Camera Stabilizer Rig for Under $5

If anyone is using a flip camera to record please record inside because the microphone on that camera picks up a lot of ambience noise.

Thanks

maria

Alternate Tripod Ideas

A stable tripod is essential in getting a level frame. The last thing you want is your image to be crooked. So you can do 3 things:

1. purchase tripod thru online vendors or local vendors

2. try second hand stores and maybe get lucky and find one there for a few bucks

3. make one out of a bottle of soda or water like in this video. A few disclaimers if you do take this       route!!!!  make sure you and/or your kids are not going to get hurt. DO NOT fill the bottle with water in case someone knocks it over because you will ruin your camera equipment. Your kids can fill it half ways with dirt or a bag of sand or fish gravel from a local pet shop vendor. I would use a 2liter bottle for a video camera

Microphones

                                      

Rule of Thirds for framing

So rule of thirds are very important when you see anything on tv or theatre everything is placed in a specific place in the frame following the rule of thirds.  The rule of thirds is basically dividing your frame into 3 parts horizontally and/or vertically. These white guiding lines on this photo will help you see where these lines should line up with you actor/actress in frame. You can set up your child on either frame right or frame left but make sure he or she stays on that side the entire time for the review. For the younger kids your frame should look more like this photo, with head room and we should be able to see their shoulders. We give the extra head room because little kids tend to wiggle around more and this way it is easier for you to keep him/her in frame. 

For the older kids because they are bigger in size we can use the above example or you can try this example below which cuts off the top of the head but keeps the shoulders and face in frame.  If your child can sit still you can also try this approach. Either will work for me just giving you options and styles you can use for shots. this is called a Medium Close-Up by the way.  Here is a link so you can watch on different camera shots just so you know all the shots, but we are looking for a medium close up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJ7QfT2CtI 

Converting HD File Formats

Hi Maria,

First off, Thank you for assisting us in improving the quality of our videos.  While I consider myself to be ok with technology, I am still a bit clueless with regards to video conversion.  I love getting new gadgets, so with Julianna having this role, I went out and bought a Sony HD Handycam.  The first few uploads had some issues because the format is in m2ts -->  I have no idea what that means, but is that format OK?  I have been uploading 2 versions with each review, the m2ts and then a converted mpeg file. 

Regards
Chris

Welcome!

Hello Parents,

Welcome to your new blog page!!! This is where you will find great info on how to become an amazing film director/cinematographer/super cool tech savvy parent! :) This is where you can post questions and this is where I will post and share any answers to questions you ask me. Remember there is no such thing as a dumb question.  I encourage learning and we can all learn and share ideas from each other :)

I have added links for the places you may need to get to from one place. You have yousendit, kf website, kf facebook, kf twitter, kf youtube is at the top horizontally, kf vimeo and much more!!! :) If there is a link you want me to add let me know and I will add it.

The only people who will have access to this blog will be the parents of our film critics this is a private blog. This is your space and I will try to make your life easier.