How to Start in Making Videos?

[VideoTechMan]

Hey all,

As much as I hate being a beginner, it really sucks. I have been reading a few posts here and there about some of the ppl making their own videos and being creative...for me, while i do have premeire 6.5, After Effects 5.5 production bundle and some other good software, i seem to have the tools to make good videos. I guess the only thing i dont have is a DV camera, which sucks because i cant seem to advance on things i would like to learn. Ive always thought of doing a movie based on a road trip (i love to drive) and thought what a good movie it would make. But my question would be...is making a video really difficult? I have no problem in learning the software i currently own, as i prefer higher-end software to do most of the things I want to do, but when it comes down to making a good video, i tend to feel stuck...like what if i make isnt good enough or isnt watchable. I guess alot of what i'm saying is based on lack of confidence, but as much as I see other people doing so many good videos, I just worry whether I am capable of making a good video. But then when you have people who tell you what you cant do or are not good at, it makes you not want to do anything...ya know? Like you dont want to show anything to the world for feear of being ridiculed or something. I have to admit, I hate being a newbie. It sucks. I have alot of knowledge in my head, but have a hard time putting it to use, with so many ideas most people already thought of, it would be difficult to even come up with any new ideas. Hopefully i am not alone on this.

VideoTechMan

[mrtristan]

You're talking about making an original video, right? Go for it. With the tools available today, you're pretty much limited only by your creativity and what you want to do. I've never made one myself, but I know one thing. You're going to have to take a LOT of footage and edit like crazy.

Our shop has been featured on television a few times and they filmed for about half a day each time, only to have a few minutes of actual airtime. It's similar to photography, where the photographer will take tons of pictures, just to get that right one.

If you're passionate about it, you'll probably turn out something good. The first try might not be all that great, but you need to start somewhere. Once you get some kind of idea, I suggest that you start shooting it. Your mind will take off, once you actually start doing some hands on work. It's like any other project. You can plan everything in advance, but there's no substitute for the hands on experience.

As for people critisizing you, don't even worry about it. I've noticed that the people who knock others down are often lacking themselves. Most of the truly exceptional people that I've met have good things to say about the work of others.

[Will Hay]

...As for people critisizing you, don't even worry about it. I've noticed that the people who knock others down are often lacking themselves. Most of the truly exceptional people that I've met have good things to say about the work of others.

Excellent advice.
Your niche may not appeal to 95% of the population but at this early stage who cares, right?
Don't forget, with practice comes perfection so like anything you'll get better the more mistakes you make.
I look forward to seeing your release over here in the UK in a couple of years, right?
Good luck.
Will

[VideoTechMan]

If you're passionate about it, you'll probably turn out something good. The first try might not be all that great, but you need to start somewhere

Oh yeah the passion is there....just gotta get my butt out and do it hehe. Well since I will be finally be going back to work this summer I should work on saving up some money for a good DV camera.....preferebly going for a 3-CCD model since i read that they produce better results. I know those type cameras cost around $1500 but it will be worth it.

look forward to seeing your release over here in the UK in a couple of years, right?

Hehe, hopefully will be sooner than that, even if its just to post some video work in the future....the desire is there just need the willpower. Im sure if everyone else can do it, then I am sure I can too. Thanks guys for your encouragement

VideoTechMan

[Gazorgan]

Remember, a lot of early MTV videos were done on an (old) Commodore Amiga with a video toaster. Your current tools exceed that equipment by at least 2 orders of magnitude.

Instead of doing a movie out of the box, try some shorts and/or commercials. You can do these with VHS and get the procedure done. While the final product may have that 'vhs look', the procedure won't differ with a good DV cam. You friends won't mind looking at a 3 minute short, but pushing a 75 minute 'concept movie' is a bit much. You can selectively (bandwidth permitting) put something up here (yeah, like TGPO did) and get critiques.

While what most of us use here isn't 'studio quality' (now, it was a few years ago, particulary Premiere on a MAC), it can produce spectacular results. Remember series like Babylon 5 were done on what is now basicaly a home system.

[housepig]

Techman -

as a friend of mine used to say, "there's nothing to it but to do it". Grab a camera - any camera* - and start filming. The only way you're going to make something good, something that people want to watch, is by filming a lot of crap, and (hopefully) learning why it's crap, and by contrast how you could make it better.

(* don't get hung up on "I need a $1,500 camera to film anything" - the equipment is secondary. If you have a good idea and a creative way to present it, people will watch it. By the same token, all the equipment in the world won't make a bad idea a good one).

shoot way more footage than you think you'll need, it'll give you more options when you edit.

pay attention to audio - unless you're doing a "Baraka"-style travelogue with a score, people are going to need to hear what's being said.

go to your local used book store (or better yet, library) and look for a book called "You Stand There : Making Music Video" - even if you don't want to make music videos, it's a guerilla guide to working effectively on low / no budget, and coming up with something good.

there's another book from the late 70's that I came across, it's almost like a Time/Life book, called "The Complete Guide to Movie Photography", I found it in a used bookstore for $2 or so, it's full of info on everything from composing shots to lighting to making dollies to roll cameras around on.

and if you're going to sit and pine away for a decent video camera, use your time constructively - write a script. Storyboard some scenes. picture a cool shot in your mind, then sketch it out. That way, when you have the gear you want, you have something you can go and shoot, instead of letting that gear collect dust while you wait for an idea....

good luck.

- housepig

[VideoTechMan]

Instead of doing a movie out of the box, try some shorts and/or commercials. You can do these with VHS and get the procedure done.

That's a pretty good idea.....i have alot of good material on VHS that would make pretty good commercials, or rather good musical shorts. I could like combine alot of different clips from different shows/cartoons or something like that (when i get a dvd burner soon i plan to transfer alot of the VHS material to dvd, since some of the tapes i have are like 15 years old, but still plays good)

(* don't get hung up on "I need a $1,500 camera to film anything" - the equipment is secondary. If you have a good idea and a creative way to present it, people will watch it. By the same token, all the equipment in the world won't make a bad idea a good one).

Yeah I would agree....no matter what kind of camera you have, whether its a legacy VHS camcorder or one of those Beta Digicam broadcast cameras, wont do a bit of good if you dont have any good ideas.

You know, its funny though, while there is so much talk on what makes a good camcorder I think the best camera in the world which is better than any broadcast camera--is our own two eyes..lol. No need to color-correct our eyes or having to deal with white-balancing them, or making sure our eyes are focused....pretty awesome...lol.

But yeah I'm gonna start working on some new ideas...perhaps do some video shorts or something like that and put my software and the P4 2.4 computer system i built specifically for video to work.

Very good advice and tips, I really appreciate it.

VideoTechMan