Hard Knocks Video Production

1.  Don't use musics with lyrics in your videos.  The words always overwhelm the message of the visual.  See article Tuesday's NY Times in the Science section.  Ear vs. Eye . . .

2.  Don't use a video camera with a microphone with the power source the plug in the wall IF YOU ARE SHOOTING A BLACKBERRY ADDICTED PRINCIPAL.  There is a buzz that goes through the audio that cannot be fixed and the administrator will think you are incompetent after the third try.  Buried in the fine print it tells you the noise comes from the wiring to the wall plug.  Whatever.  Don't do it.

Good audio is all.  Good audio is all.  Good audio is all.

3.  When you are editing, think about when you are ready to blink as you watch a shot.  That is a tip as to when you can cut away.  Water Murch talks about this in his book, In the Blink of An Eye.  He is considered the best film editor in the business.  

4.  Editing is not unlike composing music.  There are beats and rhythms in the piece.  Really listen for them.  

Yep, that was my car in the picture.  Not a fun day.  ;0)

Joanna Greer

John F. Kennedy High School

Silver Spring, Md