Good video training to quickly get up to speed

[djkoz]

I am trying to find a series of training videos that will help me quickly get up to speed in the art of videography. I’ve been hired (by some friends on a tight budget) to make a training video and a short documentary. I am trying to learn as much as possible in the next couple of months.

I know OJT is most likely the best route but that will have to come later. I also learn faster by example as opposed to reading a book.

Consequently, I am looking for a series of training videos that cover the art of videography, up to, but not including, the point of editing. I will be using a Panasonic DVX100a, and ultimately Vegas 5.

1. Audio – from a previous post someone had recommended an excellent video series on audio by Douglas Spotted Eagle, called “Now Hear This”, but at $179 it’s a bit on the high side. Does anyone have any other suggestions that might be less costly but just as good? Or should I invest the money in “Now Hear This?”

2. Lighting – I have not been able to locate a good, comprehensive video series on the art of lighting. Any suggestions?

3. Videography itself – i.e. the art of framing the scene, depth of field, filters, etc. I’m told that the DVX100a (which I’ll be ordering as soon as the DV Rack package is available) comes with an excellent book by Barry. I’m looking forward to getting that. In addition, are there any video training series that I should consider?

4. Anything else?

Since not everyone follows all threads, I’ll also be posting the audio and video questions in the appropriate forums. Hopefully, this is not against the forum's protocol.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Dan

 

[J.R. Hudson]

Re: Good video training to quickly get up to speed

Hi Dan

Wow.  You seek alot of knowledge in such a short time.  While there are no shortcuts to your goals there are some tricks, tips and tutorials you might want to start paying attention to.

AUDIO

I can't help you on that as I am still cutting my teeth on this one

Lighting & Videography

I have a couple of books that I find immenseley useful;

New Cinematographers  
by Alex Ballinger

http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=11208

Reflections: Twenty-One Cinematographers at Work
by Benjamin Bergery

http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=10701


Cinematography Two-Pack
Screencraft: Cinematography and Cinematography Theory and Practice

http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=focal_cinema

Also consider a subscription to American Cinematographer.  It's like the bible.

Some links?

Walter Graff's site (One of our participating members)

http://www.film-and-video.com

And get out and start shooting and lighting; I am using Brooder Lamps with 3400 and 5600 floro lamps in them; cheap but effective and I am learning alot on how and why and what.

The sooner you start applying theory into  practice the better; you will see what works, what does not and can share with this commuity to further tips and instruction.

When you get Vegas; goto VEgas forum and vist Vasst while your at it.

Anyone else?

 

[matthewd5]

Re: Good video training to quickly get up to speed


i had to read both messages twice.

i can't think of anything i have come across that would help a true novice.

i have at least 1/2 the books out there about this and the other half i didn't get because they sucked when i flipped through them.

can you tell us what experience you have so far?

we're an extremely helpful group here but its easier to explain how to make a super complicated thing happen than it is to explain how to put the camera in your hands and learn to use it.

keep telling us more and we'll get you up to speed.

matthew

for instance what camera(s) have you used in the past?

have you done much still photography or played around with a consumer mini-camera like one of the mini sony cameras?

 

[djkoz]

Re: Good video training to quickly get up to speed

I appreciate all the feedback and advice.

For a novice with photography expreience but not video experience I am well aware that I have a lot to learn. I also know that experience is the best teacher. However, I am hoping that the turotials will give me a base of knowledge from which to venture into experimenting, trial and error, to advance the learning process.

These forums also appear to offer a wealth of knowledge that would take two lifetimes to acquire. What a great resource! I hope to be able to be a contributor in the future so that I can give back some of what I am receiving.

From the advice I've received here and elsewhere I've come to the conclusion that:

1. The best lighting videos are at DVCreators.net. They have two reasonably priced videos that apprear to be very good, DV Enlightenment ($75) and Shooting Awesome Video ($25).

2. Walter Graff's site provides some excellent articles. I signed up for his (somewhat) monthly newsletter for $15 a year. The articles are well thought out and aimed at people on low budgets.

3. Elite Video has a series of lighting DVD's ($65 on eBay) but they do not give vey much of a preview into the series so its hard to comment on the apparent quality.

4. The only audio DVD series I've found, "Now Hear This", is by Douglas Spotted Eagle who appears to be an excellent instructor. I guess you get what you pay for because his series is around $175, a bit on the high side for someone just starting out.

Dan

 

[moe_snodgrass]

Re: Good video training to quickly get up to speed

Don't forget Cybercollege, free on the web. I'd start there

http://www.cybercollege.com/indexall.htm

It's really comprehensive on the basic end. That might at least tell you where to go form there.

Also, Douglas Spotted Eagle has been up to his ears in digital audio recording as long as anyone. I used to sell him hardware in the early 90s and he was already established as an expert. I've never seen his training vids but I'll bet they're good.

Douglas is a moderator on another forum for audio and Vegas. I forget which forum though. Maybe someone can help. You might get a feel for what he has to offer.

-Moe