Film industry has grown as technology advances and market demand. As a filmmaker you should be able to understand it as an attempt to improve the skills.

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Chromakey Tips

One – Try a darker background
When buying your material for your Chromakey Background, whether it’s paint or cloth, buy one or two shades darker than a “True Blue” or “True Green”. Since you are usually putting lights on your background, you will find out that the lights wash out your background, and you find it suddenly too light for a good Chromkey.

Two – Try Shooting Outdoors
The Sun (especially on an overcast day) is the world’s biggest Soft Light. If you want a nice even background for keying, try to put your ChromKey background outside.

Three – Try some Backlighting
In most cases, Chromakeying is done inside. If you are able to place a light source behind your Chromakey Background (sorry, this will only work with a pretty evenly transparent cloth material), you will find a nice even background with no shadows.

Four – Light Background and Source Independently
Light your background and your subject individually to avoid shadows

Five – Soften your lights
That doesn’t mean to turn them down but rather try to use wax paper in front of your lights or bounce your lights off an umbrella (the special photo kind) or white sheet. A softer light means fewer shadows.

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Multimedia Acronyms

ACR Absolute category rating

ANSIAmerican National Standards Institute

ATM Asynchronous transfer mode

CIE Commission Internationale de Eclairage

cpd Cycles per degree

CRT Cathode ray tube

CSF Contrast sensitivity function

dB Decibel

DCR Degradation category rating

DCT Discrete cosine transform

DMOS Differential mean opinion score

DSCQS Double stimulus continuous quality scale

DSIS Double stimulus impairment scale

DVD Digital versatile disk

DWT Discrete wavelete transform Continue reading Multimedia Acronyms

How New Cameras Are Tested

The EIA Video Systems Committee set five measurement parameters that would be evaluated under low light conditions.
1. Luminance level
2. Black level
3. Luminance signal-to-noise ratio
4. Chroma level
5. Resolution

Tests were developed to measure these parameters and minimum limits were set on the measurement results. To be judged acceptable, the camcorder would have to meet the minimum limits on all five parameters.

The Actual Tests
Each camera is aimed at a test chart with its zoom lens adjusted between wide angle and half-way zoomed in. This achieves respectable light transmission. The chart is illuminated with 3100 degree Kelvin (3100° K) video lights adjusted to spread the light evenly over the chart. A digital light meter is used to accurately determine the illumination of the test chart. The camcorder circuitry is exposed, if necessary, so that the video signal can be measured directly using a video waveform monitor, video noise meter, and high resolution video monitor.
The camcorder is switched to its full AUTOMATIC mode for exposure and color balance, and its GAIN UP control is set to the “normal” position. (The manufacturer is permitted to perform these tests in the GAIN UP position as long as it indicates in its specifications that this position was used during the test). The camera is manually focused and set to 1/60 second shutter speed. The electronic image stabilization circuits are switched off, the digital zoom is switched off, the on-screen display (OSD) feature is switched off, the RF adapter (TV channel 3/4) bypassed, and of course, any built-in accessory lights are deactivated.

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Recording Voice-Overs

Need to setup a home studio to record voice narration for home videos, indie productions, commercials, and more?

Do you already have a computer with a sound card that can act as your digital recorder? You just need to add some inexpensive recording equipment and software to your PC, and you can produce high-quality, effective voice recordings easily. What other gear do you need?

Microphone.
To get your voice into the computer, you need a microphone. Don’t use the crummy little one that came with your computer. High-quality,
inexpensive mics abound and sound far better than that trash. For basic voice work, I’d suggest either the Shure SM57 or SM58. These are rugged, good-sounding dynamic microphones. The SM58 is especially suited for female voice as it reduces sibilance (excessive esses) somewhat. Males can choose either. Both mics are available from music or audio equipment suppliers for under $100 (American Musical Supply, BH Photo/Video, Musician’s Friend, and others). Also, get a proper mic cable and a desk stand to hold the mic while you’re speaking. Continue reading Recording Voice-Overs