What gear do I need to improve this web series?

Y

yogajohn

New member
Hi -- I am a totally amateur film maker. What I am doing is making an online yoga series on blip.tv. I've actually been doing it for a year and have over 40 episodes. So, I really want to bring the series to a higher level and make it as good of quality as I can on a budget -- it will never be anywhere but the web (at least that's what I think for now...maybe a DVD someday??)

Anyway, I just wonder about how you all would set up something like what I'm doing. I've just been using a Kodak Zi8 and my iPhone. Also been using the wireless Azden audio -- my nemesis. I'm not pretending at all that I'm using quality stuff, it's just what I could afford. But, I'd really love to know what people would do (camera, sound setup, lighting...) if you were wanting to set up a good quality, but budget, series. I really don't know.

Here's where you can see my episodes on blip.tv -- http://blip.tv/johnmcconnellyoga

Anyway help and insights in moving forward would be really great.

Thanks - John
 
You need to frame your shots better.
Other than that, you could do with some soft lights.. You can get Cheap 3 Softbox kits on Ebay. They should be enough for what you do. They give nicer light.
For a camera, If you are moving loads, get something with autofocus. If not, get a DSLR.
 
Well I see a few things I would have done differently.

One is audio. I can see in the grass you are using some sort of table mic (USB connected?) Look into lav mic to clip onto your shirt. That way when you move away or point your face away from the camera direction you wont lose your voice. That was the give away for me when I really realized the low quality. Also the audio hiss that I am hearing should decrease dramatically as well as the echo when you are indoors. If you want to get fancy, you can go with a wireless system for about $500-$600.

The other is the one static long shot. Kinda boring. Get someone to operate the camera. Your framing is off. Move the camera a little closer in sometimes. Experiment with some editing. Record two or three entire takes, all with different shots, i.e. Wide, medium, and close up. That way you can cut between the shots, while keeping continuity, and will make it much more interesting to watch.

Get any HD camcorder in the in a $500-$800 range. They are so good these days that pretty much anything looks good. You can get a DSLR that shoots HD, but those can only record usually for about 12-15 minutes before they overheat and stop recording, then you have to let it cool for a sec then start again. If you have a camera operator, they can prove this service ;). The benefit is that they have AMAZING image quality, and you can make the background slightly blurred, which can be very pleasing.
 
Thanks so much for the replies! In my more recent videos I have changed the audio to a lav...but because of a low quality system, the sound is poor. I bought a headset mic, which is great for me turning my head and keeping sound quality, but the wireless receiver/transmitter system is still no good. I've wondered about buying the Sennheiser EW 112-p g3 system. It's a bit expensive, and since I'm not going to be walking around, I wonder if a high quality wired mic set nearby would actually be better.

As for the camera, I want the videos to be at least 30 minutes, so I need a camera that can go that long. Are you if a get a $500-$800 HD camcoder it will probably be all I need?

Could you guys explain how you'd frame it differently? Basically, because of what it is, I've set it up so people can watch what I'm doing...but I know it makes it so I'm far away. I don't know how to frame that differently. I do see how setting up a couple different cameras and doing editing work would be way better, but if I have one camera how would you recommend framing it differently. What works well, for now, is to have portable equipment and set stuff up and do it by myself. Someday having a camera operator would be good, but I want to do it on my own for now. Maybe I could set up a couple cameras and then edit the shots.

I really appreciate the feedback. I've been doing this a year and really want to make it better...I recognize I have a ways to go. :-)
 
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