Most of the time when you think of video production, you think of shooting with one camera, film style, and taking your raw footage back to your editing suite for post-production editing. The very thought of trying to control multiple cameras can cause some people to break out in...
All right, you've mastered the basics of lighting talent: key, fill and back lights, and maybe a splash on the background. But this one-size-fits-all approach doesn't account for Abel the chinless wonder, Bravo who's way over-nourished, or Charlie whose nickname is Schnozz. To address the problems (and opportunities) of...
On-camera interviews demand just about every production skill going. To organize this sprawling topic we often split it into categories, offering one article on questioning techniques; another on production methods; a third on interview editing secrets. But now it's time for a flyover survey so that you can inspect...
Heres a simple story that you can shoot and edit in an hour or two. The purpose is to dramatize the enormous power of suggestion in movie making. The idea is that if something is not in the frame, you can make it be and do whatever you suggest.The...
You might be inclined to reserve the term "talent" for someone who is a gifted actor, or at least someone who has some type of on-camera experience. But in the world of video "talent" refers to anyone who steps in front of the lens. In reality, you'll need to...
Approach With Caution
Making an instructional video without some type of plan will likely lead you in a direction other than the one you intended. Think of the approach you use in making your video as a roadmap allowing you to reach your final destination: the finished videotape. Before...
Dr. Doug wants you to turn that frown upside down!
Videomakers are, by definition, visual artists. We communicate with pictures and images. But, in many cases, the images alone may not tell the whole story. That's where narration fits in. When used well, narration adds depth and harmony to your production. When used poorly, narration can ruin an...
You're between major holidays, there are no birthdays or weddings happening, your video camera is resting in its case and you're wondering, "What can I do with this thing?" Believe me, it happens to us all. You want to be out there taping, but you draw a blank as...
Imagine you're one of the producers who decides what will appear on a show like Cops, Real TV, Storm Watch or the national news. Your job is to screen hundreds of tapes from home video shooters, fire truck chasers, security cameras--you name it--and buy the stuff that will knock...
