-
Video Editing, Capturing, Compositing and Story Telling Help please…
INTRO
How sad. I’m at a friend’s house using his PC. Pretending that it’s my own. Because for more than 6
months, ………
I miss the old times. Always in front of my computer. You see, my computer had been broken for more than
6 months. So right now, I’m at a friend’s house using his computer, pretending that it’s my own. He also
has a fast internet access, as for me, I only use Dial-up so I’m happy when I’m at his house. 🙂
Almost everyday beginning last week, I’m at his house.
So right now, I have no idea about those new things happening in the net specially softwares, video
editing, etc… Can you please update me?
VIDEO EDITING
I need sometips in Video Editing including Capturing Videos. Before, I am using Ulead Media Studio 7. I
then upgraded to Ulead Media Studio 8. And I am so confused. Please help me.
By the way in Media Studio 8, how can I edit multiple camera angles? And does it support smooth slow
motion?
I researched in the net, and checked out the forum of a TV Station and I asked them what editor they use.
They told me they use AVID. AVID Adrenaline. Another friend of mine uses Canopus Edius, which he always
recommends it to me.
Which of the 2 Editors are the best to use? AVID or Edius?
AVID, I think I liked Avid Liquid Pro, Avid Xpress Pro, and Avid Media Composer. What do you think is the
best to use and why some of their products have integraded hardware in it?
How about Edius? What do you think about it? Do you think it’s more advanced, easy to use, and more
powerful than AVID?
Also, I am going to edit school projects, home videos, short films, and probably almost anything and
everything.
COMPOSITING
Adobe After Effects, they always tell me that it’s a wonderful application. But what version to use? And
is it easy to use with the current and future Video Editor(s) that I or I will use?
I know all Adobe products are hard to use. Is there a way to learn it faster and easier?
I am going to use the compositing softwares in Blue Screening, Smooth Slow Motion and Visual Effects.
Another plan, to make the project unique, I’m planning to use 3D. 3D Objects or CG Objects. What program
to use? What program to use in Motion Tracking the CG Objects? I would like my short film to look so
modern and expensive even though it’s not that expensive.
CAPTURING
In Capturing, what kind of Codec to use? What kind of Video Capture Software to use? What kind of Capture
Card?
STORY TELLING AND VIDEO CAMERA SHOOTING
Finally, can you please give me Video Camera shooting/recording tips/tutorials? Capturing the moments
like Birthdays, Weddings, Outings, Short Films (to make it look professional), etc… Camera Angles,
proper Video Camera to use, Making documentary, narrating, making MTVs and making a good concept/story of
the movie(or plot)/video/outing/wedding/birthday/live video specially in Editing.
HARDWARE AND SOME COMPOSITING ISSUES
What kind of proper computer hardware to use? Memory, Speed, Hard Drive, etc… I’m currently using
Windows XP Pro SP2.
I’ve tried Combustion. Difficult to use but it’s OK.
I would like tot ry any Boris Products. What to use and is it worth it?
I know everything is not easy to use. Can you please give me easy to understand tutorials? (In summary
i’m just a beginner so I need easy to learn Tutorials in All Applications (Video Editor(s) that you’ll
recommend, Compositing Softwares that you’ll recommend and Capturing Videos).)
Thanks in Advance.
-
1 Reply
-
Even though you got a good answer on the Avid forum, I’ll take a stab at this question here…
The answer Bob Zelin gave raises some interesting questions. If money is truly not an issue, why do you still have a broken computer and dial up? The systems you mentioned all cost from $5000.00 and up. So, unless you are a trustafarian, money SHOULD be an issue (and brings me back to point one….). Which brings up another point: How are you going to get video to edit? Are you buying a camera, or partnering with a videographer? What format will you edit most? What will be your output format? VHS, DVD? Maybe .wmv or Quicktime files?
Any good edit system does three things: Ingests full-motion video at a specified quality, manipulates those files in real time (or in some cases, after a render) and outputs the finished product with an absolute minimum of degradation. The systems you mentioned (as well as Apple’s FCP) all do it well. Pay no attention to the marketing wonks who tell you otherwise. You must keep in mind the technical side of the equation. Any good edit system makes the technical considerations transparent – if you wind up troubleshooting a system, you are not being creative, and you’re not making money. Hence, my standard mantra to ‘buy from a reseller’.
Because this is an Avid forum, and I’m an Avid guy, I’d recommend Liquid. From the demos I’ve seen, It does all you’ll ever need.
As far as the ‘art of the edit’, the COW has a great forum called, well, the Art of the Edit. There is some absolutely outstanding information there. Search on topics that interest you, then read. Google ‘the art of the edit’, and search Amazon for books on the topic.
Lastly, I (and a lot of others here) learned to edit using two 3/4″ edit machines hooked together and a little cuts-only edit controller. I contend many who learn editing on a non-linear system rely too much on compositing and flashy transitions before they learn to tell a story. The story is in the images and sounds you have. It’s there and ready to breathe if you, as an editor, let it. Watch any news show. You’ll rarely see anything other than a dissolve – it’s about the story. So, my strongest advice is to edit. Wether it’s Windows Movie Maker, or a $100,000.00 system, edit. Make mistakes, learn pacing, learn what angles work and what angles don’t (and most importantly, WHY). Learn why audio is the single most important thing an editor has (and one most videographers neglect). Get as much seat time as you can. Bob’s advice to you about getting a job at a local station was spot on.
Time to get off the soapbox, into the shower and off to work. Happy editing at your friends house, and I hope you get your computer fixed. Soon.
Jon
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up