Notes On Video

How to quickly create a slideshow dvcreators.net explains how to quickly create a slideshow from still images in Final Cut . dvcreators.net :  FCP Tutorial: The Down and Dirty Slideshow or “how to create a slideshow in a minute and a half” Broadcast Compliance Filter Set complianceSuiteFC is a set of professional broadcast filter and generator plug-ins for Apple Final Cut Studio and Final Cut Express . complianceSuiteFC consists of two tools;  legalEyesFC and  safeEyesFC and costs "From £695": legalEyesFC is a professional broadcast legalizer that handles SD, HD and beyond and can legalise in PAL, NTSC (with or without 7.5IRE setup) and RGB domains. legalEyesFC also supports simultaneous composite and RGB domains and EBU R103 gamut. safeEyesFC is a safe area generator plug-in for Final Cut and Motion which provides an extensive range of broadcast safe area markers covering all the requirements for SD, HD and 2K including 16:9 and 14:9 requireme...

At last nights BOSFCPUG + BOSDSLR Mixer, Jay Ignaszewski , Northeast Region Manager for AJA brought along the Ki Pro Mini - in the flesh! - a small field recorder for capturing "ready- to-edit" digital video. The Ki Pro Mini takes any digital video from an HDMI or SDI source and does a 10-bit full raster recording to Apple ProRes 422 SD and HD formats on Compact Flash (CF) media. It costs $1,995. The Mini is the smaller brother to AJA's Ki Pro , which captures to hard drives and is much larger and heavier than the Mini . At 1.2 lbs (vs. 6 lbs) the Mini makes it possible to attach the device to the camera itself, though unlike the Ki Pro , it lacks several features including the ability to up-convert and down-convert, analog ins and outs, and wireless support. The Ki Pro Mini was announced a few months ago, but they've only just started shipping. According to Jay, one of the reasons it was delayed was problems they had certifying Compact Flash cards that wor...

Panasonic has released another firmware update for the AG-AF100 , Ver 1.15 The color of the picture in the LCD display has been improved. During VFR recording, an icon which tells "No audio is recorded" has been added in View finder and LCD display. There is no change for the functionality of the camera. Capability for handling the invisible file made by Mac has been added. The firmware update for the items below has been made possible by using Mac. - Camera body of AG-AF100 series firmware update - Lens firmware update by using AG-AF100 series (If anyone can understand the last section above, please let me know!) Panasonic : Firmware updates for AG-AF100 series and Option Lenses

LearningLab: Maximizing the Benefits of Canon's 5D and 7D   Rule Boston Camera has posted the video from this weeks LearningLab: Canon’s Carl Peer highlights some of the benefits to filmmakers (full-frame sensor, anyone?) when shooting with the Canon 5D and 7D along with insight from professional shooters. Vimeo : Learning Lab: Maximizing the Benefits of Canon's 5D and 7D on 2.16.11 DSLR anti-moire filter for Final Cut Pro After Martin Beek had some footage rejected by a client due to micro-moire patterns in the hair of people Jorgen Escher wrote a plug-in for Final Cut Pro : If your footage is spoiled by red/blue streaks ad pixels in natural patterns and materials such as hair, grass, leaves and water… It's free, though a donation is requested. Also, note that it may not solve all problems in your footage: This plugin is not specifically designed to battle aliasing problems and the resulting moire from regular patterns such as brick walls. I don’t say it ...

Vincent Laforet is doing another "free" online workshop - Moving From Still to Video with Vincent Laforet starting Fri, 03/04/2011 - 10:00a. I put the free in quotes only because it's free to watch live; but you can purchase a recording of the event ($99 up until March 7, $149 after that.) You must register to watch the event. Vincent did a similar event last year and I watched a few hours of it; if you're just starting out in video - whether with a traditional video camera or a DSLR - I think you'll get a lot out of it. creativeLIVE : FREE Workshop: HDDSLR - Moving From Still to Video with Vincent Laforet NotesOnVideo : Vincent Laforet workshop [May 4, 2010]

Montage is a screenwriting application that allows everyday people to take those movie ideas they have and make them a reality. Melding the theory that a simple user interface, combined with powerful and intuitive features, provide the best writing experience, Montage makes it easy to create, edit, and manage screenplays on your Macintosh. From the ability to import and export Final Draft documents, to using custom, pre-formatted templates for film, TV, and theater, Montage guides both the first time screenwriter or the seasoned veteran, from start to finish. Also available in German, Italian, Spanish, and French.

Screenwriting Software Lots of people use dedicated software - like Final Draft - for scriptwriting, but you can do it with Microsoft Word . Jeffrey Scott at Animation World Network explains how to set up Microsoft Styles to do it. If you follow the instructions below you will effectively turn Microsoft Word into a simple but powerful screenwriting program.  As I noted in an earlier post, I have used Word with styles to write hundreds of scripts and actually find it easier than the top screenwriting software. AWN : How to Turn Microsoft Word into a Terrific Screenwriting Program Eye Movement The DIEM Project (Dynamic Images and Eye Movement) is an investigation into how people look and see. They have posted a clip from There Will Be Blood, presented as only the locations fixated by 11 viewers. Their gaze was recorded using an Eyelink 1000 and visualized as a "peekthrough" heatmap using CARPE. I don't know what it all means, either. Interesting effect... The...

Beauty Box 30% off Beauty Box is a skin retouching plug-ins for After Effects , Final Cut Pro , and Premiere . Using Face Detection techniques it identifies skin tones and creates a mask that limits the smoothing effect to just the skin areas. It also keeps the important features of the face sharp while reducing or eliminating wrinkles and blemishes. Features: Face Detection, Skin Smoothing, Sharpening, External Masks, Paths As Garbage Mattes, Add Grain, Mask Creation. Through February 23rd they are offering 30% off Beauty Box Video : $139.30 (down from $199) AV3 Software : Beauty Box Mac , Beauty Box Win Rental license for get Get is a search tool for Final Cut Pro that provides a fast and accurate method for locating footage based on the spoken dialog within the video content. AV3 software is now offering 30, 60 and 90 day rentals for $59, $109 and $159 respectively. AV3 Software : Get for FCP Best budget color display for grading Alexis van Hurkman recommends th...

For purchases between February 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011, Sony is offering mail-in cash rebates on purchases of PMW-EX1R ($300) and PMW-EX3 ($500) from a Sony Authorized Reseller or directly from Sony. B & H: Sony PMW-EX1R XDCAM EX Full HD Camcorder [ $6,299.00 - $300 = $5,999.00 ] B & H: Sony PMW-EX3 XDCAM EX HD Camcorder [ $8,320.00 - $500 = $7,820.00 ]

What ProRes codec to use with DSLRs? If you're a DSLR user editing with  Final Cut Pro , you know that for best performance you have to transcode to ProRes. But the question is: which flavor? Because there's several of them: ProRes 422 (Proxy) ProRes 422 (LT) ProRes 422 - sometimes referred to as "normal" ProRes 422 (HQ) ProRes 444 Steve Sander has done some tests using footage from Canon DSLRs and writes about it over at Converge . He actually sees little visual difference even between LT and HQ, but recommends using ProRes 422 "normal" in most situations. I happen to think it's great advice; given that I use normal all the time... Check the article for the exceptions! Converge :  The best ProRes codec to use when editing 5D and 7D footage Apple :  Final Cut Pro 7. Expanded ProRes Family Here comes the Ninja The Ninja , a digital recorder that captures HDMI output to notebook HDD or SSD drives in ProRes format (it's a competitor t...

BOSFCPUG FREE Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Workshops + Giveaway! Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (ET) Boston, MA Two FREE two-hour "Color Grading with DaVinci Resolve for Mac" workshops will be offered between 4:00PM and 7:00PM EST on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. You may register for only ONE—the two are exactly the same. WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone who has ever considered using color correction in their workflow. These workshops will introduce Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve for Mac and detail its features and capabilities—such as the advantages of real-time performance in color correction—as well as proper set up and integration with other tools. INSTRUCTOR(S): FILMSYSTEMS’ David Catt has been working with Resolve for more than 20 years. He was a London-based colorist when he saw a demo of a DaVinci system in 1986 and quickly became one of the first colorists in Europe to work on DaVinci . He has worked for DaVinci as a demo artist and produc...

Noise Industries  kindly sent me a copy of the new filter set PHYX Stylist to try out. This set of filters consists of five effects: Cathode Ray , Fog Generator , Haze Removal , Skin Light and Sparkler Star . They are installed as part of FxFactory 2.5.5  - I already had FxFactory installed, but had to upgrade to get the new set - and you can get a free trial version. Here's what I found:

I just got the Steadicam Smoothee for the iPhone 4 , and though I'll post video later in the week, here's what's in the box and some very initial impressions: Steadicam Smoothee box The box is 13.5" x 11" x 3.5" and there's a cutout in the top revealing the box inside that contains the mount; that's how you know which model it's for!

Killer Titles in Sony Vegas Pro with Boris Continuum Date & Time:  Thursday, February 17, 2011 @ 1:00 PM Eastern Time Speaker:  John Rofrano Join musician, vocalist, songwriter, author, VASST trainer, videographer, and software architect John Rofrano as he shows you how to create killer titles with Boris Continuum Complete ! Attend the Webinar and learn how to: Create type-on and jitter animations Create highly-stylized text effects with glows, rays, and strokes Extrude 3D text Import and extrude EPS logos Use 3D deformers to bend and explode text in 3D Attendees will be able to download new Text Templates designed specifically for Sony Vegas Pro 10! Raffle Prizes : One lucky attendee will win a copy of Sony Vegas Pro ($599.95 value) Another lucky attendee will win a Boris Box Set ($1,995 value) Location: Online Register :  Live Webinar: Killer Titles in Sony Vegas Pro Entertainment Webcast: Autodesk Smoke for Mac and the Avid Artist Series Contr...

Avid Studio Avid has announced Avid Studio , a consumer level editing application that will cost $169.99 and runs under Windows 7. Overview Transform your HD videos, photos, and audio files into rich, multimedia experiences with Avid  Studio movie production software––featuring the same technology used by top Hollywood editors. Edit like a pro with sophisticated photo and video correction tools, a powerful library that organizes all your media in one place, unlimited timeline tracks for advanced effects, and more. In-depth training materials get you started quickly, and the included templates, effects, and transitions provide fresh inspiration for each new project. Integrated disc authoring and a variety of export formats make it easy to share your production with family, friends, and the world. Key Features Sophisticated movie editing tools, including markers and keyframes Powerful media management library to organize videos, photos, and audio files Media editor to app...

The Public Television Quality Group has been holding workshops around the country this past year. I caught the one in Boston, and it was well worth attending. The next workshop is in New York city on March 2 at SONY Headquarters, 550 Madison Avenue, and it's only $50! If you're in or near New York, I highly recommend it! Public Television Quality Group : Events NotesOnVideo : Creating Documentaries NotesOnVideo : The 24p debate: Part I NotesOnVideo : The 24p debate: Part II

Glidetrack has finally announced the availability of their new Glidetrack Hybrid slider, which combines new Igus Hybrid bearings that incorporate both sliding AND roller bearings. If ordered in the next 24 hours from Glidetrack, you get a 10% discount. (1 meter track: $547.68 [before discount], 0.5 meter track is $483.06.) NOTE: for comparison: the current Glidetrack HD costs  $309.95 for the 0.5 meter track and $389.95 for the 1 meter track from B & H . The Hybrid slider system runs on high precision extruded industrial grade rail, that is made of hard anodized aluminium. The rail is of a heavier duty extrusion, which makes the Hybrid perfect for mid to large size rigs, that may include external monitors, matte boxes or support systems. In addition to the traditional drylin self lubricating liners, the new carriage now runs on four self lubricating, dry running roller bearings. As a result, The Glidetrack Hybrid Carriage requires 4-5 times less force to...

Sony PMW-F3 for Stereoscopic capture Seems there's been debate about whether shallow-depth of field could be used for 3D movies: ...anything that is out of focus in a movie in 3D, will actually attract the audiences attention, who’s eyes and brains, after a quick scan give up and move on. If this occurs often enough in a movie it can lead to headaches from mild to extreme, depending on the audience But then someone made TRON , and now it's been decided that yes, you can! TRON was shot using the Super 35mm chipped Sony F35 camera, but the much cheaper Sony  PMW-F3 has a chip with the same dimensions - it's not the same chip - and can produce the same depth-of-field results. Real Vision got to demonstrate shooting stereoscopic 3D with the PMW-F3 . The Sony F3 camera has a few more enhancements that are ideal for stereoscopic 3D movie making, and will be shortly enabled simply my software and/or feature updates. Full 4:4:4 output and 3D link are just some of them...

ikan has announced the FG Follow Focus ($449). It offers precision machined aluminum construction, light weight design, beveled dry erase marking disk, and is compatible with all ikan Elements kits and/or any 15mm rod-based camera support system. Driven by a 2” diameter control wheel, the FG Follow Focus features low backlash and is compatible with standard film pitch gearing of .8 MOD supported by a 2.3” diameter focus gear. The horizontal adjustment feature accommodates a wide range of DSLR lens diameters and is complimented by a focus mark indicator and lockable focus control. The included 17" FG Follow Focus Whip features vinyl covering and a crank stability grip for smooth control. Utilizing ikan’s compact square connector, the FG Whip provides leverage over distance and smoother focus pulls all around. Also in the box is a pair of 2.5” to 4.25” diameter adjustable zip lens gears. Complete with two no scuff, non-slip lens gear liners; your DSLR lens is protected a...

Rule Boston Camera is hosting a  LearningLab on Canon DSLRs  this Wednesday from 10am to 12 noon. RSVP to events@rule.com . Feb 16th - Maximizing the Benefits of Canon's 5D and 7D Canon's Carl Peer highlights some of the benefits to filmmakers (full-frame sensor, anyone?) when shooting with the Canon 5D and 7D along with insight from professional shooters.

Camera Exposure Comparisons Cinematographer Geoff Boyle shot a collection of dynamic range and skintone tests at the Gothenburg Film Festival, at workshops organised by Camera Centre. He used an Alexa , Canon 7D , SI-2K and RED MX and has posted some stills at Cinematography.net . They make for interesting comparisons, though Geoff is careful to point out this wasn't a shoot-out; he just did the best he could in the conditions he had. There's quite a bit of discussion about it in the Reduser forum, including this post from Jim Jannard: We feel compelled to do the DR tests again when we are present. We have no idea what was done in these tests and certainly get different results. We have acknowledged that the Alexa is a great DR performer but the RED ONE MX does better than these tests suggest. We'll post with all specific details of how the tests were done, firmware build, post methodology, etc. so people can duplicate the test results. Cinematography.net : Gothen...

Lightworks Editor News I've been distracted from my playing with the Lightworks editor over the past week, but Mike Jones has written up a provocative post: " Lightworks editing software is free and nobody cares. " Lightworks is Powerful and its Free but it’s also archaic and illogical; the wrong tool at the wrong time doing the job the wrong way. and goes on to say: There’s no doubting what Ligtworks can do - its a feature-rich system - but its also a system predicated on defying the natural user instincts of a standard computer GUI. A reader of his blog, Richard Blakely, calls him to task: I do find your comments about standards odd though. On one hand you're saying that it is the worst word in the world, and that it is wrong that someone should define 'standards' and then you criticise Lightworks for not conforming to standards such as drag and drop. To which Mike responds: The point of my post wasn't about my opinion of whether Lightwor...

The 300GB internal hard drive on my MacBook Pro has been practically full for some months now, and I've kept putting off installing a larger drive....finally, I ordered a 500GB replacement, and decided to install it myself. I went with the Western Digital Scorpio 2.5-Inch 500 GB SATA  after reading a few reviews. I hope I made the right decision! The MacBook Pro is a second generation model (I determined) and I found some good installation instructions (with pictures) at ExtremeTech :  Upgrade Your MacBook Pro's Hard Drive: Second Generation . Good thing I have an iPad to follow along with while doing the install. No need to print out the instructions! 12:30pm  Realizing that I didn't have the special screwdriver I needed, I tried the local hardware store. They only Torx T-6 they had was part of a $25 set. Had to drive to second hardware store to find an individual T-6 for $3.99 12:45pm  Driving home, it occurred to me that I had been having problems becaus...

Every now and again, Amazon sends me a " More to Explore " page with a list of their most popular camcorders - I wonder why? For as long as I've been paying attention to it, the Top Ten Videocameras list has been filled with Kodak Pocket Cameras and Filp's. But today's list had a couple of "unusual" - for the list - cameras; the  GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camera and the Canon VIXIA HF M30  the latter is currently on sale for $399.00 . It's nice to finally see a more traditional camcorder like the HF M30 appearing on the list with the pocket cameras. I have nothing against them - they're small, inexpensive, and easy to use - but having spent time with a Flip, I really miss the better resolution, exposure control, and a good optical zoom lens. Camcorderinf o has a review of the HF M31 (the same camera but with 32 GB of memory instead of 8GB). They mostly like it, though ding the low-light performance: The HF M31 disappointed us with its lo...

Sony Competition - Win a PMW-F3 Sony's Behind The Lens Contest: Film School Edition begins March 1, 2011 and ends March 15, 2011. Enter and you could win a Sony PMW-F3 camera for you and your school [ Wait; is that two cameras? - we don't know! ] Who Can Enter: Any student 18 years or older enrolled in a film or video digital media program at an accredited college or university who is a legal resident of the United States. At the moment you can register to get an email when the contest website goes live for submissions! Eventbrite : Behind The Lens Contest NAB/Las Vegas SuperMeet tickets go on sale Feb 15th The Las Vegas SuperMeet happens Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Earlybird sales start February 15th and run through March 15th. SuperMeet : Les Vegas motionVFX 40% Sale through Feb 20 motionVFX are celebrating 400 Apple Motion Templates, 100 Adobe After Effects Templates and 30 Cinema 4D Templates. To celebrate they are having a 40% off everything SALE wh...

Reportedly, MovieMaker's annual " Best Cities To Live, Work & Make Movies in 2011 " lists Boston at number 1. I should move there.... oh, wait! The article doesn't appear to be online, though last year's list has Boston at number 7. That's a big jump. Clearly our stellar winter weather this year turned it around for us .... MovieMaker :  10 Best Cities To Live, Work & Make Movies in 2010

HDMI Monitor Comparison Paul Joy takes a look at the Marshall V-LCD651STX , Marshall V-LCD50 & SmallHD DP6 . He finds there's pros and cons to all three; for focusing, the SmallHD and the LCD651 scored best. The V-LCD50 is better than the cameras own LCD, BUT it's not as good as the other two. The LCD651 also did much better than the other two when used outside, and had better color reproduction. PaulJoy : HDMI Monitors: Marshall V-LCD651STX, Marshall V-LCD50 & SmallHD DP6 B & H: Marshall V-LCD50 [ $516.35 ] B & H: Marshall V-651STX [ $1,631.85 ] SmallHD : 5.6 DP Monitor [ $899 ] Do-It-Yourself Ikea Shoulder Mount Cris Knight shows how to make a shoulder mount for your DLR from parts from IKEA. Parts/Supplies: 4 pc aluminum (or other) tubing with a matching diameter Drill bit . On my rig, the short rails are 8 1/2" and the long rails are 22 1/2" but you can adjust this to best fit your application. 1 Ikea Boholmen plastic cutting...