[Kathryn Dunton]

Jim,
Thanks again for all your time & effort!
Katy

[Kathryn Dunton]

Thanks so much for the input Jim. Yes, tripods have been in the back of my mind. The B&H ones don\’t seem like the best selection. Any site recommendations for both large and small… lasting quality? I have one tripod that feels like a plastic kids toy! And do u possibly have a good article link regarding all the imac/mac pro features in regards to video? I\’m still only a year old in regards to Apple too! I get around the imacs and my macbook pro pretty good… I\’ve Totally been converted but so much I still don\’t know!
Thanks again for your time and input. I\’m extremely grateful!
Katy

[Kathryn Dunton]

Thank you guys so much for your responses…
Jim, thanks for the praise. It’s not so bad b/c I LOVE this new path my life has taken. I often wonder how I lived without video & editing, etc… and I’ve gotten used to learning along with my students. It’s easy to push myself b/c I want to be able to answer most of MY questions as well as theirs. Oh, and the only thing I can say about my education so far? lynda.com…. Also, you are correct about preparing my students for the future. I needed someone to remind me of that. It’s all going to be HD & tapeless by time they hit college & the working world. When I came into this position these kids were still working with some VHS believe it or not, and hadn’t gotten past imovie. I knew my main priority was modernizing, as that will be a constant priority b/c of the constant change in this field. It’s my responsibility to not just “get comfortable” with convenient work flow. And your advice to record HD & down-convert is great… just like I know to always record or snap in color, & convert if I want B&W… same idea.

David, your reminder to question what it is exactly that I want my students to learn & how they will be expected to apply it was a perfect reminder as to the sort of “backward thinking” that educators must use. I want my students to be able to evaluate an appropriate & practical need for video, understand the most efficient way to PLAN, execute, produce, & effectively communicate a message through this medium. Along with an understanding of effective visual communication & filming techniques & ability to execute that knowledge, I want help them get the “technical” roadblocks out of their way, leaving room for creativity & production. To do this, I have to keep up with video’s modern pace… When they are faced with an all tapeless & HD workflow at their future college or job, I want them to have an edge of understanding from their time with me. By the time they progress from my level 1 course to the level 4 course, having an idea for a news package, 30 sec. spot, documentary or even a short film will not be stopped short by technical “stuff.” I want them to be able to just create.

Ok, I’m rambling on here… David, you also mentioned the fact of many people using simple cameras to produce good work. You are right, paper & pencil is their greatest tool… for example, my Comm. 1 class has spent the past 3 weeks with introductions to basic principals of filming, brainstorming, storyboarding, & planning for their PSA productions. Only after my questioning & approval of their paper & pencil work will any student go out my classroom door with a camera… I’ve seen with my own eyes the drastic difference btwn. product that slacks in the planning stage vs. one that produces with their pencils 1st… regardless of my camera choices, that is my first priority.

Which brings me to the cameras, after more thought & research I’m still going back to the Sony HVR-A1u… it’s appealing because it still operates with miniDV & will also get students started with some tapeless capture. Any thoughts on this?
-Also, Rafael mentioned the JVC-HM100U which I’ve definitely had my eye on since it came out. However, as we know, FCE doesn’t have the Mpeg2 codec that FCP has. I’m not certain I will be able to get student computers upgraded to FCP. I have a feeling that purchasing this camera before any upgrade happens would not be smart? Unless there is a no hassle alternative for converting their footage.
-The Vixia HV540 was also mentioned & looks possible for my consumer handheld choice… however, this seems only tape based recording… ?
-Another option I haven’t had time to explore is the possible use of my WD external drives with their eSATA card slots… does anyone know anything about this? Could I use them as card readers?
-Also, does anyone have experience with the new imacs that come standard with a card slot? I’m going to TRY for all new computers with these new features… which may change my camera game entirely.
-Finally, as for a camera for myself to experiment with HD & tapeless, using with Final Cut Pro… I’ve been looking at the Canon Vixia HF S cameras… any input on model # for these? Another brand choice entirely?

VERY long post! Bless ya if you read this!
Much thanks,
Katy