A few thoughts: First thing, buy a copy of "dv101, A Hands-On Guide For Business, Government & Educators" by Jan Ozer (ISBN: 0-321-34897-4). Ozer makes four basic assumptions about the reader:
* They are working alone. * They have only one camcorder. * They are editing digitally. * They are producing for professional distribution. The three shooting scenarios covered are: * Executive Briefing - a single person, facing the camera delivering a message to an audience. * Interview - asking questions of one person. * Discussion / Training - asking questions of two or more people who may be interacting with each other. This is the one book I turn to again and again. Second, make sure your customer (VP, company, etc.) understands what is required to make a video. I got severely burned at a former employer when I was asked to make a training video. My fault. I did a poor job of explaining: * how much time it would take setting up equipment (camera, lights, etc.) * breaking down equipment * actual taping * how much floor space this equipment would take. For music, check out www.opuzz.com <http://www.opuzz.com/> . They sell royalty free buy out music at reasonable prices. By the way, like your site. Yeah Canada! All the best, Tom Tom Gosse, aka Irish Hermit [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.irishhermit.com _____ From: videoblogging@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Moon Sent: Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 5:50 PM To: videoblogging@yahoogroups.com Subject: [videoblogging] How to move from Amateur Vlogger to Professional Video Creator?? How to move from Amateur to Professional vlogger? I recently did a vlog of the Relay for Life, Canadian Cancer Society's community fund raiser here in Oshawa. I had friends and coworkers that were involved. http://mmmmmoon. <http://mmmmmoon.blogspot.com/2007/06/relay-for-life.html> blogspot.com/2007/06/relay-for-life.html The link to the vlog was passed around the office and to our head office. It was viewed by one of the VPs and he's asked me to contact him about creating a promotional video to run at our trade show/conference booth. Basically the same as the video linked above, but the video would be of our staff working with the clients and a nice motivating song overlay. So I have a bunch of questions/concerns. 1) This project will not be part of my regular duties and should be billable separately then my regular low pay. How are projects billed? Hourly? For the whole project? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. 2) My computer system is able to handle my vlog at it's 320x240 res, but it'll need some upgrades to handle output to DVD or at least VCD quality. And of course I don't have lights, umbrellas, mics etc etc etc. My old JVC camcorder has issues, my Xacti c40 is okay, but a little low for DVD quality video. If I can upgrade my equipment, I could do a better job. 3) Podcast safe music... I'm gathering that I couldn't use that as overlay within a short promotional video being used at a trade show booth? I was lucky finding that Relay for Life song, 4) Finally... what value should I place on a 3 minute promotional video? I am a little apprehensive going down this road as I never put any thought about being paid for my hobby. With that said, I'd love for this to roll into a new career. :) Thanks folks, Mike http://vlog. <http://vlog.mikemoon.net> mikemoon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
