Good to hear from you Gerald, and good luck with your future video projects. Just a thought though - your 'pair of FX1s' for wedding and events might be better split as a Z1 and an HC1. Why? Purely for the audio capabilities of the z1 over the FX1.

Weddings have very important sound tracks, and unless you're thinking of bolting a Beachtek underneath the FX1, your audio options will be somewhat curtailed.

tom.

Z1 as primary and HC1 as second camera for wedding shoot?
 

Thanks Tom...I was actually considering the beachtek solution. But now that you mention it, a Z1 would be awesome. Just wonder if mixing the hc1 footage with the Z1 footage from a dual camera wedding shoot would pose any noticable differences visually...I'm guessing not significantly. Thanks so much for your post!

Gerald

The news is that they intercut beautifully. The sad news is that the HC1 is discontinued and the toy-town HC3 replaces it, so act fast if you want one. The other sad news is that the HC1 is only so-so in low light - something like 2 stops slower than the FX1, so not ideal for 'romantically lit' weddings.

tom.

I'm a film student :P

I detest it when people mix up Film And Media (Stoners watching Tarantino) with actual film production syllabus.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and found it searching for info about a mic for my Canon Optura 40. I live in Florida and teach technology classes to elementary students part-time and am trying to get a video business going.

I started creating custom DVD's for special occasions like anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, etc. using clients photos and home videos. I love the emotion these type of videos generate! I've recently gotten a few projects from realtors and a developer where I'll be shooting the video and taking photos for the project. So much to learn.....I'll be checking this forum regularly and appreciate any and all input.

Mary

Hi

I am the Chief Photographer at WVII TV in Bangor Maine.
We shoot panasonic DVCPRO 25 and mini DV. I am not a big fan of the Mini format the tapes dont last the cameras dont take any abuse that a news crew dishes out and menu after menu is cumbersome and annoying. If only my company would let me spend just a bit more and get a camera rigged with a tapeless format my life would so much easier. Till then I will look here for tips and help with my Baby cams.

Are there any other News shooters here? Our issues are quite different then mini docs and production types? If there are enough could we get a topic for us? I admit I havent looked around enough and an area may exist so please dont flame me for a stupid newbie question. LOL :)

Good Shooting

I own and run a small start up production company, Run Jump Fly Productions. .We shoot on 1 fx1 and 1 xl h1. We both shoot edit and manage the company and I have just as of yesterday secured a deal for our movies to be a free download on the iTMS. We make extreme sports films and our focusing at the moment on skiing filming with the best of the British pro skiers.

This has been a huge learning curve for me. I’ve been teaching my self how o edit using final cut pro 5. And when I get back to the UK I will be taking some apple certified courses in London. I got a chance to edit a professional TV show while I was out in the mountains for some friends of our who where left in a huge mess when the production company they had hired to produce the show did a very bad job with the edit and left it in a huge mess when they left for the uk. I mean, there were spelling mistakes all over t he place, 1/2 second cuts.

Anyway, with no knowledge other than what I had picked up in a very short space of time I produced this in 4 days with only about 3 hours sleep in total. click on the video on the left had side to watch it. It’s a TV show called the Verbier Ride. This competition is held in Verbier Switzerland and comprises of a big mountain comp (skiing powder and dropping cliffs, huge cliffs) and a slope style type section (a big 17m tabletop kicker, and a rail jam session).

edit: forgot to say that it will be getting 700 hours of TV world wide.

Anyway, check it out and see what you think. Thanks

www.verbierride.com
www.runjumpfly.net

They call me the president lol

I buy lotto tickets - fingers crossed. :-)

i'll join you :)

Hey guys and gals,
I work in the fundraising business. My friends and I do parties as a incentive programs for schools that particpate in the fundraisers. We set up a Velcro wall, obstacle course, moon bounce, joust, and bungee run. All inflatibles powered by blowers. That's my real job, yet it's to good to be true

Monday

Hey everyone,

By day, I am a mild mannered System Administrator for EDS (Electronic Data Systems, Ross Perots's old company).

In the evening and on the weekends I am the Director of Worship and Ministry Technolgy for Water's Edge Lutheran Chuch in Frisco, Texas. I record the sermons every week and post them to our website. I also record special events and small group bible studies, that I cut to DVD for the congregation to use in the small groups. My day job is just work and it pays most of the bills. :) The weekend job is the fun one and what consumes most of my home time, which does not always make the wife and kid too happy. :)

I'm the System Administrator for our Church and like you Scott I record the weekend services for posting on the net. I only work part time, so I devote the rest of my time to my production company and family.

Hello,
My name is Mike Schrengohst, CEO of
www.MotionZoneHD.com
I have been in the video industry for over 25 years.
Up to recently I was producing industrial, commercial and corporate programs. I have also been a photographer and have been shooting stock photography for over 30 years.

Hello folks!

I'm 23, I live in the Philippines. Right now i do media production for the Department of Health where I make instructionals, documentaries, and cover events using an XL2. My broadcast experience spans a measly three years during which i was an editor, director and a producer as well.

My preoccupation is shooting shorts and doing part-time mtv shoots wherein i accept no payment. It's just something i love.

Now anyone who has money falling out of his/her ass please send me to Tisch because i've been dying to.

what I do...
 

I'm a producer/sound engineer/songwriter/screenwriter and movie director wannabe. Presently I make a living in the music business. I produce all kinds of music ranging from Hip Hop, Rock, Latin...to whatever. Worked as a professional translator and interpreter for a while but it took up too much of the time I could spend learning more about cinematography and honing my skills with the camera and every other aspect of movie making (there's so much to be learned at this point). Anyway, I left the translator job, stuck with my Music Producer/Recording studio business to make a living, and got a JVC HD100 camera and I'm having fun while I learn more and more. Meanwhile, I've also been working on some scripts of my own and hope to start shooting my first movie next year. I hope that by then I'll have my hands on the RED CAMERA. Then the real fun will begin.

Scott my brother is an ex employee of EDS. Anyway, I work for Eastman Chemical Company as an operator. Not the most fun or interesting job but it pays the bills. I got into video when I purchased vegas and got passed that initial learning curve. Did a couple of baseball highlight videos for my two boys teams and they were a big hit. I submitted them for a highlights contest the Texas Rangers were having and both videos won. Prize was 50 tickets for each team to go see the Rangers plus a chance to go to spring training. Actually next weekend we are taking the second to see the Rangers. Well lots of folks started asking me if I was going to be doing the same thing next season and that's when I decided to start my business Dvd Dynamix. Bought me a vx2100 last year and started doing weddings this year but still doing sports videos. It's a very rewarding business if you do a good job. Wish I could do it full time but when you have mouths to feed you must do what you must do. For now I'll keep doing it part time. BTW I live in east Texas (Longview).

Hey.

Im 19 and untill a few months ago i was unemployed and about to get kicked out of my flat. Now i work (9 to 5) as a video editor for a company that produces videos of 'glamour' girls for mobile phones. so far i have been able to go on shoots in thailand, ibiza and prague and work with some very high profile glamour models in the UK. i consider myself a very lucky boy!

This is a great forum!
 

Hi All,

I'm in Arizona. This is my first post. I'm "learning by lurking". I'm the retired president of American Cable & Telephone Inc., a firm I created in 1994. In a nutshell, I'm a product of the old Bell System and I speak telephone and computer.

I'm still shopping for my first serious camera. The terminology is new here, but I'm picking it up. My only exposure so far is taking some footage from an old JVC camcorder and running it thru Moviemaker to add flourishes. Nothing very demanding.

I'll probably never see the classifieds because I do not post often....can't learn if you're not listening. I stumbled upon this site by accident. I'm impressed.

Frank Davenpoprt

Like Frank D, I am shopping ... that's a lie, I know what I want ... I am SAVING for my first real camera (XL2).

I'm in my mid 30's and I work for myself. When I decided to finally go to college back in '96, I paid my way through by opening a Tattoo shop in the little town where I attended college. Once I graduated, I sold the shop to my apprentice, moved to a bigger city (Birmingham) and started a new web design and hosting company. Oh, I went to Auburn University and studied Pre-Med with the intention of going to med school .... dang computers pulled me away from that idea.

From 1999 to 2002 I went back to school in Birmingham (UAB and Herzing) and studied Computer Information Systems (waste of a degree and money IMO) and Computer Network Technology (I will never use this degree, but I sure learned heaps!).

The whole time I was back in school I was still running my design and hosting business and really getting into video editing (been using Vegas for several years / versions). More and more clients wanted to put video on their site and it kind of forced me to learn how to edit video ... I have a really bad habit of saying "Sure! I can do that!" then sweating it later as I pack more skill sets into my tiny and over-worked excuse for a brain.

Eventually I bought a little palm-corder (a Canon Elura) just to shoot really simple videos that were just going to end up on the web. Nothing for clients, mind you, just family and fun stuff.

Well, the more I tinker with that little camera, the more interested I become in shooting professional video, perhaps one day for a living. Heck, I've even started to rethink my whole business structure ... to include small business video services. While I don't have any real skill behind a real camera, I do have a TON of editing experience and I have become quite proficient with Vegas and After Effects.

I write music, too, and maybe with a lot of experimenting once I get the new cam and the help of all the kind folks here @ DVi, I can step up to full-time one-man video production.

Sam B ... it certainly DOES sound like you are a very lucky boy. What a great intro to production! ;)

Time on my hands, so I'll join in...
 

(More of a brief history than what my occupation is).

I was downsized from a Fortune 100 company in the financial services business after 28 years there. Worked mostly with mainframe (COBOL & JCL) systems, doing design, development, maintenance, production coordination, testing, and training. (Became fluent in PowerPoint then for training classes, used it through college, and still use it today). Before leaving, got diploma in client/server programming, but by then, all those jobs had been taken by folks younger than me. COBOL was dead/dying, so they let me go.

Since leaving (being asked to leave?), I've finally completed my college degree (BA in Speech Communication). (Even took 3rd, then 1st place in speaking competitions there). Did a few short-term temp jobs, but due to my age, found no one interested in hiring me. Studied with a well-known voice-over teacher in NYC for a bit, who recommended I try standup comedy. Did a few PSAs, but never pursued a demo tape. After lots of encouragement from family and friends, I decided to delve into video on my own, a long-time passion I've had.

At present, I work part-time for a national hardware/home-supply retail chain. Despite that, and because it pays so little, I consider myself unemployed. (Thank goodness my spouse has an excellent job).

Presently expect to market myself first at legal video - not creative, but relatively easy work. Otherwise, am researching/buying equipment while building my home studio. I get occassional gigs from a local indie, mostly as a "go'fer", but have recently picked up camera work. (I recently got my HVX). Need to advertise and expand my network of contacts. Created "Ad Hoc Video Services" as my business name, but no advertising, as yet.

Also, on voice coach's recommendation, am slowly developing a stand-up act, which may very well be my first real "solo" production done in my home studio . When done, perhaps I'll show it here, but don't hold your breath. (Whoever said this was right: Comedy is hard).

Have been using Pinnacle Studio 9 Plus for a couple of years, but outgrew that sooner than I had $$ to replace it. Always looking for more experience and more contacts. If you're in NJ/PA/NY metro area and need an exta hand, extra camera, or someone to sit at a mixer, contact me. If I'm available, I'll do what I can to help. (Once I get my new computer w/Adobe PPro 2.0 and Cineform Aspect HD, I may even be willing to take on editing).

Best wishes to all.

advertising art director in L.A.

I'm still a student, but I've already been lead director or master switch operator on 2 small circuit shows, produced a dozen or so IMAG shows, sat behind countless consumer MiniDV cameras, DVCam, HDV, P2, SP, SX, DigiB, XDCam... all on my list of accomplishments. I've hauled an old SP on my shoulder with refugee children grabbing at me ankles, and had the wildest of friends dance like monkies for my lens. I'm still learning, but still make $$ for consultation gigs... I've sat behind small PA systems and large 64 and 128 channel audio consoles... leaned my head into a speaker and switched a mic on the fly. Swung a boom off the side of a mountain flew a jib off the stern of a boat. Cant wait until I can drive.

C. R. N. A.
 

That's my main job - certified registered nurse anesthetist. I'm the one who gives you general or regional anesthesia for surgical procedures or baby deliveries. VERY left brained, but I love it and some day wish to do a documentary on it. Meanwhile, I am practicing with family video/photo creations and doing things free for friends. So I am here to learn everything I can!

What a great question!
 

It’s fun to keep coming back here to read the stories.
I was born an artist. At age twelve I was hell bent on becoming a cartoonist. Then at age 15 (1971) I saw Ivan the Terrible on public television and immediately decided to become a filmmaker. I studied every topic I could, watched foreign films. In high school I majored in art and theater. Went on to tech school and studied television production. Then fell in with the right crowd; a bunch of film students. Together we worked on 16mm adventures and they taught me everything they knew.
My first job was with an advertising agency making animated versions of the ads for research testing. Eventually I started making social documentaries for marketers to understand the depth and quirks of consumer behavior. In 1998 I was sent to Russia to make a film about the immerging market in Eastern Europe.
While I was there it seemed my life had completed a full circle; a Russian movie got me interested in filmmaking which ultimately got me sent to Russia to make a movie.
I’m still at it but now I am freelance with my own company. Market research films are still my bread and butter but now the projects are spiced up with music videos and other interesting documentaries.
If you really want to make a career of making movies there are three steps I would recommend. First: You don’t need to go to film school but there is a lot to learn so study. Second: Get the right contacts; build a circle of like-minded people. Third: Stop saying you want to “get into film” or you want to “become a filmmaker” and start saying that you are a filmmaker.

Kurt:

Your last three sentences should be tattooed on every aspiring filmmaker's interior eyelids.

Electrical Project Engineer/Home audio-visual producer

News Photographer

it's all about me (well, and my partner)
 

I have three jobs:
1. a secretary at an after school tutoring program for kids ($$)
2. a FILMMAKER (yay!) for the Regional Science Consortium at Presque Isle State Park.
3. stepmom

I have way too much education, and it gets me into trouble regularly.
(10 years in higher ed. obtaining a bachelors in both biology and cinematography from Edinboro University, then a master's in Science & Natural History Filmmaking from Montana State)

I don't think job #1 will ever pay off the debts of #2!!

I own a 2 man show in my hometown, you can find us at: www.moonfirefilmproductions.com

I am a video/post production artist.

I work at a communication company called SoftMirage and also with the joint company SM Sold that does 3D conceptual renderings and videos, websites, and video/DVD production. I obviously only do the latter part and work with luxury real estate clients, land developers, and misc. clients, and produce luxury property videos, land development videos, sales/promotional videos and also our podcast. The corporate videos that I produce and sometimes replicate are usually a mixture of HDV video and photos with animated text and/or graphics. I operate the HDV Sony Z1-U camera, we rent a 0.6x wide-angle lens and occasionally a MicroDolly Jib, and I use the programs Sony Vegas 6, DVD Architect 3, Adobe Premiere 2, After Effects 7, Audition 2, Encore DVD 2, Photoshop CS, and Illustrator CS.

www.softmirage.com
www.smsold.com

I do contract work as an audio/visual tech for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, mostly working in the Mobile District office, but occasionally I get to do documentary-type field work. We have some nice cameras (though nothing HD yet) and loads of incredible (if all-PC) software -- Premiere Pro 2.0, Adobe CS2 package, Studio 8, Lightwave, etc. I'm trying to learn 3D animation during my lunch breaks, which is proving difficult, and every penny I earn and don't spend is going toward an HVX and the machine I need to edit. Well, it's probably more like two-thirds of every penny...

Thought I'd update my 'job' as my entry on page 13 is no longer relevant. Upon leaving that job, I started up my own gig:

I own a small production company doing a lot of documentary inspired stuff (and some indy projects now and then).

I'm also a musician, but anymore that could really be considered my day job. It's consuming more and more of my time (in a good way) and is paying the bills. Getting ready to tour up in a month or so.

What I do
 

I got/am getting my foot in the door with news (which is what's paying the bills). Always going somewhere and doing something, which is good, and I'm getting paid to do what I love...shooting and editing..in a fast paced short timeline sort of way...sometimes I hate that I can't put more of myself into each story, and have to rush.

I starting my freshman year in college photoging for a local station, ended up directing live daily newscasts. I'm now in Huntsville photoging for a local station here.

Four years now I've been doing whatever people will pay me for, mostly weddings of friends that know people...you know. Some promotional videos, and I actually did a 30 second spot for a non-profit that I work with that got some major (free) airtime! That's been my highlight sofar..that and a mini documentary that I did for class which the same non-profit uses for the purpose of a promo video.

I'm now 3 months out of college and starting to build up my gear..the one problem with working in news...not a whole to lot of money for to do that.
I do have a MacBookPro with FCP to edit on and a used JVC GY-DV500U...I just ordered a JVC (Yes, I've become a fan) GY-HD100U so hopefully that'll be all the reviews crack it up to be...and with that the sky pretty much becomes the limit...I've NEEDed a second camera for a while now...it'll make production go so much more smoothly not having to dig one up, and why not go with an HD?

Right now it's just good to have a hobby that helps pay for itself (at least a little). I do plan on getting more into it as I continue to build my equipment list. It'll probably be slow going for the next year or two I figure, and we'll see...Wedding become old quick so I'll probably stick with documentaries and promo stuff.
One thing is, I don't want to wait too long for fear that I'll get settled in and lose that dream. It's one of those things that doesn't come to you (usually), you have to want and GO GET!

I recently got out of the Airforce where I was an anti terrorism specialist and now my civilian day job consists of designing specialized, detailed maps for uh...we'll just say a certain agency. Ive been shooting video for a few years now and worked on a training video for the Airforce before I got out. Ive started off doing EPK work and music videos for unsigned bands and a couple short films. I am working on doing this full time so I can get away from what I currently do.

Computer hardware and networking. Helping raise our 4.5 year old. Filmmaking is a hobby, writing is my forte.

I've been in the IT business since 1995. Started out with fun (web design and graphics) but ended up following the money to programming (not fun). Hoping to work my way out and into the wide world of editing.

A highly interesting post...

As for me, emergency physician & entrepreneur, filmmaker

What do you do for a living?
 

Self declared filmmaker. (I haven´t run out of money yet, so don´t have to do some whack desk job or sell all my earthly belongings yet...)

Regards
Van Zijl

What do you do for a living?
 

Monday through Friday I make sure you guys have what to watch your video productions on... I'm a certified electronics engineering technician for one of the big screen manufacturers. Honesty, I'd rather be full time "on the other end"... the filming end...

Yeah, I'm 21, newly married, and film commercials for a living.

I did web and tech jobs for my dads jewelry store here in Buffalo, NY, and hes always been big on advertising.

When we started branching out and became a marketing company, it was too expensive to pay a production agency to send a guy out to other states, and it made sense to be able to film new commercials for his store anytime we wanted.

I took classes on computer art during my early years of high school up at the local college, and I knew digital editing software(The Adobe software line) well enough to turn around and teach it senior year. I took my first photography class in Senior year, half way through the year they tore apart the dark room, and the cameras went digital. If even the schools were getting rid of film, that really said something. When my dad proposed purchasing a camera and doing our own commercials, I said lets go for it.

The marketing company has produced a DVD which my name isnt on(it was filmed with a sony handycam(DCR-HC20) and $20 microphones) and while I'll admit to making it, it looks and sounds horrible. Hoping to have an opportunity to refilm it in the near future.

I'm just finishing my first commercial, and looking forward to the travel that may come with the next.

Im getting by doing the work. Hope to do some independent music videos/short movies soon.

-Steve hoffman
Leg Up Marketing LLC.
http://www.brandingisnotanoption.com