Best place to learn about Video???

Distorshun wrote on 6/16/2006, 11:19 AM
Learning more about video and videography has recently become my obsession, problem is I never took a videography class or anything, and I find that there are alot of basic things that I simply don't know about.

What/where/how is the best place to look to learn more about video and video equipment. For example, here are some of the basics that I want to know about:

* What types of lens filters and when to use them
* Maintenance of cameras - head cleaning, etc.
* NTSC, PAL and 24p...whats the difference with all these?
* White balance and how to get the right setting for what you want to shoot
* Basic videography concepts.

There are alot of pro's on these forums and at times I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't know what you guys are talking about. I want to learn...any ideas???

Thanks!

Comments

randy-stewart wrote on 6/16/2006, 12:04 PM
Here's a start: http://www.vasst.com/?v=Tempfolder/Tutorials/Tutorial%20linksnew.htm
Explore the rest of the site too. Resources and links for much of what you've asked about. To get professional training on cameras, editing, concepts, check out your local college courses or trade schools. There's a lot of source out there for free too. Gotta do the research and remember, the internet is not the only resource for research...local libraries and book stores are great too. Happy hunting.
Randy
jrazz wrote on 6/16/2006, 12:47 PM
The search feature on this forum can be the key to a lot of pertinent information. For instance if you searched for 24p you will find a recent post that has a link to the videos that walk you through the process of 24p and helps to explain it. You will also find a post from me where I ask a question about working with 24p footage with the pulldown and what type of render setting should be used if you already applied the pulldown. You will also find numerous other posts about filters, tapes, taking care of your cam, etc.
This forum has been a wealth of information for me.

j razz
GregFlowers wrote on 6/16/2006, 1:25 PM
Here are a list of my favorite websites besides our beloved Sony Vegas forum and VASST: Creative Cow, DMN forums (World Wide User Groups), DVinfo.net, and DVXuser.com. Videouniversity.com is good. For somewhat related home theater information, avsforum.com is great.

My favorite video related books include Vegas Editing Workshop by our own Douglas Spotted Eagle (aka DSE, Spot), Digital Moviemaking by Scott Billups, Digital Filmmaking Handbook by Long and Schenk, and Digital Filmmaking 101 by Newton and Gaspard.

For digital audio, Great Sound for Digital Video and Audio Postproduction for Digital Video both by Jay Rose are essential reading.

For lighting, Lighting for Digital Video and Filmmaking and Television by John Jackman is unbeatable.

For just plain inspiration, Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodreguez is awsome. If you think you would do anything to be a filmmaker, just read what he did.

And most important, IMHO, is to get a video camera and shoot. Even if its a cheap 1 chip $300 dv camera. In fact, until you get pretty good at shooting, I think a cheaper camera is better to learn with. Just get one and shoot, shoot, shoot. This will begin to guide you and make you realize what else you need to learn. When you get better, then buy a good camera that will suite you needs and goals. I think I'm now spaeking as much to myself as I am to you. I hope this helps.
DavidMcKnight wrote on 6/16/2006, 1:39 PM
Greg - that is some great advice.

So often we get caught up the next gear purchase we're going to make, and the advice is overwhelming

"You gotta get the Panasonic WhosIt for indie filmmaking blah blah blah"
"The Sony VX is better than the Canon in low light yadda yadda"
"hdv IS hd"
"hdv IS NOT hd"

Equally or more important is framing, composition, exposure, focus control, lighting. I would add that for every hour you spend reading forums and books, that you spend an hour shooting.

And I, too, should follow that advice...
Distorshun wrote on 6/16/2006, 7:28 PM
I really appreciate all the advice. Thanks for the book references Greg. JRazz, thanks for all the help as well. I'll definately look into some of those references and continue to shoot.

Thanks!