An attempt at a documentary

[Shaine Mata]

I have asked a friend to join me in an attempt to make a sort of video documentary. We are starting with something local, La Lomita just south of Mission. You don't know how to do some things until you go out and try to do them. So, we figure it should be easy enough to experiment creating videos if we use a topic we know.

This is all very experimental for both of us, but it's worth a try. I think in the long-run, if we learn from the experience it will be worth it.

I was playing around with video yesterday while I was in downtown McAllen .

[Melissa Zamora]

This is great! I was planning a documentary with a friend on "politiqueras," but my friend (who has all the equipments) is now unavailable to work the project. What kind of camera are you using? software?

[Shaine Mata]

I'm going to do this as simply as possible with a regular home DV camera. Video takes up a lot of memory, so it's better for me to keep things on tape and only crunch the scenes I need. This way, I can delete the raw video off the hard drive later.

As for the software, he and I both have Macs, so we will probably use iMovie. But, Windows Movie Maker would do just as well. This is low-budget. We both noted that many of the popular movies on the web tend to be poorly produced. It's not so much the professionalism as it is the message that makes internet video powerful. We do expect to make something decent, but don't want to get caught up in post-production perfection.

Thus far, I've used my DV camera, a memory card camera, and my cameraphone for video. I've used both iMovie and Windows Movie Maker. They are both easy to use and can do most of the things you need.

[Melissa Zamora]

gracias, a big help

[Sergio]

Hey everyone! I am the friend that Shaine is talking about....so if you have any comments or suggestions for either of us, let us know!

[JenniferNavarrete]

I agree. What matters most is content. Sure we would all like to fancy-up our stuff, but at the end of the day you have ask yourself, "Are folks watching/listening because of the fancy music or fancy graphics or is it the message?" I learned recently that as much as we like our intro music for the Morning BrewCast, folks just fast forward through it to get to Jackie and I. In other words they go straight for the meat of the content.

Keep the story your main focus and all the rest of the stuff will be fine.

Good luck Shaine and Sergio!

Cheers,
Jennifer

[INBLEW]

Good Luck, Can't wait to see the final product! Video is fun, I used to dabble in it.. My first project ever was going to a club to film Tommy Lee in Houston and I dubbed his song from the cd, synced it.. and his website at the time liked it and used it :) You can view it here: hope that works, if not just copy and paste this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io5d4qoQmWM

Afterwards I got into photography and kinda dwindled away from Video, but I really want to get back into it. I just need to save money for Final Cut Pro Studio 2... that and a hddv cam I'm eyeing. I have a mac too :)

[Melissa Zamora]

Is that your set-up? WOW!

[INBLEW]

yeah just need to get the software and I should be good to go. I have studio speakers cause I'm also a musician..so I'm always recording stuff.. I still need more gear but at least I got the basics and should be good for a long while. I'm trying to save money to go to the TRAVEL CHANNEL ACADEMY for 2 weeks next year.. Well, that's one of my goals.

I don't know if you have a my space but if you do, you can see some of my photography here:
http://www.myspace.com/INBLEWSTUDIOS

[Shaine Mata]

That's a nice setup. I have an old G4 Quicksilver, which does a decent job for my needs. I didn't start using a Mac until this year. There is something about them that sets your creativity free. I'm starting to see more and more people make the switch.

[Sergio]

I agree with Shaine. I just recently made the switch from Windows to Mac. I love my MacBook. I just got the basic one to get started, but who knows when things start going well for me financially, I may upgrade to a MacBook Pro since all that I do is mostly portable. I do admire you setup....it looks pretty intimidating!
I am not so familiar with Mac, but I am a fast learner and my background in Windows does help me out a lot.
SO, with that being said if anyone who has any ideas or tricks or website for Mac learning, please just send me the links or send me messages!

[INBLEW]

I had a macbook..loved that thing..too bad my xgf ran away with it! oh well.. but anyway :) Here's a link to a useful site: http://www.myfirstmac.com/

[Sergio]

thanks!
they always take something don't they!