This is the third post in a 5-part series on how to create good online video. Read the entire series — image, sound, editing, distribution and promotion.
Editing is an art as much as it is a science. As cameras are introduced into the industry, editing systems often times go under significant engineering to support these new cameras and formats. Due to their complexity, most editing applications are released once every 18-24 months.
While editing platforms are a dime-a-dozen, the one that I recommend and use is Adobe’s Premiere Pro. Available for both Mac and PC platforms, CS5 is a huge step up forward and capable of handling the new DSLR cameras. Priced at $800, it’s a steep investment. However, its capabilities make it worthwhile. A few top-level features:
Import and edit nearly any kind of media.
Export to a variety of different formats — at the same time.
Shoot and monitor on site with Adobe OnLocation (included).
Create physical DVDs and web DVDs with Adobe Encore (included).
This is the second post in a 5-part series on how to create good online video. Read the entire series — image, sound, editing, distribution and promotion.
Good audio makes good video. Without it, the end result is unwatchable, ignored by your audience and potential advertisers. With DSLR cameras, good audio is tricky because unlike traditional cameras, DSLRs have unusable sound functionality.
Audio recommendations largely depend on the type of show you’re producing. If it’s just a conversation, you can use a boom microphone. If you want to increase the audio quality, then you need to have lavalier microphones. This post will cover both types of recording situations.
Audio recording with boom microphones
Recording audio with boom microphones is great for on-location shoots for up to 2 people. For anything more, you need to have multiple boom mics.
Mics: Boom microphones are a dime a dozen. The one that I recommend is the Rote NTG-2. It’s a high-quality microphone at an affordable price. Price – $270
Mic stand: Unless you have an audio engineer on site, it’s best to have a boom stand for the mic. Just like mics, they vary in price and capability. I highly recommend the Manfrotto 420B microphone stand with a sandbag. Why the sandbag? So that your stand doesn’t tip over. Price with sandbag – $155
Audio recorder: Once you have your microphone and stand, you need to record the sound. Unfortunately, recording it through the the camera is not an option. The Zoom H4n from Samson is considered an industry standard for a good reason. It’s a great device and extremely capable. Price – $300
Total price for boom setup – $725
Audio recording with lav microphones
Lavalier microphones are great for controlled environments. They’re best for conversations and talk shows.
Mics: Good microphones are hard to find. Every audio professional has their own opinion as to what works and what doesn’t work. The one that I use and recommend is the Countryman B3. Price – $199 (recommended amount: 2)
Audio recorder: Similar to boom microphones, you have to run your lav mics into an audio recorder. In this situation, the suggestion remains the same – Zoom H4n from Samson. Price – $300
Total price for lav setup – $700
For audio recording, the environment matters a lot. Even the best microphones will produce poor quality results if you have a lot of background noise. Be aware of your environment and don’t forget to turn off your cell phones.
Over the next 5 days, we’ll be publishing articles that help you produce online video more effectively. Realizing that most independent content creators don’t have a large budget, we’ll cap off our expenses at $5,000. Read the entire series — image, sound, editing, distribution and promotion.
Producing high-quality video for the web is a necessity and a reality. Most sponsors and advertisers will not associate with a show if it has poor production values. In part one of this series, we’ll focus on how to capture the best image from inexpensive solutions. Most of these solutions are recommendations and not necessities. If you prefer alternative tools, please feel free to use them.
Camera: In the past 2 years, companies like Canon and Nikon have introduced video capable DSLRs. When used correctly, these cameras produce images that often times rival $10,000 prosumer video cameras. While the primary purpose of DSLRs is to take great images, these cameras are extremely capable of shooting high-quality video. Canon’s latest DSLR, the T2i/550D is a stellar camera and produces fantastic results. Since it is a DSLR camera, you should familiarize yourself with 4 technical photography terms — Shutter Speed, F Stop, ISO and Exposure. These terms will help you produce better video. Furthermore, since the camera produces very large files, you also need to have fast SDHC cards. SanDisk’s Extreme III line up is a good start. Purchase at-least 4 of these cards. Total cost with ket lens and cards = $950
Lenses: Most pro photographers will tell you not to purchase a kit lens. For the most part, I agree. However, the lens that comes with the Canon T2i is a good lens and can offer a lot of flexibility if you’re just starting out. Unfortunately, it performs poorly in low light situations. One of Canon’s best lenses is the 50mm f/1.8. At less than $100, it is capable of taking images in low light. Another lens worth picking up is the Canon EF 35mm f/2. It also performs well in low-light and produces stunning images. At $300, it’s a good investment. Total cost for 2 lenses: $400
Tripod: An audience does not like shaky images. Therefore, you should invest in a good tripod. While tripods range in prices and quality, the one that I recommend is the Manfrotto 190XPROB. Combine that with the Manfrotto 496RC2 tripod head and you have a good start. Please note that this tripod combination is best for static shots, without panning. If you’re looking to do a lot of motion shots, purchase a video tripod head. Total cost for this combination: $250
Lighting: Good lighting is the industry’s best kept secret. Without good lighting, even the most expensive cameras can’t perform. Depending on the type of video you’re creating, I suggest picking up 2 Lowel Pro-lights. At $125, they’re a good investment. Total cost for 2 lights and 2 bulbs: $350
Total cost: $1950
Once you have acquired or rented the above gear, take some time and practice your shots. Shooting with new gear and with little experience is not suggested. In the next post, we’ll highlight how to capture high-quality audio for your online videos.
