Video Production Trends That You Should Be Aware Of

Video production is a broad definition which involves a number of processes such as taping, editing and distributing the finish product itself. Videos can be used for various purposes, both commercially and personally. While some people use it for personal purposes such as personal amusement or advertising a product on a small scale basis, videos are mainly made with a sole motive of promoting a certain product or person. With regards to commercial use, it can be an advertisement, a film or a music video.

Meanwhile, one of the most important factors that contribute to creating a great video is the technology being used. The technology being used in video production these days is constantly changing. With this, the quality of the videos is also getting better over time. Here are some of the current video trends that you should not ignore as you might be using them in creating your own videos:

Filming with a DSLR Camera

Using a DSLR camera for filming can provide an unexpected freedom that can be fun and exciting for any seasoned videographer. Although they are cheaper compared to a professional-level camcorder, DSLRs are also capable of creating a professional-looking video. But one of the advantages of using a DSLR for video is that you can pull it out of the box right away and begin shooting. However, you might need extra accessories to get the most out of your video with a DSLR. Today, the use of DSLR is quickly becoming a new standard because it is cost-effective and very versatile.

Shooting with a DSLR utilizes still photo cameras as well as their large image sensors. Such sensors are larger than most video cameras. When coupled with the flexibility of the large image sensor, the DSLR can shoot video in full 1080 HD.

Green Screen Technology

Using green screen technology in your video production is not only cost-effective it is also a great way to come up with a visually appealing video. Although this technique is not really new, green screen technology is a technique that is widely used in the films that we see today. The scenes look very realistic with its background but in fact, they were simply computer-generated and shot in a green screen studio.

Green screen, also called chroma-key involves merging two images together. After removing the background color of your first image, the second image behind it can then serve as your final backdrop. This provides boundless possibilities as the backdrop can be virtually anything.

New Camera Formats

One of the constantly-changing technologies in video production is the camera format. Every now and then, there is a new camera format that is being introduced and many of these are gradually being supported directly by edit system manufacturers. Several cameras these days offer the ability to record in formats that can be used directly in edit systems. With such advancement, you do not have to go through a lengthy transcode process unlike before.

However, this also poses a number of challenges such as storing the material. With these new formats, careful data management is also required in order to keep the media safe. As hard drives are vulnerable to damage, it is recommended that at least you kept three copies on separate drives to protect against loss.

Utilizing the above-mentioned technologies can be helpful in coming up with your own video production. While this kind of art requires mastery and experience to create one that you have envisioned of, you can also ask assistance from a number of video production companies which are still growing these days.

Andrew James is a production at Salt Lake City Studio that is offering green screen studio rental and other facilities and services like live streaming and video production studio rental, as well as meeting room rental in Salt Lake City. To know more about green screen studio and video production, visit the website http://www.saltlakecitystudio.com/studio.html.

Essential Lighting Tips for Green Screen Technology

With the advancement in technology nowadays, there are also incredible changes in terms of the digital technology. Some aspects that have greatly improved in this digital world are photography and cinematography. Now, it is very possible for one subject to have any background without even going there. This is very feasible through green screen technology. It has been used by news anchors to report weather for a number of decades already. However, the green screen technology serves a lot of benefits for the photographer or cinematographer. As long as the proper lighting and a high quality camera is used, this technology will work well.

To achieve great results in green screen photography, proper lighting must be used in the process. This will ensure that the subject will appear natural and the new background will look realistic. This is commonly used to place a live-action subject within a chosen virtual world. After shooting a subject on a green screen, you can then inject images and scenes behind the subject with the aid of computer software. But take note that to achieve great results green screen lighting is vital. This article will tackle some of the important tips with regards to green screen lighting.

Lighting the Green Screen and the Subject Must be Done Separately

One of the things that you should practice is to light the green screen and the subject separately. With regards to lighting the screen, try to use two fill lights in order to create a smoothly lit surface. You can then shoot the lights at an angle directly at the screen. To create an even level, also adjust the intensity of the lights. Some of the things that you should avoid within the screen are circles or the so-called 'hot spots.' These are the areas of the screen that are brighter than the rest. You can hold a dark-colored lighting gel in front of your eyes in order to determine the evenness of the light. With that, you are able to spot if there is any irregularity on the screen than the naked eye may miss.

After you have determined that the green screen has been evenly lit, you can now turn off the green screen lights and start lighting the subject. There are a number of things that you should consider when lighting the subject. You must light the subject according to the environment that will replace the screen during post-production. For instance, if the subject will appear to be standing on a beach, use an intense key light in order to simulate the sun with that kind of environment. On the other hand, if the subject is to be in a normal room, opt for a more subdued lighting situation.

Utilizing the Three-Point Lighting System for the Subject

Now, when lighting the subject, the standard three-point lighting system is appropriate. It is the standard method used in visual media such as video, film, and still photography. This is a simple yet versatile method which forms the basis of most lighting. The technique consists of three lights: the key light, fill light and back light. In order to utilize the technique fully, three lights are needed.

Your key light will serve as the main light source which illuminates the subject. It should be cast at an angle, according to the scene that you wish to create during post-production. Some of the things that you must avoid here are the shadows created by the key light and to reduce it, use two fill lights. The fill lights should be positioned at an angle from either side of the subject. Also take note that the intensity of those fill lights should be half than that of the key light. Moreover, you should also place a backlight behind the subject in order to separate the subject from the background. The backlight can either be positioned below or above the subject, creating a rim of light around the subject's edges.

Effective use of green screen technology can produce amazing results. As mentioned above, one of things that you have to take a look at is the proper lighting. However, if you are just a beginner in this kind of field, you can get essential tips and guidance from a particular green screen studio. With the services of such companies, you can place your subject in the places which is beyond the horizon of reality and into anywhere your imagination leads to.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - the most versatile TV, WebTV, and green screen studio in Salt Lake City. If you want to know more about our green screen photography, contact us at Tel: 801 916 7597 or E-mail: [email protected].

Why You Should Employ the Services of a Green Screen Studio

When we watch movies, we might probably get struck with fantastic scenes that look so real. We might get carried away, feeling that we are already part of the scene. However, filmmakers have techniques to come with these amazing shots. One of these techniques is the use of green screen. Such method has been widely used these days to place actors in various kinds of incredible scenes. But actually, green screens are not new in the field of video production. They have already been used for decades. Over time, there are already several advancements with the green screen as well as the technology used to create dynamic backgrounds.

With this practice, a particular actor is filmed in front of a green screen. With the use of software, you can then remove anything green and replace it with a new background. There a few ways to replace the background of the photos. For instance, you have an automatic option that enables you to get rid of the background with just a click of a mouse. You have a number of options to choose from for your new background. For example, you can have one from the camera roll of your cellphone or other electronic device, or you can use the supplied ones. Whether it is a beautiful beach landscape or a particular famous attraction, you can have it as your background. Your chosen new image will then be preserved in your camera roll.

Meanwhile, if you want to employ this kind of method in your video, you don't have to do it yourself. Nowadays, you can employ a certain green screen studio to do this kind of task. There are already several studios today which are proficient enough in this kind of service. They are also flexible according to your demands in order to come up with a fantastic production. In addition to that, they are also well-experienced in the field of video-making and already mastered the green screen method. Thus, they can definitely meet your expectations with regards to your video production.

On the other hand, most of these studios offer the free use of the web as well as a green screen editing bay. With these, you can now turn the two thousand square feet of green and blue screens into a visible reality. What you will just notice is that your creation had already taken shape as these professionals are able to edit resources efficiently and in the shortest amount of time possible.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - most versatile TV, WebTV, and green screen studio in Salt Lake City. If you want to know more about Green Screen Technology, read some of our blogs at http://www.saltlakecitystudio.com/green-screen/.

Simple Tips and Tricks in Video Production

By definition, video production is the process of capturing moving images on electronic media. It is a process of creating content, editing and providing a final video output.

With the onset of cheap DSLR cameras being sold with video capability, any average Tom, Dick or Harry can now produce videos on their own. But the catch here is, how do you create a good video?

Well, it can be a very complicated process. Apart from the content itself, there are other factors that affect the video production system.

In addition, there are three vital stages you will undergo: Pre-production, production and post-production. Each step has specific requirements. Pre-production entails preparations. Production on the other hand involves capturing scenes. And the final stage, post-production, is focused primarily on editing the contents made during production.

So, to make it easier for you, here's a roundup made by the professionals who are involved in the industry of video production. Remember, these aren't just simple tips and tricks but an outline you must follow diligently.

Develop a concept and an outline before you even begin shooting. This is considered to be part of the pre-production stage, all the elements needed for the film have to be prepared during this time period, including the script, budget, cast, locations, special effects etc.

Shoot in High Definition. Most viewers are used to seeing HD programs so if utilize a lower resolution, they will think of it as amateurish.

Imperfections are exaggerated on camera so try to hide them with make-up. A professional hair and make-up crew can cost a lot though. So try to drop b the nearest cosmetic store and ask their representatives for advice.

A good producer can generate video that appeals to all audiences. If you have the money, hire one.

Are you providing the audience with useful content? Trust me, content is more important than the special effects or set locations.

Nothing beats a quality video with great audio. Sometimes we get too complacent when shooting since there is state-of-the-art software that can be used during post production. But really, editing won't count if you shot lousy videos to begin with.

Follow these 6 steps and I'm sure you'll be on your way to creating great video content. For any inquiries or concerns regarding any aspect of video production, don't hesitate to contact a video production company near you for further assistance. It's natural to seek professional help to ensure quality.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - the most versatile TV, WebTV, and video production in Salt Lake City. If you want to know more about video production tips or video production services, visit the blogsite http://www.saltlakecitystudio.com/blog.

Kino Flo Lights - Why They Are Ideal For Both Film and Interviews

Kino Flo VistaBeam Single, Kino Flo VistaBeam 300, and Kino Flo VistaBeam 600

VistaBeam Single

The Kino Flo VistaBeam Single has a single tube, which can be daylight or tungsten. It has a remote ballast which is completely switchable from high output to standard output. It is a very simple, easy instrument to use, and can be set up either vertically or you can twist it into a horizontal position, or you can even use it as a handheld light, which comes in very handy during moving shots in narrow locations.

It has foldable barn doors which fold in for storage and shipping and expand out to provide yet another way to control the diffusion. The louver, which can be detached, plays the same role of controlling the beam from the instrument into a very narrow, manageable soft light.

VistaBeam 300

The Kino Flo Vista Beam 300 has three very high output fluorescent lamps, which can be either daylight or tungsten. It comes with a honey comb louver kit to control the wide beam stream of the instrument, and also, in the back, the light is switchable and DMX controllable - with a single switch you can bring it down to one, two, or three lamps. It is a very narrow profile.

This light is mostly used and hung in a studio for film or television purposes. The configuration can spin either vertically or horizontally, but most times it is used in the horizontal position. It is a very high output and a very intense studio instrument which has a tremendous amount of applications for filming in television.

VistaBeam 600

The Kino Flo VistaBeam 600 is one of the biggest Kino Flo lights available in the market. It has six very high output lamps. It has a tremendous amount of output and is very narrow profile. It is controllable by both switches and DMX, making it possible to turn on the lamps one by one or all together. You can vary the output depending on what you need for the job that you are on.

It is used mostly for large television productions, and delivers approximately what we can compare as a 4,000 Softlight, only using 9 Amps of total power.

Like the VistaBeam 300, it includes a Honeycomb Louver and a gel frame, to regulate and manage the beam width. This light is perfect for illuminating both interior and exterior sets with a great daylight quality.

For more information visit Los Angeles Lighting Rental or Best Lights For Film Shoots

Learning the Basics of the Video Production Process

Let's go back to the basics. The innovation of video production has changed all throughout the years. From magnetic film tapes, we now have high definition videos stored in micro SD memory cards. From massive cameras, we can now get a hold of the handiest video recorders. The hardware has changed immensely in order to adapt with the modern way of living. But still, we can't deny the fact that the elements of video production have remained the same.

In order to make the best videos, there are certain factors to consider. The use of high-tech, top of the line video production gadgets plays only one part in the whole picture. Without the others, a video production is plain ordinary. And that's never a good sign for any production company.

To produce a high-class, well thought of, great quality video, remember (or etch them on a stone) these basic video elements:

Lighting - Lighting is everything in a video. Without it, there will be no output as your lens will not register any image in it. Your camera and your lights must be the best of friends. It must be able to capture the images on its best representation. To achieve the best images, learn how to play with your lights and know the different kinds of brightness, contrast and hues.

Angles - Another challenge in creating an awesome video is how you let the people view your perception through the eyes of your camera's lens. Point and shoot or shooting on just a single angle is monotonous and boring. There are many ways of representing your ideas through the correct forms of angling.

Composition - composition is what sets a video apart from the others. No matter how many class A gadgets you use, without a great composition, your video is useless and dull. It all begins with an idea. Now to make this idea tangible, you'd need to incorporate it with the proper lighting, scoring and video techniques. Most of all, you'd need to have that certain uniqueness in you that will set you apart from the others.

There might be no magic tricks in making an attractive and interesting videos. All great videos require basic skills from the videomaker including equipment knowledge, video production techniques, and the whole video production process. One must know how to handle each equipment and accompanying control mechanisms. A good videomaker must know how to harmonize the visual and sound effects of a video. Most of all, it must convey the right information by using video as a medium to insert ideas persuasively.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - the most versatile TV, WebTV, and video production in Salt Lake City. If you want to know more about the video production process, visit the website http://www.saltlakecitystudio.com/blog.

Film Editors As Gate Keepers for False Incriminating Video Prosecutions Considered

Most people will tell you not to worry that Big Brother is busy doing surveillance on all us citizens. Those that are in favor of crushing freedoms to catch the occasional evildoers, terrorists, drug cartels, and what have you will tell you that; "if you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't worry about it." However, I completely disagree. How hard would it be for someone to manipulate a video, rewrite a blog post you made, or modify an e-mail that you sent out? That would be a piece of cake, any government that has access to all of your information, could easily do that.

Even a foreign government, hackers, or anyone else that thought you might be against their cause could hack into your system or the system of some social network that you are posting to, and change or modify things. And if you say; "I'm not on any social networks, so I don't have anything to worry about."

Who is to say they would not set up an account in your name, then write things, or post things that could get you in trouble? Oh you think it can't happen to you to you? It happens every day from angry ex-spouses, bullies, or revengeful enemies. So, don't be naïve, anyone who's ever been slandered online on Internet forums, blogs, or on social networks knows that often people will use their names to get back at them.

But here's the concept. Many of the film editors and those that do digital photography artwork also are very good at forensics and looking at the code behind the pictures and videos, this is how they catch content thieves and copyright violators. They can tell when something has been doctored, modified, changed, stolen, or manipulated.

Perhaps they should be our gatekeepers to prevent false incrimination of things posted online in your name. It used to be that the police, or court system needed witnesses to prove that someone had broken the law. There have obviously been cases where false witnesses have come forward, and were bribed to help put away an innocent person.

These days, that doesn't happen very much in the United States, but as we find ourselves more and more living in a police-like-state situation with constant surveillance, it would be very simple to get rid of the dissenters, quell free-speech, and put away those who are ruffling feathers. It happens in other countries all the time, even with some of our largest trading partners. We need a failsafe stopgap and some way to protect ourselves from these things.

Not only do we have to look out for each other, we are going to need to find someone to turn to, or a group of folks that will help us, when they come for us, that historically has been how things happen. We need some digital gatekeepers, and blind trust in any government is simply not wise, regardless of the historical era - we should never forget that. After all, we are still dealing with humans behind scenes. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Internet Safety. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net