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November 2008 Cover Image

November 2008 Table of Contents

DIY are three little letters that mean huge savings for low-budget productions. In this month's tutorials we illustrate step-by-step instruction on creating a Do-It-Yourself Jib and a Do-It-Yourself Crane. With these easy-to-follow tips you'll be on your way to capturing those great shots without having to break the bank. Be sure to check out our article on using shadows and light to achieve the distinct look of the film noir style. We also discuss the advantages, and disadvantages, of editing on the set, whether you are working on narrative-style or documentary-style projects. Also, learn the meaning of four-walling and why you should consider it.

Feature Stories

Tutorial - DIY Jibs

Moving shots using a jib or crane provide an added dimension to any video, allowing the camera to sweep from a high establishing shot as it follows the action to a worm's-eye perspective. But the price of a good jib or crane can tax even the most established and well-paid video producer.

Tutorial - DIY Crane

Moving shots using a jib or crane provide an added dimension to any video, allowing the camera to sweep from a high establishing shot as it follows the action to a worm's-eye perspective. But the price of a good jib or crane can tax even the most established and well-paid video producer.

Special Features: DVD Extras

People love movies, and many people love them enough to want to watch movies about the movies they love. Special features are any additional audio, visual or interactive media that exist beyond the original version of a film on a DVD. These features may be items such as extended versions, director's cuts of the film, audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, documentaries, production stills, cast and crew bios, alternate endings, animatics, interactive games... the list goes on and on. So, if you can dream it up as an added feature, someone somewhere is going to appreciate it. Let's take a closer look at a few common special features you can add to your own DVDs.

Microphone Buyer's Guide 2008

You go to great pains to collect the best video. You need to be just as diligent when capturing your audio. An external microphone, such as a shotgun or lavalier, is vital to getting excellent video. It isn't hard to achieve quality audio, and it all starts with a quality microphone (mic), combined with a good pair of headphones, a mixer and cables.

Field Mixers & Recorders Buyer's Guide 2008

It's Best in the Field... Sometimes recording in the field is not just your only option, it's your best option. What's it worth for an uninterrupted recording of that bluegrass song, grandma's whispers to the baby or the coach's press conference? They're priceless sounds only a portable recorder or mixer gets in the field.

Reviews

Software Review
Avid Media Composer 3.0 Video Editing Software

Feature Rich Editing... A great editor, focused on speed, stability and workflow. Avid Media Composer has been the standard on which all NLEs have been based.

Hardware Review
Focus Enhancements FS-5 100GB Direct Capture Device

Capture Pod... We have seen the future in direct capture devices, and it's the Focus FS-5. Focus Enhancements' FS-5 direct capture device marks a sea change in how we use video. Not only does the device capture video from a Mini DV or HDV camcorder, it allows editing directly on the computer it is attached to, and it also allows something very revolutionary - the ability to add metadata to clips on the fly via an Ethernet or a Wi-Fi connection.

Camcorder Review
Panasonic AG-HMC150 AVCCAM Camcorder

AVCHD Goes Pro... The Panasonic AG-HMC150 is a remarkable camcorder that will make shooting professional HD video a reality for many of us.

Computer Review
HP xw6600 Workstation

Speed Demon, Part 8... It's fast, but whether its speed is something you need now or can wait for is between you and your pocketbook.

Columns

Viewfinder
The Line Between Editorial and Advertising

Between Editorial and Advertising: Magazine publishing is an abstract business. The subscription price is less than the print and delivery costs. Profits from single-copy sales are offset by the fact that most of the magazines in newsstands and bookstores go unsold and are shredded.

Basic Training
Focus More on Focus

Unlike color balance or underexposure, which you can fiddle in post, you get only one shot at getting your focus right. Focus isn't everything, but it's close. Of all the things that impact the effectiveness of your shot, focus is at the very top of the list.

Distribution
Taking It to the Screen

Getting your hard work shown on a big screen is a dream of many video producers, but it really can be done. The name of the technique in question: four-walling.

Lighting
Lighting Film Noir Style

November. The days are getting shorter, the air is crisp and the mood is dark and forlorn. These are the perfect ingredients for film noir shooting.

Editing
Editing On The Set

As video producers transition into the 21st century, we have an opportunity that no other filmmakers or mediamakers have had in the past: we can edit on the set.

Audio
Using Your Field Mixer

Field mixers are a great way to add power, flexibility and quality to your location audio recordings. Maybe you've recently bought a field mixer or are considering one of the models in this month's Buyer's Guide.

Departments

New Titles - reviews

The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction; Producing Great Sound for Film and Video, 3rd Edition; Motion Picture and Video Lighting, 2nd Edition

In box
readers' letters

readers' letters: Tip on Music Editing with Your iPod... What Is That?... Kids and Legal Video... eNews: Preserving Family Stories

New Gear
hot off the presses

SentrySafe's 250GB FireSafe/waterproof hard drive... Roxio Creator 2009 adds audio features and support for HD video editing and burning... Abaltat's Muse 2.0 is a music scoring program for the Mac that analyzes the video to be scored

Latest Videos

Green Screen Video Tutorial Green Screen Video Tutorial
In this green screen video tutorial, we show you how to set-up a green screen for chromakey and how to best sell the green screen effect to your viewers.

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