[videoblogging] Re: ok..more questions about sound
Adam, Thanks so much for your time responding to my message. I do actually try to put the mic as close to the speaker as possible. So I'll probably have to get a boom poll to help with the sound even more. I did get a clip on mic (not wireless), so I will try it during my next filming, which is going to be in a super noisy environment-pizzeria. I'm already stressing out how to get a good sound. Actually, it's a good tip laying blankets or material on the floor if it's hardwood floor. But what about the walls. I know I read somewhere that people use similar things to cover the walls as well so that the sound bounced back softly. So let's say with all the steps that you mentioned: unidirectional mic, as close to the speaker as possible, assuming there's carpeting and drapery...What do you do in those cases with minimal background noise? Do you still try to clean it or do you leave it as is. I understand I won't get studio sound unless I record in one, but I'm not sure how to deal with minimal hum that I can still hear even if it's a fairly quiet and soft environment. Also, any tips about filming in the restaurant? As I said, I will use the clip on mic and will hope it'll do the trick by eliminating much of the noise and just picking up the voice. How do you clean restaurant noise clutter? :) Oh..and thanks for the link to sound issues..I'll check it out tonight. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, adammerc...@... adammerc...@... wrote: Hi Loreta I'll address the recording good audio best practices that I follow. These have not let me down, but when I have NOT followed them I always end up with poor audio. First, you need to get the mic as close to your talent as possible. Get a boom pole and position just out of camera frame above the speaker. This will ensure the most signal the mic is picking up is from the source you want - the talent on camera. Second, use a good uni-directional mic. Also called hypercardioid. Most (if not all) video shotgun mic use this response pattern. What this means is the mic is 'tuned' if you will, to only accept sounds coming in from a specific direction - uni directional. Most cheap dynamic mics and the on-board mics are omni-directional. That is they accept sounds coming in from any/all directions. So you end up with a recording that not only captures the sound of your talent, but also the sound of all the noise in the room. As has already been established by other posters here, a room is never silent. It amazes me when I listen thru headphones how much noise there is in a basic office setting. And these mics pick up EVERYTHING. Another thing, what kind of surfaces are in the room you are shooting in? Hard surfaces (walls) will reflect sound badly making the talent sound boomy and amplify the room tone. Floor with carpet is much better than hard surface floor, it is softer and will absorb reverberations. Still, throwing down blankets below and in front of your talent will dampen reverb's. and if you can find a room with soft surfaces, curtains, objects in the room to break up the hard flat surface, this will help minimise the room reverberations. So by using a hypercardioid directed straight at your talent from a very close distance, you have a really good chance of capturing only the sound you want, and minimizing the sound you dont. This makes it much easier to post the audio as there is less unwanted frequencies to filter out, thus leaving the frequencies you want alone. The alien effect you talk of is likely some odd filtering of frequency ranges of the voice that have been eliminated. Most human voice is in the range of 1500-4000khz. If you mess with those, or freq's close to them (not mention the harmonic freq's) you will alter how the voice sounds. Usually you can filter out below 90hz and over 10,000khz will little detriment. And this will clean up hum and hiss quite a bit. There is a typical hum at 60hz that is the electrical interference (US electrical circuits run at 60hz) and this can be filtered out with a notch filter in post. But really with good recorded audio, you should have little clean up to do in post. Garbage in, garbage out. I hope this makes some sense. Feel free to ask specific questions about an individual point and we can get you through it bit by bit. This is a topic that entire books are written on. Check out Jay Rose's columns here http://www.dplay.com/tutorial/column.html Adam Influxx Media Production --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, loretabirkus loretabirkus@ wrote: Hi..I know..I was asking tons of questions about sound/hum noise, etc. At least I figured out that it's not my camera that makes that hum/static noise, and it all depends on the environment I'm filming. My questions would be: 1. Besides recording 10-15 sec of the natural ambient sound and trying to clean
[videoblogging] ok..more questions about sound
Hi..I know..I was asking tons of questions about sound/hum noise, etc. At least I figured out that it's not my camera that makes that hum/static noise, and it all depends on the environment I'm filming. My questions would be: 1. Besides recording 10-15 sec of the natural ambient sound and trying to clean it during editing, is there any way to record it with minimum of it during filming? Do you have any secrets? Do you prepare the room somehow so that the voice could bounce back softly? None of my shot guns have been able to perform to the highest noise elimination level. I try to place a mic as close to the speaker as possible (usually on a separate tripod, don't have a boom pole yet) and adjust the volume level so that it doesn't pass further than -6-8 db. But I still get that quiet natural background noise. What do you do in this case? Do you just leave it or do you clean it? 2. Which type of lavaliere mic would you recommend: wireless or cabled one? What brand? Which ones are best in terms of noise cancellation? I'm kinda glad I didn't buy anything, now that they're changing the rules for the 700 mHz frequency type mics. Thanks. Loreta p.s. if you have any good forums that I could check out as well, please let me know. I'm unlucky finding the ones that would answer my questions.
[videoblogging] sound samples :)
Ok, I made three clips of different sounds that I tried and worked with. 1. The first clip, to my opinion, was set to a normal sound. However, I had to clean that background noise. It was too loud, I think. The shotgun Azden mic was mounted onto my camera. The camera was about 2 meters away from the person. http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=KI_gZd4wAIwsharing_token=BBiPa_6jlQVpK4CpszZNYw 2. This clip of the same person. I set the mic (same one) volume very low, but when listening, I can tell that it's too low and when increasing the sound, I get, of course, the background noise again. This time, the mic was closer on a separate tripod. About a meter closer to the person. http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=dKJMtZFx_hosharing_token=h8BHzM5lL-C5IedM7Ln3RA 3. Third is the worst. After I figured out what contributed to the noise, I'm not so angry at my mic anymore. To give you some background: the room was empty, it's more like a conference room, with no windows, no curtains, just several pictures and mirrors on the walls. Behind the walls was a kitchen. The conf room is in the back of a small cafe. The mic was mounted on my camera (same mic). And the camera was about 1 1/2 meters away from the person. I didn't manage to clean the background noise so I just worked with EQ and it somewhat helped. I event suggested the person to refilm, but he didn't care about the sound too much as long as he could tell the difference that the background noise was reasonably lower. http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=kRFEBnwIz9ssharing_token=qCiNoRTJ_iOogWHuCrwUig I assume you all have Youtube accounts as I made just private sharing links. Looking forward to your feedback and some advice. Hope the clips help. Thanks :) Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, David Jones david.jo...@... wrote: On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 9:39 AM, loretabirkus loretabir...@... wrote: Hi..I know..I was asking tons of questions about sound/hum noise, etc. At least I figured out that it's not my camera that makes that hum/static noise, and it all depends on the environment I'm filming. My questions would be: 1. Besides recording 10-15 sec of the natural ambient sound and trying to clean it during editing, is there any way to record it with minimum of it during filming? Do you have any secrets? Do you prepare the room somehow so that the voice could bounce back softly? None of my shot guns have been able to perform to the highest noise elimination level. I try to place a mic as close to the speaker as possible (usually on a separate tripod, don't have a boom pole yet) and adjust the volume level so that it doesn't pass further than -6-8 db. But I still get that quiet natural background noise. What do you do in this case? Do you just leave it or do you clean it? 2. Which type of lavaliere mic would you recommend: wireless or cabled one? What brand? Which ones are best in terms of noise cancellation? I'm kinda glad I didn't buy anything, now that they're changing the rules for the 700 mHz frequency type mics. Thanks. Loreta Loreta You really have to post an example of this sound noise problem, that is the only way people can provide informed comment. AFAIK lapel mics to not have noise cancellation, they are just electret mic inserts that rely on the signal to noise ratio afforded by having the mic close to the noise source. Dave.
[videoblogging] youtube sound
Hello, Ok, so quick update about my sound issues I've been asking you about last week. I got an Olympus LS10 to check if there's camera making the hum noise or the environment. What a relief..it was that specific environment that I was filming in. I tested both my mics (Azden and Rode) on Olympus and there was none to minimal hum noise, which is natural in my home (or any house). The same is So..now that I edited the video and uploaded to the Youtube I'm experiencing some sort of video behind the sound issue. The raw compressed file is looking good, but when I upload it to Youtube, the visual goes faster than the sound. Is it just me or Youtube doing smth wrong today? Have you had any issues like that? I did fix the raw sound to reduce the hum. Could that be doing smth to the video on Youtube? I haven't looked into other forums yet since I just posted the video. But I'll check other forums tonight to see if there are any people who had experience with this issue. Thanks. Loreta
[videoblogging] Re: youtube sound
I use H264, picture 1280x720, audio AAC (44.1 samplerate, 96 bitrate). I cleaned the sound with Audacity and then added some bass, just to diminish the background noise. I can't upload the video since it's for my client and I would hate for it to go public before he sees it. But I've used same settings on all my video uploads for Youtube and never experienced any problems. And the video and sound quality were very good when uploaded. This is the first one I have this type of issue with. I found in one forum a discussion about voice delay, but no solution was suggested. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Jay dedman jay.ded...@... wrote: So..now that I edited the video and uploaded to the Youtube I'm experiencing some sort of video behind the sound issue. The raw compressed file is looking good, but when I upload it to Youtube, the visual goes faster than the sound. Is it just me or Youtube doing smth wrong today? Have you had any issues like that? I did fix the raw sound to reduce the hum. Could that be doing something to the video on Youtube? It'd be helpful if you send a link to the Youtube video so we can see it. Also be good to know how you compressed the video and fixed the sound. Jay -- http://ryanishungry.com http://momentshowing.net http://twitter.com/jaydedman 917 371 6790
[videoblogging] Re: youtube sound
Rupert, it's a good idea- I'll try a shorter clip from the same video to see what happens. I've been uploading different versions throughout the day and different sizes (10 mb, 7 mb), it's still the same. Will wait and see. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Rupert Howe rup...@... wrote: Give it a few hours - try again. Chances are it'll pass. In the meantime, try exporting and uploading a different version - use an Apple iPod setting as an easy option. And also export a 10 second clip from your video and upload to see if the same thing's happening. Rupert On 1 Feb 2010, at 23:29, loretabirkus wrote: I use H264, picture 1280x720, audio AAC (44.1 samplerate, 96 bitrate). I cleaned the sound with Audacity and then added some bass, just to diminish the background noise. I can't upload the video since it's for my client and I would hate for it to go public before he sees it. But I've used same settings on all my video uploads for Youtube and never experienced any problems. And the video and sound quality were very good when uploaded. This is the first one I have this type of issue with. I found in one forum a discussion about voice delay, but no solution was suggested. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Jay dedman jay.dedman@ wrote: So..now that I edited the video and uploaded to the Youtube I'm experiencing some sort of video behind the sound issue. The raw compressed file is looking good, but when I upload it to Youtube, the visual goes faster than the sound. Is it just me or Youtube doing smth wrong today? Have you had any issues like that? I did fix the raw sound to reduce the hum. Could that be doing something to the video on Youtube? It'd be helpful if you send a link to the Youtube video so we can see it. Also be good to know how you compressed the video and fixed the sound. Jay -- http://ryanishungry.com http://momentshowing.net http://twitter.com/jaydedman 917 371 6790 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[videoblogging] Re: avoiding/cleaning hum noise
Thanks everyone for advice. Yes, the hum sound is steady and it's through the whole filming (silent and voice), but it's just the level of volume of it that bothered me. I usually film 5-10 sec of quiet room ambient sound so that I can use it for cleaning the sound during editing, but this time it didn't help. I've been practicing a lot with the camera over these past days to try to figure out where the problem may be and I think that it's camera that makes this noise. I tried mic mounted on it, further from it-on a tripod..it still gave that hum sound. Even when the mic was off, I could still see the level of noise on my camera showing up. So I'm not sure if the jack is bad or if the camera is too loud in general. So I will probably end up leaving that background noise throughout the video. Now that I edited the clip, the sound doesn't seem so bad anymore. Maybe I just got used to it, I don't know :) But all the other versions of my sound cleaning just don't give me what I want-either the interviewee voice too thin, or the background noise not clean enough. Thanks again for your tips. I have a question about lavaliere. For interviews, is it better to use this type of mic.? Does it pick up less ambient sound. What about if I film outside with it..what noises does it pick up? If I filmed outside with a lavaliere and if it didn't pick up enough outside noise, maybe it wouldn't give the real sense of the environment? I don't know. Or is it enough to use the shot mic that I have and just mount it on a boom pole (any recommendations on which are good?) as close to the object as possible? Thanks again! Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Michael Sean Kaminsky kaminsky...@... wrote: i had a problem like this once and i ended up using some room tone and adding the hum beneath my 'non hum' segments. it depends how bad it is - but often if something is steady people won't even notice it. it's the contrasts between sound and silence that are a killer...:) for future shoots (mainly for sit-downs) - if u think it's camera noise consider buying a 6 foot or so xlr cable and mounting the mic on something else (even gaffer taped to a chair). On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 9:31 AM, Rupert Howe rup...@... wrote: Do you get a hum wherever you film inside, or particularly in one location? Lots of household/office appliances that we can't hear or filter out make a big hum when recorded - air con, computers, fridges, etc. Try being ruthless about shutting everything off when filming. Keep different types of cables away from each other, and if you need to cross them, do so at right angles. Test whether it's the tape mechanism that's making a lot of noise by monitoring the audio with a good pair of headphones at a distance from the camera, both with and without the tape running. Rupert http://twittervlog.tv On 26 Jan 2010, at 08:38, loretabirkus wrote: Hello again, I would like to know how you manage to record a sound with minimum hum in a room environment. I have a good microphone that I use for my filming, but I always get a huge hum sound if I film inside. I used Audacity to eliminate the background noise, but sometimes it doesn't work and it makes the voice sound weirdly alien :) I even purchased a new Rode Videomic to see if there's any difference in the hum sound volume and I still get it with this mic as well. Any tips how to eliminate as much as possible the hum noise during filming so that there's less work during editing? And how to eliminate the hum noise and keep a descent quality during the editing process? I'm stuck on this now as I'm trying all ways (Audacity, Adobe Audition, Magic Audio cleaning softwares) to remove the noise and I don't get the results that I want. Thanks much! Loreta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links
[videoblogging] avoiding/cleaning hum noise
Hello again, I would like to know how you manage to record a sound with minimum hum in a room environment. I have a good microphone that I use for my filming, but I always get a huge hum sound if I film inside. I used Audacity to eliminate the background noise, but sometimes it doesn't work and it makes the voice sound weirdly alien :) I even purchased a new Rode Videomic to see if there's any difference in the hum sound volume and I still get it with this mic as well. Any tips how to eliminate as much as possible the hum noise during filming so that there's less work during editing? And how to eliminate the hum noise and keep a descent quality during the editing process? I'm stuck on this now as I'm trying all ways (Audacity, Adobe Audition, Magic Audio cleaning softwares) to remove the noise and I don't get the results that I want. Thanks much! Loreta
[videoblogging] Re: avoiding/cleaning hum noise
Ruoert, I've filmed inside so far. But in this one particular location the hum sound is extremely big. I do have good earphones and I hear the sound in them as well. I haven't tried with the tape off, but I suspect that it's the camcorder mechanism in addition to the environment sound. I will try with the tape running and not. I usually don't use lots of cables. I just use charged battery and mic. Well this last time I did use a couple of lights. Maybe this could have added. I'll have to test that as well. However, now that I have this huge hum is there any way to fix it during editing (rerecording is not an option). I did try EQ and different noise removal programs that I mentioned in my first email-they all still leave that alien sound either in the background or on the voice. I'm frustrated and it's stopping me from moving forward. I was wondering if I don't use any noise removal programs, can I do smth with my editing software (Sony Vegas Platinum or Pro) at least to minimize the hum but leave the voice natural sounding? Thanks again! Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Rupert Howe rup...@... wrote: Do you get a hum wherever you film inside, or particularly in one location? Lots of household/office appliances that we can't hear or filter out make a big hum when recorded - air con, computers, fridges, etc. Try being ruthless about shutting everything off when filming. Keep different types of cables away from each other, and if you need to cross them, do so at right angles. Test whether it's the tape mechanism that's making a lot of noise by monitoring the audio with a good pair of headphones at a distance from the camera, both with and without the tape running. Rupert http://twittervlog.tv On 26 Jan 2010, at 08:38, loretabirkus wrote: Hello again, I would like to know how you manage to record a sound with minimum hum in a room environment. I have a good microphone that I use for my filming, but I always get a huge hum sound if I film inside. I used Audacity to eliminate the background noise, but sometimes it doesn't work and it makes the voice sound weirdly alien :) I even purchased a new Rode Videomic to see if there's any difference in the hum sound volume and I still get it with this mic as well. Any tips how to eliminate as much as possible the hum noise during filming so that there's less work during editing? And how to eliminate the hum noise and keep a descent quality during the editing process? I'm stuck on this now as I'm trying all ways (Audacity, Adobe Audition, Magic Audio cleaning softwares) to remove the noise and I don't get the results that I want. Thanks much! Loreta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[videoblogging] Re: avoiding/cleaning hum noise
I meant Rupert. sorry for mistyping your name! --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, loretabirkus loretabir...@... wrote: Ruoert, I've filmed inside so far. But in this one particular location the hum sound is extremely big. I do have good earphones and I hear the sound in them as well. I haven't tried with the tape off, but I suspect that it's the camcorder mechanism in addition to the environment sound. I will try with the tape running and not. I usually don't use lots of cables. I just use charged battery and mic. Well this last time I did use a couple of lights. Maybe this could have added. I'll have to test that as well. However, now that I have this huge hum is there any way to fix it during editing (rerecording is not an option). I did try EQ and different noise removal programs that I mentioned in my first email-they all still leave that alien sound either in the background or on the voice. I'm frustrated and it's stopping me from moving forward. I was wondering if I don't use any noise removal programs, can I do smth with my editing software (Sony Vegas Platinum or Pro) at least to minimize the hum but leave the voice natural sounding? Thanks again! Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Rupert Howe rupert@ wrote: Do you get a hum wherever you film inside, or particularly in one location? Lots of household/office appliances that we can't hear or filter out make a big hum when recorded - air con, computers, fridges, etc. Try being ruthless about shutting everything off when filming. Keep different types of cables away from each other, and if you need to cross them, do so at right angles. Test whether it's the tape mechanism that's making a lot of noise by monitoring the audio with a good pair of headphones at a distance from the camera, both with and without the tape running. Rupert http://twittervlog.tv On 26 Jan 2010, at 08:38, loretabirkus wrote: Hello again, I would like to know how you manage to record a sound with minimum hum in a room environment. I have a good microphone that I use for my filming, but I always get a huge hum sound if I film inside. I used Audacity to eliminate the background noise, but sometimes it doesn't work and it makes the voice sound weirdly alien :) I even purchased a new Rode Videomic to see if there's any difference in the hum sound volume and I still get it with this mic as well. Any tips how to eliminate as much as possible the hum noise during filming so that there's less work during editing? And how to eliminate the hum noise and keep a descent quality during the editing process? I'm stuck on this now as I'm trying all ways (Audacity, Adobe Audition, Magic Audio cleaning softwares) to remove the noise and I don't get the results that I want. Thanks much! Loreta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[videoblogging] Re: question about website overlay
Jay, thanks I will try this out tonight! I hope it works :) Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Jay dedman jay.ded...@... wrote: PC. Editing with Sony Vegas Platinum 8. Please let me know how to do this. Thanks. Other people here who use PC's could offer more help, but http://camstudio.org/ is a free screencasting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screencast) program. It will let you record website and then import that video clip into Sony Veags. Now when someone is talking about heir Facebook page, you can actually show the Facebook page he's talking about. Jay -- http://ryanishungry.com http://momentshowing.net http://twitter.com/jaydedman 917 371 6790
[videoblogging] question about website overlay
Hello, I again have a question which to you may seem first grade, but I don't know how to do it :) So... I would like to put an overlay of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin websites over my client's talking (he's talking about them). So instead of him speaking those names out, I'd like to put them visually. Is there any way I can do this without filming a computer screen with these pages open or doing a screen shot? I have little idea how to embed them as a quality footage as if a real website is appearing on the screen. Thanks much! Loreta
[videoblogging] Re: question about website overlay
hi Jay, PC. Editing with Sony Vegas Platinum 8. Please let me know how to do this. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Jay dedman jay.ded...@... wrote: So... I would like to put an overlay of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin websites over my client's talking (he's talking about them). So instead of him speaking those names out, I'd like to put them visually. Is there any way I can do this without filming a computer screen with these pages open or doing a screen shot? I have little idea how to embed them as a quality footage as if a real website is appearing on the screen. There are programs that let you easily record images on your computer...and edit into a video. very common and easy to learn. What machine are you using (PC or mac)? What video editing software? jay -- http://ryanishungry.com http://momentshowing.net http://twitter.com/jaydedman 917 371 6790
[videoblogging] Re: new to the group - question about filming THANKS
Thanks everyone for your useful advice about lights! I'll be filming this Friday and will use your tips how to make the environment/video lighter. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Richard Amirault ramira...@... wrote: - Original Message - From: loretabirkus 1. I was asked to film a short 1-2 min clip for one small company. The president does workshops for his clients and I'd like to get some shots of that. However, I checked out the room where he's doing the workshops and it's pretty dark, ceiling florescent lighting, dark sand color walls and kind or cramped. I figured out the angle from which I will film, but I'm afraid there won't be enough lighting. I do have lights that I use for studio type picture taking (2 of them) and I will bring those, but in order to get use of them, they'd have to be upclose to people I guess. However, then the lamps would be seen in the picture. How do you usually resolve the issue of lighting in small, having no windows rooms? I was thinking about increasing the exposure as well if I see that there's still not enough lighting with my both lamps that I have. But any other ideas would be helpful. Assuming that the ceiling is some sort of white ... shut OFF the florescent lights and use your lights but aim them up at the ceiling. They can be off to the side, out of the camera shot. Hoping that your lights are reasonably powered. Try it and see. If your light are not powerful enough than you'll have to aim them directly at the subjects .. but in either case shut off the fluorescents as mixing different colored lights is not a good idea. Richard Amirault N1JDU http://bostonfandom.org
[videoblogging] new to the group - question about filming
Hello videobloggers, I've been reading your posts and I feel so far behind in my knowledge :). But I hope I will catch up. I just recently started to do small videoblogs for small business owners. I'm just stepping in to see if I really like doing it. I've been filming and editing my family videos for a number of years now, but I never did anything for other people up until a month ago. I thought to give it a try and see if this could be something I can do for a living. So..I have several questions, if you don't mind answering. 1. I was asked to film a short 1-2 min clip for one small company. The president does workshops for his clients and I'd like to get some shots of that. However, I checked out the room where he's doing the workshops and it's pretty dark, ceiling florescent lighting, dark sand color walls and kind or cramped. I figured out the angle from which I will film, but I'm afraid there won't be enough lighting. I do have lights that I use for studio type picture taking (2 of them) and I will bring those, but in order to get use of them, they'd have to be upclose to people I guess. However, then the lamps would be seen in the picture. How do you usually resolve the issue of lighting in small, having no windows rooms? I was thinking about increasing the exposure as well if I see that there's still not enough lighting with my both lamps that I have. But any other ideas would be helpful. 2. How do you film the details in such settings? Meaning, do you have to zoom into the leader of the workshop (in this case), to zoom into hands of people, their faces to capture their mood and experience at this workshop? I want to get as much footage as possible. I may not necessarily need to use it, I just want to be covered and not worry about it during the editing process. I have only one camera. 3. And lastly, is there any way to increase the light while editing? I'm using Sony Vegas Platinum 8 editing program. I haven't looked if it has this feature. I thought I'd ask here first to get some input and advice. I have one clip for another client that's a bit too dark, in my opinion, and it's too late to get it re-filmed, so I was wondering if there's any way that I can fix the light during editing. Thanks so much for reading this long email. I feel like an amateur among you all professionals :) I'm sure I'll learn a lot here. Thanks. Have a great weekend. Cheers! Loreta p.s. Steve, I'll look for your book on Amazon! How amazing to get published! Congrats!
[videoblogging] Re: new to the group - question about filming
Hi Rupert (and others), Thanks for your input so far. I probably didn't make it clear in the beginning why I need to film the workshop. No, I won't need the whole workshop to put on the website. And I don't need sound for it either (even though I do have a good mic). I will be doing exactly what you described: testimonials, the client talking about his business, etc. I just needed the workshop for props (as footage). So that when my client talks about his business I can lay some of the visuals over him, while he talks. So I understand that it's best to film still shots of this, right? How long does a shot usually have to be to make it long enough to edit or put as slides of several shots over my client? I will check the website you recommended as well. Thanks. Loreta --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Rupert Howe rup...@... wrote: I wouldn't try to avoid using the location if it's dark and ugly. The combo of fluorescent ceiling lights and your studio lights may not be very useful for a dark room full of people trying to do a workshop (where your lighting needs are secondary). Sounds quite stressful and ultimately probably quite unattractive and unusable. If it's a 1-2 minute film, you're probably not going to get a lot of meaningful content from the workshop anyway, and these kind of things always look a bit odd. So think around it: how can you explain the workshops without showing them? Can you get the guy to talk about what he does in little snippets, and ask him to get former participants to give testimonials to camera which you can intercut. If you really need to shoot him doing his thing, cheat and film just him speaking in a nicer brighter location. Get them outside where possible. Think about rigging up a white background (sheet or paper) to do his presentation against. As far as what to film, personally I would get fairly close up to faces - shooting zoomed in (on a long lens) can give a nice effect, but don't include the actual zooming process in your edit, as zooms make cheap videos look cheaper. Other details might be good for cutaways if you really need to show a long piece from start to finish - but you're probably much better just sticking to quick cuts. To many cutaways, filler shots and random details can be distracting and unhelpful. Simplicity is powerful! There are a lot of great examples of this kind of thing at http://turnhere.com - and if you sign up with Turn Here, you might get some work out of it! The single most important thing to remember is to get good sound - do not use your camera mic. Particularly if you have to film the workshop. Bad, wild camera mic sound makes all video - however well shot - look cheap and bad. Get him to wear a lapel mic with a long cable - or, if it's not possible in the venue to film him with a mic attached to your camera, use a separate digital recorder and then sync up sound and picture in the edit. Good luck! Rupert http://twittervlog.tv On 15 Jan 2010, at 18:24, loretabirkus wrote: Hello videobloggers, I've been reading your posts and I feel so far behind in my knowledge :). But I hope I will catch up. I just recently started to do small videoblogs for small business owners. I'm just stepping in to see if I really like doing it. I've been filming and editing my family videos for a number of years now, but I never did anything for other people up until a month ago. I thought to give it a try and see if this could be something I can do for a living. So..I have several questions, if you don't mind answering. 1. I was asked to film a short 1-2 min clip for one small company. The president does workshops for his clients and I'd like to get some shots of that. However, I checked out the room where he's doing the workshops and it's pretty dark, ceiling florescent lighting, dark sand color walls and kind or cramped. I figured out the angle from which I will film, but I'm afraid there won't be enough lighting. I do have lights that I use for studio type picture taking (2 of them) and I will bring those, but in order to get use of them, they'd have to be upclose to people I guess. However, then the lamps would be seen in the picture. How do you usually resolve the issue of lighting in small, having no windows rooms? I was thinking about increasing the exposure as well if I see that there's still not enough lighting with my both lamps that I have. But any other ideas would be helpful. 2. How do you film the details in such settings? Meaning, do you have to zoom into the leader of the workshop (in this case), to zoom into hands of people, their faces to capture their mood and experience at this workshop? I want to get as much footage as possible. I may not necessarily need to use it, I just want
