A few words about posting videos on D1Kids.com:
1. SHOOT GOOD RAW VIDEO! Good video can be edited
and made to look really "finished".
Remember, this footage is stuff that you may want
to see years down the road. Take the time to do
it right; a little planning goes a long way. For
example, don't shoot action scenes from another
time zone----Closer is better! A tripod is a MUST
if you want to shoot smooth, enjoyable, action
sequences. Also, please remember that video loves
light! Scenes shot at a dark field or at a dimly-lighted
awards ceremony usually will not turn out. Finally,
understand that SOUND is very important. (A stiff
wind or casual background chatter about how much
weight your cousin has gained will really ruin
an otherwise nice video.) If you can, shoot with
a remote microphone that is closer to the action
than the camera or (if nothing else) simply defeat
the camera microphone and add sound later in the
editing process. Again, planning can solve a LOT
of potential hassles.
2. SHOOT A LOT, THEN EDIT! Use only the best
clips of what you shoot. Keep the clips below
FIVE MEGABYTES. It takes time to download clips;
those without high speed access will have a tough
time seeing your video if the file is enormous.
Also, a larger picture and shorter clip length
is better than a long clip with a postage stamp
size picture. If nobody can see what is happening,
what is the point of posting a clip?
3. GO WITH MAINSTREAM TECHNOLOGY! That is, use
a PC computer with as high-speed internet access
as you can get. (My apologies to the .768432%
of the computing world that still use Apple machines.)
The videos that I post are shot on higher-end
Canon mini DV equipment (SL-2's). I also use Sennheiser
wireless and wired boom microphones, depending
on the situation. I have XP Professional and use
either the stock Microsoft Windows Movie Maker
software or Pinnacle Studio to edit video. In
order to keep this site as simple and economical
as possible, I have decided not to waste a lot
of time and I.T. money developing the site to
accept a myriad of video formats. If you don't
have a PC, find a friend or family member who
will let you edit your stuff on their machines.
With a little practice you will be able to do
some great video clips.
4. IF YOU DON'T KNOW SOMETHING…ASK SOMEONE
FOR HELP!
I may be able to answer questions or I can point
you in the right direction. I should say right
here that before you ask someone else for answers,
read whatever information and/or manuals currently
available to you.
5. IF YOU INSIST ON A "PRO" VIDEO,
HIRE A PRO TO SHOOT IT! Remember,
you are only going to be an Adonis-Stud-God for
a few years. Soon, too many of you will look and
feel like me! What is it worth to memorialize
the golden years of youth? Maybe, the idea of
having some outstanding video to show your kids
is worth the price. By the way, I know a guy (Cliff
at digital-depot.com) who offers lots of different
kinds of video services at reasonable prices.
He is in Southern California but I am sure that
regardless of where you live he can take your
raw digital video and make a really cool CD/DVD
for you.
6. FINALLY, GOOD TASTE IS A MUST! I love the
notion of "free speech" as much as the
next guy and I will allow great varieties of video
to be posted. HOWEVER, all video submissions must
be in reasonably good taste. (You know, no nudity,
swastikas, satanic worship, or anything that will
cause me to suffer acid reflux symptoms.)
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