When he was 7 years old, scaring his dad, or being scared by his dad were awesome moments.

I was fortunate enough to capture a few of these precious times on my camcorder.

Even now, he gets a kick out of seeing how scared he got!

Here’s some tips for getting your own scary adventures on video…

• Use the Night Vision Feature on your camcorder.  Many SONY models have infrared built in to them.  (I was using a SONY PC101 for this video)
• Buy a third party Infrared video light.  Most camcorders will be able to pick up a picture just fine with one.
• Put your camera on a tripod.   Keep it in the corner of a room ,where it won’t get tripped on by your unsuspecting offspring.
• Be patient and wait in the dark for the right moment.  I waited for my wife to send Ryan to say good night to me.  Then I played Hide-and -Seek.  It took over 10 minutes of me waiting in the dark before he stumbled into my trap! Mha-ha-ha-ha!

Capturing on camera those cherished times with your family is what it’s all about.

• Do you want crappy audio, kids?

Of course you don’t.  I’ll tell you right now how to dramatically improve your audio- without having to spend a dime!

Pay attention.

We’ll Begin With Audio Acquisition Tips- Record Better Audio To Begin With.

1. Put a homemade windscreen on your camera’s microphone.  This will prevent those annoying wind “pops” from ever being recorded.
   • cut a patch from an old cotton sock that’s the size of your camera’s microphone.
   • Do likewise with an old pair of pantyhose.
   • Layer the sock and then the pantyhose on top of your microphone and adhere to camera with gaffers tape. (You can use duct tape as well-but it may leaf adhesive on your camera body.)
2. Pay attention to the sound levels of your camera while recording.
   • If your camera has audio meters- turn them on.  Adjust the mic level input accordingly.
   • Many cameras don’t have this feature.  That’s ok.  Get a pair of headphones, and plug them into the camera.
     • Put the headphones on and start shooting the way you normally do- except this time you’ll hear what is getting recorded adequately- and what’s not.
       • Adjust your shooting style accordingly.
         • If you self narrate a lot- then you’ll know if you have to speak softer or louder.
         • If your shooting subject can’t be heard, ask them to speak up.
3. Avoid noisy shooting locations
   • Seems obvious, but sometimes you don’t realize just how noisy a place is because your brain will try to filter noise out automagically for you.
   • If you have to shoot your BFF at the food court next to the wishing fountain- make sure they either shout to camera- or they have a hand-held microphone.

Well Done.  Next, We Have Tricks For Better Audio in Edits.

4. Do An Audio Pass- for cryin’ out loud.

• • Once your done editing the picture- Your still not done-done.
    • Go back and use the audio gain tools to level out all the audio.
      • Adjust everything so each audio clip is the same perceived audio level when playing it back.  (Turn off the music tracks until all the spoken words are level.  Then, go back and adjust the music so it sounds good with the spoken word.)

5.  Double The Audio Track

• • If you’re using editing software, like Final Cut Express or Sony Vegas, then it will allow you to double up the audio segments.
    • Very useful for when you have cranked up the audio gain already to the maximum, but it’s not enough.

Do these 5 things for your next video, and people may actually watch it.

Now, get out there, and make an awesome home movie!

I apologize if, you in fact, are a pig- but this is shiznit you need to know!

BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE REGULARLY.

How would you feel if you lost every family picture and video you had from the last 5 years?  That would be stinky- right?

You can never be sure when your computer’s gonna take a big plopper, so be ready.

The Creative Home Movie Step-by Step Guide to Keeping Your Pics and Movies Safe(r)

oooh- shiny.

1.) Buy an External Hard Drive

See what hook-ups you have on your computer.

If you’re a guy- then you already know. Warning.  If you’re a sensitive feminist nut, skip to step #2.

If you’re a gal- please just check anyway. (Only post a nasty comment if you’re first guess was right.  Be honest.)

In order of slowest interface to fastest:

USB 2

Firewire

Firewire 800

USB 3

E-Seta

Thunderbolt

• Buy a large capacity hard drive with the fastest connection your computer supports.  (It should be AT LEAST equal in capacity to the sum capacity of the storage on your computer)

2.) Get Backing Up!

For MAC USERS:

Unpack and admire your new shiny hard drive.

Plug it in.

Launch Time Machine and open the preferences.

Choose the new drive as your target drive

Go back to downloading pictures of cute kittens hanging from tree branches. (or whatever else sick thing you’re into.)

For  PC USERS:

Unpack your new hard drive.

Inventory the software that came bundled with it

Follow the manufacturer instructions for instalation

Install the backup software that came bundled with your new hard drive

Spend a few frustrating hours trying to see if works or if it has unregistered a number of other devices on your system.

Reinstall the software 2 more times and say a prayer to the pagon god of your choice.

Cross your fingers, and face West when you start your first backup.

GOOD JOB.  Now you’re stuff is safe(ish)

You’re free to devote more energy to making awesome home movies!

You have always been my favorite (feminist nut) student!  ;)

In her defense, it was a brand new camera.  It was much smaller than our old one.  (Why did I have to pick out the one camera that could so easily go unnoticed.)

It's NO fun if you lose your camera.

Is there something you can do in advance to retrieve a lost camcorder?

Let’s start with some easy stuff.

• Engrave your phone number on the bottom of the camera.

The person who stumbles across your lost camera, may be honorable and just.

Other people, however, have been so mistreated and abused in their lives,  that their human decency has been covered up by a hard-candy shell of maleficence.

To appeal to these people…

• Make a creative message that even the most jaded of human beings would have no choice but to do the right thing.

If I found this camera, I'm calling the owner immediately!

Now if a message like this doesn’t get somebody to pick up the phone, then they are truly bad people.

You can at least console in the knowledge that the Universe will eventually deal out some sweet karmic justice.

For those who have trouble seeing the picture, the example message is:

“Against my better judgement, I trusted this camera with my wife.  If you’re reading this now, then you still have time.  She hasn’t tracked you down yet.  For the love of God, call me and return my camera before she finds you.  Please. I know what she’s capable of.”

• The 4 types of recording media
• The Pros and Cons of each
• How to make an informed camcorder purchase

Now go out there, and make your old teacher proud!

This is the second part of a 3 part series dedicated to expanding your knowledge.

Get all the information you’ll need to make a smart choice when you buy your next camcorder.

Or, just learn how camcorders work.  This stuff is really cool- really.

but you must see this before you lay down your cool cash for those hot camcorder deals out there.

• Did you know  there are 3 different categories of camcorders?
• Can you tell me  the biggest thing to consider when looking for your next camcorder?
• Any idea why I’m grilling you like this?

This is Part 1 of 3 episodes that will help answer all these questions- and more!

I’ll give you the skinny on these new slim cams.

Sony DVC and TDK DVC Tapes

People ask me all the time, “What brand of tape is best?”

The answer is simple:

Buy the least expensive name brand tape that you can find.

There is ZERO difference in the picture quality between different brands of MiniDV tape.

• This is because your camera is recording a series of digital files to your tape.  the data is recorded digitally, and the information would be identical no matter what kind of tape is being used.

There is a slight difference in the integrity- or strength- of the tapes.  However, the differences should prove to be negligible for the amount of wear and tear a NORMAL user will subject them to.

For those of you who will insist on getting a real answer:

I recommend Panasonic AY-HDVM33AMQ and the SONY HDM63VG because they are produced with high tensile-strength backing, and they are factory scrubbed to ensure the absolute minimum amount of dust particles on the tape.

If you just took a note of the above tape models, then you’re really missing the point here.

Now, stop obsessing over this, and go make a fun movie!