April 13, 2025

Resources

Getting Started

Project Planning Questionnaire
Video Equipment Checklist – This form will help you get prepared for your next big field shoot.
Storyboard Worksheet – Got a big idea for a show? Still have to fill in some gaps and details? Try our Storyboard Worksheet.
Guest FAQ Sheet – Tips for shows guests.

The Basics

Types of Shots – This YouTube video discusses different video angles and types of shots…
Rule of Thirds – Explore “The Rule of Thirds” when capturing video or even photo stills here…
180 Rule of Videography – Informative video on YouTube discusses the “180 Rule of Videography…
5 Tips for Mobile Devices – Optimize your video for mobile devices…
Interview Techniques for Video – Great video interview techniques from videomaker.com…
Guide to Archiving Video – Check out the Activists Guide to Archivng Vidoe
Natural Transitions – Easily create natural transitions
Interview Mistakes – The four most common interview mistakes.

Lighting Basics

VideoMaker Shooting in Snow – VideoMaker discusses the best techniques for shooting in snow…
Using Reflectors in Sunlight – Discussion on the sun as key lighting…
Using Diffusors in Sunlight – Discussion on types of diffusion panels…
Low Light Video – Low light video issues are tackled by izzyvideo.com…
High Key Lighting v. Low Key Lighting – High key lighting/low key lighting are discussed on dailymotion.com…
Three Point Lighting – Check out this YouTube video on 3-point lighting…
Color Temperature – YouTube video tips on color temperature…
White Balance Made Easy – Find out more about white balance here…
White Balance for Better Video – Find out more about white balance here…
Hard and Soft Light – Explore hard and soft lighting with izzyvideo.com…
Shooting in the Dark – Believe it or not! You can shoot in the dark. Find out how here…
Lighting Ratios – Find out more about lighting ratios at YouTube…
Interview Lighting/Rembrandt Lighting – An interesting discussion on interview/rembrandt lighting here…
Black and White Lighting – Black and white is not, it seems, so black and white after all. Find out about special lighting requirements here…

Sound Basics

Sound Basics Lesson – Back to the basics… Sound basics with videomaker.com…
Lesson on Microphones – A quick lesson on camcorder microphones from izzyvideo.com
Getting Great Audio Lesson – Getting great audio can be tricky. Tips and tricks from izzyvideo.com…
7 Ways to Hide a Lav – Explore 7 ways to hide a lav…
Sound Recording – A handy sound recording tutorial
Misuses of a Shotgun Mic – Explore common shot gun misuses
Reducing Wind Noise – Tips and tricks for reducing wind noise

Editing Basics

Jump Cuts and B-Roll Lesson – Check out this jump cuts and b-roll lesson on YouTube…
Fast and Slow Video Editing – Tips and tricks for editing “fast video” and “slow video” here…
Double Your Editing Speed – Become a pro editor by doubling your editing speed…

Camera Techniques

Rack Focus with Video Camera – Find out more about rack focusing on YouTube…
Tripod Dolly Shot – Learn about the tripod dolly shot and how you can use it here…
In Car Camera Techniques – Explore in car camera techniques at YouTube…

Tips to Avoid

The Seven Deadly Sins of Video – Find out what “The 7 Deadly Sins of Video” are here…
Firehosing – Firehosing is bad, mmmm-k; find out why here…

New Media Rights

Legal and How-to Guide for Independent Creators

Copyright Materials

“Copyright Law in the Digital Age: An Interactive Seminar” was presented by Attorney Patricia Nelson & GNAT-TV and was held at the GNAT Studio in Jan. 2014. These are some helpful materials on copyright referenced at that event…