Intro / How to get into video?

[FrankWatson]

Hey guys, just registered here and looking to get into filming / video editing etc. I would like to learn a bit more about video and how it is made ,and maybe make a few short videos of my own to post online or something. Anyone have some tips or direction for a newbie?

Thanks,
Frank Watson

[zoobie]

start by reading the glossary then perhaps the whole menu
there's a lot of friendly talent right here to help you along the way
welcome aboard...

[Epicurus8a]

Hi and welcome! If you're a newbie, you might want to check out Videomaker. http://www.videomaker.com/
They've got some great tips and hints.

[filmboss80]

That Videomaker site also offers instructional books and DVDs that you might find helpful.

[FrankWatson]

Wow, lots of great information, thanks guys, got some reading ahead of me!

[edDV]

Best way is to get a cheap camcorder and practice. The first results will probably be disappointing. Ideally you will be motivated to read and ask questions. The issues won't necessarily be tied to equipment budget. There is much more to it. Good results can be obtained from simple equipment so long as exposure is controlled and the camera remains stable.

[filmboss80]

Like edDV said, get a camcorder and just start shooting. I have to also echo what he said about quality not necessarily being tied to equipment budget. I once won an international film festival award for a project edited on a 2-VCR, cuts-only edit system (this was in the '80s) without any dissolve transitions or post-production effects. But I knew my limitations before going into the project, and I made sure that scene-change transitions would be a matter of how I filmed the end of once scene and the beginning of the next, all in-camera, so that there would be a natural flow when cutting between them. None of the festival judges seemed to notice my limitations.

No one looks at a video or movie and says, "that was shot with a $5,000 camera," or "that was edited with Final Cut Pro" (or Avid or Premiere or Vegas, etc.) People judge by CONTENT, not equipment budget.

I have been in the film and video business for more years than I care to admit, but I still seek little ways to be more efficient and resourceful, especially in tough financial times. Though I read the trade magazines for the pros in my field, I also peruse Videomaker for the occasional useful tip.

Ever since my dad loaned me his 8mm movie (film--not video) camera during the 1970s, I have been telling stories and delivering information with visual media -- and I am STILL learning. (That's why I routinely come to this website.)

If you have a passion for this, just dive in. But keep it simple.

[zoobie]

believe it or not, you may be able to find a cheap or even free video camera on craig's list...

[Nitemare]

Must agree with previous posters... just do it! If you're thinking about shooting some short films, then you already have some ideas. Go shoot them!

A camera with as many manual controls as possible would be good. Focus and exposure at least. Tripod is required in the beginning... and is still a good idea at any level.
some links:
http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/shoot-video.html
http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/video/shooting_tips/
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lp71zDfXqJs/learn/learningcenter/home/camcordertips.html

Welcome!