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Portable Video Equipment

PORTABLE VIDEO EQUIPMENT YOU SHOULD HAVE

When it comes to video production you can really use as much or as little equipment as you want. That being said, anybody who’s been on a few video shoots can attest that — generally speaking — the more equipment you have, the better. More portable video equipment allows you to have control in more circumstances and get more interesting footage.

The inevitable downside is that the more gear you have, the heavier and more cumbersome it is to drag around, or the longer it takes to set up, the more space it takes to store — or worse, the more it costs.

Luckily there are many great options that tick all the right boxes. Affordable, lightweight, low-profile gear that will elevate your production value and give you options for days.

LED LIGHTING

Everyone knows the importance of lighting when it comes to anything related to cameras. Everyone also knows how big and delicate lights can be.

LED lights are a lifesaver to many videographers the world over. These can range from small camera-mounted panels to larger 1000+ bulb lights that can be used on film sets. Two MTL 900 LEDs - Portable Video Equipment.

Somewhere in the middle is an ideal portable option, the LED bar light. Bar lights, like the one pictured (the MTL-900) are about a meter/3ft long, have variable brightness settings, attach to any standard light stand with a 1/4” thread, and can run off batteries. These are great not just for the videographer on the go, but for the one with limited storage space. They’re also incredibly easy to set up, allowing you to light your scenes quickly for those times when you’re watching the clock.

SLIDER

Camera sliders are a great way to add simple but dynamic shots to your video production. There are many types and brands to choose from, ranging from simple manual sliders all the way up to expensive, computer-controlled mechanical ones.The Revolve dolly slider in its compact case. - Portable Video Equipment.

Something like the Revolve Slider is not only designed to be compact and portable, but is also one of the cheapest motorized options available. It can be mounted to anything with a 1/4” thread, or even comes with feet to help mount it on unusual surfaces.

Having a motor on the slider gives you smooth, consistent motion shot after shot. It also allows you to take stunning time-lapse recordings with dynamic camera movement.

WIRELESS AUDIO GEAR

Every video producer will have at least one good microphone. These are normally shotgun mics, mounted either on a boom pole or the camera rig.

Most every video producer knows that wireless lapel microphones can be the best, most useful way of capturing people’s voices. However, many are put off by cost or inexperience; some are even put off by simply not wanting to have to physically attach the wires to people out of awkwardness.

For that last issue, there’s not much that can be done. For the rest, there are an increasing number of affordable, good-quality wireless options to choose from that are equally easy to use. One such option is the Rode Link wireless system. It uses Bluetooth technology for the transmitter/receiver, is cheaper than higher-end radio microphones, and incredibly easy to use. The whole system also effectively fits in your pocket, making it easy to transport and very lightweight.

Even if you’re filming in a studio environment, wireless lapel microphones are great to use. They get your microphone as close to the subject’s mouth as possible, giving you a clearer sound and better signal-to-noise ratio. They can even be deployed as a backup microphone if you’re using a shotgun mic.

Extra portable video equipment doesn’t have to break the bank — or your back. Lightweight, portable, run-and-gun friendly camera gear is all around you if you know where to look.

When in post production don’t forget you will need quality music. Check out our Royalty Free Music Store!

Green Screen For Beginners

Green Screen For Beginners

Green screen is a technology that uses chroma keying (or color keying) allowing you to superimpose your subject on a virtual background or, simply put, it replaces your actual background with a desired one. This is used because the object can be easily differentiated from the background, as the color is not found in human skin tones or most clothing.

Why use a screen?

This process has been around for quite some time and is quite simple. It can save costs and achieve results comparable to shooting outdoors or using expensive background sets. You can also create incredible scenes that are impossible to shoot using conventional practices.

Why green?

There is a wide misconception that only a green color can be used with Chroma key. This technology is not limited to using the green spectrum of colors; in fact blue screens are more prominent in the practical world. So why keep it limited to using these colors? Is there a specific reason to choose only greens and blues?

All the solid colors- reGreen Screen With Replacement Backgroundd, yellow, violet, pink- can be chosen for the screen but the bright green shade is preferred to make use of the contrast feature. People rarely wear bright green. Therefore, it becomes easy to create a distinction between your subject and the background. Other colors, frequently found in people’s attire, may result in a lack of contrast between the subject and the background. This may creating flaws in the final video.

Getting Started

Setting up Chroma key is quite straightforward. You don’t need very expensive equipment. You only need a Digital Camera (even a smartphone) that shoots HD quality video, computer, or laptop, with your video editor, and (obviously!) a green screen background.

There are a number of free and paid video editing software packages available.  Wax and VirtualDub are free. Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Sony Vegas PRO are examples of paid video editors.

 

THE BACKGROUNDGreen Screen Materials

The material of the backdrop is a much more important factor than the color. There are a variety of options you can use to make the background green (or blue), you could paint a wall of your garage and shoot there. This is one of the easiest choices, and you just have to take care that the chosen wall is not textured, as texture generates shadows.  If you want to use a material, foam fabric or muslin is preferable, as it absorbs the light very well. The only thing to avoid is paper because it is shiny and causes light to bounce.

NOTE: Collapsible panels are also available if you don’t need to shoot in landscape mode, as these panels are usually not wide enough.

LIGHTING

 

Green Screen With Lighting Kit

The secret for a successful green screen shoot is the proper use of lighting. The only thing you need to achieve for that perfect take is uniform lighting. The best way to accomplish this is with a studio lighting kit. You will need to set up 2 sidelights at approximately 6 feet from the background, and at a 45-degree angle to obtain the desired results. Some important points are:

  • Ensure that your subject isn’t creating a shadow on the screen. Use 2 lights positioned on either side to avoid ‘hot’ spots in the frame. Your subject should be lit separately.
  • Always make your subject stand 6 to 10 feet in front of the screen When there is limited space you may opt for 4-6 feet, but you will achieve better results with a greater distance.
  • Most importantly, keep the screen lit evenly or you will need to re-shoot.
  • You might want to use a floor light to get rid of shadows around the feet of your actor.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

  • Make sure you record 10 seconds of video without the actor present so that you can use that footage during editing
  • Having a microphone (instead of the camera microphone) will give you higher quality audio.
  • The background material should be about one stop below the foreground to make the background slightly darker.
  • If the walls or ceiling of the room are too close to the subject use black material or paint the walls black. This will absorb any extra light bounce which may create problems when editing.

The use of a green screen and Chroma keying is a simple technique and very affordable. If you do decide to go with a green screen, make sure you shoot enough video and edit carefully. Both of these factors play an equally important role in obtaining an optimum result to dazzle your audience.

Don’t forget that music is an important part of any production so please be sure to look over our stock music. We offer many styles to choose from at our Royalty Free Music Store.

Top 10 Video Production Tips

Top 10 Video Production Tips

Here are the top 10 video production tips to creating a persuasive. This is a necessity in this fast-paced world in order to hold the attention of your audience. Top 10 Video Production Tips-1You need to impress your audience, and impress them fast. Studies show that 44% of all viewers lose interest in the first minute and will move on. A compelling script is just the beginning. There are various other factors that you, as the videographer, must take into consideration.

Half the battle is having a plan. You will need to carefully supervise all aspects of the video; the script, production quality, background, actors, TuneGorilla’s Music, presentation, and, of course, the message of the video.  Here are 10 tips that you need to know before you start shooting:

  • BE CREATIVE:

    The script plays the most significant role in determining whether the audience falls in love with your video. Be certain to use original and creative ideas that will help you connect to your viewers. If you are planning to make a marketing video, for example, an emotional screenplay that touches your client will have a larger and more lasting impact.

    With the ever-growing trend of video marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical. Pay careful attention to keywords in the title, description, metadata fields and tags to get the optimum results.

  • PROFESSIONAL ACTORS:

    You may consider hiring actors. If so, be selective in casting your video. Without convincing and effective performances, your video may come out looking stilted and artificial.

    A quick Tip: If you have a tight budget, you can always ask satisfied customers to be a part of the video production rather than hiring professional actors. This method has been used by large advertising companies over the years and often yields great results.

  • KNOW YOUR SUBJECT:

    Capturing a person on a video is very different from capturing a building, which is, again, worlds apartVideo Bay from capturing a beautiful landscape. These are three diverse scenarios, and you need to prepare differently for each of them.

    When you need to capture a building, try to include people in the background. Use motion to build excitement and vibrancy. On the other hand, when interviewing a person, focusing exclusively on the person will create a more intimate experience. Try to shoot them from a slight right or left angle as opposed to dead center, and ask them to look at you and not the camera.  You will get a much more natural effect this way.

 

  • SHOOT FROM VARIOUS VANTAGE POINTS:

    Another of our top 10 video production tips is to not stand still when shooting a video, keep your hand steady and move to cover various angles to show different perspectives. Shooting everything from eye level is monotonous. Try going for shots which begin at the bottom (you are kneeling) and slowly move up to their face. This keeps the viewers more engrossed.

  • DON’T PLAY WITH THE ZOOM:

    (too much): People tend to overdo zoom which makes the video look amateur and can be distracting and annoying. If you do need to zoom in or out, do it at a steady pace (I would recommend counting to 15) and then change the shot. Also, (and this one is a pretty good tip!) avoid using digital zoom. Preferably, keep your camera set to a more wide-angle view and move the camera closer to the subject to get a better close-up.

 LIGHTING:

  • You don’t want the picture quality to look over- or under-exposed, so make sure toLighting Kit use a continuous lighting kit. Use lights which will allow versatility, provide you ample light, and give you more flexibility. Also, remember to set your camera’s white balance based on the “color temperature” of your light source to capture every color perfectly. Do not place your subject with their back to the sun or under a tree with a bright background. These are major mistakes sometimes made by even the best of videographers.

 

  • USE A TRIPOD:

    Yet another of our top 10 video production tips is that shaky, blurry videos are one of the biggest problems when shooting. The best remedy is to use a tripod or some type of device to stabilize yourCamera Tripod camera. This will allow you to shoot clear, steady footage. Tripods are usually very affordable. Look for ones with strong locks to hold your camera still in any position.

 

 

  • RULE OF THIRDS:

    When your subject is a single object in the frame, that person should Rule Of Thirdsnot be in the middle of the frame. S/he should always cover either side of the frame for well balanced shots. Break your image into thirds horizontally and vertically and place the subject on either corner. Similarly, leaving empty space above a person’s head is waste of space and should be avoided.

 

  • BOOM MIC:

    Getting the perfect audio sound to go with your video production is a challenging task and therefore, everyone recommends using a separate microphone to avoid poor sound recording quality. Wireless mics can be Boom Microphonequite affordable and there are various types to suit every budget and creative need. Be sure to use headphones, as you are shooting, to detect any audio problems immediately. If you don’t your project may turn out to be a waste of time and money.

  • RUTHLESS EDITING:

    Editing a video can make or break it. It is as important as the script, because it helps you to narrate the story. Crop out all the weak sections. Vet your video critically, and make sure to remove any long, boring pauses. A short, well-edited video is always better than a long, rambling one.

  • BONUS TIPS:

    A strong voice-over, along with the just the right TuneGorilla Music can work wonders for your video!  Also, always remember to carry an extra set of charged batteries and memory cards.

Video production can never be learned theoretically. Remember these top 10 video production tips, research and practice, shoot everything and anything you can, explore and learn to edit. Soon you will be a pro!

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