Video Editing Frustration

Okay, so I've had a pretty busy spring, but I finally got some time where I could download the Adobe Premiere Elements 4 software that I bought, in order to start doing some test edits from some silly stuff I shot with my new digital video camera. I open the box and realize that there's a $20 rebate, so I quickly cut up the box and send in my receipt, because the deadline is almost here.

Then I try to load the software (I did this in the wrong order, I now realize). Big problem. It won't run on my laptop, because I don't have a fast enough processor (I have a Pentium III, and it needs a Pentium 4 or better). Crap. The family desktop computer does have a Pentium 4, so I could download it and edit it there, right? Ah, unfortunately, my desktop only has USB ports and my camera output is via a firewire cable. Surely, I could just buy a cable that will convert the output, right? $120 for a cable that will go from firewire to USB.

Damn.

Now I'm trying to figure out if I should just edit with the Microsoft MovieMaker software that I have, or some other free-ish software, or should I try to get a new more powerful laptop? That could run me $500 or more, though. (Which I don't have at the moment.) Ouch. I'll have to muddle through with the free software now and start saving my pennies.

(Will I soon find myself longing for the days of Super 8 film?)

Got My Camera (a Canon ZR930)

I bought my new digital video camera a little more than a week ago. I got a Canon ZR 930. I've only had a little time to check it out, but I like it so far. It's tiny, but it has the features that I needed--records on mini-DV, has a jack for an external jack (I'm going to order an inexpensive shotgun mic tomorrow), and isn't too tough to use in manual focus and exposure mode. It has a 10x optical zoom, which is plenty fine for me. It's not super in very low light situations, but it's not a very expensive camera. I can supplement lights if necessary. It'll be great for playing, which is exactly what I wanted.

I bought Adobe Premiere Elements 4 for editing, mostly because it fit in my budget. I guess the pros all use Final Cut, but they also all have Macs, and I've got an older Dell laptop. To be honest, I only need the most basic editing features. I cut my teeth making films in super 8 and 16mm film, so I'm used to having to physically cut the medium I'm using. Time code and digital effects will be a real treat for me. (I haven't actually had the time to install the software yet, but I'm sure it's great.)

Noah (who is 8) and I already have plans to make our first "Super Noah" movie--this is the super hero about whom I tell a story every day on the way to school. We actually storyboarded a quick version of the film on the blackboard at the pediatrician's office the other day. I'm glad to have an enthusiastic actor and co-writer already on ready to go.

I'm working hard on freeing up more time, so I can start playing with my new toy. Soon. Soon.

advice needed on video camera purchase

I've been talking a bit about getting back into making short films again. For my birthday, Tracy and my family pooled money together, and I've got a little bit of other money I can spare, to buy an inexpensive digital video camera and editing software. I've got a budget of about $500 total.

I think I'm going to buy Adobe Premier Elements, because it's cheap and sounds like it'll do what I want. I just need something pretty basic. (I'm on a PC and use XP.)

I need help on trying to choose a camera. And I need advice as to what to buy, that fits in my budget. I can either go new or used (Craigslist).

Here's what I want to do:

• Make short films for fun.
• Make some low budget art that can amuse, move, and entertain.
• Post these films online (Youtube) where it can reach an audience (at least my family and friends).
• Burn DVDs for friends, family, and fans.
  
• Have fun working with fun and interesting people
• Learn and refresh my understanding of how storytelling works on film/video.
• Possibly create film versions of some of my stage plays (especially Pieces of Whitey)
• Make some films with the kids, for fun.
• Develop my eye and my ability to edit.

I don't need to create something (now) that will be broadcast via the airwaves or will be projected in theatres.

So, I have about $350 to buy a camera. I know it's not going to be fancy, but that's what I can afford. Here are features that I think it needs:

• it should record to mini-DV tapes. (that seems to be the standard, still)
• easy manual focus access (autofocus can be problematic)
• ability to do manual aperture/exposure control
• an external microphone jack
• decent resolution (but it doesn't need to be high def). (I'm not sure how to define what resolution I need.)
  

So... please help me out--What features am I missing? Do you have any suggestions for models? I've seen a used JVC GR-DVL300 that I could afford. I also saw a new Canon ZR930 today that was in my price range.

If anyone out there has any suggestions, I'm very interested. I'm starting to look over review sites and getting some ideas. I think getting a camera and software in hand and making stuff is better than waiting forever for the perfect deal. But I don't want to get stuck with something that won't do what I need.

making movies--on the run

We finished up our writing session at 5am this morning, with a decent draft. Our parameters: genre--drama, character--Reginald H. Higginotham, diplomat, prop--receipt, line--"This could get complicated."

Writing in a team of four is tough, especially for drama, but we got along pretty well. I'll go into our process in a future post, because I'm interested in how these things work, but right now I'm on the afternoon crew and I need to drive to the shoot at a flower shop. It'll be another late night I think.

Making Movies--on your mark, get set...

In a few hours, I'm off to Waltham to stay up all night with three other writers (and a director hanging around somewhere), to see if we can come up with a knock-em-dead short film script for our 48-Hour Film Project team. At 7pm, we'll get the call with what genre we have to write, along with a character we need to use, a line of dialogue, and a prop. The plan is to have a story and outline in place by 11 or midnight, so the storyboarding can start, and we should have the whole thing finished by 5am or so. (We're one of 90 teams in Boston this weekend.)

It's been 20 years since I actually made movies, so I'm pretty excited by this. I'll be there on Saturday, to be part of the crew, and hope they'll let me in on the editing and post-production on Sunday, too. I'm oddly nervous, like right before a big soccer game, or before the opening night of a play. I like the adrenaline of it, and the queasy sense of the unknown.

If you're in the Boston area, you can see the results of this when our film is screened (assuming we finish, which I feel confident we will). It'll be at the Kendall Square Cinema, Cambridge, MA, Tuesday, April 8, at 7pm. It might be brilliant, it might be a train wreck, but it'll definitely be worth checking out.l