Post by juju on May 2, 2006 0:17:03 GMT -5
Rather than limiting your film projects to shots taken from a stationary tripod, use innovative shots for a special occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings—you name it, there’s a way you can blend your tech know-how and imagination with your digital camcorder. Have you considered producing a mini-documentary? These personal celebrations present the perfect opportunity to let your inner director shine. Use your digital camcorder to record a unique perspective of these meaningful events—get tight shots of the guest(s) of honor, use a slow zoom during an emotional climax, or pan to keep up with the action of the kids playing with their new puppy. The Canon ZR500 ($550; www.usa.canon.com/html/canonindex.html ) is a great camcorder that lets you capture those moments. Your original filming doesn’t have to end with fun camera shots—put that video to good use. Your PC, along with video-editing software, will let you transfer your artsy video clips, so you can edit, add transitions, and use special effects to maximize the footage you have. Make your home videos the envy of the neighborhood by editing together favorite moments, adding titles, slow dissolves, catchy music tracks, or black-and-white film effects for a great vintage feel. The possibilities are endless with video-editing, and you’ll probably find that post-production offers more opportunities to be creative than filming. For the amateur filmmaker we recommend Pinnacle Studio version 10 ($69.99; www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Home/ ) for your video-editing endeavors.