#HELP ?? New Member
17 messages in this thread
Greetings all,
I've been imployed with a Property Mngt. software company to produce
training videos. Being fortunate to have work in this field and no experience
I've spent the last year becoming familiar with the Amiga and Toaster 2000
w/some other s/hware.
My problem is I've produced 48 min. of simple graphics set to music, an
opening,simple head and shoulder shots, and credit roll but my videos are a
little slow. I'd like to keep this job so I'm searching for info anyone has to
add zest to my productions.
The system I work with is powerful but has major limitations. Example
no timecode. Editing half works but matchframe edits have problems. Content is
provided via script, the rest is up to me.
Anyone who can mentor me I'd more than be happy to listen. Please feel
free to help. I'm becoming frustrated and stagnant. I'm also not sure every
piece to the puzzle works properly.
Exchange ideas or discuss the tools of the trade. Being I only have my
recent work and training all help is appriciated.
Thanks,
Shawn T. Wolfgang
Systems Specialists Inc.
Rockville, MD.
Shawn,
It sounds like you are lacking the tools … Take a good long look at the S ala
products … it is everything (and more) that you'll need for the type o
presentation you described.
-sja
Good day SJA,
<<< It sound like your lacking the tools.>>>
Thanks so much for your reply and your absolutely right. I have a very
simple setup here;
Amiga 2000 (030) Videomedia (VLAN)
Newtek Video Toaster Black Burst
Amilink (editing controller) Clone 386 25 Mhz.
2 JVC BR-S605UB (Feeders (NO timcode)) Turtle Beach Multisound card
1 SONY SVO 9600 (Recorder (YES timecode)) Sound Blaster Pro card
Gemini (PREAMP MIXER) Wave for Windows
Panasonic AG-450 (SVHS Camera) Coconut (scan converter)
My reason for joining your forum was to make contact with others like
me. Who have experience in the world of videomaking (both software and
hardware). Exchange of info would greatly enhance my creative flow.
Our shop is small and the system I work with is basic. Money is slim
and so I make use of what I have. No others here work in videography and what
I've learned I learn hands on.
I'm hoping to connect my ablity with the forums knowledge, to combine
our interests into a profitable career and future. My knowledge will then be
past on to those who have need of help (that is if I keep employment).
Questions I have deal with the quirkiness of our editing sys., good
transitions, script content, basic quality sound, and the like. Maybe you can
direct me to the answers(books, people, nets, and so on). I do have access to
Video Toaster, Computer Pictures, AV Video, and Imaging magazines. Do you read
these publications and what is your opinion of them ?
DTV forum will provide everyone the freedom to teach and be tought and
along the way the industry will profit from the ideas generated here.
One more thing, can you tell me the GO command for this forum ?
Thanks again,
Shawn
Shawn,
Hi and welcome to the DTV Forum. The "Go" word, btw, is "Go DTVFORUM". I
am pretty familiar with AmiLink and the Toaster so if you have any
specific questions please don't hesitate to ask.
As for creativity and entertainment value of your productions I think
Michael has left a very good suggestion. I might add that background
music can add or evoke emotions from the audience. (As a toaster owner
you might remember the excellent use of music in their promotional
videos).
-John
Goood day John,
>>>>Hi and welcome to the DTV Forum. <<<<
Thanks for the welcome John. :-] DTV forum is just what I and many others
like myself use to keep a competative edge and I'm greatful for your work to
provide a place to exchange ideas.
>>>> I am pretty familiar with AmiLink and the Toaster so if you have any
specific questions please don't hesitate to ask.<<<<
How many questions can you field at one time ? :-] Since I've only done
video production for a short time there are still many detials left to answer.
While there's
a lag between productions I'm keeping myself busy testing Lightwave's limits on
this Amiga. Creating small animated objects, textures, surfaces, camera
positions and the like. Animation is HOT and I'd like to add some to my
productions, but my system is limited and slow. Plus when recording to tape
timecode on track two gives me headaches with squeels when played back on a
VCR. Do you Know how to qwell this occurance of unwanted sound.
I would like to ask you whether CG fonts are available over a this network
(freeware or shareware) ?? I could use some thirdparty help to sharpen my luma
keying and graphics or maybe object fonts for animation. Do you have any one
stop shopping tips for me ? Stock Amiga fonts are almost worthless (only my
opinion). :-]]
Here's typing atcha soon, Happy New Year,
Shawn T. Wolfgang
Rockville, MD.
Hi Shawn,
>>> Plus when recording to tape timecode on track two gives me headaches with
squeels when played back on a VCR. Do you Know how to qwell this occurance of
unwanted sound.<<<
Once you have evryting taped on you master and no longer need the timecode,
try doing an audio dub of silence to channel 2. Since I too have LTC timecode
on channel 2 of my recorder I do that alot.
Regards,
Michael W. Towe
Falcon Video Productions
Santee Ca.
Hey Micheal,
>>>>Once you have everything taped on your master and no longer need the
timecode, try doing an audio dub of silence to channel 2.<<<<
What do you mean "no longer need TC" don't you keep it on the tape
indefinitely?
I have tried your suggestion but once I striped the tape and setup a dub for
ch-2
I still ended up with noice at playback on a VCR. I used assemble edit to strip
and insert edit to dub, sound right to you?
Thanks for your input,
Shawn T. Wolfgang
Systems Specialists Inc.
Rockville, MD.
Hi Shawn,
>> What do you mean "no longer need TC" don't you keep it on the tape
indefinitely? <<
The only reason for the TC is so that the edit controller can accsess each
frame. If the editing is done then there is no reason to keep it. Plus it will
free up that channel to add audio. Of course you will have to add it with out
the use of the edit controller since the TC will be gone.
>> I still ended up with noice at playback on a VCR. I used assemble edit to
strip and insert edit to dub, sound right to you?<<
Well thats the way to do it, so it should have worked. The only thing I can
think of is that you didn't have the deck set to dub to channel 2. With my deck
( Sony SVO-9600) I have to do two things to dub to channel 2. First I have to
tell the TC board that channel 2 will be used for audio and not TC. Then I must
set the audio dub channel to channel 2 via a menu.
Hope this helps,
Michael W. Towe
Falcon Video Productions
Santee Ca.
Shawn,
I will bet that there are some public domain CG (Compugraphic) fonts over
in the AmigaArts forum. Another source, albeit commercial, is Micro R&D
produces a 14 or so disk set, with some 300 fonts for about $80. Maybe
your best option would be to get Type Smith from SoftLogic (again this is
commercial stuff) that would allow you to convert the Postscript Type-1
fonts that you have with your toaster to CG format.
What sort of questions do you have about luma-keying? The biggest
tip/trick I can give you is that if you want to use the toaster's DVE with
a luma-keyed graphic or title is to STAY AWAY from colors r0b0g0 if you
are going to key out black or r255b255g255 if you are going to key out
white. If I am going to use the toasters DVE to key CG Pages, I will
typically set my shadow and border colors to r16b16g16 and the background
color (you are using FRAMESTORE as your CG page type) to r0b0g0.
-John
There are a LOT of them (CG Fonts) in Fonts Library of AmigaUSER Forum.
-sja
Good day John,
>>>>I will bet that there are some public domain CG (Compugraphic) fonts over
in the AmigaArts forum.<<<<
Great John I'll look there, only one problem everytime I enter a forum to see
what they have I have to join, (VISIT just won't let me access data) and it all
adds up on the monthy bill. I know I sound CHEAP but I'm not even close to
rich.
Appreciate your suggestions,
Shawn T. Wolfgang
Systems Specialists Inc.
Rockville, MD.
Hi Shawn,
>>> I'm searching for info anyone has to add zest to my productions.<<<
If you can find a way to do it try coming up with a soryline for you
traning video. People like storys and will stay till the end to find out what
happens. If you don't believe me just tune into your local infomercial channel.
Bob who is a little overweight and lonley since he and his wife seperated
now has his eye on Jane at work. His buddy Jim from work shows him how he can
get the girl by using Superflex, a new exersize machine from Bodybuild INC.
After 6 weeks of working out he gets the body he always wanted plus the girl.
And wadaya know…. he also gets that big promotion to top it off, and all is
right with the world :-))) I know is sound corny but it can work.
Givem a good story and they will watch it.
Hope this helps,
Michael W. Towe
Falcon Video Productions
Santee Ca.
Hi Michael –
>>storyline<<
I find myself agreeing with you so much that its scary!
My view is that *every* video production should begin with at least a creative
treatment document, even if it used internally. And should be scripted. I
came across am excellent book which I would recommend everyone starting out
read – "Scriptwriting for High-Impact Videos" by John Morley, Published by
Wadsworth. It emphasizes what you said about needing a storyline, but goes
further addressing the need to focus the storyline in on the objectives of the
production.
Bob
Hi Bob,
>>> "Scriptwriting for High-Impact Videos" by John Morley, Published by
Wadsworth.<<<
Hmmmmmm…..sounds very interesting. I think I will go bug my local book
store owner AGAIN :-))) Thanks for the tip off.
I am a firm beliver that we are all story tellers first and video makers
second.
Regards,
Michael W. Towe
Falcon Video Productions
Santee Ca.
Hi Michael –
>>Scriptwriting for High-Impact Videos<<
My pleasure. The ISBN number is 0-534-15066-7. I found my copy at the Borders
Book chain.
Bob
Michael;
Heres a couple more books you might find very helpful, I did. <G>
"Grammar of the Edit" by Roy Thompson, Focal Press ISBN 0-240-51340-1
and
"Script Planning" by Tony ZaZa, Focal Press ISBN 0-240-80121-0
Best Regards Fm Scubagam
G.E. (OB) O'Brien Underwater Video Productions
Why thanks G.E. looks like I go bug the folks at the book store again 🙂
Regards,
Michael W. Towe
Falcon Video Productions
Santee Ca.