Digital Video Production in Toronto

Thursday, April 08, 2010

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Operating a steadicam: tips and tricks

A steadicam is a mounted video camera that allows for the taking of unshaken and more stable footage without using complicated dollies or tracks. It prevents the unavoidable hand shakes from even the most talented camera operators during fast-paced shots or filming that requires a fluid movement on the part of the camera operator. Essentially, it's a harness that attaches the camera to the operator, or a camera that is attached to a a bar with a handle. This bar differs from a standard tripod as is allows for much swifter movement. Several notable scenes in famous films have employed a steady cam, including when Danny rides his tricycle around the hotel in The Shining, as well as countless other films and television shows that have used long, uninterrupted single-camera shots. Whether for commercial video production, educational video production, marketing video production or online video production, a steadicam can incorporate a more professional tone as well as a creative effect for nearly all forms of video production.

Here are some tips for operating a steadicam:

• Protection: steadicam differ in size and complexity from regular cameras. In inclement weather, they need protection like any other lens but this can be difficult because handling a tarp can become cumbersome while holding onto the camera. A well-fitted harness will prevent wind from affecting the stability of the camera, and shields will protect from rain if using a tarp is too difficult. The shield should be attached in the direction of the wind, and this is especially helpful during event video production, where the venue is not changeable despite the weather.

• Planning: conduct a few walkthroughs of scenes with the steadicam to best determine the appropriate angles and how the footage will look in the end. By planning out where everything will be, no one involved in the project will be tripping over each other and the footage will be as smooth as possible. In addition to the above, having a colleague guide you so you don't trip over or bump into anything while walking backwards will allow the camera operator to focus on the shot itself and not be distracted by their surroundings.

• Practice: operating a steadicam is often likened to ballroom dancing with regards to the precise and delicate footwork involved. Because your body is controlling much of the camera, practice walking around with your hands behind your back and focus on the movement of the rest of your body. This will give you a better understanding of how your movement affects the shot.

• Study: study your own shots and other shots that use steadicams. Pan around an area and have an actor walk into the shot once in a while. Watching other films that make use of steadicams will help you gain some insight into how they are used, and E-bay and Amazon are full of DVDs and books that teach effective steadicam operation for all forms of video production. Many cities also have courses and workshops that can help you hone your budding filmmaker skills.

• Balancing: balancing is potentially the most important aspect of operating a steadicam, and a properly balanced steadicam allows for more precise operation. Because the steadicam is a heavy object on top of a tall pole, the weight of the camera may pose problems and the unit as a whole must be properly balanced. The "pole" is called a sled, and the handle that slides up and down the sled is called the gimbal. When the gimbal is moved higher or lower, it changes the speed at which the camera moves forward and backward. The weight of the camera combined with the weights of the monitor and battery pack at the base of the sled (which looks like an upside down "T", with the battery and monitor at opposite ends of the smaller line on the “T”) can affect how balanced it is and may require some adjustments. Additionally, small weights called “pilots” can be screwed on at different ends of the sled to help balance it more.

For further reading on static balancing, dynamic balancing and the formulas for both, check out: Steadicam Balancing

Thursday, March 11, 2010

What is the difference between Duplication and Replication?

Duplication and replication are two words that often seem to have very similar meanings. However, when referring to CD and DVD production, replication and duplication both define two different processes that are used to make copies of an original CD, DVD or file.

Replication is most often a professional process, molding the disk using a glass master which “stamps” the blank media to create an exact copy. One could imagine a copy machine, using a master piece of paper to product a high quantity of exact copies.

Duplication is the process you speak of when you refer to “burning” a disk. A laser is used to etch the data onto the surface of the CD or DVD, and this can be done in very small quantities using home computers and special software. As replication can be compared to a copy machine, duplication can be compared to an ink jet printer, creating an entire new copy each and every time. A replicated CD is moulded to be an exact copy, and this is what kind of disk you would purchase if you were buying your favourite artists new album or a new movie on DVD from a retail location.

Contrary to some popular belief, CDs and DVDs are not like videotapes where information is "lost" as it is when VHS tapes are copied onto new, blank VHS tapes. The data integrity of both replication and duplication technologies is completely equal. While the copying process is different in each case, the finished product is exactly the same with regards to quality.

Choosing between CD or DVD duplication and replication can depend on the needed turnaround time and project budget, as well as the quantity of disks that is required. Duplication for example, is a good choice for lesser amounts of rush projects, demos or promotional campaigns, while replication is best suited for larger quantities, mass commercial video or audio production or retail purposes.

Whichever method is chosen for CD and DVD replication or CD and DVD duplication services, using a professional service will ensure that every CD and DVD is of the highest quality and reliability possible. Professional services also offer more durable products of a higher standard, and will also allow for professionally-designed CD or DVD packaging, CD or DVD printing and CD or DVD labeling.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Azure Production Inc. Moving to a new location in February 2010

Hello,

I'm please to announce that we are moving to a larger location at Broadview and Danforth on February 1, 2010. Please visit our website for more information.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Burning Dual layer DVDs

Have you ever wondered why 8.5GB DVDs Dual layers causes more errors during burning than the regular 4.GB DVDs?

In order to reduce your chances of a error burn, you can reduce your burning speed to 2X. You should also copy your content onto your hard drive before burning dual layer DVDs.

For more information about CD DVD Duplication visit us here

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

MPEG Streamclip tutorial

Hello there!

Over the past few months I have recieve clients requesting for a tutorial on how to extract a DVD video and import it onto the internet. Stay tuned, because I am going to post up a tutorial on how to do exactly that: extract your DVD video onto your hard drive for editing.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Pictures from the Montreal Shoot

Hello

This weekend I just came back from Montreal shooting a music video. The schedule was very hectic. We had 16 hour day periods and very little sleep. The shoot however went well, because most of the location were close to one another.

The first day we got there, we were suppose to be filming the city view in Montreal but we got lost and only got to film a small portion of it. We were running late so we decided to head to our next location which took place in the mountain. We drag our equipment up the slope and set up for our first shot. After the mountain scene, we head back down for lunch, unfortunately, it started to rain. I thought to myself, since we were already behind schedule, we had to keep moving, despite the rain we went out to film the street scenes. We then went to film an indoor scene at the "book store". That scene took long to do because of the POV shots. Luckily by the evening the rain cleared and we were able to film the motorcycle scene.

The next day, it was cold, but the sun came out. Our location took place at the "record store". This scene we ended on time. We had lunch and headed to our next location which was the poker scene. The poker scene and the club scene were the two most difficult scenes due to the amount of people involved. The scene went through without too many problems. The last two scenes were the last scenes for the weekend.

We filmed a music video in two days! There were many things that would've gone worse but everyone came together and pulled it through. We learned so much during this production, the main thing about a film production is good communication in which we could have improved on. I really want to thank my crew and cast for putting this together. I can't wait to show you the music video. For now you can listen to the music at Melina's site under "City of Love". Keep visiting for more updates.