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A few weeks back, we broadcasted a live basketball game  and it was my first time doing a live show so, I thought I should share my experience. Last Tuesday, we broadcasted another live game as well!   The first thing is that we were very lucky to have a good team planning and working on the day of the broadcast but, even with them the whole time is very stressful. The other thing is that there is so many moving parts, that technical issues are bound to happen but, we were lucky to have only a few minor technical problems. No matter how much planning goes into a live production, things are bound to go wrong and slight errors will be made. The only thing you can do is to prepare and practice. This is done by an all volunteer crew and i’m sure a professional crew who does this regularly will be able to run a much smoother production. However, the whole process of doing a live show is very stressful and there is no real way to cover mistakes if you are doing a true live show. Although it was stressful, it was also a lot of fun and I hope that we do more in the future.

In the early days of web video the quality was very low resolution and because of low internet speeds, you could only stream the videos online whether it is pre-recorded or streamed live. Fast forward to today, and people are now making video specifically for the internet but there are two major methods of distribution now. You can either release the videos as a download and watch it whether you or online or not or on your portable media device. The other method is live streaming where you stream the video live to the web and have people watch it at the time it is being broadcast. Although live streaming is good for things like news and other time-sensitive issues, it would be nice to have archives and be able to watch it later if you could not watch it at that time or if you just want to watch it again. Live also allows for audience interaction in real time, while video downloads have a delay between the time the audience sent the feedback and when the producers respond to it. So what is the best solution, it’s simple DO BOTH! Streaming sites like Stickam and UStream allow you to stream live as well as record the video to be played back on demand later. This provides the advantages of both methods and will appeal to both audiences. I don’t usually like to watch live video because it is usually lower quality but, I do for big events like CES or Macworld. But, you can then watch it if there is a product you are interested in and learning more about.

I wrote these for when  I was assisting students if the 4500 Digital Video Contest, and I want to share them to help making videos much easier.

PDF Document Download

Pre Production:

1. Write a script, revise your script and then stick with it as much as possible.
2. Make Storyboards to make framing your shots much easier during production
3. Try Celtx (celtx.com) which is a free Scriptwriting program for Windows, Mac, or Linux, pre-formatted script templates

Video:

1. White Balance (Camera) and/or Color Correct (Post- Production) if possible
2. Always Use a Tripod, Steady cam or Monopod to keep camera still and steady ALWAYS
3. Only use Black and white if the movie is meant to be “retro” or if there is a flashback; don’t use Black  and White just because you can
4. Use a variety of shots; don’t just use the same type of shot for the whole movie mix it up, it makes the movie much more exciting
5. Don’t begin the action until AT LEAST 3 seconds after the record button is pressed, so that your video doesn’t get cut off.
6. Have backup camera batteries or make sure your battery is charged before recording a scene
7. Once recording, leave the shot where it is during recording
8. If you use multiple camera either use a clapper board before each scene or just clap your hands loudly before recording so you can easily sync your cameras up
9. Use Shot log as you record, so you don’t have to re-watch every clip when capturing
10. Focus your camera
11. Only Use a Greenscreen or Bluescreen if  you have thoroughly tested it and know it works prior to production
12. HD is good, if you have a computer hardware and software to handle it, if not a well light, standard definition picture looks fine.
13. Shoot as much more than you expect to use; If  there is a glitch with one take, have one or more backup take so you don’t lose your scene.

Lighting:

1. Make Sure your subjects can be easily seen and well light; dark video causes a grainy pictures
2. If recording outside, record with the sun behind you to prevent sun glare

Audio:

1. Don’t use the camera’s built-in Microphone if at all possible
2. Don’t record outside unless you absolutely have to
3. If You do have to record outside, microphones are must
4. Beware of background noise; do a test recording before you begin your project to listen for background noise so, you can eliminated or reduce them
5. Keep Audio cables, microphones and the camera away from power cords because they cause noise
6. Monitor Audio levels with headphones while recording (If Possible)
7. Beware of the Wind, the wind makes audio nearly impossible to hear and a nightmare to work with
8. Don’t film in rooms that have an echo; once again makes audio annoying to listen to
9. Silence your cell phones; If you are using wireless microphones, turn all cell phones off because they cause interference with the microphones

Acting:

1. Make Sure the Actors project their voices so they can easily be heard in the video
2. Use Cue cards or a teleprompter if the actors need help with their lines
   1. a. Put lines on a PowerPoint slideshow on a laptop and have it easy to read for the actors. Page through as the video goes on for the actors to easy know their lines.
3. Practice Your lines before recording

Post-Production:

1. NEVER USE WIPES, for transitions stick to: Cuts, Dissolve, fade and dip to color
2. Dip to color (Black) is a good way to show passing of time
3. Never Use Jump cuts unless it is meant to be a part of the video
4. Expect to spend hours editing!
5. Save Always and Save often
6. Make Sure Audio levels are not too loud or too soft and if they are, then either amplify or reduce the volume

Music:

1. Don’t Use Copyrighted Music
2. Use Creative Commons, Royalty-free or Public Domain Music

DIY Video Making Ideas:

1. Use house lights for additional lighting (Make sure you white balance or color correct because house lights give off a yellow color temperature
2. White Poster board as a bounce board (absorb and bounce light) $1
3. Use Cardboard covered with Aluminum foil to reflect light (Reflector)
4. Google “DIY Steadycam” to find a tutorial on how to make your own steady cam for $10
5. Mix or Combined multiple microphones by using a basic headphone splitter to record two microphones- BEWARE THIS CAUSES EACH MICROPHONE TO ONLY BE HEARD ON ONE SIDE (LEFT OR RIGHT) WHEN PLAYED BACK
6. Greenscreen- Green Tablecloths from the Dollar store (Needs proper lighting)

Miscellaneous:

1. Remember Murphy’s Law:  “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong”; Plan for everything to take more time than you think it will
2. Ask For Help when you need it
3. Don’t break the law during the production of the video
4. Be Patient
5. Have Fun
6. Don’t Spend too much money  when you can do a lot for very little money
7. Have a schedule and follow it
8. Be Flexible
9. Manage your time well

Resources:

1. Film Riot Video Podcast (Teaches effects and techniques) revision3.com/filmriot
2. Creative Commons  Music: ccmixter.com
3. Royalty-Free Music and Sounds: freesounds.org

Tutorials:

1. Howcast.com
2. Ehow.com
3. Mediacollege.com
4. Videomaker.com

Youtube, the largest social video network on the Internet as well as Vimeo have both recently  launched HTML 5 video players which is the newest version of the web development language that is used to write all websites! It now has added support for embeded video! I think this is a major game changer because, it undermines the current Flash video standard which has given Adobe a lot of power with their Flash Player being installed on millions of computers. However, if more video site switch to HTML 5 then, less people would both using Flash to watch video if they could just as easily watch the video in H.264 format and not need to install any other software. However, the current version of Firefox, which is my favorite browser, does not yet support HTML 5 but, it will be coming soon I’m sure!  Right now HTML 5 video is a beta feature of these sites, mainly because all browsers don’t support it. But, this can easily become a standard and make watching internet videos much easier! Browsers need to add the support for HTML 5 and once it becomes a standard, Flash usage will greatly decrease. Flash will still be used for internet games but, for video HTML 5 will take over! Another advantage is that HTML 5 that it streams higher-quality video than Flash and gives the viewer a better experience.

Whether it is a corporate video, film or TV show there is a certain sequence of steps that you should follow through the production process. If you do not follow these steps, then it your video will not turn out as well as you may want it to, so I am going to outline the steps so that you know what you should do, the next time you produce a video.

1. Pre-Production

• Outline your ideas
• Write A Script
• Make Storyboards
• Find Locations
• Get Equipment

2. Production

• Setup Equipment
• Dress the Set
• Rehearse Before Production
• Run Microphone checks
• Record
• Strike Equipment (Put Equipment Away)
• Strike the Set (Break down the set)

3. Post-Production

• Capture footage into your editing software
• Select Clips to use in final production
• Arrange Clips in the timeline in the order you want it to be
• Add Title and ending sequence
• Add Transitions (Only Dissolve, cut and dip to color)

4. Distribution

• Export the project to video format of your choice (MP4s are close to universal)
• Deliver it to Distribution platforms (Internet, Television, other distribution networks)

Although the reactions to Apple’s new tablet, the iPad have not been that of the revolutionary product many people thought it would be, I have found a perfect use for the iPad. The iPad is a great device for video production. I have found several great uses for it in the field of video production and all of them make producing video much easier. The first and what I think is the best use is for the Director, and Producer to have a script to follow during production either in a read-only PDF file or using the $10 pages app. This is great if they just want to follow along during the production or make changes as the production goes on. Another use is for the accountant or whoever has to keep a budget for the production can make adjustments or  track expenses on location. I can also be a great communication device between talent, crew, producers and directors. Another use for it is for a slate, there are several slate/clapperboard apps for the iPhone and the 10 inch slate would be great to have on the set and then open an app to have a slate ready making synchronizing audio and video much easier. It also would work as a great shot log either in a specific app or just in a Numbers spreadsheet. The final use the iPad could serve is watch video back by importing video into iTunes and syncing it to the iPad to see how the video has turned-out.

The internet has been the home to humorous videos of people covering songs, commenting on celebrities, playing lightsaber and other entertaining videos for many years, but, there has also been high quality programming made for the internet as well. People  have been making television-quality programming for the internet like Revision3, and many other production companies making content for the internet like Blame Society productions who make Chad Vader. These shows have become very popular and have made web series a common thing for people to watch.
I think that in the future all video will be distributed if not exclusively, at least as an addition to other distribution methods. Another trend that will be growing is video produced specifically for the internet because it allows people to watch h their programming whenever they want asnd whereever they want. One thing that has  happened recently, is that is Hulu, the popular video site has begun to distribute  independently films and series which provides them a platform to share their content without having to go through a film distribution company. This will continue so more people can produce and distribute their content easily and get their work out!

Less than ten years ago, people in video production would specialize in one position and that would be the sole job for the most part. For example, a person might be a editor and that would be all they do. However, now that the economy is in such a poor position and the fact that video equipment have become much more simple than it used to be. People who are now looking into working in the field of video production need to be able to operate all pieces of equipment and read to do it all. This is great for those who want to produce video because they won’t need to pay so many people because you could produce a video with only a handful of people. It is not uncommon for someone to serve as Camera operator and editor and possible some other position as well. Also, the on-air talent no longer can just be on-air talent, they  should be able to at the very least produce and or write. This tread will become a common practice in all video productions because it is not only more efficient but, will also cost much less to produce.

Now that video cameras have become so much more affordable anyone can produce their own videos which is great but there are certain techniques that are used by amateur video producers that make it obvious that they are not professional. Many of these things are simple and by avoiding them, you can greatly increase the production value of your video.

1. Transitions

Te single most annoying thing when watching a video is the excessive use of video transitions. Many amateur video makers use these because they think they look cool and they want to use every wipe that came with Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. Anytime you see wipes between each edit point you know the maker does not know what they are doing and are simply inserting these for fun.

Solution:

Using some transitions is ok but limit them only to dissolves and maybe the occasional wipe. There is also nothing wrong with a direct cut as long as it doesn’t result in a jump cut.

2. Yellow (Not White Balanced) Video

This is one of the most telling thing is if the video is yellow, yellow video shows that someone just grabbed a camera and shot without even thinking to white balance the camera. This causes really poor video quality and just looks bad.

Solution:

First, light the scene well, with Tecker 911, we used house lights to light the set for the first 30 episodes and although it did not look great, it got   the job done. If you are willing to spend a little money Halogen Work lights also would work as they did for The Broken and other early Revision3 shows. If you are very serious about being a video producer then, a professional lighting kit is the best choice although they run around $1,000. If you don’t want to spend any money, consider shooting  outside making sure the sun is not behind the talent.

3. Background Noise

Videos that have a lot of background noise or enough so it is too hard to hear what is going on in the video makes a video seem very unprofessional. Also, it distracts from the purpose of the video and makes in not worth watching.

Solution:

Try and find a quiet environment to record in that doesn’t have a lot of background noise. Another way to prevent the noise from being picked up is by using a microphone to record the talent’s audio and dial down the ambient sound. Finally, many editing suites like Final Cut Studio have audio post processing and allow the editor to cut the background noise in post production.

4. Jump Cuts

Jump cuts are a distraction for the viewer and are when a person or thing jumps from one position to another without showing the in between stages. This is something that happens when someone edits without much experience or if they don’t have enough footage to work with.

Solution:

Shoot as much extra footage as time will allow and be sure to check the edit points before moving on. Also, reducing jump cuts will be easier as you become more experienced in video editing.

5. Shaking Video

Shaking video is also very distracting and makes the video hard to follow as well as blurry if there is large amounts of movement.

Solution:

Use a stabilizing device such as a tripod, monopod or a steadycam. In other modern editing suites, you can add video stabilization in post production. However, you should only use this as a last resort and definitely use a stabilizing device.

6. Dark Video

Dark video once again makes the video hard to follow and makes what is visible looks pixelated and very low quality.Dark video is even worse than yellow video.

Soluton:

Once again, lighting will solve this problem as I mentioned for Yellow video.

7. Out of Focus Video

Out of focus video is better know as blurry video and is the same as Yellow and dark video because it just makes the video less effective.

Solution:

Remember to zoom all the way in first and then focus the camera so that no matter how zoomed the shot is, it will be in focus! Lighting also helps with this as well.

Now that I wrote those, I hope that people take these into consideration before making their next video project.

I was excited when I heard that my school was going tapeless but then, I found out that what they were moving to were P2 cards which are proprietary memory cards but are all based on flash memory. Then, I found out how much they cost, which is between $1,000 and $4,000
depending on capacity. Although I could be wrong, seeing that I have never seen what is on the inside of the card, I can only imagine it not being much different from a normal SD card on the inside. SD cards, because they are made by many companies and are used in manyb products, you card get a huge 32 GB SD card that can hold about 4 hours of high definition video for around $100. The one thing that P2 may have that I am unsure of is reliability although SD card have a decent life span. Given the choice, I would rather get 40 SD cards instead of 1 P2 card for the same price. I have only one SD card break on me in the course of many years of using them.

P2, because it is a proprietary system only certain devices use P2 cards and they are very expensive because one company, Panasonic, has a monopoly on the cards and the devices. While, SD cards have become the standard for multimedia and many devices use them. Not only that, but, many computers, have built-in SD card readers while with P2, you need to buy a special adapter. P2 is definitly an improvement over tape but, I think SD cards are going to be much more common and are also compadibility with many more devices. The era of proprietary formats is on the way out, open formats such as SD cards and USB devices are going to be more successful because they are more universal.