Doug Graham
Forum Replies Created
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Depends a bit on your camera. If it’s a small handheld, you’ll want a smallish light.
The Sony camcorders do well with the Sony 10/20 watt light, which will run off the camera battery if you use the high capacity ones.If you don’t mind wearing a battery belt, or one of those over-the-shoulder pouches, the NRG Microlux is good on the smaller cameras.
If your camera’s not so great in low light and you want more oomph, the NRG Varalux Pro is nice. It has a built-in dimmer. It’ll handle up to 50 watt lamps with no trouble. The Frezzi mini-fill is also popular.
If you have a professional camcorder with an Anton Bauer battery mount system, the Anton Bauer Ultralite II is an excellent choice. It can run off the camera’s battery and eliminate all that cabling.
Whatever light you choose, you’ll probably want to add extra diffusion to soften it. A sheet or two of Roscor Tuf-Spun clipped to the light with a paper clamp will work, or you can buy a little soft box for it.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Scroll down a bit, or jump to this post:
https://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=11&postid=854833
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Easiest way to sync audio is to plug the mic into the camera’s external microphone jack.
Use a lavalier (tieclip) mic. It can be hard-wired, or you can use a wireless microphone. A wireless substitutes a small belt-pack transmitter and a receiver on the camera for the mic cable.
If you don’t want to use a wired mic, and can’t afford a wireless (good ones start at about $500), then you can use a minidisc recorder that has a mic input, or an iRiver iFP-7xx or -8xx series MP3 player. Plug a lavalier mic into either unit and record the audio. In post, dump it into the computer and sync it up with the video by sliding the clip until the audio matches the audio from your on-board mic.
For most of your audio needs, try https://www.bhphotovideo.com or other reputable equipment dealers.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
You’re getting plenty of good advice about the advertising, so let me talk a bit about something else you said:
“I didn’t take the right steps in starting a full blown business mainly because of the limitations with me being only 17 and still in high school”
Nope, not an excuse. However, it’s EASY to start a business (and it can be part time; doesn’t have to be full time, with a studio and all). Go down to your local county or city government offices. Ask them there what you will need to start a business. You should get all the info you need.
Some things that WILL be required (not by law, but by the needs of any business):
– A business type (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC, etc.) Most small businesses are sole proprietorships.
– A business name.
– A business “identity” — business cards, a logo, stationery, flyers, etc. One of the neat things about computers is that they make it so easy to do this. You don’t have to spend a ton of cash at the printer’s.
– A business bank account. Most banks will set this up for you as easily as opening a personal checking account. You may need to have your parent or guardian help out, due to your tender years.
– A business plan. This is your report to yourself, about what you plan to do with your business, when you plan to do it, and what obstacles you will face. There’s software to help with this, but you can do it yourself with a pencil, some paper, some thought, and a little research. A business plan is REQUIRED by a lending institution if you’re looking for a loan. Take a hint from that; make a plan, even if you aren’t seeking financing.
– Record keeping. Keep track of all your expenditures, and all your income. You’ll need this when tax time comes around.Some things that MAY be required, depending on where you live:
– A zoning variance to allow you to run a business out of your home
– A “Doing Business As” or fictitious business name announcement in the paper’s Classified Ads section.
– A tax ID number
– Collection and reporting of sales tax, on part or all of your sales.And something that’s not required, but a good idea:
– Insurance on your equipment
– Liability insuranceThe main thing is simply to treat your business AS A BUSINESS. I felt very strange the first few times I talked to people about my little video business, Panda Productions. It felt like I was pretending. But if you act like you’re running a business, people will take you at face value.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Unless your video display card has a video output jack, and can output a video window, rather than simply your whole computer screen, there really isn’t a better way. I’d use your DV camcorder instead of lugging a big deck around, but you do need some sort of device to convert the digital ones and zeroes to an analog signal; there isn’t an adapter cable that will perform that function.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Sorry, Tony…but the iRiver MP3 recorders have found a serious place with event videographers. Their audio quality isn’t a match for MiniDisc, or even for a good wireless…but it’s adequate for this use, and the cost can’t be beat.
This is an “electronic toy” the same way the VX-2100 is a “toy”…not suitable for some uses, but just the ticket in its own niche.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
I have the 795 model, and haven’t even seen the 900 series, so I won’t comment.
Anyone else?
Regards,
Doug Graham -
These are two totally different animals.
The Fig Rig gains stability by imposing a two-hand grip on the rig, arms out, like holding a steering wheel (and that’s what it looks like, a steering wheel with a camera on it). The big drawbacks are that any remaining hand shake will still affect your camera, and that your arms will tire quickly in this shooting position.
The Flowpod operates in two modes. It is a monopod, which gains stability by being in contact with the ground. In the stabilizer mode, it gains stability by being a pendulum, with the center of gravity below the pivot point. In this mode, it is similar to devices like the Glidecam and Steadicam JR.
As a monopod, it’s just fine, although some have complained that it’s a little shorter than they’d like. As a stabilizer, it shares the drawback with all similar devices of tiring the arm quickly. That’s one reason why Varizoom also sells a vest and support arm that can be used with it. I’ve also seen correspondence from several Flowpod users who have complained that balancing the rig is tricky.
In my opinion, you can get probably 70-90% of the Flowpod’s stabilizer effect with any ordinary monopod. Just hold it in a two-finger grip slightly below the camera mount. And that would be my recommendation: The best bang for the buck is an ordinary monopod, which costs under $100. If you need a stabilizer, get a “real” one…with a vest and support arm. But be prepared to spend $5000 to $10,000.
Regards,
Doug Graham -
Geez, how cheap do you want ’em?
Wireless mic……..$500 and up
Minidisc recorder…$200 and up
iRiver model 795….$100-$139But better act fast. The iRiver models 7xx and 8xx have external mic inputs. But iRiver has discontinued these models in favor of the T10/T30 series, which do NOT accept an external microphone.
If anyone knows of another brand of MP3 device that DOES have a mic input, please let me know. (The only other ones I know of are Edirol, whose unit is too big and bulky, and M-Audio, whose unit isn’t out yet).
Regards,
Doug Graham -
For simple 3D animated text, Ulead’s Cool3D is easy to use and not too expensive.
For complete control over the appearance and motion of your objects, a full-blown animation program is the answer…but they are expensive ($1500 and up) and have a very steep learning curve.
For a single project, you’re better off getting a professional animator to do the job.
Regards,
Doug Graham