In the day, I am a nerdie and normal civil and structural consulting engineer, chasing the bucks by doing design and answering queries from the construction site of the bridges under my care.

In the night I am... drum-roll... spot lights... smoke and lasers... husband of 1 wife, father of 1 daugther (more children to come by), hobbyist in video and photgraphy, part-timer in graphics design, active in church cell-group and in my free time, I go to forums like this, spend some time and get to know other photography and video folks. Sometimes, I also freelance videos for trainings and events.

I started video about 4 years ago, straight into MiniDV, because I found analog quite a bore to work on. My serious photography started last year, when my pay came to a level that I can actually enjoy these expensive hobbies!

I am a Malaysian Chinese, staying and working in Singapore. And I can tell you that Malaysian rainforests are WONDERFUL for photgraphy and videos of nature.

Doug Quance, yes there's money to be made with shooting funerals. I don't charge a lot though. Anywhere from $120 to $220; sometimes I do it for free. It's a lot easier shooting a funeral than a wedding: the main subject keeps still for you, and there isn't a lot of action---so you don't have to run silly all over the place. Instead of shooting a happy occasion, you are shooting sadness. You get used to it, plus I look at this as doing something good, since I don't think that too many videographers are dying to get into this business.

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : . . . .It's a lot easier shooting a funeral than a wedding: the main subject keeps still for you, and there isn't a lot of action---so you don't have to run silly all over the place. . . . . -->>>

ROFLOL!!!

I know your post was meant to be serious, but this sentence really tickled my funny bone! <chuckle>

As an oncology and ICU/CCU nurse, I've seen a lot of death. As a church organist and choir director, I've played countless funerals (and weddings!) One thing is for sure: Dead people are very still! Certainly slow on the action too! :)

Peace and humor! :)

Ted

Aaron,

It seems we have the same occupation and I can tell you that
I've used both products you have worked on extensively
(especially Ghost! Thanks for that!!)

I might have gotten into computers for a creative reason as
well. Writing computer programs could be seen as a creative
thing... I think.

Hey Rob. Good to here Ghost goes well for you. I think games development is very creative, well it was when I was doing it cause we were all involved in the design and decisions so we had to make everything from scratch but yeah it is also very technical ;) Do/did you write games at all? There are/were a lot of skilled developers from the netherlands expecially in the days of the Amiga, with all the demo crews and all. Oops, going off topic.

Cheers
Aaron

I'll try to keep it "on-topic"... but... I've started a bit of game
development but never finished anything (that is worth viewing).
I'm really into corporate intranet building etc. at the moment.
I did make an audio application (that is being used by a good
friend of mine on a weekly basis) etc...

Good day to all.

What do I do for a living? The vast majority of my income comes from the robotic camera work that I do for network television sporting events. I install and run robotic cameras on the side of racetracks, on football goalposts, and at other sporting events. I love the robotics work for the travel, the people I meet, and the events that I cover (pro and college sports are awesome to watch if you've ever played sports or if your competative). It's one of those jobs that people never knew existed until their told and then everyone wants to do it (those of you who've seen robotics on some shows know what I'm talking about). I plan on doing it for years to come because it's a fulfilling job and a lot of fun. The travel is just incredible and I've seen places that I've always wanted to see because of the job. I've also met and learned from some of the best cameramen and crew in the country and that has been really awesome. On the downside it's like every other freelance job in that it can go away quickly and the work is there or it's not. I'll be busy for three months straight and then I'll be at home for two months. So the inconsistancy is a downside to the job.

What do I love to do for a living? Local video productions. News, weddings, church events. I really like to create and share with people locally who I know I'm having an impact on with my video. I got out of local news because of the pay, not because I didn't like the job. I loved the stories, the experience I gained, and the people I met. And I still create wedding video's because I have a real passion for creating videos that envoke a strong emotional response and tell a story. Telling stories through video/audio is what drives my local work and it helps open me to new ideas and people.

I'm working locally with my own equipment. A GL2, an old 500hz celeron desktop (yeah don't laugh it still gets the job done ^_^), a 1.4ghz laptop, Media Studio Pro, and the usual gear needed for production work like interviews and field producions.

Anyway, the robotics are my main stay and the local video work is my real passion. Both play an important role in my life and I enjoy the time I spend in each area.

Ben Lynn

Hello to the crew,

I got my start as a action choreographer in some Indie films that you can find on some video shelves"Blazin" at Suncoast video.
I really got the chance because I taught martials arts and a company in New York City back in 1995 was doing a film and they needed someone to set up the fight scenes hench hold on that's my cue.
And I have been involved in motion pictures every since.
But no more in front of the camera it's not for me.
But just in the pass three years I got into directing and started my
own production company out of Phila,Pa. and have become a
freelance videographer on the side to make some extra $$$$$.
It's weird I always said just sometimes being in the right place and knowing someone can open up some doors and I have had a great time opening them up.
Since then I have filmed former Pres.Bill Clinton at Harlem fest in
2001 before 911 tragedy.
Movies I have done that will be out soon.
"The Price You Pay" Suspense/Drama: Shot in Phila,Pa.
"Bloodliners" Horror/Action: Shot in Phila,Pa. and Lille, France.
In Pre-Production "Beyond Sleep" Supernatural Thriller to be shot
in Phila,Pa.

All of our productions are shot on DV format but I 'm about to venture into 35mm soon as I'm setting up a deal with some of the top people from the Hong Kong film industry wish me luck.
So I would say pursue your dream and it might take some time
trust me stick it out you thank yourself later.
To all again glad to be apart of so many talented people.

Me used to push large monkeys through small envelope slots by day.

Then I learned how-to shoot lots of movie stuff, and then became slave in front of computer for months of postpro cold coffee gut-rot.

you no believe me? goto imdb.com and push buttons on keyboard to make my name appear in search box.

:)

/tongue'n'cheek

** wrangler edit **
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Van+Der+Park,+Adrian

What I do for a living
 

I am an independent filmmaker and also a Creative Services writer/producer for an NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach Florida. At work, we use DVCPro (for the last 7 years with a few cameras and decks, now totally DVCPro for 5 years). We're moving to Final Cut Pro with Omneon and I have personally helped create a relationship with Apple (the only thing I brag about). I even talked to the lead designer of FCP! That was COOL! He designed the original and the latest versions with his team. At home, I've been using a Canon XL-1 to shoot my indie films since March 1999 and FCP since late that summer. I cut my first feature on FCP 1.0 and never upgraded, because I feared I'd screw up my system and the movie. My website can be found at www.mpsdigital.com and we've had a recent premiere of a short, PUSH/PULL, at the Palm Beach International Film Festival.

THANKS!

heath mcknight

Adrian --- I see you worked Max Steel. Are you a Lightwave guy?

Thanks for reminding me... I gotta get that pulled off my credits... that show was just "max paycheck" as we all joked about.

I use lots of packages. These days Lightwave gets used less and less, however, I do have a significant knowledge of Lightwave, due to many years in the trenches with it.

Adrian

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Argerake : Adrian --- I see you worked Max Steel. Are you a Lightwave guy? -->>>

Hi Everyone-
I am new to this whole experience---I just bought a GL2 and I'm going to start filming my first documentary this weekend. I know nothing about how to use the thing or what I will edit on or any of the important stuff like that, but I do know that I really love film and that i have it in me to become a filmaker (one day). I would love some advice or ideas about what I'm headed into. I'm also always looking for work in the film industry as a PA or intern or anything. So if anyone out there feels like helping me out with advice or even a job (!) that would be fantastic.

Hi,

I'm Heath; I started my film career (after years of school and using tiny video cameras when I was younger) four years ago when I bought an XL-1 and an Apple with Premiere (Final Cut Pro wasn't out for another month, but I bought it soon afterwards). I'd be happy to give you advice!

You've got the tools, but that's only just so much to make movies or documentaries. I, like many others, mix up equipment for my talent, and that's bad. Just find the best gear and go for it. There are tons of books out there, but I am feeling more and more that it's all pointless. Watch some docs and movies, read a couple of good books, then look inside yourself. That's why you won't find many website forums on "how REALLY to make a movie." It's all in your heart, mind and talents.

Email me any questions: heath@mpsdigital.com and visit my site (plug plug) www.mpsdigital.com.

Good luck and tell us more about your documentary!

Heath McKnight
www.mpsdigital.com


<<<-- Originally posted by Maggie Goldwasser : Hi Everyone-
I am new to this whole experience---I just bought a GL2 and I'm going to start filming my first documentary this weekend. I know nothing about how to use the thing or what I will edit on or any of the important stuff like that, but I do know that I really love film and that i have it in me to become a filmaker (one day). I would love some advice or ideas about what I'm headed into. I'm also always looking for work in the film industry as a PA or intern or anything. So if anyone out there feels like helping me out with advice or even a job (!) that would be fantastic. -->>>

Got tired working as a broker for over 20 years, I started managing money for private individuals. 6 years ago one of my clients offered me an opportunity to manage a company selling broadcast and professional equipment and accessories. This was like a dream come true for me. Now I enjoy going to the office everyday. In between customers and signing export documents and invoices etc. I do research on stocks. It's strange that both my loves start with the letter "M". Money & Movies! I couldn't ask for anything more.

Hi!

I work in special effects for film. Mostly doing "photoreal" things like fire, snow, cg backgrounds, etc etc.

I've been using video to do small things like shoot my own commercials, music videos for friends, that sort of thing.

Nice work Jeffrey. Which applications do you use mostly for this
kind of work? I knew a guy once that did some work for Star Trek
in LightWave.

Hi Rob!

It depends on what we're doing at the moment. For 3d, we use Maya and Houdini. Maya is best for building models, animation, lighting... Houdini is mainly for particle effects like making rain and such.

My specialty is actually in set reconstruction and camera moves in 3d. So, rebuilding in 3d "exactly"(haha... yeah right..) what the real camera on set did. That way, it's easier for the artists to get their effects in and looking right.

If you'd like to talk offline, email me. I don't want to bore everyone :)

Also, who did you know on Star Trek? I know a few of those guys also from my Digital Domain days.

This thread's enthusiastic responses inspire me. When I was a wee lad growing up in Southern New Jersey, my dreams of being a filmmaker eclipsed everything else, including my schoolwork which was mediocre at best (academic underachiever here). My friends and I made silent, then sound, Super 8mm shorts. Silly stuff, you know, but hey, the family got a charge out of sitting around the projector in our dark den to watch my silly-assed films.
I don't know how I did it, but I graduated high school and actually got accepted to NYU! Of course, the film school would not allow me to take film courses until I proved myself in general courses. You guessed it, I flunked out my freshman year and never made it to the film school part. Needing a job to take care of the unimportant stuff like feeding, clothing and housing myself, I first joined the Marines then became a cop and have been one ever since.
My passion for the movies has not waned one iota.
In the mid-90s I wrote ten, full length motion picture screenplays that were, at one brief time, optioned by a wonderful producer in L.A. (don't be impressed by the "optioned" part; every person and his great granny have had "screenplays" optioned" at one time. Means nothing in the biz). I even had a few "agents" represent me (I won't go into that part now, my ears are becoming red hot. When I think of it, a few of them had taken me for a pretty good ride, one being the sister of a very famous male movie and TV star. Shame on me.)
Flash forward: When I noodled around and discovered the digital revolution, I had a cathartic experience. I realized that with a computer, software and a decent prosumer level digital video camera, I could bring about the same production results as the networks had in the mid 90s! Fabulous! With practice and drive I could be a one man studio! It's great to be alive and interested in independent filmmaking in 2003! Digital projection has made it possible for a shlub like me to show my movie at our local multiplex with stadium seating (a local guy did just that! Check out WWW.STEELSPIRIT.COM).
I now lock up the bad guys during the day and shoot wedding videos and independent short movies in my off time. Believe me, I have my share of cops and colleagues (with and without acting experience) volunteering their services. My home town even hosts it's own Summer film festival, the Atlantic City Film Festival.
Every once in awhile, however, I ask myself what in hell am I getting into? I'm in my early 40's and playing with movies like I did when I was a kid. Has any other middle aged person in my position felt this way at times?

Welcome Hugh

Yes, I feel the same way and I am 43. I retired from the Coast Guard 5 yeas ago. I am on VA disability for migraines. I am waiting for vocational rehab so I can go back to work.
I have allows wanted to make movies so one day I decide that is what I am going to do. I took out a Sallie Mae student loan, and attend The Los Angeles Film Schools 6-week digital film course. I purchased a XLIs from the school and now I am having a blast. I would like to make documentaries and movies. I am looking into funding at this time.
I bid you fair winds and following seas in your new adventure.

Dear Doug:

Thanks for the bravery. Attack it aggressively and well. Give us "old timers" something to shoot for. Since I am also using and XL1s, if you need East Coast footage for anything, drop me a line.

My Best to you
Hugh

Not too sure what to say here... would love to write a bit about myself (who wouldn't?) but it's doubtful that anyone will read - so I'll just say I'm new. I work in a video store. I'm a film student and a writer. I've had written work published, but nothing filmed as yet (don't actually own a camera; just rent one from time to time). I love to critique things though, so beware of posting work up! :)

Amelie, we read everything that gets posted here, so feel free to write your biography! Working in a video store is a great way to study films. Welcome aboard,

<<<-- Originally posted by Amelie Stein : Not too sure what to say here... would love to write a bit about myself (who wouldn't?) but it's doubtful that anyone will read - so I'll just say I'm new. I work in a video store. I'm a film student and a writer. I've had written work published, but nothing filmed as yet (don't actually own a camera; just rent one from time to time). I love to critique things though, so beware of posting work up! :) -->>>

Amelie,

When I started film school in the fall of 1995 (it was my sophmore year), I was making $5 an hour (and that's after a hefty 75 cent raise) as the head projectionist at a local United Artists movie theatre. It was a cool part-time job, but really paid nothing. After that, I worked at a couple of other movie theatres, then a Mail boxes, Etc.; then a grocery store (in seafood/meat!); then Barbizon Lighting and a movie theatre (I was burnt out doing two jobs and school) and finally a TV station as a news cutter. And I didn't own a camera either, didn't buy my XL-1 until March 1999 to shoot my first movie. And I wrote A LOT, especially when I was working for close to a year in seafood/meat in late 1996 to the fall of 1997. Weird times that produced some of the best material of my life! I've already made two movies from that period and still have another script to produce.

So I can definately relate!

heath
www.mpsdigital.com

Hello All,
I'm a Producer/Director at a government station. My job involves writing, shooting, editing and directing. I love doing it all. I just bought a DVX 100 and am looking forward to shooting shorts and documentaries.

<<<-- Originally posted by Carolyn Burgess : Hello All,
I'm a Producer/Director at a government station. My job involves writing, shooting, editing and directing. I love doing it all. I just bought a DVX 100 and am looking forward to shooting shorts and documentaries. -->>>

At channel 20? I work at Channel 5 in promotions! That's cool! Glad to know someone's on the board in WPB (I live down in old folksville, Boynton Beach, near glorius "Leisureville").

Sounds like you do some cool stuff there.

heath
www.mpsdigital.com

Yes, Channel 20. I worked at Channel 5 when I first moved to West Palm Beach in 1983.

We do a lot of local production at Channel 20, some interesting, some boring (government meetings), but it pays the bills.

<<<-- Originally posted by Carolyn Burgess : Yes, Channel 20. I worked at Channel 5 when I first moved to West Palm Beach in 1983.

We do a lot of local production at Channel 20, some interesting, some boring (government meetings), but it pays the bills. -->>>

I started at 5 in 1997, left in 1999, and came back in late 2000 (long story). It's cool, the new building rocks (that old one sucked).

You may have worked with Todd Kolich who now heads Ko-Mar Productions, located in Channel 5. Nice people, Ko-Mar.

heath

I remember Todd, didn't really know him.

The old building is just a figment of everyone's imagination now. I toured the new building with Bernadette. Nice! They had been planning to build a new building even before I worked there.

I also edit on FCP 1.2 on a laptop. Never upgraded, basically for the same reason that you have. I'm planning to buy FCP 4 in the next 2 months, along with a dual processor Mac. I edit on Avid at work, but I'm drawn to the fact that FCP is upgradable. Is 5 actually thinking of editing on FCP?

I upgrade too much, but haven't gotten 4 yet.

Bernadette is my boss; they finally finished that condo where our crummy building used to be. Nice.

We've been on FCP since March of last year. As soon as I heard we were dumping our old NLE for FCP, I emailed Apple. We now have a great relationship with Apple and their peeps from FCP. We started out with two (now three) systems in creative services and one for news. Graphics has four machines. Last Dec. we bought 10-12 FCP systems along with Omneon throughputs (we'll be the first in the world to use that set up, if we can install everything), but nothing is in yet, just in boxes. That's because of our $7 million HD tower, now up and running (located off 441 and Lantana--it's a real eyesore...You'll see channel 12's, then ours--biggest one, and finally 29 in the back; 25's is up north).

We better take this conversation to email, so we don't waste space for others! :-) I'll be back in town tomorrow (2 week non-stop editing stint in L.A.--now I wanna move out here! Though I'm dead tired), so send along any emails! heath@mpsdigital.com

heath
www.mpsdigital.com

<<<-- Originally posted by Carolyn Burgess : I remember Todd, didn't really know him.

The old building is just a figment of everyone's imagination now. I toured the new building with Bernadette. Nice! They had been planning to build a new building even before I worked there.

I also edit on FCP 1.2 on a laptop. Never upgraded, basically for the same reason that you have. I'm planning to buy FCP 4 in the next 2 months, along with a dual processor Mac. I edit on Avid at work, but I'm drawn to the fact that FCP is upgradable. Is 5 actually thinking of editing on FCP? -->>>

nothing...

or, films.

On the fence
 

Hi everyone, first post.

I've been working with video since 1999, which I made my first student feature film in college, and have since done a few shorts and another feature. Last summer, I decided to wander into videography as a trade part time, doing three or four weddings. At the end of the year, I even tried putting together a tv show with a friend, some general interest news magazine but that got dropped because the local station here would not sponsor us and we had to get our own money from our own advertising.

Anyway, I was surprised this year because I got a lot more weddings, and I still haven't really advertised. I simply registered at WEDJ.com, which is a really good site to spend money only, and I had about 6 weddings this year.

This is my dilemna. I've having my first baby boy this September, and I'm thinking of doing the videography thing full time, but I don't know if I'll be able to support a family with it. It'll be a second income, but I'm simply not certain if I should quit my full time job to do that. The benefits would be that I'm doing something related to my B.A. (Independent Moviemaking) and I could spend more time with my wife and son, downside is the money thing. Anyone here does it for a living full time? I would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

Nicky
http://shootingstarsstudios.tripod.com

do it;)

Well being a high school student I get a lot of opportunities to learn the art of video and everything connected to video. Now I work on the technical staff at our school dealing with sound mostly and every once-in-a-while something new and different. Its a great feeling when a school trusts you not only with thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but to also trusts us in putting on professional productions for those that rent us out. Although I cant see myself working in a theater all my life (I find I like video more), working in the auditorium allows me to continually learn in a stressful environment. And it’s also nice that my boss came from working at a local TV station so he can be a vital asset when I need some assistance. Oh and some may wonder why I put "job" in quotation marks. It is because I have never considered this a job because I have way too much fun to me working....I consider it playing on some really cool stuff.

Brian

Nicky,

You ARE working in your field. You're shooting wedding video, telling the story of a couple's special day and editing that video. You must be doing a good job because you are constantly getting more customers. Enjoy what you're doing. I'm willing to bet that many of the folks that were in your class can not say that they're working in their field.

You are about to be presented with the most important job of you life, being a father. You must think about the well being of that precious baby. Keep your full time job. Keep the medical benefits that come with that job. Contrary to what you stated about spending more time with your wife and child, starting a new business will keep you away from them more. Think about it, you'll have to hit the streets to find more and more business to sustain your family. And when you're not out looking for more work, you're doing the shooting and editing.

Take time to build your customer base, maybe do some other kinds of videos (special interest, event, etc.). Maybe even think about doing that tv show and think about what sponsors would be interested in putting their name on your show.

Just DON'T give up your full time job just yet.

Decision
 

Hey Carolyn,

Thanks for your input, my wife was reading over my shoulder and it almost made her cry reading about it. After reading on the forums about how much time, equipment, effort, money, advertising and will one has to put in to sustain a videography business, I decided to hang on to my full time job and likely give up on videography for a while. Weddings simply take too long to edit, and you're right about still having to take the time to go out there to network and shoot. It's going to be my first and probably last child, so it's a time that I will have to treasure. Thanks for the advice.

Hi Nicky,

Please don't give up on videography. You obviously like the art. You've gone to school to learn about it and you run a video business. Of course the full time job pays the bills so your must do that. But if you're like me and others on this board, video feeds your soul. So you must not give up on it.

So how do you continue with video while you work full time? Shoot footage of your wife, your baby, your dog, shoot a movie for the baby about how you prepared for him. Another way to keep your hands in the business, shoot family albums. Folks will pay to have their photos transferred to video along with music. Shoot inventories, its always nice to have a video tape with all of your possessions on it. I'm sure you can come up with other ways to keep your hands in video.

You'll soon find out that video gets into your blood and you can not walk away from it.

Take care,
Carolyn

No worries
 

Hi Carolyn,

Don't worry, you won't be the person responsible for talking me out of videography. Before I did it for business, I did a lot of it for pure pleasure. Tried to do a lot of film festivals as well, been moderately successful with it. Besides, once I get the backlog of weddings done, I still have my friend's wedding to finish, followed by a lot of abandoned video footage I've got. And then my baby boy will probably be well documented on video. I fear it may make him narcissitic!

But here's a link to one of my short films.

http://hamsterwheel1.tripod.com

Click on the "Duel" icon, sorry, but direct links don't work in Tripod. But thanks for your concern and advice. I do appreciate it very much!

Sincerely, Nicky

this certainly is a community
 

Hello everyone.
My name is Nicholi, i'm from Oklahoma City, and I love my imagination.
That's basically how I became involved with video. I started playing with my grandfather's video camera in 7th or 8th grade. At that point, making people disappear from the screen was about as complicated as it got. Years later, during my third year of college, I dropped my engineering major and headed straight to the broadcasting department. Here, I was introduced to the linear editor, which led to numerous skits and goofy short films. For the next 3 1/2 years (I had to play catch up from non-transferred credits), I practically lived in the edit bays at school, and recently earned my bachelor's in broadcast production, which isn't film but has similar applications. After a couple years of working and saving every penny (almost literally), I gathered enough funds to buy my own camcorder and editor. The camcorder (GL2) and accessories have drifted into the mailbox over the past few weeks. The computer (Apple G4, FCP) will be shipped soon.
During school I worked at the university television station, a job that paid very little money but provided much needed experience. The station basically revolves around its newscast (live every evening at 5:00), where I began running camera, then worked my way up to director and technical director. That went on for about two years until I attended an internship at a production company. There was a lot to learn there as well.
I finally graduated about 6 months ago and have been working a job installing security cameras (its about time I answered the original posted question), but that is almost done. I turned in my notice last week, and after next thursday I will be spending all day with my new camcorder. Needless to say, I have some serious catching up to do.
I honestly have no idea what I'm doing. My plan is to absorb anything and everything related to dv. I doubt I'll be making any descent amount of money, so I'm considering this as an excellent opportunity to build a resume/portfolio.
I'll be the first to admit - I am a tech-junkie. I'm very intrigued by the internet and its possibilities, which means dv is right up my alley. I love the MPEG-4 format. The idea of instant worldwide exposure is so appealing to me. I will be part of it.
So that's me in a nutshell. This is my first ever post (on any forum) and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how all of this works. I just hope this reply was written correctly.
After reading only a few posts, I've already learned how valuable this resource is. I really respect the term "community" and hope to eventually return the favor by providing some information that may be useful to others. But, for now, I've got some reading to do.
Thanks in advance to everyone,
Nicholi

Welcome aboard, Nicholi! Its good to meet you. Have fun with your new camera and edit system.