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Digital Video Techniques - What is the Inverse Square Law?

Learn about this video principle relating to the distance between lights and objects. Technical Considerations When considering how to put together a scene or set dynamic for recording with digital video, you cannot just think in terms of the creative elements of story and characters. Creating effective images has a technical side to them and getting...

What is a Producer?

Learn about what a Producer does, and the tasks that are their responsibility. Movie God A producer is the omnipotent figure of film and digital video production. They are intended to be the overlord in control of all technical aspects, and their importance is intended to outweigh even that of the Director. Keeping this in mind, there are a number of...

What is a Director?

Learn what a Director does, and what kind of tasks are expected of them during a film or digital video project. More Than A Title When people are talking about digital film and video they often throw around titles like Director. Because this is such an over-used term, some people may not know what a Director actually does and all that this position...

Digital Video Techniques - What is a Master Clip?

Learn about the base media type in your editing project, also known as the "Master Clip", and what purpose it serves. Master Clip When you first begin editing your project you will most likely have large block clips that you will be cutting up. This happens most with documentary footage where you will record large segments of real-life events, but it...

The Production Chain for Film Distribution

The process that a video project goes through from development to home video, and all the stops in between. Money Film and video in America is big business. Ticket sales are not even close to the end of the profits a theatrical film could make, and with new technology and corporate models, alternative distribution and merchandising are becoming standard...

Things to Avoid When Digital Video Editing

Editing is the culmination of all of your planning and recording, and there are a few tips and tricks that can help when you are digital video editing. Fun or Frustrating Depending on the kind of video artist you are, editing can either be your favorite or most challenging digital video techniques. The interfaces of most non-linear editing programs...

Things to Remember When Using Text in Digital Video Projects

Text is crucial in filmmaking, but you need to make sure that it serves a purpose. Here are a few things that you can keep in mind to use text effectively in your video projects. Not Complete Without It Any complete digital video film should have text in it at some point in time. Whether it is employed in just the title and credits or it is used creatively...

Time-Lapse Videography

Learn how to display an event or sequence of slow changes fast enough to use in your digital video projects. Make Slow Things Fast Documentary producers have utilized time-lapse photography for decades to show a slow process within an acceptable time frame. Whether it is the blooming of a flower or a caterpillar gracefully aging into a butterfly, the...

Green Screen Techniques

The green screen can be a great way to add special effects easily, but you have to plan ahead closely before jumping into it. Learn how to make them look as if they are interacting with the background and how to make body parts disappear. Chroma Key Chroma Key using the green screen can be one of the most effective tools a home digital video producer...

What is "Room Tone?"

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to remove the background audio buzzing from a certain video clip? Try recording room tone so you have a record of what the background sounds are from a particular scene. No Control Any time that you are recording outside of a studo where you do not have complete control over your surroundings you are going...