VidTips
by Marguerita McManus
1). Show your face! We all want to see you! Stand in front of the camera and say hi, please.
5.) Smile! Smile some more! Be happy! We are happy to see you!! I know you are nervous and it feels funny – - practice, practice, practice until you don’t sound like a machine, you sound like you are talking to your best friend 
3.) Make sure that all background noise is silent. No squawking birds, barking dogs, crying babies, slamming doors. If that happens while you are taping you can either start over or use an editor to wipe out the sound.
4.) Make sure your lighting is neither too bright or dark. You will need some type of lighting
5.) DO NOT hold the camera while taping. Get a tripod and use it, or put the camera on a bookshelf or other prop. ALWAYS. *No one* likes feeling sick to their stomach while they watch a video because of the camera movement. Do not do this! People will click off your video and all your efforts are wasted.
6.) *Please* know what you are talking about. If you are not sure, type your topic into YouTube and see what others have done. There are some really bad videos with bad information and bad techniques out there. Please be sure that your video is showing something that you consider yourself to be very good at. In fact, if you see another video that you know is bad, please share your expertise and make a better one!
7.) Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Email MMquilts @ gmail.com if you want help.
Here’s Tim Carter from Ask The Builder – - reiterating everything stated above (and more) in a funny but true video. Please take the time to watch.
Great Interview Q & A with the author of “Get Seen”
My own info: I use a JVC HDD Hard Disk Camcorder (Everio); I bought the fluid level tripod that Tim Carter shows in his video (it is sweet!); I use clamp lamps on a mobile frame with True Light bulbs for accurate color. I don’t use an external mic (yet) so I make sure that there is *no* background noise and I edit with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. I am learning how to use Sony Vegas with tutorials created by VASST Training starring Douglas Spotted Eagle, who is a gifted tutor. The tutorial is a masterwork of information, technique and inspiration – I HIGHLY recommend VASST Training DVD’s. Gena has a LOT of info about video on her blog.
I started making videos in October 2008 and am still learning as I go. I hope that this helps you in your video work and would love to chat with you if you would care to comment or email me. ~Marguerita MMquilts @ gmail.com
