Why most video stinks but yours doesn't have to

Tom Lassiter is teaching  on video

Why does web video sucks? He showed us a pretty horrible video that some people found interesting. The consensus is that quality depends on what you

Ed Cone: Why do most online videos suck? because they are unedited and the sound is horrible.

Steward Pittman: You can use basic fundamentals and make [web video] a thousand times better.

You really have to practice. Pittman recommends you have a plan. The conversation quickly gets steered by participants to quick tips on better technique.

Stabilization is crucial to avoid the shakes. Tripod is great but not always practical. Larger cameras let you rest the back on your should. But for smaller cameras, you can brace your arm with your other arm. Fake dolly shot: Hold the camera at your side, kinda like you would a shopping bag.

What kind of camera should I buy?  Lassiter's  advice: Don't overspend. HD isn't worth it at this point. Roch Smith of Greensboro 101 asks about storage devices.  For speed, shooting to hard drive/chip lets you upload faster than the real-time tape. But tapes last, hard drive space is limited so archiving may be an issue.

Pittman: Storyboard your video. THink of it as a comic book panel, what do you want the next one to look like? He also says to vary shots and tight shots can really help a video.

The question comes up about timing. Ten seconds is a long time, four seconds is about average says Pittman. But discussion says that pacing depends on what you're shooting: Landscapes can be slower, action scenes would be shorter.

Other points: Editing allows you to do a lot of things to improve your video. You might want to let it roll a little before and after a scene so that you havce editing space. Don't be intimidated. Practice. There are different types of video and expectations for what you want will determine how you shoot.

Green screen:  To take a background out, you can shoot against a plain background, usually green, that can be removed suring editing and something else can be put in ... so you can look like you are in Paris. A simple piece of green cloth will work. Newer programs let you do almost any color.

Lighting: You can use construction lights from Lowe's with clamps you can build reflectors with aluminum foil and cardboard.

Best quote: "Talent hates it" from TV camerman Steward Pittman speaking about using reflectors.

Lassiter: Flash seems to be the medium delivery method of choice. Flash is the last step to compress files for uploading. Compression is the art form. This is the place where you just have to go in and play around to get a feel for it and how it will work. Compression depends on ultimate destination. Quick-time conversion: Mpeg stream clip is a free program that will convert to Quicktime. Dave Slusher (Evil Genius Chronicles) recommends "Rebel Without a Crew" by Robert Rodriguez as a great read chock full of resourceful ways to shoot on the cheap. (A wheel chair as a camera dolly?!)

Comments

[janet]

Hay, y'all! My first attempt at live blogging a conference. Wheeee!!!

[Joan]

I've seen a wheelchair used as a camera dolly! The audience thought the camera man was handicapped and kinda upset when he stood up to continue filming ;)

[Richard Day]

You are right. Most videos I watch on YouTube or any other video sharing sites stink.

You covered most of the problems, but I would like to add some more to your list.

Most videos are too long - 2 to 3 minutes is OK.
Most have poor sound - use a lavalier mic
If you are going to pan, don't pan over to one side and then pan back over the same subject. Just do it once and do it right.
Please edit your video to take out all the dead junk that doesn't need to be there to tell the story. This is especially true of screen capture type videos where you show every click. (You can speed that up on the playback in the editor.)