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Extras for Video Projects Extras for Video Projects From "Making Home Movies" episode DMHM-110

There are almost three dozen preset effects in software packages that can be used to enhance an audio recording, such as cutting out scratchiness or amplifying bass tones. Take some time and explore these powerful new programs because they can help you polish a home movie. In the making of any video, sound plays an important role and should receive just as much focus as the pictures -- after all, what the audience hears will influence what they see. If they're having to struggle to understand a garbled interview, they're going to be distracted from the overall story line.

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Hiding the mic cable eliminates the possible distraction of having the interview subject play with it during the interview!

It's important to remember that sound-editing software can do only so much. Its powers are limited by the quality of the recording, and the quality of the remix will be heavily influenced by the quality of the original recording. The best way to guarantee a topnotch soundtrack is to monitor the audio closely as it's being recorded.

Tips for high-quality recording include the following:

• Use a lapel microphone when conducting an interview on camera.

• Clip the microphone between the second and third buttons of the subject's shirt.

• Check to make sure that nothing has the potential to rub across the top of the microphone.

• If the person being interviewed isn't wearing a button-down shirt, move the microphone cable around to his back or run it up underneath the shirt before clipping it to the top of the collar or neckline.

• Be careful that the microphone doesn't tilt off to the side and compromise audio quality.

• Hide the microphone cable if at all possible. This allows you to shoot a wide shot of the interview without showing the cable. If the cable is touched, it will compromise the sound quality.
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  IMAC Computer
  POWERBOOK laptop computer
  IMOVIE editing software
  Apple Computer Inc.
  Website: apple.com
  

  Tripods
  3433 Fluid Head
  755B MDVE Video Tripod
  522A Sony LANC Remote
  700RC2,756BK MDVE Tripod w/head
  714B Digi Tripod
  Bogen Photo Corp.
  Website: www.bogenimaging.us
  

  Canon Digital Camcorders
  Canon USA Inc.
  Website: usa.canon.com
  canondv.com
  

  Video cameras
  PD-150 camera and accessories
  Vaio laptop
  Flatscreen TV
  Mini DV tapes
  Sony Electronics Inc.
  Website: www.sony.com
  

  Photographic equipment
  Precision Camera
  Website: precision-camera.com
  

  Media 100 editing software
  Media 100 Inc.
  Website: www.media100.com
  

  Final Draft Professional Scriptwriting Software
  Final Draft Inc.
  Website: finaldraft.com
  

  Video conversion devices
  Adaptec, Inc.
  Website: www.adaptec.com
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Recording High-Quality Sound
  	Placing the Microphone
  	Recording
  	Extras for Video Projects