Total Newbie... any advice?

[Paul Picklesimer]

Hi there... I have recently decided to become a videographer! I want to use the medium as a creative outlet and as a means of income. I plan to purchase the XL2 and Final Cut Studio on possibly a dual 2GH 160gig power Mac. After a lot of research, I have come to the conclusion that these are wonderful tools. What I am unsure of is how well I will be able to train myself to use them. My experience with camcorders is strictly consumer analog. I'm now reading "digital video for dummies". It has actually given me a good grasp on the basics, but of course not enough to get the most out of the XL2. I've also ordered "Final Cut Pro for Dummies". What else can I do to help myself? It is very apparent that a lot of you who post on this board have years of valuable knowledge. I would be very thankful to have some advice thrown my way concerning where to buy... how to learn... what to read... anything really! Thanks a lot.

[Mark Montgomery]

Videomaker magazine focuses getting beginners to intermediate videographers up to speed with terms, tools, and techniques. You can also find them on the newstand (US only).

http://www.videomaker.com

[K. Forman]

Videomaker also has a few beginners books, that have some neat tricks and ideas. It will help you get a grasp of the basics.

[Michael Padilla]

I have also just started in DV business for weddings and comercials; I have bought FCPHD, 17" powerbook, 2 XL2's, Varizoom ProLite rig, Varizoom DVRig Pro, canon 3x wide lens...etc...

What I have done for learning final cut pro (and Highly recommend) is buying apple's training book from Amazon.com, I am halfway through the book and I am already outputting awesome music videos with wedding video with the xl2.

here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

Do the same thing with DVD studio pro & motion, I would get the most current versions of the book (which is not listed), so you might need to wait since its just been updated.

Any adivce on lighting, cases/bags, batteries? I haven't bought any yet and don't want to spend too much as I've already done that with other stuff!

[Yi Fong Yu]

while you can read a lot of books on "howto" the best way to learn is still practice, practice, practice. then when questions arise, ask them here or ask people around you that know dv/dv-editing. it's through your experience on the job that you learn the quickest and learn your own workflow.

how do you practice? well, start by doing your friends wedding/events for free and that'll be your practice, or if by creative you mean short movies, start by writing scripts, getting college students, etc. and start editing them.

[John Plunkett]

Originally Posted by Yi Fong Yu

while you can read a lot of books on "howto" the best way to learn is still practice, practice, practice. then when questions arise, ask them here or ask people around you that know dv/dv-editing. it's through your experience on the job that you learn the quickest and learn your own workflow.

how do you practice? well, start by doing your friends wedding/events for free and that'll be your practice, or if by creative you mean short movies, start by writing scripts, getting college students, etc. and start editing them.

I agree. Learning your equipment and the limitations of it are going to be best done through use. Since you are buying your own equipment you really shouldn't have a problem experimenting all the time. When you come across a situation where you want to get a shot that you can't seem to pull off, come to forums like these and ask.

[Paul Picklesimer]

Thanks a lot for all the advice and tips. I've taken them all to heart. I'm sure I will have more speciffic questions in the future.
Thanks again!