One medium for all
Video Production: You no longer need a large budget to create a presentation using moving images. Thanks to digital technology, filmmaking is accessible to anyone who knows how to use it.
Video production A presentation in moving images no longer requires a large budget. Thanks to digital technology, the medium of film is open to anyone who knows how to use it. Now that digital photography has long since conquered the communications and media industry, the analog age is also passé for video productions. Film projects are now digital, from recording to post-production and distribution. Image and sound are captured with a digital video camera, edited on a Mac or PC and output to DVD or DV tape, if not distributed via the Internet. Today, celluloid is only used when big cinema is involved, as digital film has not yet been able to conquer the big screen, although it is only a matter of time before analog projectors disappear from movie theatres. Last year, Zurich's Abaton cinema dared to go digital with Roland Emmerich's "The Day After Tomorrow", and other cinemas will follow suit in the next few years, despite the high investment required. Television is also about to be replaced - experts believe that the 2006 FIFA World Cup will help digital high-definition television to make its breakthrough in Europe. In Japan and the USA, TV stations have long been broadcasting programs in HDTV (High Definition TV).
Faster and also cheaper
While the impact of digitization in private households remains limited (apart from DVDs), the consequences for content providers are far-reaching. In a conventional production with 16 or 35 millimeter film, not only the consumables are expensive, but also the camera rental and film editing. Digital production incurs lower costs. As a rule, it can be realized with a smaller team and in less time.
There are massive savings to be made in post-production, i.e. in editing and post-production. There is no need for expensive special hardware for film editing, an inexpensive computer is already suitable as an editing station. And even for optimal working conditions, you don't need a high-end workstation. In addition to the processor, a fast data throughput is crucial for performance. A Sata hard disk (for Windows users) can cope with large amounts of data and the new, fast PCI Express data bus is suitable for connecting peripherals.
Keep your eyes open when buying a camera! The camera is an essential part of the required hardware: the main focus here is on the image chip. Better quality is provided by models that capture the image with a separate CCD (see box) for red, green and blue - but only if the lens is of the highest quality. Other important factors are the size of the camera and its handiness. In addition to a reliable automatic mode, it should be possible to set the aperture and shutter speed, sharpness and white balance manually. The relevant controls must be easy to reach. The fact that the camera offers image effects (black and white, sepia, strobe, etc.) is completely superfluous - these effects can be added in post-production if necessary. Much more important, however, are a high-quality microphone that does not record the camera's own noise and a connection for an external microphone. Whether a viewfinder or (fold-out) display is a question of preference. In bright sunlight, however, cameras with a viewfinder have an advantage, as it is then almost impossible to see anything on the display.
Rewarding real-time preview
In the Apple world, tools for movie editing are supplied with the operating system. Although designed for home users, iMovie offers solid basic functions and the new "HD" version can even edit high-resolution films with a maximum of 1080 image lines. The clear user interface makes it easy to get started; compared to the much more complex professional program Final Cut, iMovie is much quicker to get to grips with.
For more demanding users who also like to work with effects, Apple offers the Final Cut Express HD editing program. The real-time preview calculates transitions, image manipulation and various filters in real time.
Apple has just introduced Final Cut Studio, a complete HD video production suite for the highest demands. In addition to the most important tool Final Cut Pro in version 5, the new software package also includes the new audio editing and sound design program Soundtrack Pro as well as a revised version of the motion graphics software Motion (version 2) and the DVD authoring software DVD Studio (version 4). The suite will be available from May. Incidentally, it requires the Mac OS X 10.4 operating system, which will be released at the end of the month.
For Windows computers, Adobe Premiere is the first choice for (semi-)professional use. Premiere Pro 1.5 also allows effects and transitions to be calculated in real time.
Adobe also offers an extensive range of video tools: After Effects is designed for the production of three- or two-dimensional video compositions and, similar to Motion from Apple, allows elaborate graphic animations. Adobe Audition 1.5 is available for editing the soundtrack - this program emerged from Cool Edit Pro, which Adobe acquired through the purchase of the software company Syntrillium. And finally, Adobe also has the right software for DVD authoring: Encore DVD. The Adobe Video Collection software package also includes Premiere Pro and Photoshop CS2.
Inexpensive top software The Microsoft platform also runs a number of inexpensive software products.
tional programs with an excellent price-performance ratio. Video Deluxe from Magix is one of the cheapest and still scores top marks in the tests of the relevant trade journals. Cyberlink PowerDirector, Ulead Videostudio 8, Pinnacle Studio and Adobe's entry-level product Premiere Elements are also inexpensive.
The entry-level editing software Premiere Elements has been available since the beginning of the year. It is easy to learn thanks to its clear interface. Premiere Elements divides the work into different steps and only shows the commands required for reading in the film material, cutting, adding effects or text panels and burning DVDs. The "Procedure" window supports the work, as do the digital assistants, which help, for example, when transferring the film material. The "One Click Capture" function enables the direct design of the film sequence by automatically separating each filmed shot as a separate clip in the timeline.
Just don't embarrass yourselfAs low as the technical hurdles are now - formally, filmmaking is and remains a demanding undertaking. Consistency is not only required for every frame (individual image in the film), but also on the soundtrack, in the sequence, in the concept and in the editing. Compared to digital photography, for example, there are many more sources of error.
It's safe to dismiss it as a PR myth when software manufacturers imply that a project is created virtually by itself thanks to clever software. As a producer, you have to reckon with critical viewers. Audiences accustomed to sophisticated imagery from television and cinema will immediately notice technical flaws; a counterproductive effect is to be expected. The message in a poorly staged play will neither be believed nor appreciated.
> Matthias Schüssler is a journalist and specialist author in Winterthur.
CCD cellCCD components are usually used in digital cameras or video cameras. These charge-coupled devices are charge-sensitive components. They convert light into electrical energy, which is then available as data. George Smith and Willard Boyle (Bell Labs) invented the CCD in 1969. (jf)
Video as a form of expression for everyone? to put it bluntly, "anyone who has something to say or show" can afford a digital video production. For SMEs in particular, this opens up new fields of communication and activity.
Video can be used in a variety of ways: for advertising or PR, documentaries or presentations. The strength of moving images is their emotional impact and authenticity. Filming is often easier than describing something. This is demonstrated by the increasing popularity of multimedia instructions. Distributed inexpensively on DVD or CD-ROM, they deal with their topic not in text form, but via video, animation or screen movie. (ms)
iMovie's manageable range of functions is sufficient for most projects.
Premiere Elements from Adobe supports the master editor with advice, assistance and a useful help function.
PowerDirector from Cyberlink impresses with its working speed; DVD authoring could be improved.
An almost unmanageable arsenal of tools for image and sound editing can be found in Final Cut from Apple.
Film editing for free: Avid brings a free video editor to the next generation of Tarantinos.
Matthias Schüssler
Faster and also cheaper
While the impact of digitization in private households remains limited (apart from DVDs), the consequences for content providers are far-reaching. In a conventional production with 16 or 35 millimeter film, not only the consumables are expensive, but also the camera rental and film editing. Digital production incurs lower costs. As a rule, it can be realized with a smaller team and in less time.
There are massive savings to be made in post-production, i.e. in editing and post-production. There is no need for expensive special hardware for film editing, an inexpensive computer is already suitable as an editing station. And even for optimal working conditions, you don't need a high-end workstation. In addition to the processor, a fast data throughput is crucial for performance. A Sata hard disk (for Windows users) can cope with large amounts of data and the new, fast PCI Express data bus is suitable for connecting peripherals.
Keep your eyes open when buying a camera! The camera is an essential part of the required hardware: the main focus here is on the image chip. Better quality is provided by models that capture the image with a separate CCD (see box) for red, green and blue - but only if the lens is of the highest quality. Other important factors are the size of the camera and its handiness. In addition to a reliable automatic mode, it should be possible to set the aperture and shutter speed, sharpness and white balance manually. The relevant controls must be easy to reach. The fact that the camera offers image effects (black and white, sepia, strobe, etc.) is completely superfluous - these effects can be added in post-production if necessary. Much more important, however, are a high-quality microphone that does not record the camera's own noise and a connection for an external microphone. Whether a viewfinder or (fold-out) display is a question of preference. In bright sunlight, however, cameras with a viewfinder have an advantage, as it is then almost impossible to see anything on the display.
Rewarding real-time preview
In the Apple world, tools for movie editing are supplied with the operating system. Although designed for home users, iMovie offers solid basic functions and the new "HD" version can even edit high-resolution films with a maximum of 1080 image lines. The clear user interface makes it easy to get started; compared to the much more complex professional program Final Cut, iMovie is much quicker to get to grips with.
For more demanding users who also like to work with effects, Apple offers the Final Cut Express HD editing program. The real-time preview calculates transitions, image manipulation and various filters in real time.
Apple has just introduced Final Cut Studio, a complete HD video production suite for the highest demands. In addition to the most important tool Final Cut Pro in version 5, the new software package also includes the new audio editing and sound design program Soundtrack Pro as well as a revised version of the motion graphics software Motion (version 2) and the DVD authoring software DVD Studio (version 4). The suite will be available from May. Incidentally, it requires the Mac OS X 10.4 operating system, which will be released at the end of the month.
For Windows computers, Adobe Premiere is the first choice for (semi-)professional use. Premiere Pro 1.5 also allows effects and transitions to be calculated in real time.
Adobe also offers an extensive range of video tools: After Effects is designed for the production of three- or two-dimensional video compositions and, similar to Motion from Apple, allows elaborate graphic animations. Adobe Audition 1.5 is available for editing the soundtrack - this program emerged from Cool Edit Pro, which Adobe acquired through the purchase of the software company Syntrillium. And finally, Adobe also has the right software for DVD authoring: Encore DVD. The Adobe Video Collection software package also includes Premiere Pro and Photoshop CS2.
Inexpensive top software The Microsoft platform also runs a number of inexpensive software products.
tional programs with an excellent price-performance ratio. Video Deluxe from Magix is one of the cheapest and still scores top marks in the tests of the relevant trade journals. Cyberlink PowerDirector, Ulead Videostudio 8, Pinnacle Studio and Adobe's entry-level product Premiere Elements are also inexpensive.
The entry-level editing software Premiere Elements has been available since the beginning of the year. It is easy to learn thanks to its clear interface. Premiere Elements divides the work into different steps and only shows the commands required for reading in the film material, cutting, adding effects or text panels and burning DVDs. The "Procedure" window supports the work, as do the digital assistants, which help, for example, when transferring the film material. The "One Click Capture" function enables the direct design of the film sequence by automatically separating each filmed shot as a separate clip in the timeline.
Just don't embarrass yourselfAs low as the technical hurdles are now - formally, filmmaking is and remains a demanding undertaking. Consistency is not only required for every frame (individual image in the film), but also on the soundtrack, in the sequence, in the concept and in the editing. Compared to digital photography, for example, there are many more sources of error.
It's safe to dismiss it as a PR myth when software manufacturers imply that a project is created virtually by itself thanks to clever software. As a producer, you have to reckon with critical viewers. Audiences accustomed to sophisticated imagery from television and cinema will immediately notice technical flaws; a counterproductive effect is to be expected. The message in a poorly staged play will neither be believed nor appreciated.
> Matthias Schüssler is a journalist and specialist author in Winterthur.
CCD cellCCD components are usually used in digital cameras or video cameras. These charge-coupled devices are charge-sensitive components. They convert light into electrical energy, which is then available as data. George Smith and Willard Boyle (Bell Labs) invented the CCD in 1969. (jf)
Video as a form of expression for everyone? to put it bluntly, "anyone who has something to say or show" can afford a digital video production. For SMEs in particular, this opens up new fields of communication and activity.
Video can be used in a variety of ways: for advertising or PR, documentaries or presentations. The strength of moving images is their emotional impact and authenticity. Filming is often easier than describing something. This is demonstrated by the increasing popularity of multimedia instructions. Distributed inexpensively on DVD or CD-ROM, they deal with their topic not in text form, but via video, animation or screen movie. (ms)
iMovie's manageable range of functions is sufficient for most projects.
Premiere Elements from Adobe supports the master editor with advice, assistance and a useful help function.
PowerDirector from Cyberlink impresses with its working speed; DVD authoring could be improved.
An almost unmanageable arsenal of tools for image and sound editing can be found in Final Cut from Apple.
Film editing for free: Avid brings a free video editor to the next generation of Tarantinos.
Matthias Schüssler
