Posts in Filming
How to Make Quality Videos Every Month Even When You Have Day Job (ft. Satchell Drakes)

In this episode I chat with Satchell Drakes, who runs a YouTube channel with some of the highest quality videos in the video gaming niche. I talk with him about his process of creating videos, what has helped his channel grow, and what he recommends for someone that isn't getting the traction they want out of their videos.

 

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Get Over the Fear of Being on Video

For most of us, the idea of getting in front of the camera causes a certain level of unease or even fear. The good news is you can not only get past this fear, but actually develop a liking for being on video. 
 
In this episode we hear from five entrepreneurs who have overcome the fear of being on camera and in some cases, have become prolific YouTubers. 
 
We discuss why you are basically born afraid of the camera, how to overcome that fear, and give you some quick tips to help you along your way. 

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How Long Should Videos Be? (DVG 047)

It's one of those questions that is best answered with "it depends" because there are so many variables, but there is a real answer if you dig deep enough.

How long should a web video be?

In this episode we discuss why the length of your videos should differ in length depending on the style of them, the platform they're on, whether you're entertaining or teaching, and what the goals for it are.

(And no, we don't just say "two to five minutes", which is what every other website on the web likes to recommend.)

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Should You Film in 4K? (& Mirrorless vs. DSLR)

4K video may be the future, but do you really need to be shooting in 4K or is 1080p enough? Also, why would you want to shoot in 4K even if you're not yet publishing at that resolution?

In this episode I chat with Caleb Pike of DSLR Video Shooter all about 4K video and why you might want to start shooting in it.

We also have a discussion about the pro's and con's of mirrorless micro 4/3rds cameras vs. DSLR's and cinema cameras, specifically the Panasonic GH4 & G7.

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Why You Should Batch Your Videos

Making videos is extremely time consuming. That's why I always recommend batching.

Almost every step along the way to making a video can be batch processed. Determining your editorial calendar, copywriting titles, script writing, setting up your equipment, video editing, and more. 

The most productive part to batch while making videos is the actual filming stage. In this podcast episode we discuss not only why you should batch your videos, but how to get started doing so if you haven't already and our tips for how many you should actually create all at once.

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How We Prepare For a Video Shoot

Creating a great video starts with a lot of preparation. 

Planning, scripting, storyboarding, having the right equipment, setting up said equipment, planning b-roll and more.

In this podcast episode we discuss our entire process for preparing for a video shoot. From what we pack to tips to save money while flying with equipment, you'll learn how we always have a backup plan for our backup plan

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Tripod vs. Monopod

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, Tyson vs. Holyfield, Ali vs. Frazier: history is ripe with battles between giants. Among these encounters exists one of legend. Touted as the Battle to End All Battles we bring you Monopod vs. Tripod.

Long debated between grips and directors alike, the question of monopod vs. tripod is one for the ages. 
 
In this part of the DIY Video Guy saga we bring you the Pros and Cons of using each the monopod AND the tripod. To even the playing field we chose to compare models made by the same company and within the same price range. 
 
Whose corner are you in?

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How to Be Better on Camera (ft. Pat Flynn)

Chances are, it will take you awhile to be comfortable on camera. Luckily there are a lot of ways to speed up that process. 

From public speaking and podcasting to livestreaming and doing webinars there are a lot of ways to get better on camera, be more engaging, and deliver to the camera without reading from a script.

In this podcast episode I chat with Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income about how improving his public speaking has made him better and more comfortable on camera.

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7 Ways to Shoot Stable Handheld Videos

Unless you are Doug Liman on the set of the Bourne Identity shaky footage is pretty much the worst. Often times shaky footage is rendered unusable. 

Sure, you can attempt to fix it in post but there is no guarantee (other than the guarantee of pissing off your editor). There is however, a possibility people will think the camera operator has had 10 cups of coffee. Don't drink 10 cups of coffee.

In this installment of DIY Video Guy TV you will learn 7 tactics that will help you get that illusive, stable handheld footage. 

You can't always walk around with a monopod or tripod and you can't always fix your mistakes in post-production. Learning to record stable, handheld footage is a must. 

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10 Steps to Better On-Camera Interviews

Whether you're on camera interviewing someone else or you're behind the camera trying to get a strong interview out of your talent, there are some tricks to getting the best performance you can out of your interviewee.

In today's podcast episode we share ten steps to getting better on-camera interviews. We'll discuss the process we use on client shoots to have the interviewee be comfortable on camera, act natural, and sometimes not even realize we're already recording. 

We also share some gear recommendations for making sure you don't have to interrupt the interview and share how to get the talent to look at the interviewer, but really they're looking straight into the camera.

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Cheap vs. Expensive Lenses: When Should You Upgrade?

I love buying video gear and I'd bet you do too.

But when there are so many choices for what you should upgrade, you should really focus on what pieces are going to make your videos better.

In today's video show, I compare the differences between cheap and expensive lenses. I'll share why you'd want to upgrade, the added features and benefits of doing so, and show you side by side examples of techniques like racking focus with an inexpensive lens and an expensive L-series lens from Canon.

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9 Tips for Setting Up a Home Video Studio

Most of the clients we shoot videos for ask us questions about how they can set-up their own video studio in their homes or offices. 

Studios are a great tool for being able to record videos quickly and consistently, so in this podcast episode we're going to share what we've learned building our video and audio garage studio as well as share our recommendations for how you should go about putting one together for yourself.

The nine tips cover determining what you want the studio to be used for, how to lay it out, determining what gear is must have, making it permanent, and tips for controlling sound and temperature.

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13 Kinds of Videos You Need to Make

It is easy to think of ideas for videos when you have a go-to list of different kinds of videos to make. If you're stuck only making how to or tutorial videos you can quickly get burnt out.

In this podcast episode we discuss the thirteen different formats for videos, examples for each, and how to combine them to make compelling and engaging videos.

You'll take away a bunch of new styles you can use to switch up the format of your videos.

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How to Vlog: 17 Tips For Getting Started (DVG 35)

Vlogging (video blogging) seems to be all the rage these days.

It has been around for a long time on YouTube with people talking into their webcams, but people like Casey Neistat and Ben Brown are growing huge audiences through telling daily stories of their life and putting much more work into them than a simple webcam vlog.

I recently started experimenting with vlogging and in this episode of the podcast I share seventeen tips I've learned so far.

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How to Shoot Cooking & Food Videos (DVG 028)

If you're shooting tutorial style videos, especially of a tangible skill like crafting, building, or anything else that uses your hands, you won't want to miss this episode.

In it I talk with Josh Smith of Cook Academy about what they've learned building up a library of training videos for people learning to become better cooks.

We discuss how to set up multiple angles properly, find a better locale than what you already have available to you, how to cut down on reflections from glass surfaces, and how to best teach using video.

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