Recording sound via XLR cable
Here is a relatively affordable and high quality way to record sound for your independent movie. You will need.1) XLR adapter/camera that comes with an XLR connection2) XLR cables3) microphone with XLR connection4) Firewire cable/firewire card5) capturing software (Sony Vegas, Avid, Final Cut)Here's what you do:1) Plug the XLR cable into the camera.2) Plug the XLR cable into your microphone3) Plug your firewire cable from your camera to your computer4) Open the capturing software5) Select the appropriate settings and press record6) Hold up a thin cloth in front of the microphone to act as a "pop" filter.5) Hit record on the capture software and you'll be able to record audio from XLR cable via firewire without getting "pops" in your track.A "pop" is a "puff" sound in the audio recording. Normally you'll hear it when you pronounce the "p"sLabels: sound effects recording xlr
Fight scream sound effects
I will be compiling a list of free fight scream / yell sound effects to download for people to use in their next action movie. Stay Tuned for more information.Labels: free sound effects fight sfx
Motion Tracking
I'm currently working on my new short and I came across a shot in which I had to use motion tracking. Motion tracking can be a difficult task. In my short, I used Boujou to track my background so that I will be able to replace it with a photo of my own. The most important thing about tracking is setting the shot correctly.
Labels: motion tracking boujou 3d 2d
Importance of Sound
When you're editing a movie or putting together a promotional video, you've realized that the sound recorded was unusable. You noticed that although the video was well filmed, people will never understand what the video was about.For example, your audience cannot listen to a conversation between two people without sound, or if the sound was outputting garbage. While on the other hand if you had perfect audio and the footage wasn't well filmed, people will still understand what is happening. That is how important sound is.I'm editing a short film at the moment. When I started the editing, I realize that the piece was extremely boring to watch with no sound effects. Now after a month into editing, most of the sound and music are added in. Although the video has not yet made its visual effects, the entire movie took character. There was so much more excitement.Labels: sfx sound effects sound editing
Affordable VHS to DVD Transfer Devices
I came across recently in making a decision whether to purchase another DVD recorder that has a hard drive, or to purchase one that has VHS player built in to it. Since I already have one with the hard drive I decided to get the one with the VHS player built in to it.I have to tell you, it takes a little getting use to compared to the hard drive recorder because with the hard drive recorder you don't have to know how long your tape is, all you have to do is press the record button. If the tape exceeds 2 hrs, you still have space unlike the VHS player built in recorder the unit stops recording until you place a new discs into it. I find that that feature is the most important thing.Now that I have the VCR built in DVD recorder, I have to know exactly how long my tape is in order to know if it will fit onto the DVD disc. I normally split the VHS into two discs anyway if it exceeds two hours. This small detail I find that I will still get the hard drive DVD recorder over the VHS built in DVD recorder.Labels: vhs to dvd convert hi-8 minidv
VHS Conversion to DVD Faster
Azure Production now provides faster video transfer service at an affordable rate at the same time giving our clients the highest quality possible by securing the videos onto high quality mediums like Taiyo Yuden. Most Transfers can be done the same day. Delivery can be made anywhere in Toronto.For more information about our VHS to DVD conversions please visit our site hereLabels: vhs to dvd transfer convert to dvd hi-8 8mm vhs-c minidv
The Weekend Shoot
This weekend, we filmed our final scene for our independent movie. The character had a line to do while sitting in a board room, of course this was filmed in my kitchen in which had a table that looked like it came from the board room.The setup was simple, we had a black background in which the actor sat in front, there was a headlight to highlight his head so that he'll stand out from the background, and finally a fill in which it will highlight his face. The camera movement was hand held, but it was made to look as if the camera was on the table tracking up to his face. We did several shots with different camera work and different acting styles. I think the shot will turn out great.Labels: lighting filming setup
How to light a greenscreen
Concept
We have been currently working on lighting a greescreen for a short film project that we are doing. The setup for our situation is quite simple. We have a news reporter sitting in front of the greenscreen and we will replace her background with the broadcasting station's room.The basic setup:Our greescreen was made out of cloth, we pulled it tight so that there were no wrinkles and clamped it down. Next we set up two lights to light up the greesncreen one on its right and another on its left. It was evenly lit on the screen on both sides. The talent was placed about 3 feet in front of the screen so that she didn't cast any shadows. We placed a back light on her head, and lit her face with a softbox. The back light gives you better separation from the background. Setting up the proper greenscreen allows you to remove it easier in post. If your camera is moving you might have to create markers on the screen so that you'll be able to track the background in post.Labels: greenscreen setup lighting filming
