Mini-VariCamp?

[Chris Bell]

I just attended the Varicam in Seattle, and it was a very valuable experience. I think a mini camp for the HVX would be equally valuable.

An instructional DVD or dedicated web site would also be excellent. Given the number of these cameras which Panasonic hopes to sell, perhaps a DVD would make more sense. I wish there was something like that for DVCPRO HD/FCP post workflow. I spend a lot of time training folks on workflow. It would be great if they could just buy a DVD or go to a web site with all the answers.

People are thirsty for information about all this stuff. Any support helps!

Chris Bell
Varicam Owner/Op

[Steve Gibby]

Jan,

I think the idea of a Mini-VariCamp is an excellent idea!

Every camera has a learning curve. To maximize the footage potential of any camera, the user needs to: 1) understand all the camera’s features and what they do 2) perform hands-on experimentation to see what works for their style of production 3) match the camera to productions that is it suitable for 4) continue to push the limits of the camera so you know it’s “point of diminishing returns”.

Anything that can speed up the time frame for achieving step 1 above will simply get you on to the other steps quicker. In a busy professional world there is only so much free time for learning curves. IMO $400 spent for a Mini-Varicamp, and an additional outlay for Barry Green’s book/DVD, is money well spent because it buys you a quantum leap towards your end goal – to utilize the camera in real-world productions that generate capital for you, and/or help you to realize your professional and creative goals. Time is money, and wasted time is wasted money. You can lose more money trying to save money – IE, not buying instructional materials.

Though I’ve used a Varicam and SDX900 extensively, I would spend the money on a Mini-Varicamp and Barry’s guide to accelerate my learning curve with the HVX I am buying. The nature of true knowledge is: the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know! Rather then be a “know it all”, the keenest professional choice is to be a knowledge sponge and absorb info wherever you can get it – online, trade mags, boot camps, guide books, etc. Then put it into practical application.

Anyone who reads the various forums of DVX User and DVInfo knows by now that I am manufacturer agnostic – I regularly use cameras from all manufacturers. I’m no shill for Panasonic – but I do believe that when you get a new piece of equipment from any manufacturer, a “boot camp”, or in this case a Mini-Varicamp and Barry’s guide, are the smartest and quickest avenue to mastering the camera – even if you’re a seasoned professional user. I have 27 years of national experience as a producer, director, editor, and camera operator – and I’ll still buy these materials to go along with my HVX. Why? Because they will save me time and get me on the streets doing real world production with the camera much faster than the trial and error approach. I may know a lot about cameras, but there are always new uses and techniques to learn. Good cinematographers and videographers have a ravenous appetite for progress in equipment and techniques. To truly progress you must be teachable, adaptable, intuitive, and artistic.

Steve Gibby
http://www.cut4.tv

[Mark Tyson]

Great idea Jan. As a very happy SDX900 owner, I’m seeing the new cam as my first foray into high-def. I’ve had trouble getting my head around HDV, (just seems kinda wrong), but this appears to be the right piece of gear at the right time. I think the 200 will be a great compliment to the 900 and allow me to dip my toes in the water for not too many bucks. Having a seminar to help folks get their heads around workflow and HD/SD issues would be great…certainly a well spent 400 bucks.

Mark Tyson

[Kent Rich]

Please keep us all posted concerning this training. Myself, I’m moving into the HD world with great anticipation, but would rather not have to make all the mistakes using the trial and error method. Anything that will help me to improve my workflow and get me better acquainted with my equipment will help me save time, and as it was stated before, time is money. Thank you very much for starting this dialogue.

Kent Rich

[Mike Schrengohst]

Great idea. I would go a step further. Camera Op is one thing but the post-production is perhaps even more confusing. I have been a shooter for 25 years and I am always open for learning. I would love to have a complete work flow seminar. Be it with Apple, Avid, Premiere Pro, Vegas, Edius or whatever. I am looking to upgrade and spend $35,000 for a new HD edit suite. I am convinced that the HGX-200 is probably going to be the contender to beat. I know this gets beyond the idea of a Mini-Camp but it is just food for thought.

[Rennie Klymyk]

Jan
I’m with Chris on the instructional DVD.
The Mini-VariCamp is great however I hate to admit it but, the ram and memory I have upstairs is no match for samsung or seagate’s when it comes to recalling all those bits that were loaded originally. Tests have shown that the average person retains about 8% of the info from a seminar unless you write it down… in which case you remember something like 12%! Why not record the 1st Mini-VariCamp with a couple of HVX200’s and using that as a guide, add some details and edit into an instructional DVD? All us “Alice Hiemer” types could refresh our failing memories as often as need be and recall every shred of info.

This camera will appeal to a large array of users, many with much lower budgets. Those in smaller centers competing for fewer jobs for less money will be in this new market. The cost of attendance to a Mini-VariCamp with airfare and accommodation could mean the difference of buying that extra SD card or other accessory. Often schedules don’t permit attendance to these events. Count the number of vericam owners and compare to the number of vericamp attendees and you can see not all those who should attend, have. This owner/attendee ratio will be worse with a more affordable/accessible camera like the HVX200.

I’m not sure how much of a 2 or 3 day VeriCamp can be crammed onto a dvd but that with a condensed fine points section with graphics, narration and stills and perhaps the manual and web links should sell for $400.00, (the cost of the event for those who can’t make it). $200.00 if you buy a camera and $100.00 if you attend a Mini-VariCamp.

[Ralph Keyser]

So, heading back towards Jan’s original question, here are some topics I’d like to see at a Mini-VariCamp:

Format overview – review all of the multiple formats and their strengths
Gamma/Cine-Gamma control – features and examples of achiving different looks
Checklists – prior to shooting, what do you absolutely need to have set on the HVX-200?
Lighting – limitations of the HVX-200, and how do you adjust lighting for the best image
Sound – what setting/configurations are best to optimize sound on the HVX-200
Variable Framerate – tips and tricks
Workflows – P2, Firestore, direct to laptop, etc.

plus the usual sorts of things like a camera and menu overview.

[Chris Baldwin]

I’d like to echo these suggestions. I’m 100% supportive of a DVD though. I think we want the entire industry to understand these workflows. Yes if you understand it and a competitor doesn’t then its a marketable trait, but my customers pay me not my competitors. So I’d like to have a dvd that goes into great detail and possibly something online that can eduacte and sell my clients.

Jan, if you go with filming the mini camp, I’d volunteer to film it for the trade off of attending the camp for free.

🙂

Chris Baldwin

Chris Baldwin
Shoulder High Productions
Media of the World; For the World!
https://www.shoulderhigh.com
newsletters@shoulderhigh.com

[Häakon]

I’d throw in my vote for a DVD, too. I’m not as interested in going to a training session but if I can obtain something that will let me watch it whenever I want, as much as I want, and be a great reference material, I’d definitely spring for it. I don’t think it would necessarily be more advantageous to film the “camp,” per say, but just make a standalone recording where we can see up close, with good lighting everything that’s being discussed. A DVD would also be attainable by more people, more easily.

[Emery]

I seventh the idea of a DVD. and as Haakon suggested, rather than filming a live training seminar, a seperate recording for the DVD would be in order. There is certainly something to be said for actually being at a real seminar, but as others have suggested, its not only the cost of the siminar but the cost of air travel and accomidations. And ofcourse the DVD is much more convienent. Im always surprised companies dont provide more training material for their products. I would put a DVD in every HVX-200 box, but thats just me. Anyway, great to see your thinking of these things Jan.