Digital Video - March 2009 - (Page 29)

character in a script you’re planning to write. If you come to a part of the book that just doesn’t make sense, open the second book, find the section that discusses the same topic and read that. If it still doesn’t make sense, go to the third book and do the same. Nine times out of ten, with three separate authors discussing the same topic, the subject will become clear to you. If it still isn’t clear, you can turn to the Internet. Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com) is an extraordinary resource (although not always accurate on obscure subjects; as with anything online, you need to multi-source). There is also the Movie Making Manual (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Filmmaking). Nearly every discipline in the industry has a forum and online society dedicated to it — and answers can be found to nearly all of your questions. The more educated and specific you are with your questions, the better responses you’ll get from forums. Asking “What is an fstop” in a cinematography forum is likely to invoke snarky responses like “Google it!” but “How might shooting a scene at f/5.6 achieve deeper blacks?” should elicit much more detailed and thoughtful answers. When you have a clear understanding of the previously confusing or vague topic, return to the first book and pick up where you left off. Be sure to journal your findings. When you finish the first book, read the second book cover to cover and repeat the procedure by referencing the third (and rereferencing the first book) if you get confused. By the time you get to the third book, it's your choice to read cover to cover (never a bad idea) or skim through the chapters to glean new information or insight. It’s also never a bad idea to re-read the first book when you’re done with the third. You’ll be surprised how much more you’ll pick up on a second read with a new perspective. In addition, such Web sites as Lynda.com or ClassonDe mand.com offer extraordinary training videos for specific software key to many film disciplines. Look for forums, such as dvforums.com, where other aspiring filmmakers and professionals are discussing your specific interest. There is a wealth of information out there to be had. Google is your friend, my fellow filmie. A common suggestion is to take the money you'd otherwise invest in a film school and invest it in your own filmmaking. While I support this concept of get-out-and-do-it wholeheartedly, this application of it is often unrealistic. Most people can't afford college to begin with and will need to take out heavy loans to pay for college. Taking out large loans to fund your own films is not recommended. Getting into debt, however you do it, is not a good way to get an education. However, I do highly recommend making your own films — as many as you can: shorts, music videos, commercials and features (if you can) to gain experience before you try to make it in Hollywood. DV You’ll find an Jay’s suggested reading list on our site. Visit DV online. ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT AUDIO-TECHNICA 1800 SERIES CAMERA-MOUNT WIRELESS Audio-Technica’s new 1800 Series dual-channel camera-mount wireless microphone systems feature UHF reception with 996 frequencies selectable in 25 kHz steps, automatic frequency scanning, Tone Lock™ squelch, two independent balanced outputs, headphone monitor output, more. CONTACT: www.audio-technica.com mediaproduction@atus.com • 330-686-2600 http://www.Lynda.com http://www.classondemand.com http://www.classondemand.com http://www.wikipedia.com http://www.forums.com http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Filmmaking http://www.dv.com http://www.audio-technica.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - March 2009

Digital Video - March 2009 Contents MX02 Instant Expert First Look: EOS 5D Mark II Powerlight 1735W Color by the Numbers A Versatile Disc Indeed Slice/Dice DV101 Production Diary

Digital Video - March 2009

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