Making Movies - News, Trends, Columns and Articles

Are you a master of your zoom? Do you find yourself watching back your videos and thinking - huh, what was I thinking? That easy to use zoom control button is the most commonly abused control on your camcorder. 35x zoom can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Here is a fun little tutorial about how to take control of your zoom more

Are you planning on shooting high definition digital video and looking for a good way to edit it? Or, if you just need a great and easy to master video editing program, especially if audio is of prime importance, make sure you check out Sony Vegas. Read Doug Dixon's article about how to use Sony Vegas Video Plus DVD to edit your HDV footage and create great looking DVDs and final productions.

to get Sony Vegas Video

You don't have to be a great film maker or go to film school to create interesting Internet video webisodes. You don't need a lot of gear, big teams, or professional expertise. You don't even need money.

All you really need is the desire and the energy to do it. Check out the Dave and Berry Show article and learn how these young kids created their own ongoing show - now with eight episodes up and posted. Read the article

So you want to direct or make your own movie but don't have any money? Or a script or even a cameraman?  Film School in a Box (FSB) is launching a unique new product that allows anyone to create their own feature film. Shot in real time and on multiple cameras, the gripping footage is an unfolding thriller waiting to be shaped.  Shot on 11 security cameras, the voyeuristic ‘neo-noir’ thriller unfolds a whodunit mystery surrounding the murder of a young girl.  And since the movie can be edited into as many unique films as there are filmmakers who lay their hands on it, the film you choose to make will ultimately be your own. more

Check out, "I Wanna Be Famous", a great short animated music video by
Jessica Delfino. Directed by Nick Fox-Gieg, www.itslikespiders.com).

Also read her article about her struggle to get her video made
and posted at YouTube. Very interesting.

Video Contests and Festivals

TurboNick offers video mash-ups - Kids can now create their own videos online. This is a lot of fun for young aspiring film and video makers. Nickelodeon has added a variety of "mash-up" features to its TurboNick broadband hub, allowing users to mix Nickelodeon video clips, animation and photos to create their own unique characters and stories.  

Podcasting and video blogging are the next wave in multimedia communication. Podcasting is a fast rising way to master internet publishing, and when combined with corporate blogging works to give a business greater influence within the multimedia sphere. Hands-On Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting is a book every professional in the broadcast and multimedia sphere should read. more

Vid Blog Guide - articles, product reviews, online links, books, columns, etc. about Vide Blogging

The 1-2-3 Guide to Making Internet Video

Are you just starting to make movies with camcorder and your Windows computer and don't know where to turn? Check out Windows XP and its free, bundled MovieMaker program. Here are few good books that will get you started on using this simple to learn but surprisingly powerful video editing program. MovieMaker Books

Adobe Production Studio
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Encore DVD 2.0

CNET wants to make you a Tech Video Star - Got a camera and a wish for stardom? CNET TV is looking for people to shoot some videos about their favorite tech. We have three shows you can participate in, and they follow the three stages of tech adoption. Out of the Box is for that newly received gadget you're in love with. Start shooting from the moment you unpack it to that first glorious bootup. Next is Show Us Yours, for the folks who are so proud of what they can do with their gadgets or have done with their setups. And finally, Rage covers that end stage where you just can't take it anymore. Get the submission guidelines and get your (digital) tapes rolling. Read more

All about Streaming Video and Net Video. Check out Doug Dixon's  guide to what you need in order to watch and create streaming video. For both beginners and professionals. more

Anyone can make video movies and put them on the web. Don't believe me? Check out this site nominated by Chris Malimban. A bunch of guys with some good ideas, a camcorder, a Mac and and a Mac Dot account, combined with too much spare time, demonstrates that anyone can make funny little movies and stick them on the web. If you are afraid that you don't have enough talent, or that your ideas just aren't good enough, take heart. This site demonstrates you can do it!

Do you want to make money making video? The Essential Digital Video Handbook by Pete May is a very good high level introduction to what it takes to be successful making and selling commercial videos  that make money. We are not talking abut artsy indie films, music videos or Hollywood blockbusters but down to earth commercial and industrial production. If you are just starting out, definitely check out this book. Lots of pictures, logically laid out and easy to understand. more

Looking for a good and affordable video editing software package that's easy to use? Check out the new and improved Ulead VideoStudio 9. Read the review by Doug Dixon. If you are trying to create and author DVD discs, then check out Doug's review of Ulead DVD Movie Factory.

If you are making independent films, documentaries or industrial/commercial projects, the most difficult aspect of the business is distribution. Checkout this new offer by CustomFlix. It's pretty cool.
Their new On-Demand DVD Publishing service now offers distribution opportunities with top retail and rental programs including Walmart.com, Wal-Mart DVD Rentals, Amazon.com Marketplace, Amazon.com Advantage, Netflix, CinemaNow, GreenCine, Froogle, and Yahoo!Shopping. more

Are you confused about the new Sony HDV format - High Definition Video? Check out this special HDV Sony web site for details - includes info for professionals as well as for prosumers.