Advice for noob, please...

[Darth Gekido]

I've got a friend who is willing to loan me a camera, and would very much like to post a review of both my Bellicose and my Prophecy V3 (when I get it.) but am a complete NOOB when it comes to working with AV equipment. Anyone willing to offer some advice or pointers? Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I'm even willing to give light-side points!

[TheChosenOne]

Google what a 'White Balance' is and do one of those.

Use a tripod or securely mount the camera, don't hold it. It's awkward to watch things like that, don't get really close to the saber rather go to a distance and zoom in. Will give you a nice depth of field (Sharp subject blurred back ground.)

To edit use Windows Movie Maker (Windows) or iMovie (Mac)

Experience:
Amateur Director,
www.dreamtimefilms.com.au

[Zren Tobas]

I can't help you on this but I hope you figure out a way to do your video. Or have your friend hold the camera if anything else. You got a Prophecy V3 coming in? Will it have all the goodies in it? xp

[Darth Gekido]

@The Chosen One- Thank you so much. Will do. Never would have thought of that.
@Darth Cantus- Yep: DVA, Obsidian sound, Silver FoC. Very Excited!

[ed_ification]

TheChosenOne makes good points.

Some other points from a video editor - make sure that your air conditioner and fans are OFF during recording - the background noise of air movement across the camera mike can be quite annoying and can cause you to lose words.

Also, if you do large movements of your saber or you plan on moving around a lot, keep your shot in a wide-frame, otherwise you'll need to edit things.

Keep things happening in your shots.  You don't want to lose your audience as you talk.

Leave yourself enough room to do edits on the start and end of your shots.  A couple of beats before you start talking/moving and after you end a shot will make editing the final together much easier.

I would avoid shooting with the camera plugged in to the wall.  The reason is that standard power cycles at about 60 Hz, and that can produce a hum.  Most batteries will last plenty long enough, though.

Don't forget to light your shots well.

Since you have a silver blade, you'll want a high-contrast background, to make the color show up excellently.

EDIT:  You might consider recording your voice-over stuff separately, so that you can insert it cleanly into the video as you like.

[Darth Gekido]

Thank you very much, Darth Cronfios. Lots of good advice. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I'm practicing with the camera now, hope to have something posted next week sometime (work schedule and holidays permitting, of course!). Point.

[ed_ification]

Absolutely no problem.

I've had to learn stuff through my career through some trial and error - but it hasn't always been positive in results.

Oh yeah - most of the cameras available now have pretty good microphones, but it doesn't hurt to double-check.  Do some test recordings for sound. 

Some also have some really excellent Bluetooth microphones - if your friend has one, I'd give that a whirl as well.

Also, watch your audio levels on the final product - what sounds good on one machine won't always on another.

[Qui-Tom Helms]

Practice!.  Have cue cards or something that reminds you of what you want to talk about.

[jccomedy]

One trick that worked for me was to snap a picture of the lit blade right when the camera turned on.  I used the camera on my phone.  I turned my phone to the camera feature, and as soon as that feature kicked in, I took the picure.  I didn't give it time to focus.  That captured the true color of the blade.  That method only allows for a spit second to take the picture.  The same might work for a regular digital camera.