Real World Digital Video

by Shaner, Pete; Jones, Gerald Everett

• ISBN13: 9780321238337
• ISBN10: 0321238338
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback w/Disk
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Peachpit Press

Summary

You never thought you'd be shooting a corporate training video as part of your job as HR manager, but, well here you are--with a camcorder, a directive, and not a clue how to begin! You--and the many people who find themselves in similar situations--need this volume! Realizing that you're expected to provide professional results regardless, the authors of this volume dig deep into every phase of the DV production process: from capturing images and sound to editing, post-processing, adding special effects, and distributing the final product. Special emphasis is placed on the industrial-strength techniques that will get you up to speed quickly on the hardware and software advances that have occurred since the last edition. You'll find new sections on shooting and post-processing film-look (24p) and HDTV video, as well as special coverage of the latest eye-popping special effects. A companion DVD includes demo video clips, award-winning short films, interviews with DV pros, and lots more goodies.

Author Biography

Pete Shaner is a motion-picture writer and director who has written and directed two independent features. He teaches movie production and directing at UCLA Extension. Gerald Everett Jones has written more than 20 books on computer and business subjects.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xxiii
All You Can Achieve with Digital Video	p. 1
Types of Projects You Can Shoot with Digital Video	p. 1
Basic Video Shooting Styles: News or Film	p. 15
Experimenting with Digital Video	p. 25
Yes, You Need a Script	p. 29
Script Elements and Formats	p. 30
Script Formatting Software and Preproduction Planning	p. 34
Thinking About Your Project	p. 37
DV Technology and the Camcorder	p. 47
About DV	p. 48
Matching a DV Camcorder to Your Shooting Style	p. 57
Access to Controls	p. 59
Camcorder Resolution and Picture Quality	p. 59
What Are NTSC/PAL/SECAM Broadcast Formats?	p. 63
What Do You Need to Know About Scanning Modes?	p. 66
Do You Need Automatic Camcorder Controls?	p. 69
Optical vs. Digital Zoom	p. 71
Audio Options	p. 71
Getting DV into Your Computer	p. 73
Your Mission	p. 73
Using Your Camcorder Like a Pro	p. 75
How to Get a Crash Course Without Trashing a Camera	p. 75
Ergonomics	p. 76
Lenses and Lens Operation	p. 81
Record and Playback Settings	p. 88
Audio/Video I/O Connections and Settings	p. 92
Professional Camera Techniques	p. 95
Shoot Some Tests	p. 102
Your Camcorder--An Extension of You	p. 103
Shots and Shot Plans	p. 105
Planning Your Shots	p. 105
Telling Stories with Pictures	p. 110
Direct Audience Attention	p. 114
Ten Ways to Shoot a Chair	p. 115
Types of Shots	p. 116
Using Shots as Storytelling Elements	p. 125
Blocking the Action	p. 129
Drawing Shot Plans	p. 130
Extracting the Shot List	p. 133
Making It Visual	p. 133
Lighting for DV	p. 135
Painting with Light	p. 135
Meet Your Lighting Crew	p. 136
Using Three-Point Lighting	p. 139
Controlling Color Temperature	p. 148
Selecting Professional Lights	p. 149
Tools for Controlling Light	p. 158
Lighting Techniques	p. 165
Painterly Art	p. 179
Sound on the Set	p. 181
Planning for Professional Sound	p. 181
Capturing Realistic Sound on the Set	p. 182
Meet Your Sound Crew	p. 184
Selecting Professional Microphones	p. 186
Tools for Controlling and Capturing Sound	p. 193
Should You Record Separate Sound?	p. 196
Sound Techniques	p. 199
Avoiding Nasty Surprises in Post	p. 209
The Mark of Professional Video	p. 210
Preproduction	p. 211
Choosing a Production Style	p. 211
How Much Structure?	p. 213
Multicamera Styles for Live Events	p. 215
Scouting Locations	p. 217
Shooting Offshore--Or Out of State	p. 220
Meet Your Crew	p. 221
Staffing Requirements	p. 222
What to Rent, What to Buy	p. 232
Breaking Down the Script	p. 234
Casting and Improvisation for DV	p. 237
Rehearsals/Briefings/Run-Throughs	p. 240
Scheduling and Budgeting for Digital Video Production	p. 241
Developing a Budget	p. 246
Dealing with Legal Issues	p. 250
Preparing to Shoot	p. 252
Eating the Elephant	p. 254
On the Set	p. 255
Running and Gunning	p. 255
The Call Sheet	p. 258
Transporting and Managing Equipment	p. 260
Setting up for a Scene	p. 262
Artful Composition	p. 266
Keeping Track of Your Takes	p. 268
Calling for Quiet Between Takes	p. 270
Working with Actors	p. 271
What Is a Sensible Shooting Ratio?	p. 275
Moving the Camera During a Shot	p. 275
Record Keeping	p. 280
Preventing and Troubleshooting Common Problems	p. 283
Striking the Set	p. 286
Abby Singer and the Martini	p. 287
In the Cutting Room	p. 289
The Editing Process	p. 290
Meet Your Editing Crew	p. 291
Thinking About Your Digital Editing System	p. 293
How Does NLE Work?	p. 294
Nonlinear Editing Basics	p. 300
No Need for Perfection	p. 315
Show It to Someone Before It's Too Late	p. 315
Storing Your Project Files for Possible Re-Edit	p. 316
Learning to Use Your Editing System Better	p. 317
Polishing Sound and Images	p. 319
Post Tools	p. 319
Making the Magic Invisible	p. 321
Meet Your Postproduction Crew	p. 323
Polishing Sound	p. 326
The Infinite Variety of Music	p. 336
Polishing Images	p. 345
The Missing Ingredient?	p. 353
Distribution and E-Publishing	p. 355
Going Wide	p. 355
Meet Your Mastering and Duplication Team	p. 356
Meet Your Distribution Team	p. 359
Deliverables for Distribution	p. 363
Copyright	p. 365
Releasing on Videotape and DVD	p. 367
Releasing on Television	p. 379
Releasing on Theatrical Film	p. 381
Releasing on the Internet	p. 387
Releasing on Corporate Networks	p. 393
Delivering on the Democratization of Video	p. 396
Coming Attractions	p. 399
Digital Video Technology in Depth	p. 403
Types of Digital Video: Sorting out the Confusion	p. 403
Proprietary DV Variants	p. 408
DV Technology: Under the Hood	p. 410
CCD Technology	p. 412
What Is Color Space and Why Is It Important?	p. 416
Selecting and Building an NLE System	p. 421
Choose Your Platform	p. 421
NLE Products: An Overview	p. 422
Which Mac or Which PC?	p. 433
Configuring an Editing System: Three Examples	p. 437
Preparing Your Drives Before Installing NLE Software	p. 440
Glossary	p. 443
References and Web Links	p. 479
Index	p. 489
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