Video Production for the Rest of Us!
Movie Making - From Why to How

Steve Webster, Vermont Fest, November 5, 2004

http://district.sbschools.net/ite/video

Why Video Editing?

• Rich learning experience
  • Planning, Organizing, Managing a Complex Project
  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaborating
  • Media Literacy/Point of View/Communicating
  • Multi-Disciplinary
  • Authentic Audience
• High Motivation
• Video is a Primary Communication Tool

What?

• Video Project Ideas

The Camera:

• Features to Look For:
  • Mini-DV Format
  • Analog/Digital Video In/Out
    • Firewire (IEEE 1394)
    • S-Video Out
  • Optical vs Digital Zoom
    • 10 x Optical (or better, if available)
    • "Rocker-arm" Switch (if available)
  • External Microphone Jack
  • Headphone Jack
  • Tripod Mount
  • Electronic Image Stabilization
  • Manual Focus Ring
  • Zoom Mic (Zooms in on the sound as you zoom the lens)
  • Easy Access to Tape (Some cameras require you to take the camera off the tripod)
  • Built-in Light
  • 2.5" or Larger LCD
  • Wind Noise Reduction Option
  • Battery and Tape Remaining Indicators
    
• UV, Polarizing, Fluorescent Filters
• Extra Battery(s)
• Mini-DV Tapes
  
• Source for Digital Video Cameras:
  • Yahoo!: Shopping: Electronics and Camera: Camcorders: DV (Digital Video)
    • Comparison shop for DV cameras by vendor, features, price
    • Generate a list of vendors for a specific camera, with price
  • Worldwide Direct
    • Good prices, low shipping costs, quality service

The Computer and Software:

• Minimum System Requirements: 
  • Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon 800 MHz or higher (1.5 GHz or Higher recommended)
  • 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended) 
  • Windows 98SE, Millenium, 2000, or XP (XP recommended)
  • 1 free PCI slot 
  • DirectX compatible graphics card (ATI Radeon or Nvidia Geforce recommended) 
  • DirectX compatible sound card (Creative Labs Audigy recommended)
  • 500 MB of disk space to install software 
  • CD-ROM drive
  • Speakers
  • Mouse
  • Microphone
• Hard Drives:
  • Minimum Sustained Read/Write: 4 MB/Sec (All SCSI and most UDMA drives)
  • Ideally, But Not Necessary: Second HD (40 - 80 GB, or more; 7200 rpm or faster)
• CD Burner (DVD Burner)
• Pinnacle Studio Deluxe, which includes:
  • Firewire Card
  • Analog Input/Output Box
  • Pinnacle Studio Version 9
  • Sources
    • CDW-G
    • Innovative Computer Solutions
  • For more info:
    • Jeff Bierly
      Eastern Regional Account Manager
      888.277.4694
      jbierly@pinnaclesys.com

Other Equipment:

• External Firewire Drive
• Tripod
• External Microphone(s) (Radio Shack)
  • Omni-Directional
  • Uni-Directional
  • Lavalier (Lapel)
• Wireless Microphone (Long's Electronics)
  • Single Channel Wireless Microphone System with Lavalier & Handheld Microphones
• Mic Stand with Boom Arm (Radio Shack)
• Wind Covers for Mics (Radio Shack)
• Headphones (Radio Shack)
• VCR, ideally with S-Video Input
• DV VCR
• Lights
• Screens to Reflect Light
• Equipment Bags & Tags

The Process:

• A Quick Overview of Video Production with Studio
• A Few Videography Tips
  
• What's the Objective?
• Training for Students
  • Camera Transfer Ritual
  • Basic Operation
  • Managing the Equipment
    • Parts Checklists
  • Story-telling
  • Composition
  • Sound
  • Lighting
• Permission Forms
• Planning the Shoot
  • Storyboarding
  • Scripting
    • Script Form
• The Shoot
  • Shot Log
• Capturing the Video
• Editing the Video
• Making the Movie
• Publishing the Movie
• Selling the Movie to Hollywood, raking in beaucoup $, and spending winters skiing in Utah and swimming in the Virgin Islands!

Other Issues:

• Project Management
• Tape & Disk Management/Backup
  • Saving to the Second Drive
• Clothing

Video Production Web Resources:

Free Tutorials:

• The Atomic Learning Library--This commercial site includes several free guides that are quite good:
  • The Grammar of Video
  • Composing Basic Camera Shots
  • Video Composition Rules
  • Video Examples

Video Resource Page (under construction...)

To the Video Production Page

To the Information Technology Education Home Page

Problems or Concerns?  Email Steve Webster
Last updated 11/12/04