September 2008
Table of Contents
Feature Stories
Tutorial
The ABCs of Chromakeys
Without a doubt, you see chromakeys used countless times - probably every time you watch the news on TV - and perhaps you aren't even aware of it.
Audio Monitors Buyer's Guide
If you are listening to your edited masterpiece on the speakers that came with your computer, you are in need of an upgrade.
Blu-ray Disc Authoring Buyer's Guide
So this is how life turned out, post-HD disc format war.
Call for Entries
The 21st Annual Videomaker/Canon Short Video Contest
It's time once again for the Videomaker/Canon Short Video Contest. You've got the video, we've got the prizes - go ahead ... take the chance. Whether you operate in standard definition or have taken the HD plunge, we can't wait to see your entry. Don't wait around, though - to qualify for the contest, your entry must be received in our office by Friday, October 31, 2008, at 5PM Pacific Time.
Reviews
Sony HDR-HC9 HDV Camcorder Review
A robust, flexible camera. Good choice for those who want their video on tape.
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12 Editing Software Review
Including 3 great plugins, and following the SmartMovie guide and Montage templates, a beginner can have a nice movie edited and uploaded within a few hours.
Cerise Eight-Core Workstation Review
Hands-down, one of the speediest video editing machines we've seen.
LaCie 2big Dual 2TB RAID Review
A satisfying choice for a fast and versatile external disk array.
Disc Makers Forte DVD Duplicator Review
A simple but remarkably useful duplicator that is ready for practically any short run.
Columns
Viewfinder
Stories
When we create video, we are telling stories, and this is the essence of the craft. With all of the complexities of video production, it is easy for the focus to shift away from storytelling. We often pay too much attention to equipment, technique or crewmembers, while neglecting the story.
Intro to White Balance
Why would we want to concentrate on white when we shoot in color? Because incandescent, fluorescent and sunlight differ a lot, proving that white isn't always white.
CD/DVD Duplication Services versus Home-Use Duplicators
A guide to which DVD mass-production option works best for you. You've burned a master disc of your pièce de résistance and are ready to ship it all over. Just one problem: you have only one disc, and burning hundreds by yourself isn't feasible. Or is it? Both duplication services and home-use duplicators create the same outcome, so which one should you go with? This article will arm you with the information you need to choose the option that works best for you, so you can tackle your next big project with ease.
Lighting Equipment Technology
Lighting equipment used to be the one static aspect of video, but today new advances in lighting technology like LED lighting and lighting gel are changing that.
Take 5: Class in Session
5 Tips for Videotaping in Schools
It's that time of year when students return to the classroom with fresh shiny faces, new schedules and a plethora of activities to fill their calendars from now until June. Here's a few tips to get you ready to hit the books, too.
Color Correction 201
Ever want to enhance a washed-out sky or push the color on a less-than-vibrant hill of grass? How did they do that black-and-white/color effect in Sin City or Pleasantville?
Audio Compression Shootout
MP3 is now a distribution standard. iTunes has sold over a billion compressed audio tracks in AAC format. DVDs, Blu-ray Discs and digital TV all use audio compression.
Departments
New Titles
reviews
Compositing Visual Effects: Essentials for the Aspiring Artist; Producing Great Sound for Film and Video, Third Edition; Call Box: Digital Color Correction - The Final Cut Studio Workflow with Apple’s Color; Art of the Storyboard: A Filmmaker’s Introduction (second edition)
What's the Correct Term, Footage or Bittage?
Footage vs. Bittage... 6 versus 25 Minutes of Film... and Pani's 0001 Still in Use... In Michael Moore's Defense... More on Moore... Throw in Some Spice and Sarcasm... Visual Contagion... Brief and to the Point...
New Gear
hot off the presses
TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 provides frame-accurate MPEG-2 editing...Artbeats has added to its Ultra collection of clips shot at 1000fps... Focus' FS-5 direct capture device can be attached to many DV and HDV camcorders.
Latest Videos
Defining the Film Look
All video professionals and indie filmmakers put a great deal of effort into their final product. Many of them wish to go a step beyond and achieve that pinnacl …
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How to Make Your Own DSLR Camera Rig
Ever since DSLR cameras started recording video, cinematographers everywhere have used them to give their videos a sleek and "professional" feel. However, quali … -
How to Make Your Own Car Mount
It's pretty commonplace for someone to ask how a special effect shot in a summer blockbuster was done, but you don't often hear someone asking how an exterior c … -
How to Make Your Own Boom Pole, Blimp, and Windscreen
Believe it or not, audience members are more likely to forgive poorly captured video than poorly captured sound which means that capturing clear audio is an inc …
Video Forums
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Pinnacle or Sony Vegas which to use?
May 28
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The right SD card for Canon Vixia HF S100
May 28
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HVR-V1P Sony Cam & Edit Questions
May 28
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Studio DIY budget Ceiling Rail System
May 28
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So when should I go 'Pro'?
May 28
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Best Printer for DVDs and Jewel Case Inserts?
May 28
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How to light a scene (bathroom commercial)
May 28
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Looking for help on a music promo video - how to?
May 28
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Tips for shooting a music video
May 27
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Old Fashioned Block Font
May 27
Video News Blog
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Gap Tooth Documentary Shows Even Small Stories Can Intrigue
May 25
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Car Mounts Photo Shoot, Behind the Scenes at Videomaker
May 24
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OmniVision Announces 4K Video Sensor for Phones
May 23
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PENTAX K-30 - Adventure With It
May 22
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CTIA 2012 Spotlight Award Winner: Western Digital Socrpio Blue 7mm Hard Drive
May 21
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CTIA 2012 Spotlight Award Winner: Kingston Wi-Drive 64GB
May 21
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Video Production Tip: Use Green Screen Wisely
May 21
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CTIA 2012 Spotlight Award Winner: Pop Video Projector
May 21
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Sony Sends in New Alpha Cameras: the NEX-F3 and SLT-A37
May 18
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Event Videography Improved by Using Multiple Cameras
May 17
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