September 2008 Table of Contents
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.
Basic Training
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
Lighting Technology
Since the introduction of the tungsten-halogen bulb in the early 60s, lighting technology has changed little except in the fixture styles that use the quartz lamp.
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.
Editing
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
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.
Test Bench
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Camcorder Review
Sony HDR-HC9 HDV CamcorderA robust, flexible camera. Good choice for those who want their video on tape. -
Software Review
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12 Editing SoftwareIncluding 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. -
Computer Review
Cerise Eight-Core WorkstationHands-down, one of the speediest video editing machines we've seen. -
Storage Review
LaCie 2big Dual 2TB RAIDA satisfying choice for a fast and versatile external disk array. -
DVD Duplicator Review
Disc Makers Forte DuplicatorA simple but remarkably useful duplicator that is ready for practically any short run.
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.
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)
In Box
readers' letters
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.
