Video QuickTips

Welcome to Video QuickTips. This is a place where you will find information on video, audio, storytelling techniques. The webshow Video QuickTips brings you tips and techinques to help you produce better video. I also operate Mecca Video Productions, a full service video production company.  You can find out more at MeccaVideoPro.com I hope to share what I have learned during the past 30 years in the media. Television and radio news, video production, voiceover, audio recording, just about anything. If you have questions, just drop me a line and I will do my best to answer. I plan on some video tutorials, tips and tricks of the trade. So enjoy!

Firefly Systems has come out with a new rig that is a bit like a steadi-cam but not. MōVI is a handheld 3-axis digital stabilized camera gimbal. In layman’s terms that means you shoothand held, no body mounted vest, no tripod, no nothing. And you can still get smooth, great looking, shots. Here’s a video

Not the most frugal piece of gear with a price tag of about $15,000. I also have concerns about the stress on the operators arms, shoulders and back for any lengthy shots, but I guess that’s what a Steadi-cam is for.

Cables, tapes, cards, connectors, adapters, clips, keeping it all organized can be a challenge.  Episode 54 of Video QuickTips offers some ideas on how to corral all those little things that can bring a shoot to a standstill if you can’t find them when you need them.

What do you do to stay organized? Let’s share some ideas.

A really QuickTip. Some viewers asked for some handheld footage using the camera reviewed in VideoQuickTip Episode #53. So I went out and got some shots around the park. The ground was a bit wet and “suctiony” which may have had an effect on the walking shots. But there you go a really quick tip showing the camera caddie in action.

Hope that helps. Again I picked this up for $15 from an ebay seller, EmilyandLilly. Free shipping.

Cameras have been getting smaller for years. DSLRs are getting more and more popular. One of the things they have in common is their size, or lack thereof. That lack of size makes them more difficult to hold steady, which means camera supports are more necessary. Tripods rule, but are not always practical and sometimes you just want a handheld shot. Not shaky, but handheld. This episode takes a look at one alternative.

What are you using?

At least that is what Auston Wilson the creator of this video says it will cost. He doesn’t add in the cost of the tripod head, and I haven’t checked current prices, but this looks like a pretty easy build and quite functional. All parts available at your local big box home improvement center.

DIY Slider from Auston Wilson on Vimeo.

If you build one of these, post a video and let us know how it worked for you.