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Canon Rebel T4i Designed for Video
At first glance the specs of the Canon Rebel T4i look nearly the same as its predecessor the Canon EOS Rebel T3i
While it records 1080p30 with stereo sound using internal or external microphones, the real news is the Continuous AutoFocus in movie mode. It is both silent and fast when using one of the new Canon linear stepper motors (STM.) These lenses can continuously track and keep focus on a moving subject in movie mode. The Canon 18-135 (f3.5 – 5.6) STM is one of the kit lenses. It also features image stabilization. Another new lens is the 40mm f2.8 STM pancake lens.
The Canon Rebel t4i is the first DSLR to include a touchscreen that works like those found in smartphones. You can pinch to zoom. But unlike some touchscreens, you have the choice to control the camera using the normal controls or use the touchscreen.
The sensitivity has been increased to ISO 12,800 and to record video, you need fewer steps so it is more direct on this camera than on the T3i.
The camera is available now for pre-order with delivery later in June. The camera body only is $849 through Amazon. Read the full specs at the Amazon link below
Adding Web Services to a Video Business
Web Design Business Kit For Video Producers
Have you ever wondered what you’d do if your video business hit a dry spell and the income just stopped? We’ve all been through that and know it’s not fun. Wouldn’t it be great to find another significant income stream that is unrelated to video production (and maybe even one they need more than they need videos!) The web design business can be a perfect compliment to the video business. And talk about cross-marketing! The same people buy both web services and video production.
Many web designers use off-the-shelf designs and programming so they don’t need to be either a designer or a programmer and there’s no equipment to buy. Read more about the Web Design Business Kit For Video Producers.
My New Editing Computer
While speaking to a local IT guy, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. It probably would have taken me a week and who knows if I would have made a mistake. For $100 he did it all except installing Windows and updating the drivers. I volunteered to do both of those easy jobs.
Here are the parts that VideoGuys recommended for their “Budget” machine at $1400. The “Hot Rod Machine” they outlined cost $2500.
Motherboard ASUS P6X58-E Pro
CPU Intel i7-950 Quad Core
GPU (graphics processing unit) Ge Force GTX 570
RAM Corsair XM3 16 GB (4 x 4GB)
Here we varied from the Videoguys recommendation which was for 05 G.SKILL Ripjaws 12GB (3 x 4GB) SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800). My IT guy described this as not the most reliable so I went with the Corsair RAM and got 4 more GB of RAM for the same price.
Case Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
Power Supply Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 850 V2 850 Watts
System Drive Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive. The original recommendation was for a Hitachi 1TB 7200RPM drive, but I heard it referred to as a “deathstar.”
Operating System Windows 7 Professional 64 bit OEM
Optical Drive Pioneer Internal Blu-Ray Disk/DVD/CD writer BDR 206 Black $
CPU Intel Core i7-950 3.06 GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA 1366 Processor
The build above cost a hair over $1600. I found most of the elements at NewEgg.com, but a few of the items were cheaper through Amazon.com
I choose to stick with the 1 TB hardrive for now. With the setup I have I can upgrade this and add an additional Solid State Disk (SSD), but I’d rather save the money now and get a great system working.
My old computer is a AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 2.3 GHz with 6GB RAM and a 32 bit operating system running Windows Vista Home Premium. It could edit HD footage if you were willing to guess at exactly what you had until after it rendered.
The most important elements of a video editing machine are the processor and the video card or GPU, but all of these have to work together and this is where it’s helpful to have someone like Gary Bettan from VideoGuys and a smart IT guy. I still need to add external hard drives and to upgrade to Sony Vegas 10 Pro. (Vegas 11 seems to have issues I don’t want to deal with.)
One thing that struck me during the process is that a gaming computer might have worked just fine for HD editing. They both require a fast processor, lots of RAM and a powerful graphics card. I found some used gaming machines that might have done the trick, but for just a little more money I could have brand new.
The bottom line is that I couldn’t be happier with my new editing machine. Everything works so much faster. All previews are at the best quality. Rendering is fast. Video effects are shown in real time. I’ve learned that the world of computer hardware changes so quickly that you must be flexible.
Can You Show Video Samples That Are Not Yours?
Can you show samples that are not yours? Here’s a brief correspondence I had with someone I’ll call Acme Video.
Acme Video wrote:
From: Acme Video
To: Hal Landen
Subject: Need Video(s) for Website
Hey Hal, my name is Acme Video out of ___________. I’m new to video producing, but I have purchased and began reading your “Professional Video Producer- Home Study Course.” I have recently begun constructing the website for my company, but I have no footage or photo’s to display. Where can I get a few videos to temporarily display on my website?
Thanks,
Acme Video
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Hal Landen
To: Acme Video
Subject: Re: Need Video(s) for Website
Hi Acme,
Before you build the website you should produce a couple or more free promotional videos for non-profits in your area. This will benefit you in several ways: You’ll have real videos to show others, people will talk about their videos and get your name around, you will become more confident in your producing skills.
These are all worthy goals that will help you, especially if knock yourself out to produce very effective videos that actually help the non-profits.
If you don’t have videos to show, it’s a bad idea to show videos you have not produced. Don’t try to cut corners. That would only slow your business growth.
I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but I honestly think this will help you more than showing videos you did not produce. Another bonus is that when you produce a free video, you get very clever at doing a good job quickly.
Best Wishes,
Hal Landen
(401) 253-2800
http://videouniversity.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Acme Video
To: Hal Landen
Subject: Re: Re: Need Video(s) for Website
Thanks! I appreciate the honesty very much! I now have clarity and understanding on the best thing to do for my company. Thank you Hal.
Acme
========================================================================================================================
That is a question every producer faces at some point. It’s a small world and if you are ever caught showing someone else’s work as your own, you’re sure to pay for that mistake for a long time. And besides, it’s bad karma.
There are some circumstances where showing someone else’s work is legitimate – when you are representing them as someone who freelances for you. And then only when you clearly credit them for the work and have their permission.
Affordable Digital Bolex Camera Captures Raw
Affordable Digital Bolex Captures RAW
They call the Digital Bolex a “digital cinema camera.” This means it shoots RAW images also called Digital Negatives rather than the compressed video we all use today. Unlike the expensive digital cinema cameras like the Sony CineAlta, RED ONE, Arriflex D-20, Panavision Genesis, and others used on big budget films, the Digital Bolex is designed for consumers as well as pros. It’s inexpensive, compact, and easy to use just like its namesake, the wonderful film Bolex. This was one of the film cameras I owned and occasionally used on freelance jobs. I had the 16mm version, but there was also an 8mm version.
The Bolex H16 built by clock makers.
But Look At This New Wonder
The Digital Bolex Specs:
- Resolution 2048 x 1152 (Super 16mm mode) 1920 x 1080 pixels (16mm mode)
- Format Adobe CinemaDNG, TIFF, JPEG image sequences
- Color depth 12 bit 4:4:4
- File size 2 to 3 MB per frame in RAW
- Sensor Kodak CCD 12.85 mm (H) x 9.64 mm (V)
- Pixel Size 5.5 micron
- Frame rate up to 32 fps at 2K, 60fps at 720p, 90 fps at 480p
- Sound Balanced, 2 channel 16 bit, 48 kHz via XLR
- Viewfinder: 320×240, 2.4” diagonal, with Focus Assist
- Video out 640 x 480 B&W via 1/8” video jack (HD-SDI available in separate unit)
- Ports 1/8” video, headphone, USB 3.0, Audio XLR (2), 4-PIN XLR
- Data Storage Dual CF card slots, SSD (buffer drive)
- Power Internal battery, 12V External via 4 pin XLR port
- Body Milled steel and hard plastic
- Size (body) Approximately 5”H (without pistol grip) by 4”W by 8”D
- Size (grip) 5”H by 2”W by 5”D
- Lens mount C-mount comes standard, PL, EF, B4, are available
- Weight 5lbs
- ISO Options 100, 200, 400
- Also in the box pistol grip, USB 3.0 cable, internal battery, 4 pin XLR Battery cable, video cable, transcoder/raw conversion software
Joe Rubinstein set out to raise money on Kickstarter to manufacture the first 100 Digital Bolexes.
So far they’ve raised $287,759. They’ve sold out of the 100. You could have bought one for a donation of $2500. The cameras is expected to become available to the general public in late Summer/Fall 2012. The estimated retail price for the D16 and its accessories is $3299
BTW, did you know that Kickstarter will probably raise more than The National Endowment of the Arts this year? Yancey Strickler, one of Kickstarters three co-founders, says they are expecting to distribute over $150 million which will fund users projects in 2012. The entire 2012 budget for the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) is $146 million. Things are changing fast.
PS. If you pick up a film Bolex on eBay or in a pawn shop, You can learn how to use it with the Virtual Bolex Tutorial.
Taxes and Your Video Business
It’s almost tax time so why not get a jump on it and start organizing your numbers now. There are a number of issues you’ll want to consider. For instance, the home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood IRS rules. Here’s some of what the IRS says about this deduction:
Computing the Amount of Home Office Deduction
Generally, the amount of the deduction depends on the percentage of the home that is used for business. The deduction will be limited if gross income from the business is less than the total business expenses.
A taxpayer can use any reasonable method to compute business percentage, but the most common methods are to:
Divide the area of the home used for business by the total area of the home, or
Divide the number of rooms used for business by the total number of rooms in the home if all rooms in the home are about the same size.
To learn more about the home office deduction as well as other important issues and deductions read Your Video Business & Income Taxes.
Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 – Wow!
Adds Multicam And Other Pro Features. New FCP 7 to FCP X Conversion App Available
A lot of FCP 7 editors were unhappy with Apple’s decision to bring out a new FCP that did not support projects edited on earlier versions. And that was just the beginning of the complaints. See Final Cut Pro X – Conan O’Brian’s Editors Give Opinion. This new FCP X has addressed many of the complaints. Here’s what has been added to FCP X:
1. Multicam Editing
You can actively edit up to 64 active camera angles. You can sync clips by camera time code, camera name, in or out points, markers, or using the source audio
2. Layered PSD files are directly accessible from within FCP X.
3. Media relink
A clone of a project can be opened on any computer so you can carry a drive from place to place and work on it in both places.
4. Advanced Chroma Keying According to Mac World FCP X now has “the best keyer of any NLE.”
3rd party support now provides more plug-ins for FCP X than there were for FCP 7. And the best is the ability to migrate FCP 7 projects to FCP X. This is done by a 3rd party app from Intelligent Assistance, owned by Philip Hodgetts. The app is called “7toX for Final Cut Pro conversion.” It costs $10 and offers full import functionality that allows users to convert older FCP project files into FCP X events.
A VU Forum member who just bought the new FCP X says “My first project was a wedding highlights video which proved rather enjoyable by the end of the edit.”
For more details from MacWorld, click here.
FCP X is $299.99 from the Apple Store.
New Year’s Resolutions for Video Producers
1. Market your business regularly and consistently.
Let’s face it, marketing and promotion may be the most important work of any business. If you can’t get the jobs or make the sales, your skills will be under-utilized and your profits will falter. Don’t let marketing and promotion be the last thing you do, even when you have more work than you can handle. Marketing must be your #1 priority.
2. Learn how to delegate and delegate more.
Even though you may be a one-person shop, you need freelancers and others to help run your business. Think how you could delegate more of the work to them. This gives you more time to run the business rather than merely work in it. It may also help you bring in skills you lack.
3. Complete your online marketing plan.
Set aside at least half a day every week to to work on this important business planning. Determine goals, resources, day to day and longer range steps. It’s good to keep this plan on a bulletin board with categories like new products/services, marketing campaigns, etc. It’s tempting to do this digitally, but tasking colored three by five index cards on a board that you see every day has its advantages. However you do it remember: plan your work and work your plan.
4. Study something new.
There are lots of ideas and courses you can study to improve your business. You could study postcard marketing, cinematography, or salesmanship, online tutorials for Adobe After Effects, and hundreds of video programs. Master a new video service like those in our store.
But you could also choose to learn something new for yourself, unconnected with your business. You are a lot more than just your business.
5. Join a new group.
Attend the next meeting of your local video association. Join the VideoUniversity Forums. You can also find groups with interests you share through meetup.com. Whether it’s a business or personal group, you’ll meet people who share some of your interests.
6. Produce a free video for a non-profit you admire.
Here’s one I did on a whim. Use your video skills to do something good with no intention of profit. You may be surprised what a good thing it is. You might do a smaller scale version of the Grand Rapids Lip Dub or a video called “Ten Great Reasons To Visit Our Town.” This can be a powerful marketing tool, but the best way to approach it is as a way to give back to your community.
7. Schedule time for YOU.
Give yourself a free hour or even a free day once in a while. It’s far too easy to become a workaholic when you own a small business. Sorry to say I know about this. You need mental health days every once in a while. It can also be just an extended lunch hour where you do some fun activity or take a short trip that will make you happy. Then you can plow back into your work with renewed vigor.
8. Track your numbers and set goals.
Functions which are not measured rarely get improved. But if you measure a function and watch it, it often improves. Sales is an obvious place to start, Google Analytics is a great free service for quantifying traffic to your web site and to particular pages of your site. These days we’re all watching expenses more closely. Try measuring your credit card expenses including fees and interest. When you do, you’ll probably be horrified enough to do something about it like switching to a no-fee debit card.
After you start tracking numbers, you can set realistic goals. These goals should be written on your Planning Bulletin Board (number 3 above). Remember: “Never Measured, Never Improved.”
9. Get your website in shape.
Redesign your site with a Content Management System. It’s hard to beat WordPress, but there are others. Write high quality content pages and/or blog posts on a regular basis. Write unique titles and descriptions for each page and post of your website. Add plug-ins to integrate the site with your social media. Use Facebook ‘Like’ buttons, Tweet This, ShareIt, etc.
10. If it isn’t working, stop using it.
All services or products you offer aren’t going to be spectacular sellers. Not all of your sales pitches will produce results. Not all of your business strategies will pan out. When something isn’t working, you must face facts. It’s probably not worth more energy or money to try to make it work. Walk away from it. Find something better. Finding a better solution may be easier than you think because you already know a good bit about what doesn’t work.
Flying Over Planet Earth
A time-lapse taken from the front of the International Space Station as it orbits our planet at night. This movie begins over the Pacific Ocean and continues over North and South America before entering daylight near Antarctica. Visible cities, countries and landmarks include (in order) Vancouver Island, Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles. Phoenix. Multiple cities in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. Mexico City, the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, El Salvador, Lightning in the Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon. Also visible is the earths ionosphere (thin yellow line), a satellite (55sec) and the stars of our galaxy.
Silhouettes On The Shade
The silhouette videos above are from the New Jersey Film School which offers hands-on classes for kids and adults.
Silhouettes have been used since the early Egpytians and Greeks. Silhouettes are related to shadow puppetry from ancient Chinese. The art form became especially popular for portraits during the mid-18th century. And then photographers and later filmmakers used silhouette shots for their beauty and effect.
To make a silhouette of a person, light the background, but not the person. Keep the subject far enough away from the background so there is no light spill on the subject. For the most action, place the camera where the silhouette of the actor changes the most in the action. If, for instance, the actor is pointing with his arm, the camera should shoot the profile to maximize the action.
The silhouette videos above were probably made with a green screen which makes the background color replacement easy. What kind of video you can create with silhouettes?
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