New to Video ... a couple questions

[ZREM]

Hi All,

I am planning on shooting some video of camping/trails/family fun this summer ... and trying to do it "right".

My Gear:

Canon 60D
Sony CX-150 Handycam
iPhone 5 with OtterBox Armor Series (my version of a GoPro)
Windows Live Movie Maker

I have the basic tripod setup and a handful of lenses for the Canon 60D, but plan on shooting mostly with the Handycam this summer.

My question, what should I grab for the Handycam?

I am thinking a suction mount for the windshield like this:

http://www.amazon.com/DURAGADGET-Windscreen-Windshield-suction-Handycam/dp/B003SWE5LW/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1362936224&sr=1-17&keywords=sony+handycam+mounts

and maybe a fish eye lens just for fun:

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Handycam-DCR-SX45-HXR-MC50U-Camcorder/dp/B000I0V3LW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1362952984&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+handycam+fisheye+lens

What other musts haves would you recommend?

Cheers,

Court

 

[nwoods]

You'll want something to download and save your media on during the trip.

The biggest issue is scripting or storyboarding. Have in mind what you want to film way before you turn the key and start rolling down the road. Have some concepts of soundtrack music, think about key events, focus on people more than scenery. Remember that timelapses are addicting and people will watch them, regardless of content

Here are two radically different travel oriented videos, but both clearly filmed with sound and story in mind. I use them both for inspiration:
- http://vimeo.com/3792143 (featuring the incomparable Leah Sakellarides (www.http://velokova.com/)
- http://vimeo.com/12236680 (sound track for Iceland....? No, I rather doubt it, but very fun nonetheless)


I would also encourage you to experiment with filming things out of focus, out of plane, off center, etc... ExPo's own ywen is very good at this sort of thing. Showcased here in the opening scenes of his honeymoon video: https://vimeo.com/7920582 He takes this to a new level in his more recent China trip video. Note how the subject of the story is NOT the subject in the lens. That is very skillfully done: https://vimeo.com/26582914


Here is another bonus video for you, again featuring Leah Sakallarides. Powerful storytelling via video:
http://vimeo.com/18013710# It's two minutes long, but tells an incredible story with richness, joy, and the spirit of youthful adventurism and wonder. It's brilliantly edited.

I myself do not yet poses the skills or talents capable of producing what I have given examples of above, but I can appreciate them, and hope that they inspire you as much as they have me.

 

[ZREM]

Thanks for the info!

Those examples are pretty helpful for sure. I'll be making a quick day trip up to RMNP this week, I'll see what I can put together for that as my 1st go at it.