10 MicrophoneSmall and Powerful -
CD/DVD Printer Review:
DYMO DiscPainter CD/DVD PrinterColorful Printing -
Software Review:
Pinnacle Systems VideoSpin Video Editing SoftwareAutomatic for the Rookies -
Software Review:
Nero 8 Ultra Edition Disc-Burning SoftwareThe Burninator
