Here's how you reach the theatre:

• First, click here.

• Decide which clip you'd like to view. NOTE: Please be patient - you may need to wait a few seconds before a clip plays.

• Enjoy the clip!

The Family Legacy Video™ Theatre is always open, and YOU decide when the show begins.

PS - If you have any difficulties playing the clips, please let us know.

Q: Dear Steve,
The video clip "A Toad Story" is a new addition to your Family Legacy Video™ Theatre. I have a few of questions about it:

1. How did you mic the subjects? The voices are rich. Lav, wireless, shotgun? Where did you put the microphones?
2. I see the hair light but cannot tell how many other lights you used. Mind sharing that?
3. You elected to have the interviewer on screen. What was your thought process there?
4. On another topic: While I have purchased your musical CD, I am getting double answers on other music I want to use. If the music is in the client's personal library, I understand that I can use it with no infringement penalties. Is that true? How do I go about getting approval to use other copyrighted music that is not in the public domain?

As always, an excellent newsletter and great information.

- - Jeannie P., Houston, TX

A: Hi, Jeannie.
Thanks for writing - I’m glad you’re enjoying the e-newsletter. Here are some answers for you:

1. Lavalieres (also known as lapel microphones), mounted on the lapels of their jackets.

2. Off hand, I’d say we had a key light for each. Each key light also served as a fill light for the other person. We used a couple of back lights and then a number of background lights.

3. I’ve created several videos that are conversational in nature. That’s what the client wanted for this video, and luckily one of the brothers was very good at keeping the conversation going. I was there to prompt and guide them. The conversational style can often be done for a lower cost than a full documentary. While it does require two cameras, there is less work in post production.

4. You should not use any music that is not in the public domain and to which you do not have the rights. Synchronization rights (the right to synchronize music with film or video) are different than the rights to play music that you’ve purchased for personal use. Anyone who tells you that you can use your client’s music without securing synchronization rights is wrong. Only if your client owns the rights to the music and then gives you permission to use it would that be legal.

This is why I license and use music from a stock music library. No fuss, no muss. There are agencies you can contact to arrange licensing for non-public domain music. One that comes to mind is BZ Rights. Be aware that this can be an expensive proposition, however. Unfortunately, music publishers don’t make it easy for smaller producers to secure music rights. Someday we may be able to pay an annual licensing fee to use any music we’d like – but that day hasn’t come yet. Lots of wedding video companies, and, I’m sure, video biographers, use music without obtaining the proper rights. I don’t do that. For me, it’s an ethical and moral issue, as well as a practical one – I don’t want to risk being burned someday if and when music publishers decide to crack down on small video producers.