OK, it's fine to see others work.

However, I've needed to be able to analyse exactly WHAT I am looking at. I've been fortunate in having had a background in the "plastic" arts; been responsible for many many arts projects from funding, to inception, to execution - and I believe I've devloped an "intelligence" about just how a certain art-forms/disciplines/activities "hang" together. This is almost imperative to the internalised discussions you need to be having about the narrative/video/edit you are evolving and involved in.

To this end, whether they know it not, many youngsters attend art collage for this purpose. And not so young "youngsters" get themselves apprenticed to a master!

My advice is to get as close as you can to anybody involved in the arts/design/copy-writing business and ask them questions as to just how and why they do something.

By coming here, and asking this question already you are open to the understanding of needing to get a handle on this craft of editing.

GOOD FOR YOU!

Often individuals don't even realise they need to be asking the question - I'm deadly serious!!

OK, in terms of literature, for me, here are three of my favourites:

* Grammar of the Shot (focal press)

* Grammar of the Edit (focal press)

* The Five C's of Cinematography - Joeseph V. Mascelli

For me these 3 interplay the importance of filming/videoing for the EDIT. Planning can be everything. However, once "planned" ( having spent 2 wedding seasons as a 2nd string, yes I DO plan-in B-roll!) other opportunities when presenting themselves, are naturally/fluidly/pleasingly/comfortably absorbed into the capture<>edit mix.

And lastly, a real must have, for me, that gave me many permissions was/is Walter Murch's "In the Blink of an Eye". He just kinda chats to you about the poise and purpose of editing in a very friendly and almost fireside method that, before I knew it, I had given myself permissions to attempt certain shots and edits that would, I feel, improve my editing and dictate just how I would go about a particular shot. - In fact read Walter's book first!!!

JimH is correct in looking at others work. What I'm saying is stand-back and understand just what you are doing. Often this is the hardest thing to do. Being almost cold and dispassionate about something emotive is real tricky.

Oh yeah! Almost forgot . . ENJOY what you do!!!

Here's one I did for my daughter's soccer team (14 yr olds)...

Surf Champs

I think my situation is pretty similar to yours. I have learned a little about how to frame shots better, but when it comes to lighting techniques and setting up shooting situations I have passed on that. How often are you going to move your 2 year old child to a different position when he is taking his first steps or go get a light and a diffusing umbrella, etc to get better lighting for that shot? What I have found makes the BIGGEST difference is taking notes on what I see when I watch trailers/videos/etc and copying that in my videos. That takes it to the professional level and makes up for what you can't really control with your video shots. Make your montage/text effects/intro's/etc the best possible and people will be very impressed. Vegas can do anything when you tag team it with a 3D text program like bluff titler or Ulead's 3D studio. Learn to take great stills also, that is something that you can set up more often.

I'll edit this in a second and include an example of mine...

here ya' go - Intro Clip

Thanks for the tips and suggestions so far. Great examples too.

Greg

dand9959 - Fantastic little highlight reel. You put a lot of effort into that VO... I've never really tried that, it kept me interested. Nice season ending for the girls... man they play hard.. I can't believe that girl watched the rest of the game with a broken elbow.. tough kid.

Cheroxy, I like that intro...

Thanks, Jim. I was inspired by those old NFL Film highlights we grew up with.

They DO play hard, don't they? That girl that broke her elbow and stuck around for the game (and victory dinner afterwards, actually) is my daughter.

Yes dadn9959, great video. Did you do the voice over?

I guess I fit into this camp since most of my videos are recaps of kids' sports. My big project for the year is my daughters' competitive cheer squad (Colorado State Champions this year!). They have around nine months of activities that I squeeze into about an hour of video.

If you are just starting out a pretty light-weight book that gives a good overview is "Digital Video for Beginners" by Colin Barrett. The introductory quote grabbed me "there's a big difference between shooting video and making something that somebody else will want to watch". However, the book glosses over the topics without providing a lot of detail, so if you are hungry for meat you probably should go with Grazie's recommendations (which I have looked at before, but haven't committed the time to read them myself).

Anyway, with kids' sports I have found you really have to think about what you want to convey. The regimentation of practice, the excitement of victory, the frustration in defeat, etc. In other words, don't link a bunch of clips together, come up with a story. Think about pace, timing, etc., and how they fit the mood you want to create. In other words, what you should think about in any video.

It may be too late for you now, but it sure is a lot easier when you have those ideas when you are shooting the video. You need more than the actual time on the field/court; capture the other moments too, like huddles, the crowd, etc. They are all part of the story and make the difference between a recap of a competition and a real story that keeps the viewers attention. Good composition with cutaway shots, different angles and perspectives, etc., make a big difference in the end.

fwiw...

Greg, I wrote the script, but the VO was done by an acquaintance of mine here in Dallas who is just starting out in the VO biz. This was a pro-bono gig for him just to get some practice. (Good deal for me, eh?)

"That girl that broke her elbow and stuck around for the game (and victory dinner afterwards, actually) is my daughter."

And my next question would have been... "where's that poor girls parent?!" Should have know... behind the camera! heh heh.

LOL.

Hey, anything for the shot, right?