Videomaker Videos - Tutorials

How to Organize a Shoot

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:23:19 PST

In this how-to training video we show you how and why to assemble a storyboard, organize your resources, and manage a production schedule. When film-making, time is money, and being well organized will keep you on time and, more importantly, under budget.

How to Cast a Video Production

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:43:15 PST

Here we show you how to bring your characters to life by casting the best talent you can for your production. We show you where to look for actors, and walk you through the screening and audition processes, all the way to making a final decision.

How to Break Down a Script

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:53:34 PST

In this segment learn how to discover the story and the characters of your next production.

How to Get Rid of Unwanted Objects in Footage

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:22:59 PST

In this training video we look at how to use object removal techniques such as scaling and cropping, chroma keying, or motion tracking.

How to Convert Frame Rates

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:56:29 PST

We're going to show you how to successfully convert from one frame rate to another using footage interpretation and pitch shifting.

How to Get Rid of Hiss and Hums in Audio

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:53:24 PST

We'll show you some handy tips for correcting hisses and hums using high and low pass filters, notch filters and automated tasks.

How to Fix Shaky Footage

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:31:29 PST

Learn to fix jittery video the easy way, using the standard motion trackers and stabilizers found in common editing software such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects

How to Deinterlace Footage

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:13:38 PST

In this training video we look at the different methods of deinterlacing footage like the field combination, field extension, and motion detection methods to help you make your footage look its best.

How to Color Correct Video

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:52:45 PST

In this training video, we look at how to read color scopes and monitors, use color correction tools to fix your footage and use secondary color correction to make sure your footage looks its best.

Directing Music Video Shoots

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:05:57 PDT

Directing music videos requires the skillful mixing of three rare traits: a good sense of style and creativity, strong leadership, and an extensive knowledge of technology. Though it might seem like few could fit this bill, we'll show you some helpful tips that can help anyone make sure their talent and crew give them the performances they need.

Editing Music Videos

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:40:47 PDT

Compiling the edit for your music video may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. If you just follow a few steps to organize your edit, build your rough cut, and add effects to your project, be assured that your video will not only impress critics but capture the essence of your artist perfectly as well.

Pre-production for Music Videos

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:02:22 PDT

Just having a great idea and a good storyboard doesn't mean you're ready to shoot just yet. Like any good cinematographer, you'll first need to consider how to get your location ready,what you'll need for make-up and wardrobe, and what to prepare for your talent and crew in order to ensure that your shoot day goes well.

Contracts for Music Videos

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:15:41 PDT

Contracts are important for any production. They help your talent and crew understand what's expected from them and they help you keep your business secure. To help you with your contracts, we'll be looking at talent and location releases, employee contracts, and client agreements so that you can stay out of court.

Forming Ideas for Music Videos

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:29:45 PDT

Finding an idea for a music video can be one of the most rewarding parts of making a music video. To help you, we'll look at sources for ideas such as the artist's identity, musical lyrics, shock value, media, and how to use recycled ideas properly so that your music video can get started on the right foot.

Choosing a Music Video Genre

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:54:34 PDT

Knowing the genre of a music video helps a director clearly define the style of a video. It's important to know their details so that you can make sure your video not only matches the artist's demands but connects with your audience as well.

Lighting Wide Shots for Video Production

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:21:31 PDT

Wide shots establish the mood of a scene and are important to set correctly. This segment defines the goals of good lighting, gives you some tips on how to hide light fixtures, and offers some ideas for good lighting design so that your scenes can look artistic and professional.

Lighting for Night Video Shoots

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:14:12 PDT

It only takes a few minutes on set to realize night scenes are one of the hardest setups to master well. To help you get the best night light setup, we'll give you some tips on how to light car interiors and outdoor settings in a professional way.

Lighting Car Interiors for a Professional Looking Car Scene

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:23:36 PDT

Learn a few tried and true methods to lighting car interiors such as using a truck to power and tow the car, placing small, hidden lights inside the car or using a studio. These approaches can help you make your car scenes look just like professional scenes in the movies.

How to Set Up Lights to Make Product Shots Look Great

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:44:43 PDT

In order to master how to control product lighting with any surface, we'll give you some tips on how to place lights so that your products can look both tempting and professional.

Finding and Setting Up a Studio Space

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:44:10 PDT

Studios can save a lot of time in a shooting schedule. In order to set up your own, we'll show you what to consider when choosing a studio space such as size, electricity, and sound so that you can make a studio that not only makes your life easier, but impresses your clients as well.

How to Make Better Titles Using Lens Flares, Motion Tracking, and Other Effects

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:47:00 PDT

Effects and filters can help titles look realistic and compelling. We'll show you how to use great effects like light flares, particle generators, noise, and motion tracking in a way that will make your titles look professional.

Animating Titles Using Keyframes

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:06:14 PDT

Animating text frame-by-frame takes a lot of time, but keyframing makes quick work of any animation. We'll show you how to use this powerful feature to creatively animate opacity, position, scale, and rotation in a way that looks eye-catching and professional.

Using Design Elements to Make Better Titles and Graphics

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:10:37 PDT

Today's digital environment makes it easy for graphic designers to have all the tools necessary to create visually stunning titles and graphics. We'll show you how to use typography concepts like contrast, spacing, and composition to create text that both engages your audience and moves them to action.

How To Make Titles and Bugs that Help Market your Company or Business

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:16:40 PDT

Opening titles and bugs present you with an excellent opportunity to create a compelling image of your company and to imprint that image into the minds of your audience. We'll show you how to use these critical graphic elements to your advantage.

How to Create Company Logos for Promotions

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:23:27 PDT

One of the most important graphic elements you will ever create is the logo. They're often simple in design, but seldom simple in execution. We'll help you make great logos by going over why logos are made, how to form your creative idea, and how to design each so that they are informational and memorable.

Designing Lower Thirds that Add Interest to Your Video

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:01:50 PDT

The most common type of graphic used to identify people and companies are lower thirds. We'll be looking at their purpose and design and take you step-by-step through their creation as well. With these basic skills and a bit of imagination, you'll soon see your work rise from the depths of the mundane to the heights of audience pleasing excellence.

Field Sound Recording with Lavalier and Shotgun Microphones

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:21:50 PDT

Audio plays many roles in a documentary. To help you make your audio sound great, we'll be looking at the proper ways to use microphones, how to monitor sound, and lastly, how to set up and operate field mixers. With this kind of knowledge you'll be able to make sure your audio is always sounding its best.

4 Common Lighting Setups for Professional Video

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:17:01 PDT

Though great lighting does require some artistic prowess, even the first-time video enthusiast can get great results. To help you make professional looking lighting, we'll show you the steps everyone should take for a good lighting, how to place lights and equipment in outdoor settings, and proper 4-point, 2-point, and even 1-point lighting setups.

Liven Up Your Documentary by Capturing B-Roll

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:17:49 PDT

Good B-roll helps you keep a good pace, cover mistakes, and dive even deeper into your story. To make sure your story has all of that, we'll go over some tips on how to direct and capture people and how to make sure you cover live events in a way that makes your documentary interesting and informative.

Getting the Best Answers in any Documentary Interview

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:44:37 PDT

With a little preparation and knowledge, interviews can actually be one of the most thrilling portions of making a documentary. To help you prepare, we show you what to include when briefing your talent, how to ask quality questions, and how to respond to questions that will get you the best answers from your interview.

How to Set Up Lights and Microphones for Documentary Interviews

Tue, 10 May 2011 13:35:58 PDT

To help you get started with your documentary interviews, we show you the equipment you'll need, give you some tips on making a room look good, tell you what you should include in your talent releases, and provide you with some tips to assure that your subject looks great on screen.

How to Get Access to Locations for your Documentary

Tue, 03 May 2011 13:20:57 PDT

Getting access to the right locations can lend your story credibility and interest. To make it a little easier for you get into the places you need to shoot, we show you the types of venues you'll have to deal with, how to manage locations and when you'll need location releases.

Finding the Best Crew and Equipment for your Documentary

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:36:16 PDT

Having a good crew behind you can help you to not only get the shots you need, but get them on time as well. To help you find good crews, we'll first go over some things to consider about crew members, what crew size you'll need and some sources of where to find solid crews.

How to Manage and Direct your Video Crew for your Documentary

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:31:14 PDT

Keeping a crew happy results in a more efficient and stress-free production. In order to help you do just that, we'll go over some ways to hold useful production meetings with your crew, how to transport your crew, and some tips in catering food for your crew.

Tripods, Dollies, and Other Essential Accessories for Documentary Shoots

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:17:11 PDT

Though shooting, audio, and lighting gear are incredibly important, they're not the only items that make make your documentary look great. That's why we'll go over what to look for in stabilizing equipment like a tripod or a sled, arm and vest system, dollies, and lastly essential grip gear for any shoot.

Choosing the Best Lighting Equipment for Your Documentary

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:14:34 PDT

Good lighting defines the difference between great looking footage and poorly made home movies. Knowing the lighting technology and gear, such as fixture designs and lamp types as well as the best equipment for blocking, diffusing and reflecting light, can help your footage look like it belongs on the big screen.

Finding the Best Microphones to Capture Audio for Documentaries

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:48:15 PDT

A good audio kit includes more than a microphone. The best kit will have a good field mixer, external capture device, headphones, and cables and adapters. Besides the gear, you'll learn about mic features such as pickup pattern, frequency response, wireless capabilities and design, so you can design the best audio kit that you can afford.

Finding the Best Video Camera to Shoot a Documentary

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:39:09 PDT

With thousands of camcorders to choose from, finding the one most suitable for your project can be frustrating. To help you sift through the hype, we'll look at quality optics, battery technology, inputs and outputs, recording media, and controls. Using this information, you should find a camera that will help you to make your documentary a reality.

Delivering a Great Pitch to Convince Investors to Fund your Documentary

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:13:52 PST

Now that you've put together a great prospectus, it's time to pitch it. Effective pitching involves doing research on your subjects, knowing how to approach them, and putting in a bit of practice. We'll show you some great ways to pitch so that you capture your investor's attention.

How to Make a Great Documentary Demo Reel

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:58:56 PST

A demo reel reveals a lot about you. It shows an investor that you have the skills and the experience to make a quality documentary. We'll show you how to organize, edit, and prepare your reel so that you can give the right impression to almost anyone.

Fundraising Secrets for Documentaries

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:54:40 PST

When getting money from investors just isn't enough, fund-raising is the next best option. There are many people who can't fund an entire documentary but can help you with a small part of it. To help you with this, we show you how to hold banquets, auctions, online events, and more.

Showing How your Documentary Can Make Money By Making a Budget

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:22:57 PST

The most important and time consuming part of any prospectus is the budget. Budgets help investors know why your documentary costs what it does. This is why we'll show you what goes into a professional looking budget and how to lower your costs so that your documentary gets the funds it needs.

Writing a Video Prospectus to Get Funding for your Documentary

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:05:44 PST

In order to get money for your documentary, a well planned prospectus is essential. It not only shows you've done your research and know your target market, it also shows that your documentary will make money. We'll give you some tips on how to make a prospectus that can impress your investors.

How To Fund a Documentary Using Grants, Investors and Donations

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:17:26 PST

No documentary can be made without money. That's why it's important to know the different sources that are available to fund it. We show you what's available from grants to foundations to individuals.

Compose Better Video Shots Using Leading Lines and Rack Focus

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:37:03 PST

Though art can be made in many forms, there are some concepts that hold true in every situation. Because of this, it can be very helpful to know the principles behind aesthetically pleasing framing so that every one of your shots tells the story you want it to.

Dollies, Pans and Other Types of Camera Movement

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:18:36 PST

There is all sorts of fun equipment that can help you move the camera. Tools like dollies, stabilizers, and boom arms have been giving us unique perspectives for years. We show you how to use each one of these tools in a way that will make your video look spectacular.

Handheld Camera Techniques for Smoother Tripod-Free Video

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:59:09 PST

Though tripods are a staple of any good production, there are still many situations where hand-holding is required. To this extent, knowing how to keep the camera steady in any hand-held situation can be the key to making your video look professional.

Controlling Light In Your Camera Using Exposure, Aperture, and Shutter Speed

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:16:50 PST

Controlling light is essential to capturing a clean and detailed image. Because of this, knowing how to properly set aperture and shutter speed is one of the simplest steps in making great video that will impress those who watch it.

Improve Your Video Image Using the Best Lenses and Filters

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:32:47 PST

The lens is where the magic of cinematography begin. With it you can bend light into focus, achieve great depth of field, and zoom into your subjects. We will show you the benefits of interchangeable and fixed lenses as well as what filters can do to make your video look as good as those from Hollywood.

Using Storyboards, Shot Logs, and Slates to Keep your Video Business on Track

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:53:36 PST

Few things in life work well without a plan. The same goes for video. Planning a shoot by completing shot sheets, storyboards, logs, and slates can help you to get the shots you need and help your video to look planned and professional.

How to Adjust the Pacing of your Documentary to Tell your Story Better

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:46:00 PST

Though a story may be fresh, driving, and compelling, if it is too linear or too long, you risk losing the interest of your audience, We will show you how to control the timing of your documentary so that it can be both entertaining and interesting.

How to Find the Story in Your Documentary

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 07:39:42 PST

Finding the right angle on a story can be as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. However, knowing your limitations and some factors that affect their potential can help you to find a story angle that is achievable and interesting.

What to Research In Order to Make a Great Documentary

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:42:13 PDT

Research is an integral part to making a story deep, credible, and accurate. As such, we will show you both how to form revealing questions and what sources you can use to answer them in an accurate way.

The Different Styles of Documentary Storytelling

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:31:14 PDT

There are many ways to tell a story. Whether you are planning to participate in your documentary, motivate people to act on a cause, or merely allow your audience to observe an event unfold, we will show you how your approach can tell a story that will engage your audience.

Structuring your Documentary Story into Shots, Scenes, and Acts

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:48:05 PDT

Structure is the spine that gives a documentary organization and meaning. We will help you start off on the right foot by showing you some common ways to make a solid story structure that your audience will want to emotionally invest themselves in.

Interesting Storytelling Techniques for Documentaries

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:31:00 PDT

No matter what part you have in a documentary, good storytelling is key as it connects everything together. We will show you how Story Basics work together in order to produce engaging stories.

Get the Perfect Key Using Green Screen Lighting

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:07:32 PDT

Tutorial on how to light a green screen with easy to follow step-by-step instructions so you can get the perfect key.

Best Practices for Using a Tripod to Stabilize your Shots.

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:10:45 PDT

How to set-up a tripod to capture professional level video. Learn the step-by-step process for setting up and stabilizing your tripod.

Wedding Videography: Offer Production Packages for Wedding Videos

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:31:16 PDT

Now that you've shot some great wedding footage, it's time to put it all together. Learn how most videographers compile wedding packages, do multi-cam editing, and make compelling love stories, slideshows, and highlights that capture the emotion of the event.

Wedding Videography: How to Shoot the Reception

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:05:10 PDT

The ceremony is done, but the big day isn't over yet. The reception is an important part of the wedding day. We show you how to light the dance floor, use the best techniques for interviewing guests, and find the best b-roll to shoot for a great wedding production.

Wedding Videography: How to Shoot a Marriage Ceremony

Mon, 17 May 2010 10:16:08 PDT

The central moment of the wedding is the ceremony and you don't want to miss a minute of it. This video shows you camera placement, how to do a multi-camera setup, and some shooting techniques that will allow you to capture every moment perfectly.

Capturing Great Audio at Weddings

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:04:43 PDT

You may think that shooting weddings is all about the ceremony, but there is a lot more involved than meets the eye. We will show you how to plan for capturing clean, professional sounding audio, as well as how to mic the ceremony correctly.

Understanding Business Licenses and Legalities for Wedding Videography

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:52:57 PDT

You may think that shooting weddings is all about the ceremony, but there is a lot more involved than meets the eye. We will go over the legalities associated with wedding video production to protect yourself and your client before you shoot their big day.

Wedding Videography: How to Prepare for Shooting the Ceremony

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:27:03 PDT

You may thinking that shooting weddings is all about the ceremony, but there is a lot more involved than meets the eye. We will go over meeting with the wedding planner, scouting the location, and several other important aspects of wedding pre ceremony tasks before the big day.

Learn the Science Fiction Genre to Make a Sci Fi Movie

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:00:20 PDT

We show you how to create your very own Science Fiction videos. By looking at the history, match lighting, post production green screen work, framing and set extension you will leave with more knowledge of the Sci Fi Genre.

Learn Western Genre Basics to Make Your Own Cowboy Movie

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:32:08 PDT

We take a look at the Western Genre. Learn the steps to creating your very own western video as we examine how to shoot it, edit it and stylize it.

Add Drama to Your Video Productions

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:57:57 PST

Want to create your very own Drama? We show you how, as we examine how to create a visual design, draw out time and edit for emotion.

Learn how to Electrify Your Action Video

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:07:58 PST

We take a look at the Action Genre. Learn the steps to creating your very own action video as we examine how to shoot it, edit it and stylize it.

Make Compelling Documentaries with Lighting and Editing

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:11:22 PST

We show you how to make professional looking documentaries. Find out how to shoot, edit and stylize stories that center around real life and real emotion.

Learn Horror Genre Basics to Make Your Own Scary Movie

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:59:04 PST

We show you the ins and outs of the Horror film genre. Everything from the history, to how to shoot it, to the unique dark silhouette lighting style. We teach you how to make your own horror film.

4 Simple Steps for Professional Stop Motion Light Painting

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:42:54 PST

How to create stop motion animation, using stills with light painting. Learn the step by step process to mastering this special effect.

Special Effects: Day-for-night, Fake Rainstorm, Sped-up Background

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:38:52 PST

We show you how to pull off three simple special effects using just the camera and the subject's reaction to sell the illusion. Learn how to make realistic looking rain for your video shoots, speed up the background of your videos and how to shoot during the day and make it look like the night.

Create Star Trek "Beam Me Up" Effect with Overlays, Dissolves

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:14:08 PST

We show you how to pull off two basic special effects using cross dissolves, overlays, cropping and layers. Both the Star Trek effect and the Multiplicity effect use these techniques to create very impressive looking tricks for your videos.

Stage a Light Saber Fight a la Star Wars

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:31:51 PST

We show you the step-by-step process of how to pull off the Light Saber special effect. Everything from building the Light Saber to Rotoscoping.

Spice Up Titles and Graphics with Ink Spread and Ink Drop Effects

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:53:59 PST

How to use everyday household items to create ink drop and ink spread visual design elements for titles and graphics.

How to Make Fake Blood

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:52:45 PST

We show you the step-by-step process for creating realistic looking blood with the use of corn syrup, red and blue dye, cocoa powder and corn starch.

Green Screen Setup

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:52:45 PST

How to properly set up your green screen backdrop, lighting, and camera. We will go over some common errors and their solutions.

Create Top Special Effects with Outdoor Green Screen

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:45:58 PST

How to use a green screen outdoors for chromakey. Learn about the lighting, obstacles and proper usage of the elements outdoors to add to the effect.

4 Steps to Build Your Own Green Screen

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:41:12 PST

In this DIY tutorial, we show you how to make your own green screen with frame. Learn how to build the frame, attach the cloth and prep the materials for your own Do-It-Yourself green screen fun!

Using a Full-body Green Screen to Create a Website Spokesperson Effect

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:01:34 PST

The steps that you need to follow to be able to create a website video spokesperson walk-on effect.

How to Make Flying Special Effects with Green Screen

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:21:54 PST

Learn how to use a green screen to show your subject launch off the ground and fly through the air.

How to Light Green Screens for Simple Special Effects

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:33:20 PST

In this tutorial we show you how to light a green screen, look for common errors and fix them along the way. This will make it easier to pull a key when editing.

How to Set Up a Green Screen at Home

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:23:34 PST

In this green screen video tutorial, we show you how to set-up a green screen for chromakey and how to best sell the green screen effect to your viewers.

Master your Camera Controls: Focus, White Balance, Iris and More

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:19:58 PST

Don't leave important decisions up to your camera! In this video you will learn how to use the camera controls to adjust the white balance, focus, audio and iris.

4 Simple Steps for the Best Video Lighting

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:12:47 PDT

How to use indoor lights, natural light, and camera controls to create the best lighting for video production.

Choosing the Best Mic to Capture Great Audio for Your Video

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:25:08 PDT

How to capture Audio when shooting video. How to select the best microphone and location for the best audio and solve common problems videographers encounter when capturing audio for video.

Tilts, Pans and Hand Held camera Movement Shooting Tips

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:14:21 PDT

This video shows you how to create better, more professional looking video by taking a closer look at hand held video camera shooting. Learn how to get effective shots with the marxist position, the pan, tilt and zolly.

The 5 Deadly Sins of Amateur Video

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:32:50 PDT

A look at how to create better, more professional looking video by eliminating the 5 most common amateur mistakes.

Make your Videos Look Professional Using 3 Point Lighting

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:24:55 PDT

Step by step tutorial on how to use the 3-point lighting technique to light your videos like the pros.

Outdoor Lighting and Day or Night Lighting Techniques

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:01:45 PDT

Solutions to outdoor lighting for video problems encountered on a sunny day. Also the secret to shooting in the middle of the day and making it appear to be the middle of the night.

Rembrandt Lighting, Beauty Lighting and Vital Lighting Setups

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:57:58 PDT

A step by step tutorial on how to apply four styles of lighting. Learn how to use Rembrandt beauty, cameo and filling in from the key to add to your videos look and feel.

Best Solutions for Indoor and Silhouette Lighting

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:58:00 PDT

How to prevent indoor lighting problems and utilize various specialty lighting setups for your videos.

Best Lighting Arrangements for Great Interviews

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:05:15 PDT

Tutorial on how to light and set up a multi-cam interview with easy to follow step-by-step instruction

How to Create Professional Video Lighting with Three Point Lighting

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:54:01 PDT

The foundation for all professional studio lighting for video. This tutorial provides step by step instructions on how to light your subject like the pro's with three point lighting.

How to Use Rotoscoping to Create Video Special Effects

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:51:47 PDT

How to fix on-set goofs, change virtual sets, or make your action heroes fly through the air amidst gunfire, snowflakes, or magic dust.

Rotoscoping is one of my favorite things in Visual FX. I know that sounds crazy, but the results of rotoscoping can be so rewarding. Doing the actual work can be tedious, but, when it's all said and done, you can sit back and be proud of your accomplishments.

Read the article Rotoscoping - fix goofs, change virtual sets, or make your hero fly.

Night Light: The Secret to Shooting a Convincing Day-for-night Scene

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:51:47 PDT

The technique of shooting outdoor night scenes in broad daylight has been around since the early days of film. It is commonly called Day for Night (DFN), and you can spot it in films like It's a Wonderful Life, Planet of the Apes and Jaws; documentaries like The Creation of the Universe; and, of course, the French film, Day for Night. At times, the effect is obvious; at others, it is not.

But today's camcorders are able to shoot in very low light. Those with infrared capabilities can even make some subjects visible in pitch black. So why would you want to fake it by shooting in the day to simulate the look of night?

Read the article Night Light: How to turn the light of day into the dark of night.

Make your Video Look Like Film

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

How often do we still hear the term, filming, when everyone really means videotaping? While we easily forgive friends or even clients as they repeat this misnomer, there is a certain underlying expectation that is hard to quantify. Projects shot with film simply look better. In most cases, the look that only film offers is synonymous with quality, large-budget productions.

Read the full article Getting That Film Look.

Use Audio Compressors to Broadcast Quality Sound

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

When you listen to any professional broadcast, you hear audio that sounds clear and natural and has, mostly, the same loudness. This type of audio has narration that cuts through music, sound effects and noise. It just sounds impressive. But while tweaking the audio levels on your latest video project, you just don't seem to be able to get that same great sound. What's the secret?

Read the full article The Compression Connection.

How to Create a Professional Motion Menu for a DVD

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

The goal of this tutorial is to demonstrate some basic tools in developing a DVD motion menu from scratch. In our example, the motion menu will play back for 30 seconds, and the specifications will be NTSC format, using a 4:3 aspect ratio. For this tutorial, we will be creating a typical "main menu" from a feature-length movie project. The menu itself will display a 30-second clip from our movie, as well as three buttons for navigation. The three buttons will be Play Program, Scene Selection and Bonus Features.

Read the full article DVD Motion Menus.

Create Safe Fire Effects without Burning Down the House!

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

I like to use Visual FX to enhance the story I am trying to tell. If they have a purpose, make the shot look better and help tell a story, why not use them, right? The problem is that many people don't know where to start. A few years ago, I was one of those people. However, by learning some Visual FX, I am now gearing up for my next film - a story I've been wanting to tell, but previously could not because I did not have the budget or knowledge of Visual FX. By learning a few Visual FX, I can now tell this story while keeping my budget extremely low. Therein lies the beauty of Visual FX: helping you tell your exciting story while keeping your budget low.

Read the full article Burning Down The House.

Whip-Pans, Object Close-ups and Other Natural Transitions

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

In the annals of cinema history, Thomas Edison is considered the father of the first motion picture cameras and his assistant Edwin S. Porter made the first narrative movies with one shot cutting to the next. The idea of match cutting on motion has been around since D.W. Griffith started to advance the editorial arts that began with Porter. Transitions, especially in the form of cross dissolves entered the moviemaking tool kit within a few years.

Read the full article Natural Transitions.

Make an Animated Video from Still Photographs with 2.5d Animation

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

The Polar Classic, by Mark Wickman, was the 1st Place winner in Videomaker's 2005 Short Video contest, in which Mark made an animated video, using still photos. We've received many letters asking "how did he DO that?" So we asked him to create a tutorial on just how the process is done. We discovered that the end results actually depend on the beginning... in the planning stage.

Read the full article 2.5d Animation.

These are the media files for the February 2008 Tutorial: 2.5d Animation. The .zip archive contains 12 files and is 172MB in size.

Watch the Polar Classic

Make Dynamic Car Chase Scenes to Enliven your Videos

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

These are the media files for the January 2008 Tutorial: Car Chase. The .zip archive contains 60 files and is 312MB in size.

Read the full article Dynamic Chase Scenes.

These clips are used with permission from Sonnyboo Productions, and are for instructional purposes only. All other distribution of this material is prohibited.

Car audio sound effects can be found here: autospeak.com/library.htm

Music Tracks can be found here: www.sonnyboo.com/music/music.htm

Tech Specs:
Video Format: NTSC, DV Anamorphic (16:9)
Audio Format : No Audio

Create Realistic Gunshots for Video

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Stop, or I'll Shoot! Have you ever wanted to have a gun in your film? What about a cool action scene with guns blazing, people running, dishes exploding and your lead female jumping into a garbage chute to avoid being blown to bits? Yes? Me too! But while I can't help you with convincing your lead actress to jump down a garbage chute, I can help you with the blazing guns part.

Read the full article Making Realistic Muzzle Flashes.

Replace any Green Screen Background Using a Chroma Key

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Without a doubt, you see chromakeys used countless times - probably every time you watch the news on TV - and perhaps you aren't even aware of it. Chromakeying is a process widely used throughout the television industry to merge (composite) one image (often a live one) with previously-shot footage or graphics and make it look perfectly natural.

Read the full article The ABCs of Chromakeys.

Create the "Star Wars" Light Saber Effect

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

With the immense popularity of the Star Wars franchise, the light sword seems to have become the most recognizable special effect in cinema history. Immense isn't even a strong enough word - light swords have to be the most popular special effect ever created. Men, women and children ages 5 to 105 will be able to tell you what the light sword is and where it's from.

Read the full article The Sword and the Light.

How to Conduct an Interview for Documentaries

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Tom Benford's jib is a quick and easy-to-build device that anyone who knows how to turn a wrench and place a drill can build. Tom's JVC DF550U camcorder is small and lightweight, and he used a ready-made painter's extension pole to achieve his jib design.

Read the full article DYI Jib.

How to Build a Do-It-Yourself Crane for Making Video

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Cranes are usually bigger than jibs, and they can carry not just the camera, but often the crewmembers operating it. Brian Peterson's crane was designed to be robust and hearty, with a potential to upgrade and accessorize at a later date. Brian planned it with the length of his cargo needs and the extreme heights he expects his camera to achieve in mind.

Read the full article DYI Crane.

Pan and Scan Still Photos to Get the Ken Burns Effect

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Known as "The Ken Burns Effect", the Pan and Scan technique has become the norm when combining still photos with your moving images. This tutorial takes you through the steps of the average pan and scan effect, to guide you through the technique that will showcase both video and stills into a fluid moving video.

Pan-and-scan is an effective technique used in photo montages and presentations in order to make the viewing experience more interesting. Techniques such as panning and zooming allow for movement of still images across the video frame. These techniques, when done correctly, are pleasing to the eye and make the video less... well... boring. This tutorial looks at some of these techniques using Adobe After Effects.

Read the article Perfecting the Pan and Scan Effect.

Find the Best Equipment and Set-up for your Video Studio

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:41:27 PDT

Whether you want to build themes and variations for large-scale productions or as signature music for your promotional videos, make catchy music beds for 30-second spots or produce ambient music with subtle mood-fitting changes for wedding videos, the following looping music production tutorial gives you the basic tools to get you started.

Read the article Using Loops to Create Original Music.