Filming Engine build at Different Locations ?

[FUNFER2]

I have a new all aluminum 427 side oiler engine build, that will be in two magazines. I also want to film the build process from the forging the block, internal and exterior parts that are used, assembly, to running it on the engine & chassis dyno. Interviews will be taken for both the photo's and the filming.

Here's where I need ideas.

The filming is up to me, and I want to create a build website, up-load to various video websites and also make up DVD-CD's for sale.

I do have a nice digital/hard drive camcorder to use.
I don't have much money to put into this.
The build will be in at least 3 different states.
I'm sure hiring local professional videotographer's in each state, would be very expensive.

Just how can I get this done to look professional, and not have one of us rookies, shaking and moving around the camcorder and getting headaches while watching the video ? Of course, a tripod helps but,......

I guess I could box up my camcorder and ship it to all locations.

So, I will appreciate any ideas ?

[lineslinger]

First off, you are recording, not filming.

If you are going to chase funding, terminology is important.

You have a home video camera, so does 80% of the country, is it broadcast quality?

Your project is multi-state, and you have no money for your production, but you plan on and in depth presentation because your idea is special. It takes real money to finish such a project. Rough edit, final edit, mixing, sound track, basic effects, music yada yada yada.

I know, you can do it better because you have a vision that no else has, and you can parlay the subject matter better than those hacks on the speed network or anything else you've seen because yours is different.

I don't mean to dump on your ambition but it sounds like every communication major or NYU or USC film student who ever walked through my office door.

If you want to shoot something for you and your pals thats a whole different deal.

PM me and I would be happy to share some knowledge, and it won't cost you dime.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Just how can I get this done to look professional, and not have one of us rookies, shaking and moving around the camcorder and getting headaches while watching the video ? Of course, a tripod helps but,......

I love stuff like this -- and I'll buy one of your DVDs even if it's a crap job of filming and editing. Unfortunately, to do it right costs time and money; there's just no shortcut around that -- but just having the kid, that would normally be sweeping up in the shop, holding the camera is better than nothing. Maybe you could hire a kid from the local college's film crew? Or post an ad in the local Craig's List seeking a person with a video camera (don't let them steal yours). But by all means do it. Like I said, even if you do a crappy job I'll buy one (and I'll pay the same amount that I would had you done a great job).

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by patrickt

. But by all means do it. Like I said, even if you do a crappy job I'll buy one (and I'll pay the same amount that I would had you done a great job).

Famous last words, "even if you do a crappy job I'll buy one".
Don't get sucked in by that BS.
Try to remain realistic.

[patrickt]

Kevin, LS has a point. Are you doing this to make money (you won't) or just because it's kind of a cool thing to do and you'd like to memorialize it and break even all that the same time? You're playing to a real niche audience, and most of them will be on this forum and the FordFE forum (and the guys over on the FE forum are tighter with a buck, btw). But seriously, a detailed video (even a rough amateur's job) of a SO build-up? Absolutely I will order one from you.

[lineslinger]

I'd order one in a heatbeat if the information on the video is viable, get your priorities in order and then consider your approach.

[FUNFER2]

lol,.... yep, it won't be anything professional, I just want someone to hold the camcorder steady !

It may take a long time to get things going but, it will be a lot of fun and I think informative.

Lineslinger- Your help will be appreciated and will PM you tomorrow.

Donations for the build are accepted.

[Paul F]

It's not that hard to make a good looking video. There are some fundamental things that the inexperienced person doesn't pay attention to that make or break good quality. You can go from amateur to good looking with these basic things.

The camera - Lineslinger talks about broadcast quality. Today that is 1080P with I don't know how many lines of resolution. The real question is, can we see what your talking about clearly. Consumer cameras cheat with the way they record color and it can smear. The resolution is lower. That's ok. So long as you do some nice closeups and we can see or read whatever it is your showing us, mission accomplished. The better the lines of resolution of the camera, the better the final results. It's that simple. But use what you have. I assume you don't have $5000 to spend on a prosumer camera, so don't worry about the camera. Get the best you can and go with it.

You can shoot your video with one or multiple cameras. If you want live-action, shot in real time, then you need two and preferably 3 cameras. You cannot shoot a decent live-action video with one camera. However, you can shoot a great video with one camera of your not trying to capture live-action. Just set up shots, and get wide and close ups one at a time. Takes more time, but that's what's needed for a good video.

1. lighting - for video, good lighting is easy. You just need a LOT of diffused light. The more light the better. All video cameras work better with LOTS of light. That's why studios are so bright. The colors are better, the noise is less. Go get a bunch of cheap 500w flood lights from the hardware store. Soften the light with some thin white material on a wire frame. Or just bounce the light off the walls and ceiling if they are white. Very simple. Very cheap, reasonably good.

Audio - You have basic audio sources. The sound recorded during shooting and the sound recorded after shooting in post-production. The sound recorded during shooting is difficult to get good without expensive equipment. Notice that camera crews either have a microphone on the people talking or they have a person with a boom mic holding it just out of frame. Your probably not going to do either. If you do need to record sound during shooting, do get one or more wireless mics and put them on the people that are talking. Otherwise the sound is poor.

Sound recorded after shooting is in a nice quiet room with the microphone close to the speaker. Videos don't do this, but for movies, virtually all of the actors lines are re-recorded in post-production. You can do the same. That's a pain and takes time. Better is to just have someone narrate the video. Now you have really good control over sound, sound effects (wrench and engine sounds), and music.

Camera blocking - The worst thing you can do is run one continuous shot of what you are doing. Nobody wants to watch you walk up to the engine bay and move the camera into the carburetor. Take a wide shot of the engine bay. Take a shot of the carburetor, then edit it together. Nice. Yes, tripod shots are good. But handheld is acceptable if your not wobbling all around. The name of the game is 'coverage'. Think of the story you are working on and provide plenty of shots to make that story. Shoot wide. Shoot close. Don't zoom too much or not at all. Use close ups and cut them in if you feel the need to zoom in for detail. The basic idea is to establish a shot, such as someone pointing to something in a wide shot, and then shoot a separate closeup so we can see what he is talking about. When doing the closeups, get that 500 watt light in there with the camera for lots of diffused light.

Framing - Framing errors are quite common. Don't look at the subject. Look at the whole frame. What's in the frame that is distracting. When shooting a subject that is looking to the right, put them more towards the left part of the frame. This looks more natural. Watch your headroom. Don't cut their head off. Spend some time setting up shots instead of just doing one shot of the whole step, event, or whatever it is. 3-5 minutes of one take is hard to take. But then we don't need music video 3 cuts/second either.

If you pay attention to these basic things, you will have a nice video.

[kurtmart]

Gotta be shot in HD or forget it.

You have to have some sort of script, at the very least a detailed outline, if you don't it will be a confused mess.

Watch some of the build shows on Speed and emulate the parts that work for you. ("emulate" means steal).

I've made 17 movies and assorted TV shows, if any of this is happening in So Cal I'll help.

Kurt

[FUNFER2]

I appreciate all of your ideas & advise, it's very helpful.

Lineslinger- "communication major or NYU or USC film student who ever walked through my office door".

Do you think if I contacted each of the locations University's film communications production professor (ect.)
that the students would be able to travel and shoot the build and even do the interviews ?

Kurt- speed channel sucks ! lol
Hell, they may as well call it the Nascar & pinks channel.

Actually guys, this build and my cobra was going to be on Speed, on the show
"Kit an Auto Body Experience" but, the producer said the executive's did not carry over for this years programing.
They said they have two new Nascar shows and did not have a time spot available. WHAT EVER SPEED

[lineslinger]

Send me a PM and we can work out a way to discuss your project.