[Stan Welks]

Thanks everyone!

[Stan Welks]

Hi Jordan,

Thanks for your response. I am pretty new to all this so I’m going to ask a few follow-up questions if you do not mind:

1.) How does the light compression even it out some more? What does that actually mean? I compress audio from within Final Cut Pro to get it ready for web delivery and decrease file size, though I am guessing you mean something different.

2.) Can I apply what you are suggesting in Final Cut Pro or is this something I need another program for?

Thanks!

[Stan Welks]

As it turns out, I have access to a Countryman E6/B6.

1. It has different caps, a very crisp response one, a flat response one, and a crisp response one. Which is best to use for what I will be doing? OR is this going to be a trial-and-error type of thing?

2. I also have access to a Mackie Onyx 1220. It is quite intimidating with all the switches and dials for someone like me. Are there any general guidelines or instructions anyone can give me for just what I will be doing, recording narration for screen recorded video?

Thanks everyone!

[Stan Welks]

Hi John,

1.) I was planning to use an XLR cable to plug the mic into my Mac, the XLR cable has a mic connection on the end of it so it could plug directly into the Mac’s mic port. Why did you suggest an adapter?

2.) I do have access to sound blankets. What is the ideal way for me to use these blankets? Instead of draping them all over the room, what if I just put one over myself while speaking into the mic? Would that result in good quality?

3.) The mics have wind screens (I believe that is what they are called) the fuzzy things you put over them to block wind. Is it better to use those or not to use those with what I am trying to do?

Thanks!!!

[Stan Welks]

Hi Mark and Mark,

I want to do some product reviews. Based on what you mentioned, if I am doing a review of a product and showing, say a laptop and the logo shows, are you suggesting the company could protest and cause me issues with that? Would you blur a product that has a logo to ensure against these types of issues?

Thanks.

[Stan Welks]

It doesn’t have to be real glass, though I do want it to be transparent. Here are some examples of the kind of what I am trying to do https://www.newscaststudio.com/blog/2009/10/16/new-ktla-set-combines-contemporary-traditional-looks/

It is going to be a very simple setup, with one camera shooting straight on, and Kinos lighting the front. I was going to use a back light for the person on set though. Not sure if that will be a problem?

thanks guys for your advice.

[Stan Welks]

Thanks so much for your reply! I will be shooting 720p DVCPRO HD and I will be working with a limited amount of space (in an apartment).

1.) What colors typically “read” well on camera? Which colors make a good background color that are not overwhelming or competing with colors that might be in the foreground?

2.) One of my background ideas involved wired mesh. I was afraid of moire pattens. What actually creates the moire pattern? Is there a way to minimize/eliminate the effect?

Thanks!

[Stan Welks]

I am new to all of this, so thanks for your patience. I want everything to be in sharp focus, including me in the foreground as well as the background items.

1.) By saying: “The longer the focal length the shallower the focus will be.”
Do you mean the longer the distance the lens is from subject, the softer and more out of focus the background will be from the subject?

2.) Is it better to have the camera closer or farther to achieve foreground and background items in sharp focus?

Thanks.

[Stan Welks]

Do you think i could do this with 3-point lighting or will I need 5?

[Stan Welks]

Hi John,

This project will not be using a green screen. I am going to have a piece of wood I am going to hang on the wall that I am going to paint to look like a LCD that I am going to simply composite images and video on to.

As far as a look, I have not really thought of a lighting look. I have only really intended to make sure everything is evenly lit (I am obviously new to this).

It is going to be a web based technology review show. So I am going to talk about things and then a image of something will appear on the board briefly and then eventually the video will cut full screen to video of that item. It might be an iPod, perhaps a laptop, etc.

1.) Based on this additional info, what lighting arrangement do you recommend?
2.) Is there a lighting mood you can recommend?

Thanks!