is this dvd good?
I'm considering buying it...
besides, is i it safe to order it online, i don't know anything about Vortex Media.

It is a great DVD with a lot of good advice, including an under $1,500 light kit that can give you drop dead good looking interviews, 60 minutes and network quality. Definitely worth the price of admission. These guys do good work.

Well worth the money. Great information and good production values. As I produce special interest videos, I found the video to be very well done. I hope mine are as good.

I bought the DVD... watched it on Monday... twice... took notes... priced it out at B&H... Had the kit by Friday... Shot some of the best interviews I've done on the following Monday.

Now if only there was a similar DVD for other issues I've run across... good interview audio to name one...

Kevin

I have the "How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews" DVD, and think it's a good start for a newbie like me. I've been through a number of interviews with mass media. The interviews shot in their studios were the usual human-on-chair with green screen. However, those shot in my home generally went for the darker background. Examples of that look can be found on National Geographic's "Taboo" episode DVDs.

As for audio, I bought two DVDs:

1) "Location Sound for Video" with Wes Cavalier, available from Trew Audio

Don't buy this DVD. It's information poor, largely concentrating on how to connect various microphones to your camcorder. Mr. Cavalier should put out another DVD with more examples of recording on location, such as dealing with crowds and people jumping up and down to peer into the camera.

2) "Now Hear This" by Douglas Spotted Eagle from VASST

This in an instructional audio DVD. I haven't made it through disk 1 of the two disk set, but so far, this set is highly informative and useful. I'll update this thread when I've finished studying the set.

Also, check out VASST's Lighting DVD "Light it Right" with Victor Milt. Overall, it's pretty good given that the lighting used is that which is affordable to smaller, video-based operations. It's easily worth its price, but I'd like to see a 2nd DVD that offers more lighting setups, complete with A/B comparisons of what various lights do in several positions as well as lighting situations other than people. Mr. Milt seems bent on spending a chunk of the video talking about how the film industry used to light, but that section really doesn't interest me.

I'm just getting through DVD1 of the VASST audio tutorial.

Incredible. Doug Spotted Eagle teaches you how to record underwater - put a condom over a microphone. This DVD is excellent as well as entertaining.

Here is the kit as listed in the "How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews" . A major omission is a case of some sort. Kevin priced it out at BH Photo, as did I. Most of the prices are spot on, but some are slightly higher. BH doesn't seem to sell a Lowel Pro-Light with a 500W bulb, so you have to get the 750W model and buy a 500W bulb. This kit includes 600W dimmers, so I didn't want to risk trouble with a 750W bulb.

I didn't see any need to buy the WarmCards, which are a Vortex Media product.
http://www.warmcards.com/

2 Avenger A630B Light Stand $80x2=$160
2 Avenger A625B Light Stand $60x2=$120
1 Manfrotto 3398 Boom Stand $117
1 Small Photoflex SilverDome NXT Soft Box $110
1 PhotoFlex Fabric Grid $ 90
1 PhotoFlex Swivel Mount $ 23
1 Photoflex Speed Ring $ 80
1 Lowel TotaLite with 500W bulb $110

1 42" Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible reflector $ 60
1 Flexfill Adjustable Holder for reflector $ 60

2 Lowell Pro-Light $109x2=$218
1 Lowell Snoot (Pro-Light #1) $ 34
1 Lowell Four Way Barndoors (Pro-Light #2) $ 35
2 Impact 600W dimmers (cheapo) $25x2=$ 50
4 15' Extension cords $15x4=$ 60
1 Rosco Cinegel Sampler Kit 10"x12" $ 32

1 WarmCards for white balance $ 90
1 Black Foam Core (cookie pattern) $ 10
1 Matthews 2-1/2" Grip Head (holds FoamCore) $ 25
Assortment of pins, clamps, tape $ 20
------
$1494

Glints, I agree that a major omission is that there is no case suggested to carry this kit in. Just a "look in the catalog and pick one." Not that I need to be spoon fed everything, but you would think that if he went as far as he did with going through the kit, he would have suggested a case for it. I think his main reason for neglecting this was to keep the total cost of the kit under $1500. I could be wrong, that just my humble opinion.

"BH doesn't seem to sell a Lowel Pro-Light with a 500W bulb..."

The Lowell Pro Lights that I purchased for this run a 250 watt bulb (the background light and the hair light). And even at 250 they are extremely bright. I've been thinking of ordering a couple of 125 watt bulbs just to see if that will allow me to leave the dimmers my bag, or maybe use them for practicals.

If your talking about the Tota-Light, then yes the one they sell (that I found) can take either a 750 watt bulb or the 500 watt. I'm using a 500 with the soft box and the fabric grid and haven't needed more light for just one person. I suppose if you we lighting two or more then you would need the 750 bulb and a bit larger soft box.

Have you purchased a case yet for your kit? If so did you go with one case or split it up into to? I was thinking about one case for stands and one for lights and the other odds and ends. If you have purchased a case, I'd love to know which one and maybe see a pic of how you've got it laid out.

Thanks,
Kevin

Great Video, and a great kit. I use a Kata OC84 bag and a $90 Light Stand Bag to haul everything. I have been using a 250watt Rifa 44 with a 50 per cent eggcrate which lights very well as a key. I bought a wooden cookie, cut it in half and put hinges on with a lock bolt so I can pack it. And sometimes, instead of the reflector, I use a Litepanels with a medium CTO and diffuser for the fill. Really pick ups the eyes. The headline is really great looking interviews.

That video looks great but this DVD:

http://www.dvcreators.net/dv-enlightenment/

will teach you more about everything (not just interviews) alot better than anything ive ever seen. Even pro's have gotten this DVD and learned something at least. I highly recommend it.

-Kyle

Also, I've learned that the Impact D-600 dimmers use a two prong connector while the Lowel Pro-Lights use a three prong adapter. Both connectors were depicted in the product pictures on the BH site, but I overlooked this. No biggie, but the 3->2 prong adapters are an essential cost in this kit as well.

I haven't purchased a case yet, but I'll see if I can use the case from my umbrella light kit first.

Also, I've learned that the Impact D-600 dimmers use a two prong connector while the Lowel Pro-Lights use a three prong adapterThese router speed controls/dimmers (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43060) work perfectly with all my lights, a good value with 3 prong plugs/outlets. Those avenger light stands are a great value too, but for myself, I tend to use my economy air-cushioned light stands with my light heads, just for peace of mind.

Those avenger light stands are a great investment. But for myself, I tend to use my economy air-cushioned light stands more, just for peace of mind.

Thanks for the tip on the dimmers Michael, I've been wanting to upgrade the D-600s, but haven't known a good dimmer to buy. I was kinda disappointed about the recommendation on the D-600 because of the lack of a ground on the dimmers. They're still nice though, for practicals.

We have both the lighting DVDs mentioned above, and both are informative in different ways.

Victor Milt's ideas on building your own lights (low cost) are intriguing, and practical. He's a regular presenter at NAB, has been in the business a long time, and knows his stuff.

In the long run we opted to go for a DV-Creators Lowel lighting kit from Guy Cochran'es www.dvestore.com and have been very happy with the results. We bought a four-light set-up, with cables and stands, complete with a very sturdy case. And the results have been great.

There are several combinations - choose according to your budget and needs.
You can certainly get a Lowel kit for well under $1500 from Cochrane.

Plus he does some pretty nifty little tutorial films you can watch for free on line. (I just checked the link and see he has one up called Three Point lighting with the DVCreators Lowel Lighting Kit...which may save you the cost of buying a DVD in the first place:-)

(And he doesn't pay me to mention this stuff...I am just a very satisfied customer).

Michael KNight.

Of the above mentioned dvds which do you consider the most appropriate for lighting for digital (HDV and HD specifically)?

Guy Cochrane of DV Creators does a lot of video filming.

The Lowel light kit he sells was put together by Lowel at the recommendation of DV Creators...and has become one of Lowels best sellers.

We bought one - it comes in a very compact case - and we're very happy with the combination.




Best.

Michael.

nice. Thanks Micheal.

nice. Thanks Micheal.

Interesting in maybe picking up this DVD based on the recomendations here but a little disapointed it's going to run $48 shipped. Hmmmm... To buy or not to buy...

That video looks great but this DVD:

http://www.dvcreators.net/dv-enlightenment/

will teach you more about everything (not just interviews) alot better than anything ive ever seen. Even pro's have gotten this DVD and learned something at least. I highly recommend it.

-Kyle

Ditto. I have this DVD, its very well done, the best one I watched. I have used Lowel light kits many times, and for the price they do a great job. However, I opted to wait until I could afford an Arri D4 Softbank light kit, which is what I bought, and I love it. It's so easy with this kit to make interviews look really great, and the fresnels give off a beautiful light which is also very easy to control. But it is more money, and heavier, so it may not be for everyone.

One of the best resources I have ever seen though is Bill Holshevnikoff's "Arri Lighting Handbook" which I think you can buy from his website www.poweroflighting.com for like, $5 (it came with my light kit). Its a great little book, complete with lighting plans for different looks. I'm a bit embarassed to say, but on my first shoot with the new Arri kit, I just used one of his setups in the book and it looked great. So much for two years of film school!