Theory Articles

• New Titles: Cinematic Storytelling, After Effects CS5 Visual Effects and Compositing Studio Techniques, DSLR Cinema
  August, 2011
  by Morgan Paar
  Media Reviews
• The History of Video - Historical Showdown
  June, 2011
  by Peter Zunitch
  Some technological breakthroughs were marvelous time-savers, others were, well, not so stellar. Here's a look back at the beginnings of video gadget history.
• Videomaker's Silver Anniversary
  June, 2011
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  "It's a magazine about a powerful tool and how you can use it effectively in many situations, some of which have yet to be discovered." Matt York, Viewfinder…
• Viewfinder: Storytelling in Just One Frame?
  February, 2011
  by Matthew York
  When we decide where to point a camera, we are composing a shot. The choices are infinite.
• 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&…
• How to Make a Documentary: Part 1 Story Development
  May, 2010
  by Morgan Paar
  In this four-part series on How to Make a Documentary, we will first look at Story Development, then investigate Funding, Financing and Budgeting and finally…
• Sound Track: Speaking of Specs
  July, 1996
  by Jerry Whaley
  Specifications capture the essence of equipment performance. Understanding them will make you a savvy shopper.
• Audio Advice: Digital Audio Basics
  April, 1996
  by Chris Meyer
  What digital audio is, and how it's going to change what we actually hear when we play back our video masterpieces.
• Edit Suite: Deck Control, Once Over Lightly
  January, 1998
  by Jim Stinson
  If you plan to buy an editing system or improve your current one, it pays to understand edit protocols.
• Lens Accessories: Stretch Your Visual Limits
  February, 1998
  by Bob Stephenson
  We show you how to select the right optical marvels for your needs and how to use them to get the most from your camcorder.
• Analog vs. Digital Editing
  March, 1998
  by Jim Stinson
  Clarity shines on the murky confusion surrounding the two types of signals.
• Good Sound? Sounds Good!
  March, 1998
  by Bob Stephenson
  We rely on microphones to get sound into our camcorders and while we use them often, we rarely stop and think about how they work. We explain how mikes…
• Why Y/C?
  January, 1998
  by Loren Alldrin
  Want better color accuracy? Learn the benefits of the Y/C (or S-video) cable. This article explains what this special connector will do for your image quality.
• Sound Advice: Bits and Bytes
  September, 2004
  by Hal Robertson
  Understanding the language of digital audio.
• Through the Looking Glass
  October, 2004
  by Charles Bloodworth
  Upside down and backwards, look at the wonders of video technology by taking a journey through the amazing world of your camcorder.