Directing Articles

• Crew
• Interview Subjects
• Live Event Production
• Talent

• 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…
• 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.
• 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.
• 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…
• Essentials for New Directors
  September, 2011
  by Earl Chessher
  The term "director" can conjure images of someone with a megaphone, barking orders, looking harried and perhaps sweating profusely - even swearing.
• Interviewing Tips
  September, 2011
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Whether you're interviewing your family for grandma and grandpa's 50th anniversary, the CEO of a business for a training video, or even a politician for a news…
• Interviewing Your Parents
  August, 2011
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Imagine talking to your ancestors - the ones who "crossed the water", "traversed a continent", "built a dynasty" to get you where you are today. What would you…
• Six Tips to Directing Talent
  July, 2011
  by Earl Chessher
  Most people aren't pros trained to appear on camera, so you need to learn successful tricks to getting your "talent" to say and do what you want - even without talent.
• Green Screen Directing
  March, 2011
  by Marshal M. Rosenthal
  Anyone who desires to direct a Hollywood-like movie on an independent budget can do so, now that green screen technology has become easier to produce.
• Tips for Making Professional Looking Interviews
  February, 2011
  by Percy Ledbetter
  From having only one camcorder at your disposal to preparing your interview subject, these tips used by the pros can help you record a professional interview&he…
• Inspiring Directors
  January, 2011
  by Peter Gerstenzang
  While learning to become a director, our author has received sage advice from his mentor and friend, Ron Howard that he shares with Videomaker readers.
• Interview Styles
  December, 2010
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Interviews on TV are quite common, and not just during the news. Interviews are so popular, entire shows are built around the idea of one person asking another…
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 3 - Shooting and Editing
  September, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  Almost everyone who has a story to tell dreams about making a documentary at some time. Bringing that dream to fruition can become a reality now that the…
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 2 - Funding, Financing and Budgeting
  July, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  Once you are bitten by the documentary bug, you might see all sorts of stories you think you can make a doc on. But before you shoot that very first frame, you…
• Talking the Talk: Director to DP
  May, 2010
  by Peter Biesterfeld
  Long shot, wide shot and medium closeup are just the beginning of communicating to the DP, your Director of Photography. Talking the talk takes a lot more…
• Protecting Kids' Identities
  January, 2010
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  There's no problem videotaping your own children or those that you personally know, but what if you have a need to shoot children on a playground or in a…
• What you need to start a videography business
  June, 2009
  by Peter Biesterfeld
  The mindset and video equipment you will need to start a videography business and make money with videos as a professional videographer.
• 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.
• Directing Children
  December, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Directing children for your video can try your patience, as they are easily distracted, need plenty of visual instruction and communicate differently from…
• The Director and the DP
  October, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  As a solo artist, what happens when you land a gig with a budget for crew? Your most important relationship will be with your Director of Photography.
• Small Crew Directing
  August, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Someday, you may have to hire, beg, borrow or coerce some people to join you on your video adventure. Keep it friendly, stick with a plan and you - and they -…
• 10 Voiceover Tips
  March, 2008
  by Hal Robertson
  Voiceovers are the mainstays of advertising, instruction and promotional videos, television programs and feature films.
• Halloween Hijinks with Videomaker's Hideous Video Horrors!
  October, 2007
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Something wicked this way comes.
• 10 Steps to the Best Video for Worship
  September, 2007
  by Hal Robertson
  Shooting within the confines of a live event can try the patience of Job. But pulling it off is heavenly joy.
• Charity Video
  August, 2007
  by Brian Schaller
  For aspiring video producers, it's always hard to find some interesting subject matter. Are you looking for an audience?
• Multicam Shooting
  July, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Whether it's shooting a wedding, baseball game, church service or two-person interview, shooting it with more than one camera can be a time-saving and very…
• Videotaping Sporting Events
  May, 2007
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Football, baseball, hockey, tennis. Swimming, cycling, running and lacrosse. Sports shooting is an art unto itself, and every sport has shooting hurdles to…
• Directing a Fall
  April, 2007
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Physical comedy has been a hallmark of the film industry since the early days of the silent film.
• Lock your Doors! Video Horror Stories are Back!
  October, 2006
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  From dropping a mic out of a helicopter over a raging forest fire to stumbling into a cesspool full of... Well...you know...a decades-long career as a news…