The Digital Filmmaking Handbook

by Long, Ben; Schenk, Sonja

• ISBN13: 9781584504382
• ISBN10: 1584504382
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-01
• Publisher: Charles River Media

Summary

Since the advent of digital video and desktop editing software, scores of independent producers have become equipped to make their own movies. But because filmmaking involves much more than just buying a camera and a computer, there's The Digital Filmmaking Handbook. This one-stop digital filmmaking resource will guide you from your initial idea to getting your finished project "in the can." It will show you how to create shots and effects that are rarely associated with low-budget productions. And it covers everything from writing and pre-production planning to shooting and post-production editing and effects. Now in its third edition, this best-selling book has been completely updated and revised to include detailed information on a number of important new digital video technologies, including both high-end HD video and the new HDV format, and affordable new digital video standard that lets even low-budget producers work in high-definition video. All of the chapters have been revised to cover the latest hardware, software, and production workflows,, and new exercises offer help with everything from writing to special effects. Whether your goal is an industrial project, a short subject for your Web site, or a feature-length movie for a film festival, this book will help you understand the questions you need to ask, so that you will be prepared to solve the myriad problems that will arise.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(12)
Digital Video and the Independent Filmmaker	3	(2)
Digital Video in the Home and Office	4	(1)
What Type of Equipment Do I Need?	5	(1)
What Is Digital Video?	6	(2)
What Is Digitizing?	6	(2)
Why Digital Video?	8	(2)
What This Book Covers	10	(1)
Part I: Pre-Production	10	(1)
Part II: Production	10	(1)
Part III: Post-Production	11	(1)
Exercise	11	(2)
Writing and Scheduling	13	(22)
Writing for Digital Video	14	(11)
Finding a Story	15	(1)
Structure	16	(2)
Writing Visually	18	(1)
Script Format	19	(3)
Writing for Corporate and Industrial Productions	22	(2)
Writing for Documentaries	24	(1)
Finishing Up	25	(1)
Scheduling	25	(6)
Breaking Down a Script	26	(1)
Choosing a Shooting Order	26	(3)
Production Boards	29	(1)
Scheduling for Documentaries	30	(1)
Exercises	31	(2)
Summary	33	(2)
Video Technology Basics	35	(36)
What Is Video?	36	(7)
Tracks	36	(2)
Frames	38	(1)
Video Resolution	38	(1)
Scanning Methods	39	(2)
Native Aspect Ratio	41	(1)
Physical Characteristics of Videotape	42	(1)
Digital Video Primer	43	(10)
Color Sampling	43	(2)
Compression	45	(1)
Bit Depth	45	(1)
CODECs	46	(4)
Data Rate	50	(1)
Pixel Shape	50	(3)
Types of Digital Video Files	53	(1)
Video Broadcast Standards	53	(2)
Audio Basics	55	(3)
Mono, Stereo, and Surround Sound	56	(1)
Audio Sampling	56	(1)
Types of Digital Audio Files	57	(1)
High-Definition (HD) Video	58	(3)
Frame Rates and HD	60	(1)
HD Pros and Cons	60	(1)
Choosing a Format	61	(7)
Delivery Is Everything	63	(2)
Videotape Formats	65	(3)
Quality Isn't Everything	68	(1)
Exercise: Look at Some Video Quality Examples	68	(1)
Summary	69	(2)
Choosing a Camera	71	(28)
Evaluating a Camera	72	(9)
Image Quality	73	(6)
Lenses	79	(2)
Camera Features	81	(5)
Ergonomics	81	(2)
Manual Override	83	(1)
Frame Rate	84	(2)
Progressive Scan	86	(10)
Aspect Ratio	87	(2)
Audio	89	(1)
Viewfinder	90	(1)
Image Stabilization	91	(2)
Direct-to-Disc Recording	93	(2)
Special Effects	95	(1)
Batteries	95	(1)
Use Your Director of Photography	95	(1)
Accessorizing	96	(2)
Tripods, Steadicams, and Dollies	96	(2)
What You Should Choose	98	(1)
Summary	98	(1)
Planning Your Shoot	99	(26)
Storyboarding	100	(12)
Shots and Coverage	102	(7)
Less Is More	109	(1)
Camera Diagrams and Shot Lists	110	(2)
Location Scouting	112	(4)
Production Design	116	(4)
Art Directing Basics	117	(1)
Building a Set	118	(2)
Effects Planning	120	(2)
Exercises	122	(1)
Summary	123	(2)
Lighting	125	(26)
Lighting Basics	126	(1)
Film-Style Lighting	126	(2)
Video Lighting	127	(1)
The Art of Lighting	128	(2)
Three-Point Lighting	128	(2)
Types of Light	130	(7)
Color Temperature	130	(1)
Wattage	131	(3)
Controlling the Quality of Light	134	(3)
Lighting Your Actors	137	(3)
Interior Lighting	140	(2)
Power Supply	141	(1)
Mixing Daylight and Interior Light	141	(1)
Using Household Lights	142	(1)
Exterior Lighting	142	(2)
Enhancing Existing Daylight	143	(1)
Video Lighting	144	(1)
Video and Low-Light Situations	145	(1)
Special Lighting Situations	145	(4)
Using Lights to Create a Scene	146	(1)
Lighting for Video-to-Film Transfers	146	(2)
Lighting for Blue and Green Screen	148	(1)
Exercises	149	(1)
Summary	150	(1)
The Camera	151	(28)
Using the Camera	152	(23)
The Lens	154	(12)
White Balance	166	(2)
Lens Filters	168	(4)
Other Camera Features	172	(3)
Know Thy Camera	175	(1)
Technical Tips	175	(2)
Preparing Your Equipment	175	(2)
Exercises	177	(1)
Summary	178	(1)
Shooting Digital Video	179	(26)
Preparing to Shoot	180	(2)
Rehearsals	180	(1)
The Shooting Script	181	(1)
Putting Plans into Action	182	(1)
Managing the Set	182	(3)
The Protocol of Shooting	184	(1)
Respect for Acting	184	(1)
Shooting	185	(14)
Composition	185	(8)
Camera Movement	193	(3)
Exposure	196	(3)
Keeping On-Set Records	199	(3)
Script Supervising for Scripted Projects	200	(1)
Documentary Field Notes	201	(1)
Camera and Sound Logs	202	(1)
Exercises	202	(2)
In the Can	204	(1)
Production Sound	205	(30)
What You Want to Record	206	(1)
Microphones	207	(14)
What a Mic Hears	207	(5)
How a Mic Hears	212	(4)
Mixing	216	(1)
Connecting It All Up	216	(3)
Double-System Recording	219	(2)
Setting Up	221	(9)
Placing Your Mics	221	(6)
Getting the Right Sound for the Picture	227	(1)
Testing Sound	228	(1)
Managing Your Set	229	(1)
Selecting an Audio Mode on Your Camera	230	(1)
Recording Your Sound	230	(3)
Room Tone	231	(1)
Run-and-Gun Audio	231	(2)
Exercise: Gear Checklist	233	(1)
Summary	233	(2)
Building a Workstation	235	(28)
First Things First	236	(1)
Choosing a Platform	236	(2)
Macintosh OS	236	(1)
Windows	237	(1)
Choosing a Video Interface	238	(6)
Digital Video Interfaces	238	(3)
Analog Video Interfaces	241	(1)
Audio Interfaces	242	(2)
Choosing a Computer	244	(16)
CPU	246	(1)
RAM	246	(1)
Storage	246	(3)
Computer Monitors	249	(1)
Accessorizing	249	(3)
Building a Macintosh System	252	(1)
Building a Windows System	253	(2)
Portable Editing	255	(1)
Edit Controllers and Custom Keyboards	256	(1)
Backing Up	257	(1)
Archiving	258	(1)
Network Systems	259	(1)
Exercise: Know What You Need	260	(1)
Summary	261	(2)
Non-Linear Editing Software	263	(26)
Editing Software Basics	264	(10)
The Interface	264	(2)
Editing Features	266	(4)
Other Features	270	(2)
Organizational Tools	272	(2)
Logging, Capturing, and Importing	274	(3)
Effects and Titles	277	(4)
Types of Effects	277	(2)
Titles	279	(2)
Audio Tools	281	(1)
The Final Product	282	(2)
Videotape Masters	282	(1)
Digital Video Files	283	(1)
EDLs	283	(1)
Film Cut Lists	283	(1)
Editing Applications Compared	284	(3)
Exercise: Know What You Need	287	(1)
Summary	288	(1)
Editing Hardware	289	(18)
Don't Panic!	290	(1)
Hardware Peripherals	291	(2)
Video Decks	293	(6)
Tape Format	293	(2)
SDI, FireWire, or Analog I/O	295	(1)
Frame Accuracy	296	(1)
Device Control	296	(1)
Audio Features	297	(1)
VTR Checklist	297	(2)
Audio Equipment	299	(2)
Audio CDs	299	(1)
DAT and MiniDisc	299	(1)
Audio Mixers	300	(1)
Speakers	300	(1)
Video Monitors	301	(3)
Professional Video Monitor Features	302	(2)
Hardware Connectors	304	(1)
Exercise: Hardware Checklist Before You Start	305	(1)
Summary	306	(1)
Preparing to Edit	307	(38)
How to Organize Your Project	308	(3)
Create a Numbering System	308	(1)
Make Sure All Your Videotape Has Timecode	309	(1)
Keep a Database of All Your Media	309	(1)
Log Each Tape Thoroughly	310	(1)
Use the Organizational Tools of Your Editing Software	310	(1)
Timecode	311	(4)
Drop Frame and Non-Drop Frame Timecode	311	(1)
Timecode Standards	312	(1)
How Timecode Is Stored on Videotape	312	(1)
Keycode: Timecode for Film Sources	313	(2)
Logging	315	(5)
How to Log by Content	316	(4)
Capturing Quality	320	(2)
How Good Does Your Project Need to Look?	320	(1)
Digital Online and Offline	320	(2)
Audio Quality	322	(4)
Audio Levels	322	(1)
Clipping and Distortion	323	(1)
Equalization	324	(2)
Video Quality	326	(11)
Video Levels	327	(10)
Troubleshooting	337	(3)
Problems and Solutions	338	(2)
Importing Digital Files	340	(3)
Getting Audio from a CD	342	(1)
Media Management	342	(1)
Exercises	343	(1)
Summary	343	(2)
Editing	345	(26)
The Invisible Art	346	(4)
Building Blocks	346	(4)
Building a Rough Cut	350	(4)
Radio Cuts	350	(2)
Master Shot-Style Coverage	352	(2)
Refining Your Rough Cut	354	(9)
Cutaways and Reaction Shots	355	(1)
Matching Action	356	(2)
Matching Screen Position	358	(1)
Overlapping Edits	359	(1)
Matching Emotion and Tone	360	(1)
Pauses and Pull-Ups	360	(1)
Hard Sound Effects and Music	360	(3)
Transitions between Scenes	363	(1)
Hard Cuts	363	(1)
Dissolves, Fades, and Wipes	363	(1)
Establishing Shots	364	(1)
Clearing Frame and Natural ``Wipes''	364	(1)
Solving Technical Problems	364	(3)
Missing Elements	365	(1)
Working with Temporary Elements	365	(1)
Working with Low-Res Footage	365	(2)
Fine Cutting	367	(4)
Editing for Style	368	(1)
Duration	368	(1)
The Big Picture	369	(1)
Exercise	369	(1)
Summary	369	(2)
Sound Editing	371	(32)
Sounding Off	372	(2)
Setting Up	374	(1)
Editing Sound in Your NLE	374	(3)
Dedicated Sound Editing Apps	377	(7)
Audio Editing Hardware	382	(2)
Editing Sound	384	(3)
Unintelligible Dialog	384	(1)
Changes in Tone	385	(1)
Is There Extraneous Noise in the Shot?	385	(1)
Are There Bad Video Edits That Can Be Reinforced with Audio?	385	(1)
Is There Bad Audio?	386	(1)
Are There Vocal Problems You Need to Correct?	386	(1)
Dialog Editing	387	(2)
ADR	388	(1)
Non-Dialog Voice Recordings	389	(1)
EQ Is Your Friend	389	(4)
Special Filters	392	(1)
Sound Effects	393	(2)
Sound Effect Sources	394	(1)
Music	395	(5)
Editing Music	395	(2)
License to Play	397	(1)
Finding a Composer	398	(1)
Do It Yourself	399	(1)
Exercises	400	(1)
Fix It in the Mix?	401	(2)
Color Correction	403	(22)
To Compress, or Not to Compress	404	(4)
Color Correction	408	(15)
Safe Colors	409	(1)
Too Much of a Good Thing: When Color Correction Goes Too Far	410	(3)
Correcting Bad White Balance	413	(5)
Matching Footage from Different Cameras and Shoots	418	(2)
Brightening Dark Video	420	(1)
Using Tracks and Layers to Adjust Color	420	(2)
Don't Expect Miracles	422	(1)
Correcting Color for Film	423	(1)
One More Thing	423	(1)
Exercise	423	(1)
Summary	424	(1)
Titling and Simple Compositing	425	(48)
Titles and Simple Graphics	426	(8)
Making Titles in Your NLE	427	(5)
Titling Software	432	(2)
Creating Titles in Photoshop	434	(1)
Compositing 101	434	(29)
Keys	435	(13)
Mattes	448	(3)
Pixel Aspect Ratios	451	(8)
More Sophisticated Mattes	459	(4)
Moving Pictures	463	(8)
Basic Movement	463	(7)
Eliminating Camera Shake	470	(1)
Exercise	471	(1)
Summary	471	(2)
Rotoscoping and More Compositing	473	(50)
Rotoscoping	474	(38)
Painting on Frames	475	(6)
Better Rotoscoping through Filters	481	(3)
Rotoscoping an Alpha Channel	484	(7)
Creating Animated Alpha Channels (or ``You, Too, Can Make Travelling Mattes'')	491	(6)
Building Effects with Multiple Layers	497	(15)
Special Effects	512	(3)
Fixing a Drop-Out	512	(2)
Fixing Lost Video	514	(1)
Compositing Elements from a 3D Animation Package	514	(1)
Making Your Video Look Like Film	515	(6)
Creating Film Texture	515	(3)
Creating Film Color	518	(1)
Changing Video Time	518	(2)
Plug-Ins	520	(1)
Summary	521	(2)
Output	523	(38)
Mastering Your Outputs	524	(2)
The Best-Case Scenario	524	(2)
The Big Decision	526	(1)
Videotape Masters	526	(11)
Preparing for a Professional Online Edit	527	(6)
The Do-It-Yourself Digital Online	533	(4)
The Final Audio Mix	537	(3)
Preparing for a Professional Audio Mix	538	(1)
Do-It-Yourself Final Mixes	539	(1)
DVD Output	540	(6)
Outputting for the Web	546	(7)
Creating a Video CD	551	(2)
Getting Your 35mm Film Release Print	553	(4)
Film Editing and Cut Lists	554	(1)
The Film Printing Process	555	(1)
Getting Your Video Transferred to Film	556	(1)
Archiving and Backups	557	(1)
Exercises	558	(1)
Summary	559	(2)
About the DVD	561	(2)
Glossary	563	(20)
Index	583