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It's
still not too late to join our October video biography workshops! |
They're
coming from Arizona, Massachusetts, New York and Texas, and on October 17th
they'll converge on Tucson, Arizona for the last Family Legacy Video video
biography workshops of 2008. There's still room for more, but with the October 4
registration deadline approaching you need to act fast. Don't miss this perfect
opportunity to learn how to create video biographies from some of the masters of
the field!
Here's what's happening:
Create Your Own Video Biography (October 17-19): A comprehensive introduction to
the video biography production process. Family Legacy Video's president, Steve
Pender, is joined by video veterans Dan
Crapsi and Ginny Temple. You'll leave this three-day event with the
inspiration and information you need to start your own video biography project.
The Business of Video Biographies (October 20): Steve shares his experience
in the video bio business, answers your questions and helps you brainstorm
ideas for your personal history video business. Graphic designer Dan Blumenthal
shows how to create two keys to marketing success: a logo and a graphic identity
for your company.
Why attend a Family Legacy Video workshop?
Our workshops are unique - the only ones we know of that focus entirely
on the video biography process.
The workshops are comprehensive - leaving you with knowledge and hands-on
experience that will jumpstart your video biography hobby or business.
The workshops are great fun - you'll have a blast learning professional
video biography tips and techniques AND you'll meet some terrific people in the
process.
Family Legacy Video workshops don't happen every day - our October workshops
will be the last ones scheduled for this year.
Like to learn more and see what past participants have to say about their
workshop experiences? Check out Family Legacy Video's
workshop page.
One more thing - Tucson is a great place to visit in October. You'll find a
list of links to Tucson-area attractions at the bottom of the workshop page.
Once again, the final registration deadline is October 4. We'll keep
registration open as long as we have class space, but please phone
(888.662.1294) or e-mail to
check on availability if you decide to register after Oct. 4.
Don't wait - register today!
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Family Legacy Video's Steve
Pender gets some ink. |
If you happened to glance at the classified section of the Arizona Daily Star on
Sunday, September 21, you would've spotted Steve Pender on the front page. Each
Sunday, the Star gives one local entrepreneur the chance to explain why he or
she loves her job - and on the 21st Steve was given a chance to expound on his
passion for video biographies. The article is below:
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Jump cuts:
Now you see 'em - now you don't. |
So you're watching a taped interview on the evening news. The interview subject
starts to answer a question, but after about ten words the position of her head
suddenly changes from leaning forward
to leaning backward. Then, after a few more words, her head suddenly tilts to
the left. The audio sounds fine, so what's going on with the video?
What's going on is this: When they got the tape back to the studio, the producer
and editor decided to slice and dice the interview a bit. Maybe the subject made
a mistake that needed to be
eliminated; maybe the producer decided to slap the beginning of one answer onto
the end of another; maybe the answer ran too long so the producer had to trim a
bit to stay within a defined time.
Whatever the reason, the driving factor behind the editing was the audio. And if
you closed your eyes and listened to the interview again you probably wouldn't
guess it had been edited. But with
your eyes open, the edits are obvious. These kinds of edits are called "jump
cuts" - because the video image seems to jump at the point of the edit. Jump
cuts can be pretty ugly and distracting.
But there are ways to apply a little video "sleight of hand" to either hide the
jump cuts or at least minimize them.
Cover 'em up:
The best way of dealing with jump cuts is to hide them under visuals. If you
have photos, films or other visuals that apply to the subject being discussed,
insert them before the jump cuts occur
and continue with them on screen until it makes sense to return to your
interview subject. If you don't have photos, you might be able to construct
something - maybe a text screen that has some
relevant information. Whatever you use, just make sure it relates to the topic
at hand. Throwing in a visual that doesn't pertain to what's being covered in
the interview distracts your viewers
from what's being said. Choose the right visuals, however, and they'll
reinforce and enhance the interview while hiding those distracting jump cuts.
Your viewers will be none the wiser.
Smooth 'em out:
What if you really need to make a cut but you don't have a visual to use as
cover? In this case, your best option is to "soften" the cut. One way to do this
is to place a dissolve at the cut point.
The duration of the dissolve could be as short as three to four frames (known as
a "soft cut") or as many as ten. You'll have to experiment and see what looks
best to you. While it'll be obvious to
viewers that you're making a cut, at least it'll be easier on their eyes.
Another technique you can use is known as a "white flash." Using your editing
software, or graphics software like Photoshop, create a graphic screen that is white. Place the screen at the point
of the interview edit, let it sit for a
few frames, and then dissolve back to the interview. Experiment to see what
looks best to you. You might even want to dissolve to the white screen a few
frames before the cut, let it linger for several frames, and then use a longer
dissolve as you return to your interview. The white flash will help "dress up"
the cut a little and make it less distracting.
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