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Alex
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« on: March 31, 2009, 07:19:54 PM » |
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This is not strictly a photography question, but if we think of a video as a strings of photo, it should pass muster.
Can anyone reccomend any books, videos or courses about digital film-making/professional videography? I am only aware of the Travel Channel Academy course - but I doubt it will teach me much in 4 days. Also, if you have any recomendations for high quality, kind to the budget, HD camcarders, I would appreciate it very much.
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Greg
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« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2009, 02:43:20 AM » |
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Hey Alex, Don't know any books, but I would lean toward treating it just like photography.....the only way to really learn it is to do it until your fingers get sore, then shoot some more.  Rather than buy photography technique books, I always learned the most just from looking through giant books of award-winning shots, like National Geographic's "Through the lens". Just seeing examples of what I COULD be doing helped immensely. Maybe you could get your hands on Planet Earth or National Geographic and tear it to pieces, analyze angles, absorb the techniques, etc.... |
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Alex
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« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2009, 06:46:03 PM » |
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Thanks again. I agree the best way to learn is to practice, practice and practice again. But I process information by reading, so it always helps me to read about the techniques, ground rules, etc. The advice to look at books full of great shots is a great one. I will do it ... but I wish they had a legend on how to take that great shot :-). What I am actually finding out is that while is more time consuming, it appears I am better at film shooting than photo shooting. There is something about capturing that perfect frame that is incapacitating to me ... The Travel Channel Academy course on film-making is actually quite good - though I am not sure if I can recommend spending the money for it. Again, because I like to hear lectures and read (probably more than the usual person), I felt there was too much time spent in the field (shooting) and editing the video (in class). For $2000, I would have liked to hear more lectures and tips. The gist of the course is already online for free ... at http://www.travelchannel.com/Video_%26_Photos/Simply_Making_Great_Video .... Nevertheless, I don't regret spending the money. During the first day of the course, I was extremely excited and happy with taking this first step towards professional videography ... see my post http://alexzenith.com/2009/04/02/exhausted-from-excitment/ |
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Greg
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« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2009, 12:28:43 AM » |
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Cool...thanks for the links! Something to think about...if you can "prove" that you intend to use video as a new way to make a living that $2K is a tax writeoff.  I think watching "A map for Saturday" gave me the video bug (which I've yet to fix). One guy (granted he had experience), quits job, goes vagabonding with a video camera and makes an awesome little film about backpacking. If you haven't seen it yet, I think I've got the trailer on the main page of this site. They have even played his video on the Nat. Geographic channel now! Video is definitely where its at, I'm excited for you too! |
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Alex
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« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2009, 11:03:45 AM » |
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I did not know about "A map for Saturday" ... I will be watching it this week-end for sure. This is exactly how I feel ... I got the bug and I am now doomed for the rest of my life (oh well, at least for the foreseeable future).
With the advent of Kindle, I also think that books will take a new and different form in the future. Because I plan to write a book (or more!) one day (don't we all???), I think that there is no reason why it should not accompanied by videos and photographs ... just to help the reader visualize some of the settings described in the writing. Or just provide even more inspiration to the ones who are less of a dreamer than some of us ...
I will buy my own video equipment in the next couple of weeks and I will start filming the world away, first my hometown and other destinations where I may find myself in the next year. The potential is enormous - and if I can manage to sell some of the videos, than I can write off some of the expenses too ... just as you suggested ! Ah, I love this media revolution !!!
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Alex
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« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2009, 05:03:23 PM » |
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Since I could not rent it, I decided to buy "A Map for Saturday". I cannot wait for its arrival. I watched the trailer and I loved it. Thanks for the recommedations, if you have more suggestions for such movies/documentaries, do let me know. While I think it is hard for someone to be more excited and pumped up about a RTW trip, I intend to make all my friends watch this and other movies like this ... before they render their judgment that I have lost my mind ... which by the way, nobody has said it ... yet.
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Greg
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« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2009, 01:25:04 PM » |
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Oh...they will...they will, haha. But maybe loosing your current mind and replacing it with new paradigms is the way to go? At least that's what I tell myself.  |
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Alex
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« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2009, 08:22:54 PM » |
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I just got a Map for Saturday DVD and finished it watching an hour ago. Very nice. Though I was very disappointed that he went back. Somehow, I expected a movie ending like "travel happily ever after". Me and my incurable idealism ! I went for a walk afterwards - just to stop myself from packing :-). Downstairs, I made the security/receptionist man watch the trailer on You Tube. And when he said he liked it and he seemed to have really enjoyed it, I made him watch the "Where the Hell is Matt?" video. I adore that video ... makes me happy instantly ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY ... |
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Greg
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« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2009, 09:48:31 PM » |
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Every time I see that video I think....why in the hell did I not think of that?!?!?!  |
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