Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people
Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.
Digital filmmaking is no longer a fringe technology. It's the force behind everything from commercial Web shorts by famous directors to feature-length Hollywood productions. Low-cost digital video cameras and FireWire technology have opened moviemaking to the masses, but few people take full advantage of the unprecedented opportunity. For a solid foundation in the latest technologies, turn to FireWire Filmmaking, a book that covers both the technical and artistic issues you need to know to take your digital production from the storyboard to the screen.
Don't worry if you've never picked up a digital camera before: FireWire Filmmaking begins with an introduction to the basics, like how to select and set up a FireWire-equipped camera and a blazing-fast FireWire network. You'll learn not just how to use your camera, but how to create a compelling film, thanks to chapters devoted to story structure, organizing clips, and adding sound, music, and titles. Throughout the book, eight successful FireWire moviemakers lend inspirational tips and techniques, illustrated with photos and clips from their own digital productions. FireWire Filmmaking also includes sections on those all-important finishing touches, such as how to import footage and manipulate it using programs such as Adobe Premiere, iMovie, EditDV, and Final Cut Pro, and how to output your final film to tape, CD-ROM, DVD, DAT, or the Web.
1: Choosing the Right Camera.
What Makes Digital Cameras 'Digital'? DV's Distinct Advantages. Analog vs. Digital. How Camcorders Work. Capturing Color. Compression. Recording Digital Video. The Lens. Recording Digital Audio. Looking for the Right Features. Inputs and Outputs. Identifying FireWire Ports. Charge-Coupled Devices. One-Chip Camcorders. Three-Chip Camcorders. High-Definition Camcorders. The Right Camera for Film Transfer. Progressive-Frame Cameras. Television Standards. 24P. Widescreen Mode. True 16:9 Recording. Camera Features. The Viewfinder. Manual vs. Automatic Controls. Variable Shutter Speed. Detachable Lenses. Get the Best You Can Afford. Filmmaker Profile: Scott Coffey.
Getting Superior Shots from DV Cameras. Controlling the Image. Lens Filters. Conversion Lenses. Anamorphic Adapters. Taking Focus into Your Own Hands. Lens Controllers. Controlling the Set. Audio Tips. External Audio Accessories. Lighting. Shooting for Special Effects. Lighting Chromakey Scenes. Mattes. Controlling Motion. Film Motion in Video Footage. Camera Movement for Web Video. Handling the Camcorder. Tripods, Jibs, and Dollies. Filmmaker Profile: Silver Planet Studio.
Where Can I Plug in My Camera? Plugging into Decks and Mixers. Adding a Capture Card to Your PC. PCI Capture Boards. CardBus Adapters for Laptops. Extending Your Reach. FireWire Cable Length. Using FireWire Hubs and Repeaters. Analog, Composite, and S-Video Jacks. Linking Cameras. Filmmaker Profile: Rolf Gibbs.
How DV Capture Works. Converting Footage over FireWire. Importing Footage into Applications. Device Control. Marking Footage for Import. Viewing Your Clips. Saving and Backing Up. When Space Runs Out. Maximum Length for Captured Clips58. FireWire Storage Devices. Mondo Storage Devices. RAID Systems. Smart Storage Techniques. Logging Footage. Capturing by Timecode. Batch Capturing. Naming Clips. Media Management Tools. Capturing Straight to Disk. Using Measuring Equipment. Capturing Live Video from a Camera. Filmmaker Profile: Damaged Californians.
Options for Video Playback. Preview Frames. Editing Application Overview. Device Options. Reference Monitors. Scan Converters. Using Camcorders for Previewing. Previewing Audio. Previewing Uncompressed Footage. Real Time vs. Rendered. Breakout Boxes. Digital Displays. Filmmaker Profile: Bryan Boyce.
How Still Photos Are Used in Moviemaking. Simple Storytelling via Still Photos. Creating Freeze Frames. Matte Photography and Special Effects. Stop-Motion Animation. FireWire-Equipped Still Cameras. Downloading Digital Photos. Checking for Resolution. Square and Nonsquare Pixels. Scanners and Printers. Filmmaker Profile: Mark Osborne.
Superior Network Speed. Simple File-Sharing Configurations. Target Disk Mode. Connecting Multiple Computers. File-Sharing Devices. Building Larger Networks. Protocol Options. Choosing a Network Configuration. Printing over FireWire Networks. Filmmaker Profile: MK12.
Exporting and Archiving Movies. Exporting to DV Tapes. Copying to VHS Tape. Movies for Web or Wireless Devices. From FireWire to Film. Preparing Footage for Film Transfer. Distributing Movies on CDs or DVDs. Saving Your Movie for CD-ROM. DAT Recorders. Do-It-Yourself DVD Solutions. Filmmaker Profile: The Orphanage.
FireWire Discussions and News Groups. FireWire Cameras and Accessories. Moviemaking Magazines and Resources. Software Vendors. FireWire Hardware Manufacturers. Profiled FireWire Filmmakers.
Using the Trial Software.