August 2008 Cover Image

August 2008 Table of Contents

Feature Stories

Tutorial - Making Realistic Muzzle Flashes

Stop, or I'll Shoot! Have you ever wanted to have a gun in your film? What about a cool action scene with guns blazing, people running, dishes exploding and your lead female jumping into a garbage chute to avoid being blown to bits? Yes? Me too! But while I can't help you with convincing your lead actress to jump down a garbage chute, I can help you with the blazing guns part.

From Play to Profit

Getting Your First Paid Gig

Store It: Storage Buyer's Guide

There are many choices these days when it comes to data storage; navigating through these waters can easily become confusing. This guide is here to help make your decision easier. It is broken into two major categories: external storage devices and internal devices. It also lists the pros and cons of each device and its main use.

Personal Computer Buyer's Guide 2008

Choosing a New Computer in 10 Easy Steps

Reviews

External Hard Drive Review
G-Technology G-DRIVE Mini 500GB Hard Drive

Lil' Shredder

DVD Duplicator Review
Xerox D103 DVD Duplicator

Not your Daddy's Copier

Camcorder Review: Panasonic AG-HMC70 AVCHD PRO CAMCORDER

Shoulder Mount at a Reasonable Price - A big camcorder is a professional camcorder. The layman often assumes this, and a large form factor camcorder can be useful, especially for making an impression on a client. Manufacturers are often caught up in miniaturizing...

Camera Light Review
Litepanels Micro LED Light

Micro Illumination

Columns

Viewfinder
Camcorders Galore

Basic Training
Basic Sound for Video

People seem to forget that capturing events requires capturing video and audio. You need to balance the best way to capture video versus the best way to collect sound.

Distribution
Video Blogging and Podcasting

Video is all over the place on the web nowadays, and nobody wants to get left behind. But how do you add video to a website, and, more importantly, why should you?

Directing
Small Crew Directing

Someday, you may have to hire, beg, borrow or coerce some people to join you on your video adventure. Keep it friendly, stick with a plan and you - and they - will enjoy the trek.

Producer Profile
Danny Sayson - Wedding Videographer

An award-winning wedding producer shares some tips on making wedding videos.

Producer Update
Kip Kay Hits the Six-Figure Mark!

An update on how a web producer became Metacafe's top earner in just 16 months.

Editing
Color Correction 101

A few simple steps can save an improperly-shot scene or improve one that is less than brilliant.

Audio
Dual-System Sound

When you need to sync many mic sources into your video or want to boost the audio you're already collecting, you might want to look at dual-system sound.

Departments

In Box

readers' letters

Tech Support
your questions answered

Your questions answered by the Videomaker Community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.videomaker.com/forums

Quick Focus

Call for Entries, Romeo Theater, Veterans' Voices, Rootclip, Cast This!, Videomaker Events

New Gear
Hoodman / Shining Technology / Sonnet

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