Hello everyone, been a while since I've posted. In the last two years I have moved back to America, got married, got a dog that is always sick and is costing me more than I care to say, and made the move into journalism full-time.
Most of what I do is photography. However, with all the mergers and decline in print, it has been suggested I move into video. The newspaper I work at started a video department a few months ago for the website. They plan to start doing video twice a day in the very near future. All they have done so far are small stories or projects that they take their time on.
One month ago, there was a large explosion near the downtown office. A gas leak blew the roof off of an apartment building. I did not have my cameras with me as I was on office duty that day and all the company cameras were either checked out or dead. I grabbed a video camera and decided to use that. I have worked with video in the past, but it really was more of a hobby. Either way, this was the first time we did spot news and the higher-ups were impressed. It was suggested to me that I work more with video.
I ended up buying a Canon HV20 and am quite impressed with the video quality. The noise from the tape drive is a bit loud, but I'm sure a good shotgun mic with a dead cat will cure all noise issues.
I am a bit nervous and at the same time excited to move into video. I would be one of the very few in my city that do both photography and video journalism. The term I was told was MOJO (Mobile Journalist).
I have not used a video editing program in years and nearly forgot how to edit at all. I sat down in front of FinalCut over the weekend and figured out enough to get my videos edited and online. Most seem impressed with my work so far, but I have a great deal to learn.
Are there any good websites to get info and tips on FCP? Any of you have any tips on correcting white balance and getting rid of the hissing sound made by the tape drive that the on-board mic picks up?
I know I need an external mic and plan to order one in a day or two. Just looking for my best choice before I do. So far, it's between the Canon DM-50 or the RODE VIDEOMIC. Is there one any of you can suggest?
What do you guys use for video? What kind of video do you guys do? How long have you been in video? What got you into video? Any samples?
Look forward to your replies. Best wishes,
-albert