December 2012
Planning to buy a new cam? Check out our annual All Camcorder's Buyer's Guides before you buy! Bonus: Our Video Gear "Holiday Wish List", plus don't shoot until you know the legalities of making stunt videos. Also inside: Using scrims and reflectors, making bumps and segues, and stock footage: buying it and selling it.
Features Stories
Stock Footage Buyer's Guide
When your client wants shots of preticular places, events, backgrounds etc. that you don't have at your disposal what do you do? You look for stock footage to meet the clients needs and get the job done.
2012 Holiday Shoppers' Video Wish List
What does one get for the video producer that has everything? Why, the latest and greatest of course. Innovation in the world of video is a never-ending beast and you can be sure that a plethora of new goodies has appeared on the market throughout the year. We'll take a look at some of the newcomers, and a few of the oldies that are sure to put a smile on your favorite video producer's face. We'll have a look also, at a few items that are especially well suited for stuffing those eagerly awaiting stockings hanging from the mantel.
Buying the Best Camcorder: All Camcorders Buyer's Guide
With so many camcorder options available, it can be difficult to pinpoint which one rules supreme. Truth be told, the best camcorder out there is the one that's best for you.
Reviews
CyberLink Media Suite 10 Editing Suite Review
Suitable for both the complete novice and the more experienced digital media enthusiast, CyberLink Media Suite 10 has everything you need to get the job done right.
Autodesk Smoke 2013 Visual Effects Software Review
Smoke 2013 is a very powerful tool and a great step forward. Plan to put some time into learning everything about this deep program.
Litepanels Sola ENG Flight Kit Lights Review
From the single, on-camera lighting scenario to full on, three-point interview lighting, mobile video professionals will find everything they need in the Litepanels Sola ENG Flight Kit.
Samsung HMX-QF20BN Switch Grip Camcorder Review
If you're looking for a budget priced, ultra-compact camcorder, and either-handed shooting capability, then look no further than the Samsung HMX-QF20 with Switch Grip 2.0 technology.
HTC One X Smartphone Review
The HTC One X is a great phone, with an easy to use camera for video and still shots; overall an enjoyable video capturing device.
LG Lucid VS840 Smartphone Review
With all the goodness of a quality, affordable mobile phone, the snappy quickness of dual CPU processing and an easy-to-use, effective video editor, the LG Lucid is definitely worth a close look.
Columns
GoPro Hero3 Interview: Not just for BMX Videos Anymore
And you thought it was only used for adventure sports... What the GoPro Hero3 is heading toward and how it is being used within a whole other market.
Morgan Spurlock Supersized - From Reality TV to Documentarian - part 2
Morgan Spurlock shared his creative process and tips for success in a telephone interview with Videomaker recently. In this second installment of our two-part series we find out how getting your audience emotionally involved in the story helps drive its success.
Morgan Spurlock - Inspired by Need to Find Answers - part 1
In a 2004 New York Times review of Morgan Spurlock's Oscar-nominated documentary Supersize Me the reviewer sums up: "His movie goes down easy and takes a while to digest, but its message is certainly worth the loss of your appetite."
6 Reasons To Go Hand-Held
Hand-held camerawork has become a staple of modern film/video production. It's time to ditch the tripod and get your hands dirty.
Using Scrims and Reflectors
Videography is about capturing light. Light is your paint and the scene is your palette. You can improve your paint job with quality paint brushes and good paint.
Sports Video
Shooting sports video is as exciting as the event, but each sport or venue calls for a different approach. Shooting for one player or one team can also change your focus.
Stunt Videos - Don't Try this at Home
If you're interested in creating videos of actors performing stunts, playing with fireworks, or anything else, beware of the legal consequences of your actions.
The Current State of Codecs
There's much more to visual communication than simply slapping a series of shots together. With video, you need to think about the way you connect your shots.
Stock Footage: How to Earn Income Selling your Video
Making videos. It's a wonderful pastime and but can also offer you a creative career is the world of stock footage. Whether you make video for fun, for friends of for profit, those little clips you love might earn you a little bit of income now and then.
Viewfinder: In-Camera Editing
In-camera editing has become a lost art. It can, however, save time and money for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Departments
Sony HVL-LBPB LED Video Light
The HVL-LBPB is a flexible, sturdy, powerful LED lighting solution for every videographer's lighting needs.
Video Copilot Optical Flares
Optical Flares by Video Copilot is a plug-in for After Effects, used in post production image editing.
Filmtools Gripper 3025 Jr.
Utilizing these cinematography techniques require the use of specialized equipment to enable the required setups. There often come situations where a camera needs to be supported independently on objects or surfaces, one such application being shooting the interior of a moving car without having to outfit the vehicle with bracing supports for camera. This is where camera mounts with suction cups come handy.
Polaroid XS100HD Hi-Definition Sports Camera
Professional cameras are a highly specialized piece of equipment intended to be used for specific applications. Then there are consumer cameras that are suitable for everyday use by the general people. For people who seek thrill and adventures in sports and other physical activities, these cameras may not be able to meet their demands. This requires use of cameras that have been designed by taking such applications into consideration.
RØDE PodcasterUSB Broadcast Microphone
Personal computers (PCs) have become common due to their versatility and portability for example laptops and notebooks. It is natural that PCs have found their applications in virtually all walks of life. When it comes to sound recording, the task of recording sound first on the media and then transferring it to a platform for editing or embedding can be inconvenient for amateur users who do not require the use of sophisticated equipment. Rode has provided their Podcaster USB Broadcast Microphone for such type of users.
impact Background Support System
The impact Background Support System comprises of a pair of stands with extendible poles for use in all video and photography shoots.
Porta-Jib Traveler
The Porta-Jib Traveler has a sturdy design and long reach, giving it the basic traits of a good camera jib.
Marshall Electronics V LCD51 Monitor
The V-LCD51 is an LED backlit LCD monitor that has a large viewing angle and a variety of features found in most professional camera mounted monitors.
Canon EOS C300 Cinema Camera
The Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camera is an Electro-Optical System (EOS) single reflex digital camera.
Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Lite
Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Lite is the free version of the popular software which is used for color correction in video and digital images.
JVC GY-HM600U ProHD Camera
The JVC GY-HM600U is a "next-generation" ProHD camera for all aspects of shooting video. It offers a lightweight body and quality low light shooting performance.
Assisted Editing 7toX for Final Cut Pro
7toX for Final Cut Pro is a professional yet lightweight application purchased through the Mac App Store. This editing application, with its drag and drop capabilities makes it a very simple process to assist you in bringing older editing projects from Final Cut Pro 7 or 6 into Final Cut Pro X. If you have any older projects which may be unfinished or may need to be updated, you can use the application software to help.
Sony FS700UK Camcorder
The Sony FS700UK Camcorder is Sony’s latest Super Slow Motion camera, and is actually designed for high speed filming.
Chyron Bluenet
The Chyron Bluenet is an end-to-end workflow and order management system that can be utilised to minimise the time taken from graphics being created to being broadcast on television.