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.
• DSLR Tips: Workflow 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…
• 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.
• Cinematography Techniques
  April, 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&he…
• 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&h…
• 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…
• FloLight MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent LED Light Kit Review
  March, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For truly versatile lighting suitable for all users check out FloLight's MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent video lights.
• 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…
• 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…
• Let There be Light... for Less
  February, 2012
  by Michael Fitzer
  Why use light other than the sun or your house lights? Proper lighting will give depth and clarity to your subjects, and soften objects you don't want in the…
• Risky Business - Film and Video Insurance
  February, 2012
  by Mark Jensen
  Don't put your livelihood and creativity at risk. Film and video insurance is a must for most video business people, to protect you, and your product.
• Free Sound Effects
  January, 2012
  by Hal Robertson
  It happens when you least expect it - you suddenly realize you need some sound effects for your project but you have no budget. Now what?
• How to Make a Video
  January, 2012
  by Kyle Cassidy
  You gotta start somewhere. Sometime along your path, you contemplated shooting video or you shot some footage and decided you liked doing it, now what?
• 5 Tips for Handheld Shooting
  December, 2011
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Whether you're out for a quick shoot, or are lugging your gear a long distance, you can't always take a tripod along. Here are some tips for hand-held shooting…
• Smartphone Cinematography
  December, 2011
  by Jay Montana
  In your front pocket sits a more sophisticated filmmaking tool than all of Hollywood had for the first half of last century. It's your smartphone, and in…
• Blocking People
  December, 2011
  by Kyle Cassidy
  How do successful movie directors get their actors to move and interact so naturally? By blocking the scene and giving the actors good direction concerning…
• Get Real with Practicals
  December, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Blazing a room with studio lights without using the glow from household lamps looks fake. Most movie sets use 'practicals' in their scenes to imply realism.
• Audio Software Buyer's Guide: Sound Editing
  November, 2011
  by Ben Balser
  How many times have you heard this: If a video is technically poor, the audience might forgive it, but if the audio suffers, the audience will walk.
• Can You Hear Me Now? A Microphone Buyer's Guide
  November, 2011
  by Ron Jones
  What makes great video? Simply put - great audio! As a videographer you can have great shooting and editing skills but if the audio stinks so will the video…
• Color Temperature for Video
  October, 2011
  by Michael Fitzer
  Why is color temperature awareness important in the AV industry? Whether it's setting white balance for iPhone 4 or Nikon D90, your camera needs a starting…
• Halloween Ghastly Effects
  October, 2011
  by Peter Zunitch
  How to Make a Ghost - You don't need any supernatural power to create a real video ghost, it's all in the production techniques and the storytelling art.