April 2009
Table of Contents
Take your viewers on a trip around the world without leaving their easy chair. This month's issue of Videomaker has a tutorial on making animated maps like you see in all the classic spy movies. They're fun to watch, fun to create, and really quite easy, too.
Plus, tips for working with non-pros on camera, how to make money selling stock footage and we've created a legal "take down" letter for you along with tips to follow when you find someone has pirated your work online. Our Test Bench department looks at the popular Sony HDR-XR520W AVCHD camcorder as well as products from Blackmagic, Polywell, Western Digital and Hoodman; all to better enhance your video production world.
Feature Stories
How to Use Adobe After Effects & Photoshop to Create the Line-Map Animation Effect
Videomaker's tutorial on how to use Adobe After Effects and Photoshop to show your travels by creating a line-moving-through-a-map animation effect.
Motion Graphics & Animation Software Buyer's Guide
Computer animation has come a long way. Today, 3D animation software & 2D animation software are being combined to create complex title sequences.
Seeking the Best Video Editing Computer
Guide to computer workstations that serve as the best video editing computers. Includes links to manufactures of the best computers for video editing.
The End of Video Tape
Video recording is changing. Someday 8mm, VHS, Mini DV, Digital & Hi8 will be to video what vinyl records, 8-track and cassette tapes are to music.
Reviews
Western Digital My Passport for Mac WDMEA5000AN 500GB Portable Hard Drive Review
Slim Western: Western Digital (perhaps better known as WD these days) has broadened its product lineup significantly over the past few years, going from...
Polywell 12TB NAS Network Attached Storage Review
Stack o' Storage - A network attached storage device (NAS) is a simplified server with the primary purpose of storing data that can be accessed by...
Videomaker's 2009 Best Video Hardware: Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro Analog/HDMI Video Capture Card Review
The Blackmagic Intensity Pro is a great value for its combination of analog & digital I/O, both SD & HD. Is this the last video capture card you'll ever need?
Hoodman WristShot Camcorder Stabilizer Video Stabilizer Review
Shoot From the Wrist... Hoodman's new Wristshot serves as a video stabilizer by providing wrist support for better &am; longer handheld shooting.
Sony HDR-XR520V AVCHD Camcorder Review:
Smile! You're on GPS! Are you looking for the ultimate HD camcorder? Sony's new HDR-XR520V AVCHD camcorder is compact, versatile and easy to use.
Columns
Viewfinder: How Well Do Digital Still Cameras Capture Video?
Using digital still cameras with a video capture feature... I don't know many camcorder users who don't own a digital still camera...
Recording Good Audio for Video
If they can't understand your audio, they'll walk out. Learn to get the best audio for video. How to select the right mics & sync external recorders.
Stock Footage Wanted!
The market for stock footage is booming. Videographers can now make money by offering stock video clips to online stock footage libraries...
Tips for Directing Non-Professionals
Lights. Camera. Action. You hope. Directing professional talent isn't easy, but they usually know their jobs. Non-actors require a different set of skills.
How to Stop Pirates with Copyright Law
You've Been Pirated! How to take down Copyright Infringers with a Copyright Takedown Notice. Your copyrighted work shows up online, but you didn't put it there.
Best Media Storage Practices
Do you remember that feeling of panic when a critical file became lost? With good media storage habits a potential tragedy is only a short delay.
Mixing Audio for Video
Tips on how to set up your video editing software tools to achieve the best work flow for adding, cleaning and mixing audio for your video...
Departments
Tech Support: Rewinding • CMOS vs CCD • Mikin' in the Rain
Your questions answered - To Rewind or Not to Rewind (MiniDV tapes); Rolling Shutter and CMOS vs CCD; problematic sound due to continual rain
In Box: Best Media Storage Methods • DIY Chroma Key
Video Media Archiving - investigating the best method for archiving the video... DIY Chroma Key Wall - inquiring about the chroma key green paint...
New Gear: Movie Plus x3; Autodesk Toxik 2009; Edius version 5
New video products: Movie Plus x3 adds YoutTube uploading, Edius Version 5 Video Editing Package now supports Windows Vista.
Latest Videos
How to Organize a Shoot
In this how-to training video we show you how and why to assemble a storyboard, organize your resources, and manage a production schedule. When film-making, tim …
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How to Cast a Video Production
Here we show you how to bring your characters to life by casting the best talent you can for your production. We show you where to look for actors, and walk you … -
How to Break Down a Script
In this segment learn how to discover the story and the characters of your next production. -
How to Get Rid of Unwanted Objects in Footage
In this training video we look at how to use object removal techniques such as scaling and cropping, chroma keying, or motion tracking.
Video Forums
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Perfect Location but No Concept
Feb 14
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Best camcorder less than $2K
Feb 14
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To Buy or Rent? That's a good question....
Feb 14
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Short Fight Scene (Car Hit VFX)
Feb 14
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Which is the best . . . . whatever?
Feb 14
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Tripod, fluid head, and zoom lens controller, recommendations for Canon XA10
Feb 14
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Turning off the REC indicator
Feb 14
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Using an audio mixer with a camcorder
Feb 13
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Introduce Yourself
Feb 13
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Seeking thoughts on the AG-HVX200A Camera
Feb 13
Video News Blog
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On YouTube, Good Audio Will Put Your Video Ahead of the Pack
Feb 13
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Back to the Future 4? Do We Want to go Back with a Sequel?
Feb 10
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Weird Weddings Challenge Even Pro Videographers
Feb 9
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Cut Video with the Basic Editing Webinar, Feb. 22
Feb 9
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DSLRs' Audio Limitations: Azden's Newest Mixer May Be the Ticket
Feb 8
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Enter the D800 - Nikon DSLR
Feb 7
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We're Living in a Golden Age of Video Production
Feb 6
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Videomaker Workshops for February 24-26
Feb 3
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Editing Avid on an iPad - Imagine the Possibilities!
Feb 3
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Webinar Wednesday Presents: The Art of Titles and Graphics
Feb 2
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