DV Info Net - Kowabunga, from Bemidji Minnesota

I have been slowly (slowly) getting into DV over the last few years, only I didn't know it. I have been shooting family video with my old Panasonic full VHS for years, and when I upgraded my camera, I went to a VHS-C because I couldn't see the advantage of DV. About 4 years ago, I tried to put together a computer edited video for the High School gymnastics team, using my cameras and a Dazzle capture device with Ulead Video Studio. Seven months, 3 computers and a lot of money I cranked out a poor video. Last year I was asked to put together something for the UW-River Falls gymnastics team, which I excitedly took on. This time I captured with Dazzle and burned VCD, then recorded VCD to VHS. Better job, and quicker than my first attempt.

This year my son has decided to get married, and I immediately started to work on a montage for them. I ended up now with Vegas 4, and DVD Architect in my computer, and a Canopus ADVC-100, which works extremely well. During this process my son's soon to be "MOTHER-IN-LAW" started to look for somone to video the ceremony. . . needless to say I was frustrated, because, I have to be in the ceremony, and can't do the job. I had done a lot of still photo, and some wedding photo in the past, and had a desire to go further with this, but, never had the cajones.

I started doing my homework, reading Fast Forward Club, and this forum. Also checking around town on other videographers. There is only 1, and he does still photos, and commercial video. Everytime he gets someone who wants a wedding video, he has to find a cameraman. I went around to the other 10 photogs in town, and they don't even know anyone doing video. I took the wife aside and let her know that I thought there was some money to be made here. I bit the bullet and bought two VX-2000's, wireless mic's, tripods, etc. . . printed brochures and business cards, and In a month I have my first 4 contracts.