From the category archives:

Film Production & Authoring

DIY Video Accessories

by Kyle Cassidy October 28, 2011

Producing video is an exciting hobby and rewarding business, but it takes a lot of gear. Sometimes, the rewarding and the exciting part can be in just making the gear. There are lots of pieces of equipment made to perform very exact tasks in video production, from camera mounts that help cameras move smoothly to light producing and shaping tools. We all look through thick catalogues crammed with gear with a quickening heartbeat and wide eyes (I know I’ve never seen a light modifier I didn’t immediately know would solve every problem I’ve ever had with lighting), and this gear acquisition syndrome….Read more…

4 comments

Composing for Film and Video

by Keith Hatschek October 12, 2010

There are definitely composers who need help; the thing is, they’re not going to advertise for a film composer to help them. They need somebody to get their system up and running, they need engineers, they need music editors. I think that those positions are really valuable for the same reason I really enjoyed working with Mason – to just get in the door and watch. I would suggest though, that if you get in that position, set a time frame so you’re only doing that for so long. Read more…

7 comments

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tapeless Video Production

by John Devcic September 8, 2010

A move to a tapeless-based production is not an easy one but in the end should prove to be rather beneficial. Of course, no technology is without a downside. If you are on the fence about a move from tapes, this article is the perfect starting point. Read more…

8 comments

DIY Performance Video – Part 3: Titles & Distribution

by Keith Hatschek July 19, 2010

Over the past five weeks, we’ve explored the pre- and post-production processes involved with the DIY video shoot I did with the band Sugar Water Purple. We’ll wrap this series up by adding the final touches to the video and then publishing online via YouTube.
Read more…

9 comments

Craig Hanna on Video Post-Production and Authoring – Part I

by Andre Calilhanna July 14, 2010

The manager of Disc Makers’ Authoring House talks about common mistakes, post-production, and multimedia programming

Tell me a little about what you were doing before you came to the Authoring House.
I have over 25 years of experience in video and film production. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts, with a concentration in film and television from The University of South Carolina. I worked for Comcast and then Sony and was a freelance producer before coming here. I’ve done everything from writing, producing, editing, and shooting to pulling cables – all the jobs involved in production and post-production – and I also was a multimedia programmer. Read more…

3 comments

DIY Performance Video – Part 2: Post-Production

by Keith Hatschek July 13, 2010

Last month, I described the pre-production planning process and the DIY video shoot done with the band Sugar Water Purple. Now let’s step through the DIY post-production process used to finish up the video.

First, I wanted to recap a few decisions we made in the pre-production process that came up in reader comments to last month’s story. Read more…

10 comments

DIY Performance Video Part 1: Pre-Production and the Shoot

by Keith Hatschek June 15, 2010

DIY VideoAs I was filling my car with gas the other day, a television was blaring commercials to me at the pump. Video has become the ubiquitous window that allows us to glimpse the good, the bad, and plenty of the ugly aspects of 21st century life. According to the latest Nielsen Television Audience Report, there are now more televisions (2.93) in the average American household than there are people (2.54), and an average of two computers per four-member family. Read more…

26 comments

What are Region Codes?

by Craig Elliott Hanna June 14, 2010

When DVDs were introduced, studios wanted the ability to combat piracy and control release dates throughout the world. As a result, region codes were developed. Region codes restrict where (what region of the world) a DVD can be viewed. Each area of the globe, or region, is assigned it’s own specific number or region code. The regions are as follows..Read more…

0 comments

The eMagazine – Catalogs Go Digital

by Disc Makers May 19, 2010

With the growing uses of documents with “page turn” functionality on PDAs and online, producing a white paper or journal that uses the page-turning feature or converting your printed catalog into an eMagazine can keep your marketing efforts current, cost-effective, and easier to deliver. Read more…

0 comments

Music Library Buyer’s Guide – Music to Your Ears

by James Williams April 22, 2010

Finding the right soundtrack for your video production can be a challenge and confusing. With the right direction and a better understanding of the process, giving your video production a happy and musically appropriate ending is easier than you may think. With all the work that goes into shooting and editing a video, constructing the perfect soundtrack may be the last thing on your mind. However, when the time comes to add that depth, flavoring and ambience to your scenes through music, you may find yourself without many options. Not to worry! Read more…

1 comment

Fast Path to Blu-ray: Bruce Nazarian Interview, Part II

by Lee Purcell February 4, 2010

Bruce NazarianDespite justly being known as a digital jack-of-all-trades (aka Mr. Digital Guy), Bruce Nazarian thoroughly enjoys his vinyl collection, including many records he personally produced early in his rich and varied career. Much of his work has involved pushing the outer boundaries of creativity in the digital media realm – from pioneering achievements in direct-to-disk recording to evangelizing the potential and use of DVD and Blu-ray discs. Read more…

1 comment

The Digital Guy: Bruce Nazarian Delivers His State of the Industry Address

by Lee Purcell January 25, 2010

Despite justly being known as a digital jack-of-all-trades (aka Mr. Digital Guy), Bruce Nazarian thoroughly enjoys his vinyl collection, including many records he personally produced early in his rich and varied career. Much of his work has involved pushing the outer boundaries of creativity in the digital media realm – from pioneering achievements in direct-to-disk recording to evangelizing the potential and use of DVD and Blu-ray discs. Read more…

3 comments

Designing Custom DVD Menus: Part I

by Craig Elliott Hanna October 28, 2009

DVD authoring software makes it easy to create and design template-based DVD menus. But many of those templates have limitations and drawbacks that may produce a less-than-acceptable DVD menu. At some point you may need to abandon templates and create your own custom designed menu. This may seem intimidating at first, but if you have the design talent, it’s really not difficult at all. Read more…

0 comments

From DV to DVD: Tips for Outstanding Results

by Disc Makers October 15, 2009

From the time your video content has all been shot, acquired, and compiled, your post-production efforts are likely to include thoughts of DVD. DVD is an inexpensive, efficient way to deliver your work to your audience, whatever the content and purpose. Though you may have mastered some of the intricacies and challenges of production, getting your work onto DVD requires attention to some technical considerations that may be unfamiliar to you. Read more…

0 comments

Blu-ray FAQ

by Craig Elliott Hanna August 25, 2009

Ready to jump into Blu-ray? Here is a brief FAQ to help you make an informed decision.
How does Blu-ray work? Larger capacity on Blu-ray discs is achieved through the use of a shorter wavelength laser as opposed the larger red laser used on SD DVDs. The blue laser allows BD to utilize smaller pits and lands than are used on SD DVDs. Pits and lands are the method by which information is stored on an optical disc. Because the pits and lands are smaller they can be placed closer together resulting in more information being stored on the same size disc. In conjunction with different optics and faster disc rotation, BD discs can store 5X more data than SD DVDs. Read more…

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