December 2011
December is the time for Videomaker's annual "All Camcorders Buyer's Guide" so if you're looking to buy a new camcorder before the Holiday Season, wait no longer. From small point-n-shoot consumer cams to beefy pro cams with all the bells and whistles, we've got them all in this issue. Plus - if you're relying only on your mobile phone for your video memories, this issue also has tips for shooting with your Smartphone.
Also in the December edition, tips for syncing sound, staging people, lighting with practicals and things to know before you buy that next editing computer. Plus, reviews from Panasonic, Samsung, Contour, RODE and Litepanels. Let the holidays commence!
Features Stories
Stock Footage Buyer's Guide - Stocking Up On Pictures and Sound
Where do you turn for pictures and sound if you are a director or producer with a skeleton crew and a modest budget? Where do you turn for footage of a polar bear and her cubs, if you live in California? You turn to Stock Footage - that's where.
All Camcorders Buyer's Guide
Video camcorders are available in all price ranges and for all types of people - regardless of age or occupation. Knowing the type of camcorder that best suits your needs will result in one happy camper.
Smartphone Cinematography
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 addition to games, maps and email, it also sports surprisingly robust video capabilities. So, pause Angry Birds for a moment and start shooting smartphone video you'll want to call home about.
Reviews
Litepanels Sola ENG Fresnel Review
Priced for the enthusiast or professional the Litepanels Sola ENG camera-mountable Fresnel light delivers serious performance in a lightweight package.
Samsung HMX-H304BN HD Camcorder Review
Delivers about what you'd expect from a medium-end HD camcorder. It's affordable and reliable. Video quality is uneven.
Contour, Inc.Contour+ Sport Cam Review
If you're a thrill seeker who wants to take your audience along for the ride, the Contour+ is one great way to get them there.
Panasonic HDC-TM80 HD Camcorder Review
For the price you pay and the features you get, the TM80 is a solid investment for anyone looking for a convenient video recording option.
Columns
Viewfinder: Unscripted
Sometimes you spend weeks working on shotlists, storyboards and scooting scripts; and Sometimes you shoot just for fun, and you don't have a plan - your story unfolds unscripted.
Blocking People
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 where they need to be.
Get Real with Practicals
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.
5 Tips for Handheld Shooting
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 when you don't have your trusty stable 'pod around.
Reader Profile - Dwight Douglas
Video creation is sometimes a singular business, but video producers are a social lot who work and play in many areas of video production and love to share their stories. This column introduces you to your fellow video producers.
Sync Sound: How to Work With Pocket Audio Recorders
What do you do if your camera doesn't record good audio? With the increased use of DSLRs and cell phone for video shooting, you'll likely need to sync sound.
Departments
New Gear: K-Tek, GenArts, Sony, Sanho Corporation, Audio-Technica
The gear you gotta have - The craft of making video takes a lot of stuff. This page is set to bring you the newest latest pieces of video support tools we find.
