A few weeks ago I put my first video tour out for critique and got some great advice. I'm ready for more opinions (please!) This one ends in a slidehow. This was taken with the camera on a Glidecam.
Anonymous
Dear Lori:
First of all, your client should thank you for being on the cutting edge of real estate marketing, and incorporating internet video.
I watched your video, with the sound down. I wanted to focus on the picture. I am reminded of something Steven Spielberg once said in a late-night interview; "Hold the camera steady. People, when first starting out behind the camera have a tendency to move the camera -- a lot." I won't get into lighting or sound with you here -- though both are crucial elements. Let's just start with a good steady image. The movement you want to show is from the action that takes place in front of the camera -- not the camera itself -- not until you learn how to pan, and tilt properly. The first thing I suggest is to get yourself a tripod. Walking the camera hand held on your shoulder is giving more the feel of one of those CSI shows. This alone will enhance the quality of your next shoot. You'll replace the bumpy shots with good, clean steady shots. Then you can pan across a room or tilt up or down. Feel free to contact me at http://www.myspace.com/rexnet for more tips -- always happy to share. You can hit the blog, comment, ask questions....If you want to hit the main site and talk about any of the specific content you view, go to www.rexnet.tv.
Continued Success Lori
Ethan E. Marten
Dirextor of Marketing
RexNet, LLC
A Subsidiary of Rexarama, Inc.
3288 Doncaster Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Office: 757-625-3595
Aug 08, 2007 04:12 PM
#1
HomeStar Photography & Virtual Tours - Powder Springs, GA
Ethan, thank you SO much. I really appreciate you taking time out to help me. And I do need some advice on stabilizing. That video was taken with my Sony Handycam mounted on a GlideCam Pro 2000. I know, surprising. I am trying out the GlideCam after purchasing a Steadicam Merlin and trying to learn that for a couple of months. My video from a few weeks back -that I asked for critique on- was shot with the Merlin). I have a couple of tripods, but I really want to do walk-throughs of properties. I have watched videos taken on a tripod that are SO still, that until you see a ceiling fan or a fire in the fireplace, you can't tell if you are looking at stills, pans, or what...
If I could get some advice on stabilizers, or methods of shooting to enhance what these expensive devices are supposed to produce, I would be so grateful. My husband thinks that if I have the vest and arm for the Glidecam, it will be the magic solution. I disagree - I think those only help to better distribute the weight of the camera. Mine only weighs 2 pounds. This is extremely frustrating, but I will never ever give up!
Aug 09, 2007 02:15 AM
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes
Hi Lori,
What kind of editing software are you using and are you using the microphone on the camera?
Aug 15, 2007 05:08 PM
HomeStar Photography & Virtual Tours - Powder Springs, GA
Heather, I use Sony Vegas for editing. The microphone is a Logitech plug in for my computer, but I will be buying a Blue Snowball mic very soon.
Aug 15, 2007 11:54 PM
Wellcomemat.com - Boulder, CO
Lori,
Tripods are great for certain things (such as the outside views of a home), but i am with you 100% regarding the hand held walk though with one note (stick to the steadicam). Steadicam/hand held shots are what prove video as the superior medium that it is. Without them, videos can be reduced to virtual tour quality (unless there is someone in front of the camera), where the viewer cannot see how the rooms tie in together. Keep trying to master the steadicam shots.
Aug 16, 2007 07:44 AM
HomeStar Photography & Virtual Tours - Powder Springs, GA
Thanks Christian, I appreciate your encouragement. I got a vest and arm for my Glidecam and just used it for the first time. We'll see how it goes. By the way, thanks to Wellcome Mat, I am getting my business up and running sooner than I thought possible! It's awesome.
Aug 17, 2007 03:22 AM
Wellcomemat.com - Boulder, CO
Way more coming from WellcomeMat Lori: that I can promise. We are at the ground floor right now.
Aug 17, 2007 03:27 AM
Comments(8)