TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward

Chapter 1 - Types of Videos

    A Bit of History

    Types of Videos

        The Performance Video   

            The Video Mirror

            The Performance Clip Video

        The Music Video

        The EPK

        User Generated Content

            The Mash-Up

Chapter 2 - Video Basics

    The Camcorder

        The Lens

        The Imager

        The Recorder

            DVD Camcorders

            Mini-DV Tape-based Camcorders

            Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Camcorders

            Solid State (Flash, Memory Card) Camcorders

            Old School Camcorders

    Camcorder Specs

        The Codec

        Common Video Formats

        Video Resolution

            Why Resolution Is So Important

        The Scanning System

        Frame Rate

        Camera Light Levels

        Useful Camera Features

    Camera Accessories

        The Tripod - Your Second Most Important Purchase

            Different Types of Tripods

        Batteries

        Headphones

Chapter 3 - Camera Operation

    Setting Up The Camera

        White Balance

        Color Temperature

        Frame Rate (sometimes called Shutter Speed)

        Audio Resolution

    Adjustable Settings

        Zoom

        Focus

        Iris

            The Correct Exposure

            Depth-of-Field

    The Film Look

    Using The Tripod

    Basic Camera Technique

        Shot Types

            The Extreme Wide Shot

            The Very Wide shot

            The Wide Shot

            The Mid Shot

            The Medium Close-Up

            The Close-Up

            The Extreme Close-Up

            The Cutaway

            The Cut-In

            The Two-shot

            The Over-the-Shoulder Shot

            The Nod Shot

            The Point-of-View Shot

            The Weather Shot

        Composing The Shot

            The Rule Of Thirds

            Leading Room

            Horizontal/Vertical Lines

            The 4 T’s

            Headroom

            Cutting Off The Chin

            Avoid “Firehosing”

            Avoid Backlighting

        Shooting Technique

        The Three Learning Stages of a Cameraman

   

Chapter 4 - Audio For Video

    Using The Microphone On The Camera

    Using External Microphone To Record A Band

    Using External Microphones To Record Dialog

        Using a Lav

        Using a Boom Mic

        Using a Mic on a short Stand

    Using An External Audio Feed

        Using a Feed From the Mixing Board   

    Recording The Audio Wild

        Using a Hand-held Recorder

        Using a Multitrack Recorder

            A Simple Track Sheet

            It’s Time To Mix

        Keeping The Audio And Picture In Sync

            SMPTE Time Code

            The Clapboard

            The Handclap

            The Camera Flash

            Setting The Audio On Multiple Cameras

Chapter 5 - Lighting Basics

    Types of Lights

        Soft Light

        Hard Light

    Types of Lighting Kits

        Photographic Lights

        Video Lights

        Stage or Theatrical Lights

        Types of Light Fixtures and Bulbs

            Be Careful

    It’s All About Contrast

        Video Versus Home Lighting

    The 3 Point Lighting Setup

        The Key Light

        The Fill Light

        The Back Light

    Four Point Lighting

        The Background Light

    DIY Lighting Kit

        The Lights

        Diffusion

        Reflectors

        Power

Chapter 6 - Production

    The Crew

        Hiring The Crew

            Be Straight About What You Need

            Film or Video Experience - It’s Not The Same

            Get Some References

    Preparing For The Shoot

        The Treatment

        The Script

        The Storyboard

        The Budget

        The Shot List

Chapter 7 - Post-Production

    Post-Production Steps

    Digital Editing Systems Overview

        Hardware

            PC Minimum Requirements

            Mac Minimum Requirements

            The Essential External Drive

            The Computer To Hard Drive Interface

            Hard Drive Speed

            Drive Capacity

        Video Editing Software   

            What to Look For in Editing Software

    Video Post

        Basic Editing Techniques

            Types of Edits   

            Transition Tips

            Use Your B-roll

            Living In The Age of Quick Cuts

        Stock Footage

        Video Graphics

            Still Graphics

            Title Safe/Action Safe

            Still Libraries

        Motion Graphics

            The Graphics Package

        The Editor

            Finding The Right Editor

    Audio Post   

           

Chapter 8 - Performance Video Production

    Types of Performance Videos

        The Video Mirror

        The Performance Music Video

        The Performance Video Clip

    Purpose of a Performance Video

        Determine Your Progress

        Promote Your Band

        Promote A Song

        Get A Gig

    Performance Video Elements

        Conception

        Storyboard

        Shot List

    Production Concerns

        Check The Venue Lighting

        Don’t Over-light

        B-roll Is So Important

        Shoot Establishing Shots

        Shoot  More Than  One Take

        Shoot More Than You Need

        Audio

    Extra Equipment Needed

        Lighting Gels

        Bring In Some Lights

            500 Watts Is Enough   

        Fog Is A Great Addition

        Audio Gear

    Post-Production Concerns

        Not Enough Coverage

            Use The Shot Again

            Enlarge The Picture

            Use Some B-roll

        Is The Audio Clean?

        Does The Audio Have To Be Mixed

        Syncing The Audio

        Syncing The Cameras

        Finding An Editor

    PaperWork And Agreements

        Crew Agreements

        Location Releases

        Appearance Releases

    A DVD to Check  Out

Chapter 9 - Music Video Production

    Types of Music Videos

    Purpose

    Music Video Elements

        Conception

        The Script

        The Storyboard

        The Shot List

    Extra Equipment Needed

    Production Concerns

        Scout The Location

        Stay On Schedule

        To Lip Sync Or Not

        Camera Audio

        B-roll

        Get Establishing shots

        Shoot More Than One Take

        Using The Green/Blue Screen

    Post-Production Concerns

        Staying in Sync

        Use The Best Audio Quality

        Find The Right Editor

    Paperwork and Agreements

        Location Permits

        Cast Agreements

Chapter 10 - Electronic Press Kit Production

    Purpose

    Press Kit Elements

        Press Kit Electronic Additions

    Putting Together The Kit

        Make It Professional

        Take Care With The Photos

        Shooting The Interview

            Interview Techniques

            Framing The Interview

            The Follow-up

    Extra Equipment Needed

    Production Concerns

        Setting Up The Interview

            Example 1

            Example 2

            Interview Final Check

    Post-Production Concerns

        Dialog Editing

        Video Editing

    Paperwork and Agreements

        Celebrities

    Final Thoughts

   

Chapter 11 - The Final Cut

    Exporting Your Video Master

        Picture Parameters

        Sound (Audio) Parameters

        Why So Many Different Formats?

            File Formats

            Choosing The Best Compression Format For Your Purpose

            16:9 Widescreen Versus Standard 4:3 Screen Size

    Compression Techniques

Chapter 12 - Posting Online

    Places To Post

        Using Tubemogul

    Best Encoding Practices

    Titles, Descriptions and Metadata

    Using Video On Your Site

    User Generated Content

        The Mashup

Glossary