How to create web videos without breaking your budget
You don't need to spend a lot to get started creating your own web videos... For example, the video below was produced using a $40 camera, $30 worth of lights, and an $89 video editing software program: Here's what you need to know so you can get started creating high quality web videos of your own - without breaking your budget... Creating Web Videos on a Budget - The Camera
RCA Small Wonder EZ101
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So what is the mystery $40 camera? It's the RCA Small Wonder EZ101 (the actual manufacturer is Thomson Multimedia). It fits in the palm of your hand, runs on a pair of double A batteries, and lets you record up to 30 minutes of digital video directly to the camera's memory. This means no video tape is required. The EZ101 uses the MPEG-4 XVID codec to capture video at a resolution of 448 x 336, at 30 frames per second. It records audio at a bit rate of 64kbps. The audio quality isn't too bad, especially when you consider that the microphone is built into the camera's case. Of the two, however, the video quality is much better than the audio. When you're done recording and you're ready to edit or upload your videos to the web, just plug the camera directly into your PC via the camera's built-in USB arm which allows you to easily transfer the video files to your computer. The EZ101 offers minimal control. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. This minimalist approach keeps things simple with just four buttons: Power, Play, Record, Delete, and a four-way directional pad for digital zooming and scrolling through record videos. That's it. It retails for $129.99, although you can find it for less if you shop around. You can sometimes find the EZ101 for much less on eBay where I bought mine for $40 with a "Buy It Now" from user douglasd02. Inexpensive and easy-to-use, the EZ101 lets you record up to 30 minutes of video in normal or even poorly lit conditions. The newer EZ105 offers a few more features, including a tripod mount and the ability to record up to 60 minutes of video. While perfect for recording quick little movies and sending them to friends or uploading to the web, it may not be the best choice for more serious presentations where professionalism and audio quality are important. Consider a MiniDV camcorder such as the Panasonic PV-GS180 ($450-$500) if you're on a budget, but you're looking for a more "serious" camera with a lot of useful features that can help you get very good results. At the very least, make sure the camera you buy has a mic jack so you can plug in an external lavalier microphone which will give you much better audio. But for forty bucks, the Small Wonder is terrific camera to have around for those quick and easy shots that you wouldn't want to miss. (For more, see: How to Buy a Camcorder) Creating Web Videos on a Budget - LightingProfessional lighting solutions can easily run you thousands of dollars. And poor lighting is one of those things that can make a solid production look like amateur hour. But I have found that you really don't need to spend a lot on your lighting to get good results for your web videos. For the video above, I implemented a "quick and easy" lighting set-up. I had two lights positioned approximately six feet away from me, attached to a drawing easel 2-3 feet to the right of the camera. One was at eye level, while the other was about six feet up, pointing down at me. When you place the lights off to the side of the camera, you will get subtle shadows on the subject. This helps to add dimension, keeping the talent's face from looking "flat." For this video, I made use of three lights:
Dirt-cheap clip-on lights
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1. A basic clip-on desk lamp - You can find these in most discount stores for about ten bucks. 2. An incandescent clamp light - The kind you'd use if you were working under the hood of your car or painting a bedroom. I bought it at Home Depot and paid about the same, approximately $10. 3. A ceiling light - My desk is positioned underneath a ceiling fan with a globe light. This served as my "hair light." Also referred to as the "back light," the hair light is usually positioned above (and behind) the talent to help bring your subject out from the background. The secret to getting decent color using such cheap lights is to use the right kind of bulbs. Look for full spectrum light bulbs which duplicate sunlight, providing a light similar to natural daylight produced by the north sky at noon. Full-spectrum light is light that covers the entire spectrum from low ultraviolet to infrared and above. Generally speaking, sunlight is considered full spectrum lighting. Look for bulbs with a color temperature in the 5200K - 6000K range. Color temperature refers to the quality of light produced by an artificial light source. It is represented by by the number of degrees Kelvin, based on the Kelvin color temperature scale.
Philips Natural Light bulbs
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The color temperature of outside light usually varies from 5000K to 6000K, depending on the time of day, weather, season, etc. The higher the color temperature, the bluer (cooler) the appearance. The lower the color temperature the redder (warmer) it's appearance. After much trial and error, I found that the best results can be had by using a combination of different Philips' Natural Light bulbs. I sometimes incorporate full spectrum fluorescent light bulbs. Each of these cost just a few bucks each, and can usually be found in stores such as Home Depot and WalMart. Creating Web Videos on a Budget - Video Editing Software
Movie Studio 7
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If you are planning to do a lot of work with video, and you don't yet have a decent video editing program, then I have a recommendation for you: Sony Vegas Movie Studio 7 + DVD Platinum Edition Before discovering VMS7, I had been using the full-blown "big brother" to Movie Studio, Sony Vegas 7, which runs $400+. However, I am now doing most of my web video editing work with the full-featured Movie Studio, which you can find for around $90. The Platinum Edition comes with extra features and bonuses (e.g., a training DVD), and $200 worth of bonus software. A colleague of mine who is a real video pro recently brought VMS7 to my attention. I have VMS4, but hadn't used it for a while. I recently downloaded the trial version of VMS7, and was quickly impressed. Movie Studio 7 actually has most of the basic features available in Vegas, but it's easier to use, runs quicker, and won't consume as much of your computer's resources as the professional Sony Vegas 7.
Tracks and timeline in Sony Vegas Movie Studio 7 Platinum
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I especially like VMS7 because of the built-in, interactive tutorials that walk you through the entire video editing process. This is how I learned the basics of video editing back when I started with Movie Studio 4. So if you haven't yet purchased a video editing program, or you're not thrilled with the one you have, I recommend you spend the $90 on Sony Vegas Movie Studio 7 + DVD Platinum Edition. But don't buy it from Sony, as they want $119.95 for it. You'll want to shop around instead. At the very least, I suggest you download and experiment with the unrestricted 30 day free trial. Just make sure you spend an hour or two on the tutorials, first. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Creating Web Videos on a Budget - SummaryIn the hands of an experienced professional, the right tools can result in a masterpiece. But when it comes to web video, you're probably not looking to create a masterpiece - you want results, quickly - without having to waste time or a small fortune in the process. So if you're just getting started, you want to buy: 1. A good (not great) camera 2. Some basic clip-on lights and full spectrum light bulbs 3. Sony Vegas Movie Studio 7 + DVD Platinum Edition If and when you master the basics, you can always buy fancier, more expensive equipment. But for now, save your money, and focus on creating powerful little videos that will add value to your web site and get you big results.
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WVZ Control Panel
