Filming

I've stupidly landed myself with a task.

I need to film someone delivering a "piece to camera" and then put into onto DVD to be played on a DVD player ( as opposed to PC)

"No problems -shouldn't be hard." says foolish me.

So what do I need?

1. Digital Camcorder ( even I can work that out )

But do I need a microphone for the person to wear to better catch the audio?

2. Editing software? What is good, what is bad? What is useful for a tecno simpleton?

3. Are normal CD-R's DVD's? ( Christ, I'm only realising how stupid I am)

Is there anything else?

And if this person didn't have much acting experiance, is therewhere they could go - or get some tips from an acting sort?

Quote: bigfella @ December 15 2009, 2:17 PM GMT

But do I need a microphone for the person to wear to better catch the audio?

View original

You'll get better quality audio if you do.

2. Editing software? What is good, what is bad? What is useful for a tecno simpleton?

If you use Windows, then Windows Movie Maker is free and fairly easy to use. It's not great though.

3. Are normal CD-R's DVD's? ( Christ, I'm only realising how stupid I am)

No. DVDs have a much larger capacity. Look at the label on your DVD drive or player. It will say something like DVD-R or DVD-RW on it. That's what you need. You can get em dirt cheap in supermarkets.

But most DVD players can play CDs.

Quote: bigfella @ December 15 2009, 2:17 PM GMT

Is there anything else?

View original

Some camcorders are absolute c**ts if you're trying to transfer the vid from the camera to a computer to edit. Make sure your computer and the camera have the same sockets (like USB, for example) so that you'll be able to transfer it across. I'd steer clear of anything that uses tape, personally.

And if this person didn't have much acting experiance, is therewhere they could go - or get some tips from an acting sort?

If you've got three years to spare, there's always RADA.

Quote: bigfella @ December 15 2009, 2:17 PM GMT

I've stupidly landed myself with a task.

View original

What is the task for?

Thanks Kevin that helps.

Quote: Marc P @ December 15 2009, 2:32 PM GMT

What is the task for?

View original

Work

Quote: bigfella @ December 15 2009, 2:17 PM GMT

And if this person didn't have much acting experiance, is therewhere they could go - or get some tips from an acting sort?

View original

There are lots of acting classes on YouTube.

1. Digital Camcorder ( even I can work that out )

But do I need a microphone for the person to wear to better catch the audio?

You Don't need one but built in mics sound a bit naff.

2. Editing software? What is good, what is bad? What is useful for a tecno simpleton?

Editing wise, Can't go wrong with Sony Vegas. Alternatively I'm sure there are Ulead or Windows movie maker that can do the job.

3. Are normal CD-R's DVD's? ( Christ, I'm only realising how stupid I am)

No the are different.

And if this person didn't have much acting experiance, is therewhere they could go - or get some tips from an acting sort?

Do shit loads of takes, until they are comfortable infront of camera and don't have the rabbit in headlights look.

Give us a PM if you need any info dude

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ December 15 2009, 2:29 PM GMT

You'll get better quality audio if you do.

No. DVDs have a much larger capacity. Look at the label on your DVD drive or player. It will say something like DVD-R or DVD-RW on it. That's what you need. You can get em dirt cheap in supermarkets.

Some camcorders are absolute c**ts if you're trying to transfer the vid from the camera to a computer to edit. Make sure your computer and the camera have the same sockets (like USB, for example) so that you'll be able to transfer it across. I'd steer clear of anything that uses tape, personally.

View original

Quick note, most older DVD players don't play DVD-RW's as I recall.

DV Camera is what you want most computers now have fire wire, most have high speed USB.

Quote: Gavin @ December 15 2009, 2:43 PM GMT

DV Camera is what you want most computers now have fire wire, most have high speed USB.

View original

A problem I've encountered before is that if your camera uses digital tape and doesn't have a hard drive, you've got to make sure whatever lead you're using to connect it to your computer is fast enough to get good quality video across. If it doesn't it's expensive upgrade time, if upgrading is even possible. But with a hard drive in your camera, there's no problem.

All that said, I'm no expert. I can't even work my new Virgin TV box.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ December 15 2009, 2:57 PM GMT

A problem I've encountered before is that if your camera uses digital tape and doesn't have a hard drive, you've got to make sure whatever lead you're using to connect it to your computer is fast enough to get good quality video across. If it doesn't it's expensive upgrade time, if upgrading is even possible. But with a hard drive in your camera, there's no problem.

All that said, I'm no expert. I can't even work my new Virgin TV box.

View original

I've never really had problems with DV but I get your mindset on that. So perhaps it would be better with HD in this instance.

Dont buy a camera, get the guy fully rehearsed with bits to camera so when you come to shoot he is fully familiar with it. Build in some cut away shots, so if he does forget a bit you can cut away and edit it all together later. Hire a cameraman for a few hours who will come along with top notch gear and produce a far beeter thing for you than you will at less cost. If it's just a piece to camera then editing will be piece of cake.

Quote: Marc P @ December 15 2009, 3:03 PM GMT

Dont buy a camera, get the guy fully rehearsed with bits to camera so when you come to shoot he is fully familiar with it. Build in some cut away shots, so if he does forget a bit you can cut away and edit it all together later. Hire a cameraman for a few hours who will come along with top notch gear and produce a far beeter thing for you than you will at less cost. If it's just a piece to camera then editing will be piece of cake.

View original

Depending on how many they are looking at doing, this option may be a bit expensive. But for a one off, your quite right Marc. Then atleast you don't have a bunch of equipment knocking around you don't need.

And I can give you my cousin's number!

Quote: Marc P @ December 15 2009, 3:15 PM GMT

And I can give you my cousin's number!

View original

for a 5% finders fee also.

It's who you know in this business I tells ya.

Sorry I came over all Dr Mato there.

If you haven't done it before get out of it. I used to edit video for a living and video production is only straightforward if you know exactly what you're doing. I'm not saying you can't do it, just warning you it will take three or four times longer than you think it will and you may wish you'd never started.

Quote: don rushmore @ December 15 2009, 2:35 PM GMT

There are lots of acting classes on YouTube.

View original

I shall search

Quote: Gavin @ December 15 2009, 2:43 PM GMT

Give us a PM if you need any info dude

View original

Cheers Gav!

Quote: Marc P @ December 15 2009, 3:03 PM GMT

Dont buy a camera, get the guy fully rehearsed with bits to camera so when you come to shoot he is fully familiar with it. Build in some cut away shots, so if he does forget a bit you can cut away and edit it all together later. Hire a cameraman for a few hours who will come along with top notch gear and produce a far beeter thing for you than you will at less cost. If it's just a piece to camera then editing will be piece of cake.

View original

I did wonder that. But it might be an on going thing.

Quote: Godot Taxis @ December 15 2009, 4:07 PM GMT

If you haven't done it before get out of it. I used to edit video for a living and video production is only straightforward if you know exactly what you're doing. I'm not saying you can't do it, just warning you it will take three or four times longer than you think it will and you may wish you'd never started.

View original

Sounds like the rest of my life!

It is only a piece to camera. A bloke in a chair talking. So I'm hoping it will just be a case of adding a title page and a bit of introduction music.

Hoping!