Video Production Articles

• Art
• Audio
• Cinematography
• Directing
• Effects and Stunts
• Lighting

• Surviving a 48-Hour Film Challenge
  July, 2010
  by Christa Sadler
  Film and video festivals are great ways to meet other enthusiasts just like you, and nothing gets the blood pumping faster than joining a 48-hour film…
• Audio for Video Production: Balanced Vs. Unbalanced
  September, 2009
  by Hal Robertson
  Overview of balanced vs.Unbalanced signals with ways to adapt a balanced audio signal to an unbalanced camera input when recording audio for video production.
• A Checklist To Find The Best Digital Video Camcorder For You
  September, 2009
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Thinking about getting a new camcorder? Here are 10 points to consider while searching for the best digital video camcorder to suit your needs and budget.
• Tips for Directing Non-Professionals
  April, 2009
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  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.
• Audio Sweetening
  August, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Rarely will a video producer lay down an audio track and leave it. Good, recorded sound is essential in any production, but we can all use a touch-up here and…
• Microphone Anatomy
  July, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  They say that sound is half of the movie and, while some debate the percentages, few will argue the point. But how do you get the best sound? By choosing the…
• Camera Moves: Back to Basics
  July, 2012
  by Kyle Cassidy
  If you want to get serious about shooting, it's not enough to watch movies and emulate the masters, you need to know the terms of the shots and what they mean.
• DSLR Workflow Tips: a Pro's Eye View
  July, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  Shooting with hybrid DSLRs has many advantages, but without a proven workflow one can quickly become lost beneath an avalanche of data. Worse still, data…
• Cinematography Techniques
  July, 2012
  by Peter Zunitch
  The art of cinematography is more than using the camera, lights and other tools to their best abilities, the art also includes knowing how to tell that story…
• FloLight MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent LED Light Kit Review
  July, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For truly versatile lighting suitable for all users check out FloLight's MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent video lights.
• Portable Recorders - The Digital Audio Multitool
  June, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Video creators everywhere have discovered the power of the portable audio recorder in place of a camera mic, but these devices provide many other uses too.
• As Seen on TV: Citizen Journalism Worthy of Your Local News
  June, 2012
  by Dave Sniadak
  When news happens are you ready to record it? Used to be, just traditional professional news jockeys got the story on the air. Now anyone with a camcorder can…
• Shooting Extreme Video for Profit
  June, 2012
  by H. Wolfgang Porter and Jackson Wong
  Starting a video production business requires more than just composition and framing skills or a large bank account. It require thick skin and a plan to…
• Portable Lighting Equipment
  June, 2012
  by Terry O'Rourke
  When you think of assembling a portable lighting kit, you need to consider what you need to complete a job, and also how to get that kit to your location.
• Pro Camcorder Buyer's Guide
  May, 2012
  by Randy Hansen
  When your craft goes beyond home video projects to professional gigs, you need pro gear to keep up.
• Creative Commons
  May, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Your neighbor might upload something using copyrighted music and no one notices, then you upload something and the copyright police send you a take-down letter.
• Editing Effects Software to Make Your Video Sing
  May, 2012
  by Michael Fitzer
  The greatest masterpieces are always well planned, shot beautifully, and edited with precision and intent. Nothing can replace a good story, but the right…
• Directing Tips from The Video Village
  May, 2012
  by James Williams
  Directing your shoot using a "Video Village" setup with monitor feeds allows you to stay organized, out of your crew's way and focused on your project.
• New Titles: Video Production Handbook - Shooting Movies without Shooting Yourself in the Foot - Cinematography Theory and Practice
  April, 2012
  by Trisha Coder
  Book and Media Reviews
• DIY Sci-Fi Sound Effects
  April, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  Whether it's Star Trek sound effects, Star Wars sound effects or the many others you hear in the movies and on TV, making sci-fi sound effects is a fun,…
• Slick Camera Shots
  April, 2012
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Good video producers have more than a few camera angles up their sleeves. From trick angles to smooth operation, here are some tips for some slick camera shots.
• Catching the Rim Shot with Lighting
  April, 2012
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Traditional lighting using the key light as your main light isn't always the most interesting design. Try making your rim light the brightest and see how your…
• The Right Mic for the Job
  March, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  The audio side of video can be intimidating for the newcomer and microphone choice is certainly toward the top of the list.
• Why do You Need Release Forms?
  March, 2012
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  There's been a lot of talk lately in blogs, websites and magazines about the need to get releases whenever you step outside to shoot.
• 10 Tips for Great Interviews
  March, 2012
  by Earl Chessher
  Following basic interview techniques and tips and knowing when and how to use them keeps your project moving forward. This story offers 10 video interview…
• Zoom H2n Audio Recorder Review
  March, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For budget friendly, uber audio, check out the Zoom H2n Audio Recorder.
• Commercial Production
  March, 2012
  by Mike Wilhelm
  Producing a television commercial is as much about client relations as it is about creativity and the ability to sell a product or service to the viewer.
• Audio Levels
  February, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  It's a simple question: How loud is too loud? The answer is a bit more complicated. Setting correct audio levels, and monitoring and mixing audio can be…
• From Music Video Maker to Hollywood Director
  February, 2012
  by Mark Montgomery
  Editing music videos isn't too hard... all you need is a band, a camera or two, some editing software and a lot of patience! Music video editing is all about&he…
• Green Screen Backgrounds
  February, 2012
  by Peter Zunitch
  It's one of the oldest tricks in the video arsenal, yet it's still one of the most useful and effective. We're talking about the selective subtraction of a…