Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

D

djkoz

Well-known member
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 the point of editing. I will be using a Panasonic DVX100a.

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

2. 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?”

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
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

Hi djkoz,

Try http://dvcreators.net/shooting/

They have various DVD's on different areas of digital production. I have personnally seen the the DVD  "dv enlightenment" (art of lighting) and it is very good.  
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

not to sound like an ass, but the reason u havn't found a comprehensive video series on lighting is because it doesnt exist.

my suggestion would be look through the lighting section on the cybercollege website (dont remember the url, its in the links forum here though) and after ur  saying this is boring, and not learning anything great, take ur camera out and light. Thats the only way ur gonna learn, i know because i went trhough this too, as most of us have. I spents over $150 on a video series and a couple recommended books, which really didnt go into anything i felt was more than common sense (stuff u can learn in an hour of browsing the cyber college site).

There might be merit in an audio book, not sure. "Videography" is like lighting, basically u HAVE to go out and do to learn anything. After shooting once u'll have specific questions that u can come back to these forums and ask, and will be answered.

but if u only have a couple of months, waiting for the dvrack package isnt doing u any good, u need to get that camera in ur hands and spend at least 5-10 hours a week out shooting or edit/postwork/analyzing ur work. It's the only way bro

if u really know NOTHING about lighting (like have never seen a movie or television show) something like the dv enlightenment dvd might help, but theres nothing on there ($90) that u cant learn a couple hours of web surfing (and im dyslexic and searched high and low for that magical dvd so i didnt have to read pages on the subject)

good luck and please keep asking questions! :)
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

I have the DV Creators and the Lighting Magic.

The DV Creators is more professionally done (polished and buffed) but the lighting magic has 20X more info than the DV Creators. With lighting magic you just have to put up with some silly edits and not so pro feel, but they have really great info.

I have watched the DV Creators and thought not bad, I watched the Lighting Magic.... Well they blew me away with there tricks and tips. I refer to the videos frequently. Lot of info on those. ;)
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

If you want to see a real pro in action, take a look at Foster Denker in the Barnes & Sawyer master lighting series. It's actually his live seminar, filmed.
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

This is where you will find the DV Creators, Digital Lighting Magic and the Foster Denker videos.

I got a lot of emails asking.


Digital Lighting Magic 123
http://www.elitevideo.com

DV Creators
http://www.dvcreators.net

Foster Denker
http://www.birnsandsawyer.com/cgibi...category=DVDs;B&S Master Series of Filmmaking

I have all but the Foster Denker movies, but I am purchasing the Fosters today to see how good they are.

I will let you know in a few weeks.
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

I have the foster denker session. I might point out that while he is a real pro, and knows exactly what he is talking about, he also uses real equipment, and doesn't mess around with home made or super low budget gear that many of us are acustomed to. The DV Creators, and lighting magic DVD's are probably target better to the super low budget (or two man crew) to no budget projects..
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

Hart,
Thanx for the info, I will probably pick up the Digital Lighting Magic 123.
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

FYI -

I requested and received a discount on the combination of Digital Lighting Magic and Advanced Broadcast Camera Techniques. Purchased them both for $83, including shipping.

Dan
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

My Foster Denker Videos have shipped!

See below...
----------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Your Birns & Sawyer order has shipped

Hi Myke,

Your DVD order has shipped via UPS Ground. The tracking number is 1Z 922 935 03 1012 XXXX. It should arrive next week.


Best Regards,

Richard Hoyle
Purchasing and Shipping Agent
Birns & Sawyer, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------

We will see how good they are and I will report back!

I love new toys!!! ;D :D :D
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

djkoz,
How did you get the discount?

Did you call them or email them?

Please tell!

;D ;D ;D
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

[quote author=mickeloaf link=board=lighting;num=1108146106;start=0#6 date=02/19/05 at 08:51:40]I have the foster denker session.  I might point out that while he is a real pro, and knows exactly what he is talking about, he also uses real equipment, and doesn't mess around with home made or super low budget gear that many of us are acustomed to.  The DV Creators, and lighting magic DVD's are probably target better to the super low budget (or two man crew) to no budget projects..[/quote]

I'm also looking for some good training materials on lighting. My projects are super low budget or no budget too. Sounds like the DV creators and lighting magic dvds are the good way to go. Now, the DV creators are cheaper $75(on sale), and the lighting magics are almost twice as much $135. I checked out the 4 quicktime short video excerpts(intro, key light, interior natural light and lighting greenscreen), they're pretty informative. But HartStudio previously has pointed out that the LM123 has 20X more info than the DV creators and it's a better product. But I didn't find any short video samples on Elite Video's website. So now I'm wondering which one is a better buy.

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

Well, you can get the elite video lighting magic for much cheaper.

I got mine for like $60 on ebay. John cooksey saw that I made a bid for his product, he drove the auction up to see what my highest bid was, and then offered me a second chance offer at my highest bid. I took it.

You can think of DV Creators as a gourmet burger and lighting magic as the all-you-can-eat buffet. You get Quantity with lighting magic, but its not polished, and but it has good tips.

DV Creators is more polished, and is prettier in the presentation, and they stick to a basic message.

I would suggest you send an email to john cooksey and tell him that you would like his DVD's, but can't afford that price. make him an offer. I'm 65% sure he would take a reasonable offer...
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

[quote author=mickeloaf link=board=lighting;num=1108146106;start=0#12 date=02/24/05 at 19:57:16]Well, you can get the elite video lighting magic for much cheaper.

I got mine for like $60 on ebay.  John cooksey saw that I made a bid for his product, he drove the auction up to see what my highest bid was, and then offered me a second chance offer at my highest bid.  I took it.

You can think of DV Creators as a gourmet burger and lighting magic as the all-you-can-eat buffet.  You get Quantity with lighting magic, but its not polished, and but it has good tips.

DV Creators is more polished, and is prettier in the presentation, and they stick to a basic message.

I would suggest you send an email to john cooksey and tell him that you would like his DVD's, but can't afford that price.  make him an offer. I'm 65% sure he would take a reasonable offer...[/quote]

What's John's email? Should I tell him that I heard about his dvds from here?
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

not sure his email, but I'm believe elite video is a small operation, so if you send an email to something like support@elitevideo.com and put his name, he will get it. You can tell him that it's been mentioned here, not sure he will appreciate me comparing him to an all-you-can-eat buffet though. ;-)
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

Just watched the Foster Denker videos. Very nice but a rip off price wise. The picture quality and color is top notch but there is very very little content. Volume 1 is a waste. He tells you the mechanics of lighting.... Well more like how to test light circuits with light bulbs, safety, calculating amps. 16 minutes. Then he goes over portrait lighting. Key, fill, backlighting. 22 minutes.... What the video is over...

Volume 2
Starts with the mechanics of lighting.... Well more like how to test light circuits with light bulbs, safety, calculating amps. 16 minutes. Wait a minute that is exactly how the first one started.

Then he goes into basic set lighting: Hard key lighting 18 mins
bounce key lighting 6 mins, backdrops & effects lighting 12mins. That's it? It's over.....

For over $100 I felt like I was ripped off. Volume 2 gives you a little information but recaps volume 1 so.....

Volume 2 is worth looking at but not buying, borrow from a friend.

This stuff is super basic. How a lightbulb works, how to turn on a light (don't point at a person when turning on).

Please skip these, too short and just brushes the surface, but shot very well and in widescreen. Stick with the lighting magic it costs a lot less and you learn a ton more.

No offense to Foster Denker but his seminar felt rushed and he never finished lighting his model on all examples and kept saying this is too bright or this doesn't look right but you get the idea. Then moved on to something else. He never once showed what he considered a properly lit scene.

Anyway I wasn't happy with these videos.

This was like seeing unfinished gourmet food behind some glass and not even getting to see what it looks like in its finished form.  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
 
Re: Traing videos to quickly get up to speed

I also have the elite video Advanced Broadcast Techniques.

Really good! Starts off slow then gets better and better. Like I said before you have to put up with silly edits and shoddy picture and sound. These were dubbed from VHS...(This is how they come from Elite Video) You can totally tell!

But very good information. This teaches you to shoot just like a TV news guy. Which is a style all in its own.

This will not teach you how to shoot film style. Gives you great ideas though for setting up shots.

Just wish elite would remaster that VHS tape they keep dubbing these videos from...

;D ;D ;D ;D
 
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