Tips and Tricks

Camera Shots & Tricks

How to shoot deceptive angles, including the zolly shooting technique and why you should include multiple different angles.

• How to Composite Video for Inserting Backgrounds in Sets

  Ever wonder how amazing backgrounds are inserted behind characters? This video will show you how to composite video so your characters can seamlessly move in fr …
• How to Make Your Video Look Like Film

  How to give video a film look using 24p.
• How to Cut Video Transitions for Action Scenes

  How to cut video for edit various types of action scenes.
• How to Shoot a Fight Scene

  How to use editing, continuity, and camera techniques to create a realistic and dramatic fight scene in your action video.
• On-line Video Revenue Opportunities

  How to make money making videos for on-line revenue sharing sites. Learn how to make money on YouTube, Metacafe, Veoh and Blip TV.
• Business Opportunities in Event Videography

  There are many opportunities in event videography in addition to wedding videos. Today videographers are getting jobs videotaping theatrical performances, conce …
• Make Money With On-Line Video Distribution

  How to use on-demand DVD distribution to make money with video over the Internet.
• How to Win a Video Contest

  Essential guidelines and tips to follow in order to win a video contest.
• Making Money With Stock Video Footage

  Learn how to create stock video footage and make money selling it over the Internet on stock photo/video sites.
• How to Start a Wedding Video Business

  Key things videographers should consider in order to succeed in the wedding video business.
• Fair Use & Copyrights

  We take a look at what is and isn't allowed to use, when creating your documentary.
• Access Challenges for Documentary Makers

  Gaining access to people or places is one of the main challenges documentary makers face when making their movies. These tips should help you find your way.
• Documentary Making Tips - Character Development

  Documentary making tips on how to develop characters that keep your audience interested in the story.
• Documentary Storytelling

  Learn about the key ingredients documentary makers use for successful documentary storytelling.
• The History of Making Documentaries

  The history of making documentaries. Everything from the Lumier Brothers in the late 1800s, to the birth of "Reality TV".
• How 3 Types of the Documentary Genre Are Made

  Learn about 3 of the more commonly known types of the documentary genre. They include: Observational, Expository and Participatory.
• Web Video Compression and Codecs

  How to use video compression and choose the right video codec for uploading video to Youtube and other video sharing sites.
• Best Practices for Using a Web Cam

  Best practices for using a webcam for video sharing sites, video conferencing, and video blogging.
• History of Online Video and YouTube

  History of Online Video growth from early video cameras to the evolution of YouTube.
• Video Optimization Strategies for SEO & SEM.

  Tips on building an online audience through marketing and video optimization.
• How to Select a tripod, microphone and camera for web video production.

  Yes, you can use a web cam to produce a choppy online video with horrible sound, but you're likely to lose credibility in the first few seconds. You can get a b …
• How to Shoot Online Video

  Learn how to shoot for a small video sharing screen, to create better online videos.
• Video Uploading Step-by-Step

  Learn the step-by-step video uploading process on three video sharing sites-Youtube, Metacafe & Vimeo.
• How To Get The Perfect Greenscreen Key

  Learn how to get the perfect greenscreen key in Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro and Sony Vegas.
• Greenscreen Planning

  Learn how to apply greenscreen effects to a window, windshield or door. Examine how we planned out our video shoot to utilize a greenscreen to create an outdoo …
• Video Production Lighting To Create Emotion

  Learn how use lighting effects to create an emotional impact on the viewer.
• Videomaker's Favorite Greenscreen Effects

  How to enhance your video with greenscreen effects you can use in your studio.
• Advanced Video Lighting Techniques

  Learn some unique lighting techniques to add a professional touch to your video.
• Movie Making History of Blue and Green Screen Effects

  Explore the history of Chroma Key. Everything from blue screen to green screen!
• Budget Lighting

  Lighting on a budget. Learn how to substitute expensive video lighting equipment with inexpensive alternatives.
• Common Chromakey Mistakes

  How to avoid common chomakey mistakes when using a green screen.
• Lighting Basics - Three Point Lighting

  Learn the foundation for all good video lighting techniques.
• Virtual Sets

  How to use a Green Screen and Adobe Ultra to make virtual sets for your videos.
• Hit By A Car

  This shows 2 methods for faking a person being hit by a car. One uses Adobe Photoshop and editing software, requiring time & effort to add realistic detail. The …
• Earthquake FX

  Some simple tips on re-creating an earthquake.
• Bullet Effects

  How to make realistic bullet effects using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere instead of explosives.
• Gun Muzzle Flashes &Blast Sounds

  Adding gun muzzle flashes and blast sounds to your shootout scenes is easy to do in post production. Learn how to build intensity using post-production editing …
• How to Create Fire

  Tutorial on how to create fire using Adobe Premiere and Particle Illusion.
• Video Green Screen Magic Tricks

  Jennifer shows you how to create a magic wand effect using special effects and video green screen background software.
• Foley Sound (Part 2)

  Jennifer shows you how to make sound effects free of royalties and copyright problems.
• Natural Transitions

  John walks through the Hows, Whys & Whens of effectively using Natural Transitions.
• Chromakey

  From start to completion, Charlie walks through the basics of achieving a Green Screen effect.
• Capturing Clean Sounding Audio

  Charlie demonstrates how to control incoming audio to your camcorder and capture clean sounding audio.
• Choosing Headphones

  Jennifer covers many considerations when choosing and using headphones while shooting video.
• Hiding a Lav Mic

  John presents a treasure trove of tips on how to conceal a lav microphone on your subject.
• Boom Mics

  Charlie demonstrates techniques for recording quality sound with a boom mic.
• Wireless Mics

  Mark covers the dos & don'ts of using a wireless mic.
• Lav Mics

  Jennifer demonstrates tips for using a Lav Mic.
• Field Mixing

  Mark covers the basics of field mixing.
• Sound For Live Events

  Mark explores the best ways to get good sound while shooting a live event.
• Foley Sound

  Mark covers the basics of recording foley sound.
• Sound For An Interview

  Jennifer and Mark demonstrate some techniques for getting good sound during an interview.
• Capturing Sound Outdoors

  Mark covers more tips for capturing sound when shooting outdoors.
• Lens Filters

  Charlie discusses lens filters you can use when shooting your footage.
• Protecting Video Equipment

  Jennifer takes a look at bags & cases designed to help protect your video gear.
• Night Lighting

  Mark explores the basics of lighting for a nighttime shoot.
• Macro Video

  John explores the Hows and Whys of shooting Macro Video.
• 3 Point Lighting

  Mark gives a demonstration on 3 Point Lighting at a recent Videomaker Workshop....
• Shooting Video from a Moving Vehicle

  Jennifer demonstrates the different ways to shoot video from a moving vehicle.
• Depth of Field

  Mark and Andrew demonstrate two shooting tricks using depth of field. (Repeat)
• Shooting Using Angles

  Jennifer and Andrew demonstrate two shooting tricks using angles. (Repeat)
• Common Continuity Errors

  Jennifer discusses things to watch out for in the Preproduction, Shooting & Post-Production stages to avoid common continuity errors. (Repeat)
• Sound Effects to Enhance Your Videos

  How to capture sound effects to enhance your videos.
• Sped-Up Background Effect

  John demonstrates how to evoke "calm in a chaotic world" with this easy effect.
• Shooting Better Hand-Held Footage

  Jennifer gives Melissa, a beginning videographer, some pointers on shooting better hand-held footage.
• Ghostly Special Effects

  Today John demonstrates an easy way of creating an out-of-body special effect.
• Weather For Mood

  This week Brandon explores how to use weather to effect the mood of your video.
• Shooting in Extreme Weather

  This week Brandon demonstrates some tips about surviving and filming a natural disaster or extreme weather event. Last Friday Chico was struck by the storm of t …
• Special Effects for Visual Dynamics

  This week Brandon demonstrates how to perform a few special effects that can improve the visual dynamics of your videos.
• Shooting in Snow

  This week Brandon goes into the wilderness to demonstrate techniques for shooting video in the snow. What situations to avoid, and what situations provide ideal …
• Foley Sound Effects

  This week Brandon, Joseph and Jennifer demonstrate how to perform and record Foley sound effects, which will improve the sound(s) in your videos.
• Create Your Own Soundtrack

  This week Brandon gives a live demonstration on recording an instrument directly into a computer's music creation software, and then create your own soundtrack.
• Chromakey in Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro

  In this week's episode, Brandon gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the Chroma Key effect in Premiere pro and Final Cut Pro.
• Capturing Sunrise &Sunset

  This week Brandon talks about ways to capture a great sunrise or sunset on video. He demonstrates this technique using footage he shot on a recent trip to the S …
• Fake Blood

  In this week's episode, Brandon Pinard will show you a cheap and easy way to create a fake blood special effect.
• Capturing Ambient Noise

  This week Brandon discusses the audio technique "capturing Ambient Noise". He describes how to do it and why it can improve your video's overall sense of depth …
• Time Remapping

  Brandon Pinard gives some tips about how and when to use time remapping in your productions.
• Voice Over Audio Track

  In this special Halloween edition of Videomaker Presents, Brandon explains how to record a voice over audio track. Using voice over is very common in film and t …
• Special Effects With Shadows &Props

  How to create special effects with shadows using props & patterns.
• Pans &Titles

  How to create pans & titles when using stills in Adobe Premiere.
• Shooting Landscape

  In this weeks episode of John talks about some techniques that are used to capture vast landscapes...in a small frame. John goes over the basics of how to capt …
• Natural Wipes

  In this week's , Jennifer talks about the technique known as "Natural Wipes". She gives several examples of these types of "in camera" transitions and how they …
• Highlighting Examples in Clips

  This week Brandon explains in-depth the technique known as cutting on the action. Brandon explains this technique by highlighting examples of clips that are cut …
• Cut, fade, &dissolve

  This week Brandon discusses the most commonly used transitions in television and film: the Cut, the fade and the dissolve. He will cover the basic definition of …
• The 180 degree rule

  Learn the post production element of rotoscoping & creating live action animation special effects.
• Rotoscoping

  Learn the post production element of rotoscoping & creating live action animation special effects.
• Animation Special Effects

  How to create live action to video capture animation special effects.
• Color Correction Techniques

  How to use Color Correction techniques in Adobe CS2 to create professional looking video.
• Depth of Field

  John explains how to use depth of field to your advantage.
• Deceptive Shooting

  This week's Videomaker vidcast highlights the techniques of deceptive shooting. Simple camera skills and tricks of perspective that sell your shots.
• DVD Tricks

  John introduces us to tips from our DVD series, with a look at style, types making effective lower thirds and bugs; including good Style and animation technique …
• DVD Navigation and Linkage

  John introduces us to some DVD "Navigation & Linkage" tips.
• Different Mics

  John shows us different types of mics to determine which is best for your needs.
• Advanced Editing tips

  In our Video Bits & Bytes segment, Mark discusses Digieffects and some interesting information from CEA. Derek talks about Apple's iPhone, Adobe Visual Comm …
• Editing For Continuity

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, John introduces some tips on editing for continuity.
• Interior Lighting

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, John introduces some tips on interior lighting.
• More Hand-Held Shooting Tricks

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Jennifer is back with more hand-held shooting tricks for camera movement.
• Lighting for Chromakey

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Andrew and Mark focus on lighting for Chroma Keying.
• Sound Effects On Location

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, John shows how to record sound effects on location.
• Get a Show onto Current TV

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Jennifer interviews documentary filmmakers Andrew Burke and Morgan Paar about how to get a show onto Current TV.
• Underwater Video

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Jennifer and Andrew goes pool-side with a couple tricks to shooting underwater video without breaking the bank for expensive housi …
• Interviewing Tips

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Jennifer demonstrates a couple quick interviewing tips.
• Recording Voice Audio Tracks

  Jennifer has a couple quick guerilla audio tips for recording voice tracks.
• Shot Perspective

  Jennifer shows us how taking the camera from eye level to a low or higher level can change the perspective of a shot and enhance the emotional mood of your scen …
• Avoiding Continuity Errors

  Jennifer shows how to avoid continuity errors in your production.
• Deceptive Shooting Part 2

  Mark and Andrew are back with part 2 of deceptive shooting: this installment is how to use depth of field to realistically shoot fake fights.
• Deceptive Shooting

  Andrew and Mark have some easy-to-do tips on deceptive shooting... just in time for April Fool's day.
• Handheld Tips

  Jennifer shows new video user, Melissa Hageman, some simple handheld tips, and Melissa then creates a "First Week of Spring" photo essay for us.
• Rainy Day Tips

  Andrew has some rainy day tips to keeping your gear safe and dry.
• One Man Band

  Jennifer and Andrew show us different ways to shoot yourself when you're in the field working as a "One Man Band."
• Words From The Pros

  Recently, Videomaker was invited to a special reception honoring this year's documentarians nominated for Academy Awards. For this week's "Tips & Tricks" segmen …
• Different Shot Types

  ennifer, Mark and Andrew demonstrating different shot types and showing you how to use them effectively in your video.
• Colorizing Your Edited Video

  Mark shares tips on colorizing your edited video for style.
• Talent Makeup

  Jennifer has tips on a difficult subject for some men... how to apply makeup on your talent.
• Realistic Ways to Fake a Fall

  Jennifer and John showing you realistic ways to fake a fall.. and some of the props and skills you'll need to pull them off.
• Time Control

  Tips from John and Jennifer on TIME CONTROL: timelapse,... how to artistically edit down long shots...and more..
• Screen direction

  Jennifer and John once again go out in the field to answer some confusing questions about screen direction.
• Deceptive shots: fake Fire, Camera Shake and Fake Rain

  Jennifer and John go out on location to experiment with making a sunny day look rainy, a studio look like a fire-lit setting, and creating some "camera shake" m …
• How to enter video contests

  Sorenson Squeeze 4.5.3 update in our News & Technology segment. This is a maintainence update that includes the addition of batch capture & error log. I …
• How to read color bars

  In our News & Technology segment, Blackmagic ships HDMI Intensity; Mark tells you about that along with a Panasonic announcement of a universal format live …
• “Best of” tips

  In our News & Technology segment, Mark has news from Cyberlink, HP, NewTek & Sony and Derek has some news on a few video sharing sites to watch includin …
• On-camera lights

  In our News & Technology segment, Derek has some exciting news in the video-sharing world. Samsung has developed a phone that delivers Divix media. A new si …
• Lights for production

  In our News & Technology segment, Derek and Mark tell you about Hitachi's newest DVD/Hard Drive Camcorder and some great news on DVD and CD prices slashing …
• Power management for lighting. Secrets of story telling.

  In our News & Technology segment, Derek and Mark look at a couple of "Off Shore Sightings" from Japan... JVC has a new Everio prototype while Panasonic is …
• Business of video

  In our News & Technology segment with Mark and Derek, JVC's announces a new pro HD camcorder, AJA introduces a miniature converter for H-D-M-I as well as ne …
• Low light shooting. Legal issues.

  In our News & Technology segment with Mark and Derek, It's the "Battle of the Titans" over video-sharing. Telecom networks, Verison and Comcast, are getting …
• Color correction tools

  In our News & Technology segment , Mark and Derek discuss two powerful video editing computers: Gateway's Beefy F-X-530 workstation and Alienware's latest l …
• Camcorder recycling tips. Editing tricks.

  In our News & Technology segment, forget the paid political commercials, YouTube has pols in their real element, uncut and uncensored. Derek and Mark will t …
• Green screen. New gear buyer tips.

  In our News & Technology segment with Mark & Derek, we discuss Adobe's acquisition of "Serious Magic," makers of such software as "DV Rack" which we dem …
• Reader and view surveys. Still pictures for video.

  In our News & Technology segment with Mark and Derek, we talk about Warner's involvement with YouTube... is this the beginning of the corporate squeeze for …
• Home networking for video. Shoot to show versus shoot to edit.

  News and Technology – with Brian & Derek Current & Yahoo Microsoft Soft soapbox Micron announces 5 megapixel HD sensor South by S …
• Choosing an HDTV for video production

  News and Technology – with Mark & Derek Boris Red, Final Cut, Media 100 updates Sony V1U 64GB Flash, flash notebooks 50 years of the …
• Color bars - hue and saturation. DV rack announcement.

  News and Technology – with Mark & Derek Sony HDR-FX7 announced Sony VegasXX- Adobe Premiere Elements 3, Photoshop Elements 5 iStock phot …
• Reading color bars. Serious Magic's DV Rack.

  News and Technology – with Mark & Derek Vegas/Vegas Movie Studio Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo Expert Village Grouper and eBay... Sony pote …
• Encoding video, CODECs and wrappers.

  News and Technology - with Mark and Derek Mark at WEVA Stock20--$7/song music library, 6 new entries/month. Triple Scoop Music—stoc …
• Video festivals. Entering contests.

  In our News & Technology segment with Mark and Derek... we'll show you how Dell manufacturer is helping users return notebooks that are equipped with batt …
• Tripod tips

  In our News and Technology segment Andrew and Mark usher in International Home Movie Day with a fun camcorder modification, and talk about "My Hero" film fest …
• Coiling cables. Tripod do's and don'ts.

  News and Technology with Andrew & Mark Canon delivers a one-two punch announcing a new high-definition and a new dual-layer DVD camcorder. JVC an …
• Custom grip kit. Motherboard settings.

  News and Technology New Canon camcorders New Kata bags Newspapers with camcorders Sonic Toast 7 adds BD support AMD buys ATI $5.4b RFID c …
• Do not eat silica. Working on computers and gear.

  News and Technology JVC HDV camcorder Blender Open Source Inteli Disc Intel core 2 duo Sony AVCHD Tips and Techniques - Jennifer & …
• Software filters vs. lens filters. Keeping track of batteries.

  News and Technology - Morgan & Andrew Advertising models on YouTube & Bit Torrent Ricoh (REE-co) has developed a prism that can read both Blu …
• Cleaning camera lens. Using hard filters.

  News and Technology - Morgan & Andrew Seagate: new drive technology BenQ's Blu-ray burner Apple completely ditches CRTs—no more eMac …
• Multi-cam shooting. Shooting fireworks.

  News and Technology - Morgan & Andrew New York Times Internet video blog Warner Bros., Google, AOL all doing Internet video ShopWiki paying fo …
• Traveling with a camcorder. Identifying mics.

  Tips and Techniques Jennifer: Traveling with your camcorder. Airport security Brian: Using and identifying mics
• Shooting From A Helicopter

  Tips and LETTERS - JO/AB Reader question: Shooting from a helicopter Tip: Popscreen Contact us at: Web / Forum Page
• Letters and Tips

  JO/CF Reader question #1: Tell me more about Vidcasting Reader question #2: How do I submit "Take 20" videos for critique?
• Letters and Tips

  mp/bp PLUG: Contact us at: Web /forum Page
• Letters and Tips

  Tips and LETTERS - * Reader question: BP: "Why can't I load the Vidcast?" * TIP: JO - Beanbag cam & clothes pins * TIP: BP - Wide angle & macro …
• Letters and Tips

  Tips and LETTERS - BP/MP Reader letter: from 15 year old featured on MTV - 4th in four-part series on Making your own vidcast - Distribution & Marketing PLUG: C …
• Letters and Tips

  Tips and LETTERS - Andrew/ Brian * Reader question: How much coverage will we be giving to high definition formats? * Part three of four on How to Crea …
• Letters and Tips

  With Charlie / Brian
• Letters and Tips

  With Brian / Andrew
• Audio Slate

  Brian / Charlie * TIP: Audio Slate * QUESTION: Limited location for action subjects * QUESTION: Vidcasting - announce 4-part series 1. Pla …
• Letters and Tips

  Letters from Readers
• 2 Questions

  TIPs, 2-questions
• Letters and Tips

  News and Technology- Dell/Alienware merger,HD-DVD in a laptop (1920x1080) Fuel cell technology -14 hour batteries Video Internet Blowout Steadicam Merlin …
• Mirror Mirror

  Mirror Mirror with Brian
• Letters and Tips

  Hands on: HC3 and Xacti camcorders, PMA video: Kata bags, Video Profile: Brian Taylor's "Vision", DV tape quality explained, DVD burning tips, watch Oscar short …
• Letters and Tips

  SONY HC3, Canopus Edius Pro 3, Viewer Video: Jason Adair's "Speed", Andrew Lock's "How to Shoot Edit and Distribute HDV", Tips and Tricks: shoot your watch, red …
• Letters and Tips

  YouTube video contest, new nVidia chip, IndieDolly demo, MacBook Pro ships, "Le Combat du Samourai" video, Tips&Tricks
• Letters and Tips

  DV at Sundance, SONY interview, "Beijing Golf Classic" viewer video, Transferring old home movies, Terabyte drives
• Letters and Tips