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ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
I've been watching the trends and questions most often asked on the Café and other magic forums. Those who have been around for awhile have seen the same questions coming up also, I'm sure.
What is exciting about current trends is that costs of cameras and software has dramatically come down. It is no longer a question of who can afford the stuff, but who has the skills to use it. The advantage is that we have seen and will continue to see some great artists who would have never had the chance to create their own media. The disadvantage is that there will be a large amount of material produced that is sub-par and not very good at all. I remember this debate going on years ago with magicians designing their own business cards. Some did a great job, others not so great. As a producer of content, myself, I'd much rather see better quality content than lower quality, so I've decided to take some steps to help. I've rebuilt my blog from the ground up to help advance production techniques. There are already several articles I've written on video production techniques. I'm also planning on including some reviews of cameras on the market and how they would work for magicians. Here's the address: http://blog.reelsinmotion.com I'd really like to hear from everyone on your thoughts. What you like. What you don't like. What you would really like to see reviewed or taught. Thanks and I look forward to hearing back from everyone! Scott |
inhumaninferno Elite user 452 Posts |
Scott,
Don't know if this is inline with your thoughts, but I think it is important to align your expectations to the abilities and experience of the person(s) shooting your show. They may have, say, film experience but not live show experience. Or they may be broadcast students or broadcast professionals. Consider all factors in your choice in order that your expectations are not to high or vice versa. As an example, if I had film or broadcast students I might expect more than one show to be shot in order to get suitable footage. Just a few thoughts that you may or may not have already considered. Thanks, John J. |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
This is very true. You bring up an excellent point. Maybe I'll start writing an article on the strengths of various groups of professionals, students and others.
My main focus of the blog was to give as much info to entertainers so that they will have more information to get the best footage and edited product. Also so that they will be be able to improve editing skills and production skills. Great points, John. Thanks! Scott |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
Quick update...
I'm organizing several weekly columns for the site. The series on how you can organize, shoot and edit your own video is already up on the site as a weekly column that is published every Thursday. I'd really like to put my efforts towards tutorials and articles that you have an interest in, so any input is greatly appreciated! Is there anyone who has questions or a topic they'd like to understand better, post them here or email me and I'll include that onto the site? Scott |
John Tudor Loyal user Columbia, SC 209 Posts |
Scott,
There's almost two many questions/topics to ask about! One thing that I would like to know - what do you use to enhance the quality of dark or muddy colors in a finished shoot. We end up sometimes working in places with poor or just so-so lighting, of course, and is there anything in home systems that can treat this? Several years ago, I made a pilot for a kid's TV show (which never sold) and at the last minute a video consultant sent me to a post house which beautifully enhanced the color of the finished product. It was a not too expensive, and completely worth it. I'm currently using Final Cut Express, and want to see if there's anything the pro-sumer can do to "upgrade" a finished product in house, as opposed to working with a post production facility? John Tudor
"Ars longa, vita brevis." (Life is short, the art so long to learn) -Hippocrates
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ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
John,
We use Color, which is a color grading program that does just what you are talking about. Depending on how the video currently looks will affect how much it can be graded, though. Can you post or send me a screen capture of one frame? I might be able to give you a better idea of how much you could improve it. In FCExpress, you can use the 3-way color corrector (I think there is one in FCE). I have FCPro and the bundled Suite and have actually never used Express so I apologize if it doesn't have a 3 way color corrector. In Final Cut Pro, it looks like this: Then use the horizontal sliders under the colored circles to adjust the lows (blacks), mids and highs (whites). You can adjust the color temperature (kind of like a 'tint' in Photoshop) by dragging the dot in the middle of the circles towards the outside. Don't move them too far from the center, though, or you'll get some funky results! The Limit Effect sliders will confine the adjustments you make to the range of colors inside the two bars. This is helpful if you just want to bring the reds up a little. Also, you can adjust your mids a bit and use the scopes to adjust it. Without seeing the footage, though, it is a bit hard to tell if you'd need a higher end program like Color to grade it. Scott |
John Tudor Loyal user Columbia, SC 209 Posts |
Scott,
Thanks, Scott!!! I am having trouble with camera DV/firewire to export, when I can figure out how to get you that frame , I will certainly. John Here's a demo of the project , if you're interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmWAH1m62ns
"Ars longa, vita brevis." (Life is short, the art so long to learn) -Hippocrates
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