Tips and Techniques

Camera Shots & Tricks: Deceptive Angles and Zolly Shooting

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.
• Make Money with Online Video Sharing Sites

  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.
• Tips for 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.
• Legal Issues in Documentary: Fair Use & Copyright

  We take a look at what is and isn't allowed to use, when creating your documentary.
• Getting Location Access 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.
• Story, Character and Access in 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.
• Web Cam for Video Sharing Websites, Blogging & Conferencing

  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.
• Build an Audience with SEO Video Optimization Strategies

  Tips on building an online audience through marketing and video optimization.
• Select 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 …
• Shoot Online Video for a Small Sharing Screen

  Learn how to shoot for a small video sharing screen, to create better online videos.
• Uploading Video to YouTube, Metacafe & Vimeo

  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.
• How to Tell a Video Story with Green Screen

  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.
• Lighting Car Interiors, Keyside Lighting, Timelapse Lighting

  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!
• Lighting on a Budget: Cheap Key Lights, Back Lights and More

  Lighting on a budget. Learn how to substitute expensive video lighting equipment with inexpensive alternatives.
• Avoid Chomakey Mistakes when Using Green Screen

  How to avoid common chomakey mistakes when using a green screen.
• Three Point Lighting Forms Basis of Good Lighting Fundamentals

  Learn the foundation for all good video lighting techniques.
• How to Create a Virtual Background with Adobe Ultra

  How to use a Green Screen and Adobe Ultra to make virtual sets for your videos.
• How to get 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 …
• How to Simulate an Earthquake for Video

  Some simple tips on re-creating an earthquake.
• How to Add Bullet Holes to Your Videos

  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.
• Create a Magic Wand Effect with Video Green Screen Special Effects

  Jennifer shows you how to create a magic wand effect using special effects and video green screen background software.
• Royalty-Free Sound Effects with Foley

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

  John walks through the Hows, Whys & Whens of effectively using Natural Transitions.
• Create a Convincing Green Screen Effect with Chromakey

  From start to completion, Charlie walks through the basics of achieving a Green Screen effect.
• Control Incoming Audio to your Camcorder & Capture Clean Audio

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

  Jennifer covers many considerations when choosing and using headphones while shooting video.
• How to Hide a Lavalier Microphone

  John presents a treasure trove of tips on how to conceal a lav microphone on your subject.
• Record Quality Sound with a Boom Microphone

  Charlie demonstrates techniques for recording quality sound with a boom mic.
• Learn How to Properly Use a Wireless Mic

  Mark covers the dos & don'ts of using a wireless mic.
• Best Tips for Placing a Lavalier Microphone

  Jennifer demonstrates tips for using a Lav Mic.
• How to Record Audio Outside the Studio with Field Mixing

  Mark covers the basics of field mixing.
• Mic Live Events for Best Audio Capture

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

  Mark covers the basics of recording foley sound.
• Use Lavalier or Handheld Microphone to Get Good interview Audio

  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.
• Common Video Filters

  Charlie discusses lens filters you can use when shooting your footage.
• Bags, Cases & Storage to Protect Video Equipment

  Jennifer takes a look at bags & cases designed to help protect your video gear.
• Three Rules to Shoot Video at Night

  Mark explores the basics of lighting for a nighttime shoot.
• Macro Videography: The Art of the Extreme Close-Up

  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.
• Shooting Using Angles

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

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

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

  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.
• Have an Out-of-Body Experience with Ghostly Special Effects

  Today John demonstrates an easy way of creating an out-of-body special effect.
• How to Use the Weather to Set the Mood in Your Video

  This week Brandon explores how to use weather to effect the mood of your video.
• Video Shooting in Rain Storms and 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.
• White Balance for 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 …
• How to Perform and Record Live 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.
• Record Music Live w/your Computer for a Video 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 on Video

  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 …
• How to Make Fake Blood

  In this week's episode, Brandon Pinard will show you a cheap and easy way to create a fake blood special effect.
• Pick up Natural Ambient Noises from the Environment

  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 Lets You Speed Up, Slow Down Time

  Brandon Pinard gives some tips about how and when to use time remapping in your productions.
• How to Record a 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 …
• Create Shadows Effects Using Props & Patterns

  How to create special effects with shadows using props & patterns.
• Create Pans and Titles Using Stills in Adobe Premiere

  How to create pans & titles when using stills in Adobe Premiere.
• Shooting Nature and Landscapes

  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 …
• Examples of Natural Wipes for In Camera Transitions

  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 …
• Cut on the Action to Create Smooth Transitions

  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 …
• Common Video Transitions: Cut, Fade, and 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 …
• Avoid Confusing Audience by Following Line of Action Rule

  Learn how to use a simple rule to always keep your subjects looking in the right direction."
• Create Live Action Animation Effects with Rotoscoping

  Learn the post production element of rotoscoping & creating live action animation special effects.
• Capture Live Action to Video Animation Special Effects

  How to create live action to video capture animation special effects.
• Color Correction Techniques in Adobe CS2

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

  John explains how to use depth of field to your advantage.
• Make Lower Thirds and Bugs for Corporate Videos

  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.
• Guide to Different Microphones

  John shows us different types of mics to determine which is best for your needs.
• Advanced Video Compositing 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.
• Use Available and Artificial Light for Interior Lighting

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

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

  In our Tips & Tricks segment, Andrew and Mark focus on lighting for Chroma Keying.
• Record 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.
• Shoot Underwater Video on the Cheap

  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 …
• How to Make Interviews Interesting with Single Camera Set-Up

  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.
• Change Shot Perspective to Change your Video's Mood

  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 …
• Avoid Continuity Errors

  Jennifer shows how to avoid continuity errors in your production.
• Deceptive Shooting with Shooting Angles 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.
• Climb a Vertical Wall with Deceptive Video Shooting

  Andrew and Mark have some easy-to-do tips on deceptive shooting... just in time for April Fool's day.
• Tips for Freehand Shooting with a Hand-Held Camera

  Jennifer shows new video user, Melissa Hageman, some simple handheld tips, and Melissa then creates a "First Week of Spring" photo essay for us.
• How to Protect Your Video Gear in the Rain

  Andrew has some rainy day tips to keeping your gear safe and dry.
• How to Shoot Video All By Yourself

  Jennifer and Andrew show us different ways to shoot yourself when you're in the field working as a "One Man Band."
• Words from Professional Oscar-Winning Documentarians

  Recently, Videomaker was invited to a special reception honoring this year's documentarians nominated for Academy Awards. For this week's "Tips & Tricks" segmen …
• Extreme Long Shots, Close-Ups and Other Shot Angles

  ennifer, Mark and Andrew demonstrating different shot types and showing you how to use them effectively in your video.
• Stylize Video with Color Controls in your Editing Program

  Mark shares tips on colorizing your edited video for style.
• How to Apply Stage Make-Up for Manly Men

  Jennifer has tips on a difficult subject for some men... how to apply makeup on your talent.
• How to Stage a Realistic Fake 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.
• How to Artistically Edit Down Long Shots and Control Time

  Tips from John and Jennifer on TIME CONTROL: timelapse,... how to artistically edit down long shots...and more..
• Screen Direction Tips for Continuity: 180 Degree Rule

  Jennifer and John once again go out in the field to answer some confusing questions about screen direction.
• Use Deceptive Shooting to make Fire, Rain and Earthquakes

  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 …
• News on Best New Video Technology and 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 for Portable Video Cameras

  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 …
• Hitachi's newest DVD/Hard Drive Camcorder

  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 …
• First Steps to Starting a Video Business

  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 …
• Copyright Law on Video Sharing Websites

  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 …
• Video 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 …
• Basic Video Editing & Camcorder Recycling Tips

  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 …
• Make Halloween Monsters with Green Screen

  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 Sout …
• 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 o …
• 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 …
• Importance of Color Bars

  News and Technology – with Mark & Derek Vegas/Vegas Movie Studio Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo Expert Village Grouper and eBay... Sony pote …
• Encoding video, Code Cs 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 and Video 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 …
• Best Tripod Tips and Techniques for Steady Camera

  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 Video Cables to Avoid Kinks & Tripod Tips

  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 …
• Video Safety Tips, Indispensible Grip Kit

  News and Technology New Canon camcorders New Kata bags Newspapers with camcorders Sonic Toast 7 adds BD support AMD buys ATI $5.4b …
• 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 …
• How to Clean a Camera Lens & Optics Tips

  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
• Shoot Video From A Helicopter

  Tips and LETTERS - JO/AB Reader question: Shooting from a helicopter Tip: Popscreen Contact us at: Web / Forum Page
• Cushion Tripods for Travel & Other Vidcasting 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 - Contact us at: Web /forum Page

  mp/bp PLUG: Contact us at: Web /forum Page
• Video Tips: Beanbag Cam, Wide Angle & Macro

  Tips and LETTERS - * Reader question: BP: "Why can't I load the Vidcast?" * TIP: JO - Beanbag cam & clothes pins * TIP: BP - Wide angle & macro …
• Reader Letter from 15 Year Old Featured on MTV

  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 …
• HD Video Formats are Wave of the Future

  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 …
• Common Mistakes in Putting Together Your Own Vidcast

  With Charlie / Brian
• Can You Achieve 16x9 Aspect Ratio Without Wide Angle Lens?

  With Brian / Andrew
• Audio Slate

  Brian / Charlie * TIP: Audio Slate * QUESTION: Limited location for action subjects * QUESTION: Vidcasting - announce 4-part series 1. Pla …
• Can You Send a Single MPEG to the Printer?

  Letters from Readers
• How to Capture Directly into DVD

  TIPs, 2-questions
• Merlin Personal Steadicam by Tiffen with Exoskeletal Structure

  Letters and Tips - Dell/Alienware merger
• "Mirror Mirror" Shows How to Compose Your Video Shots Well

  Mirror Mirror with Brian
• Do HDV Camcorders Require HDV Tape?

  Letters and Tips - Hands on: HC3 and Xacti camcorders
• Do a 360 Degree Scan Through Your Camera Viewfinder

  Letters and Tips - ONY HC3
• Readers Ask for Sports Videography Articles

  Letters and Tips - IndieDolly demo
• How to Transfer Film to DVD

  Letters and Tips - SONY interview
• Copyright Issues in Commercial Music for Productions