Welcome to the Video Workshop.
We will endeavor to create a video (or two) for this class using best practices. Knowing how to do it the right way, or at least YOUR right way, will make it easier to work with clients in the future.
We want to have a completed video or two by the end of this class.
There are some realities to shooting video.
Cameras: If you ask 10 different photographers you will get 10 different answers. I like what very prolific video maker Casey Niestat says: whatever you have works fine.
I will be using an iPhone for mine. I may also use an old 60D with manual focus for some ideas I have, but whatever camera you have, that will be fine.
We will also be taking this class slow and steady. Yes, I know we could all do this in a couple of weeks, but we are all still busy with other commitments and work. Let’s slow down a bit, take each module apart and work on the particular skills we need to make our lives easier when the hectic pace of a pro gig shoot comes our way.
AUDIO:
If you do not have audio capabilities, I would recommend a couple of options.
Rode Compact Shotgun. I have heard great things about this mic. Lots of videographers swear by them.
http://amzn.to/2k7qhzF
For smaller cameras and cameraphones, check out this Rode microphone.
RODE VideoMic GO
http://amzn.to/2wZJiu9
This is the one I use, and I think it is amazing especially for the price.
Rode VideoMicro Compact
To record audio remotely, you can consider one of these.
Voice Recorder 8GB Pro PCM 1536K Clear Stereo Audio by EVISTR
You would then sync that audio track to your video.
If you want to go Lavalier (Lapel mic), consider one of these:
Movo WMIC50 2.4GHz Wireless Lavalier Microphone System
A wireless cavalier for smart phones.
New BOYA BY-WM4 Universal Lavalier Wireless Microphone Mic with Real-time Monitor for IOS iPhone 7 7 plus 6 6s Smartphone
LIGHTING
We will be using continuous light. They can be purchases or we can use natural light and modify it as we see fit. This is by far the least expensive way to go, and may be perfect for a lot of what we are doing.
If you have strobes, the modeling lights may be fine.
Here is a continuous lighting kit that would be perfect for ‘studio’ work.
StudioFX H9004SB2 2400 Watt Large Photography Softbox Continuous Photo Lighting Kit 16″ x 24″ + Boom Arm
You can also go with LED light panels and the scrims you use for your strobes. Do not overthink it at this point. Let’s make videos with what we have or with very little cash output. As we learn, we will know exactly what we need.
SOFTWARE
I will be using Premier because I have it and I need to use it with all my cloud apps.
There is also iMovie, Moviemaker, Davinci Resolve, and HitFilm. Davinci Resolve and Hitfilm are both free for Mac and PC. Powerful editors that won’t break the bank. The editors are similar enough that you could move from one to another at some point and be OK.
I would highly recommend you having your own Youtube Channel to park videos for class. Or a Vimeo. You can set the videos to Unlisted and no one can find them but the people you give the URL to.
That is it for this welcome email.
The class page will be up this weekend: look for it in the Workshops dropdown.
See you Monday.
MODULE LINKS
Module One
Conceptual Approaches
Module Two
Storyboard and Shot Lists
Module Three
Time Lapse, Slow Motion, B-Roll Transitions
Module Four
Shooting a complete video: 90″ – 120″ with all tools studied so far.
Module Five
Gathering Assets and Thinking in ‘short clips’
Module Six
Putting the Assets into the Shoot Plan
Module Seven
Music / Color