Learning

(I tried to post the audio cut here, but it wouldn't let me... so I'll post the edited movie soon)

So it's a learning process, and I'm on to using a new camera. The department just got a new Sony V1U camera, which shoots on HD, DVCAM and SP. I've been using it to gather audio on occasion, and occasionally using the Marantz for some additional audio tracks when I don't want to bring in the video. The V1U has been a great camera to shoot with so far. Small enough to handle easily (though it's always a challenge doing video, audio and still simultaneously), and comes with a hard disk to record to with or without tape which can record as much as 270 minutes of footage. Basically I'm trying a bunch of different stuff and experimenting, which is fun to do when you have the opportunity to do so. Using Final Cut Pro to edit.

Here are a couple of sites I've found helpful as well as I learn FCP in the editing (covers some of the basics). I haven't had any hiccups when using it yet, and have found that moving from AVID into FCP has been a smooth transition.
http://www.backscatter.com/learn/article/article.php?ID=18
http://webcast.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=123085
(this one is helpful when importing from the V1U in HD) http://ifinalcut.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/fcp-capture-from-sony-v1u/

When I edited together the piece, I listened for audio first, trying to make sure it flows well. From there I make sure the shots are the best ones to use with the audio when I have the option (shots for ambient sound) and layer in photographs of still moments on top that were edited on their own will be the final step. Some bad video is in there for the audio track to be under the stills. Just trying to think about the editing of the multimedia in this sense for now and seeing where it goes.

Happy New Year

I'm currently working on a project on the local Vietnamese community. As a portion of the project I spent the weekend photography New Year festivities. People in the community have been welcoming to me being there, though there are still the normal obstacles to overcome.
I'm also doing this project in multimedia. It's a chance for me to practice and possibly fail. It truly is a challenge, not only in the sense of learning the equipment and a process, but also in that I'm trying it all together: photo, video and audio. It is a full semester of learning FinalCut, Flash, digital audio and video, researching multimedia storytelling and the technicalities of video.

Regardless, here are some images from the weekend.

Hunting

Here are some pictures from last Fall of an area hunter. I had met his family the week before and thought he'd be interesting to spend an afternoon with. My first time sitting in a blind on a hilltop for a few hours, and we didn't see a thing.

Lake Effect

Home Sweet Home.

Pastor Dempsey

A multimedia project by some folks at the Free Lance-Star, photographer Peter Cihelka and producer Reza Marvashti.

Training

So Millie is a year-old now.
We've been working on training her.



She's more of a golden go-and-see-er than a golden retriever right now.


She takes a little taunting well.


But all in all, she's a good dog and a good companion.

Nieces and Nephews

There are a lot of little ones running around this holiday season...



Audrey


Caroline


Jacob


And soon a new one will be introduced! (Jodie at her shower)

Editing Video

For a group project in a class, Documentary Production, we are working on a short film about a local gentleman named Beut. The three of us spent a lot of time getting to know Beut, learning his story, understanding him... This week is editing week (we are using Avid... a learning process unto itself is all I'll say there). I've learned a few things in this process (mostly through mistakes, others from other people, and all random for now):

- Start off with a vision of the story you want to tell.

- Getting to know the subjects and getting the footage is not all that different from still photography, just different content is gathered (more interviews, etc.).

- Set up your shots thinking about framing and composition and let the action move through the frame.

- Always check the batteries on your external mic and your audio levels.

- Use headphones.

- When shooting with two cameras, having the same type of two cameras is helpful. One with HD and one that is not looks different when editing.

- Stick to the three second rule when interviewing: wait for three seconds of silence before you ask your next question. People may say the best stuff in those seconds, or, if nothing else, you get a clean break for editing.

- Know the story you want to tell, change the way you want to tell it, be willing to continue changing it.

- Let things in that story be discovered by the audience... not everything has to be stated, or stated upfront for that matter.

- Again for emphasis... always check your audio levels.
- And we shot too much.