Stephen Knapp in the photo. Photo taken by Tony Gasbarro

I think all filmmakers, content creators and bloggers should have one in their bag of tricks. Well filmmakers should have 2. Why should a filmmaker have two? I’m sure there’s many times you have extra hands on set helping you out. This is a perfect time to hand them a camera and have them get behind the scenes footage or do a quick interview.

It could be used in your extras, blog or promotional material. The image quality will come closer to the look of the film you are shooting. Plus it won’t look like a completely different format which tend to make extras look like a after thought. IMHO

If you’re a hyperlocal news person or blogger this camera and future cameras like this will be the future ENG/EFP cameras

What makes this camera a great ENG/EFP camera?

1. HD Video, already off to a great start with full 1920×1080 HD resolution.
2. The mic input. With this adapter you can plug in any kind of microphone. Like a reporter type mic, shotgun(that’s the one I use), even a Lavalier mic (you could even plug that in to a wireless system). Don’t forget any extension cords you might need depending on what kind of mic you pick up.
3. Replaceable battery. If you do a lot of shooting you’ll want extra batteries. Get at least one extra but 2 are always a better bet. Here’s a charger for when the camera is in use. Want REALLY long life? Check one of my earlier blog posts.
4. SD Cards. Need more recording time pop in another card, up to 16 gigs!
5. Still images. Check out these, at 5 megapixel they are great for any broadcast situation

Macro setting

This one was aided with a wide angle lens, more on that in a later post.

Here’s a tip need to do a V.O.? Set the camera to a lower video resolution and use your external mic to do your V.O. That way you get a make shift audio recorder since you don’t need the video track it will just make it more manageable.

Kodak the only bit of advice I have is make the door easier to use to get the card out and you can drop the USB port. I’d never dangle that thing from my computer unless I was desperate.  Oh and maybe make an audio mode.

But it’s a start, and for me it’s more fun to come up with ideas and get them out there. I should have started this 5 years ago when but I guess I was watching too much TV.

For me posts like this and “The Long Tail” have made me think differently about what I’m trying to get out there and who I’m trying to get it too.

The tools that are out there now can make all this very simple and it’s getting better every day. There is a little bit of a ramp up but the waves are starting to settle for me. I’ll be posting my work, and projects I’m working on and my silly observations. Soon I’ll post my list of the basics. Like web host, web OS, various online accounts that are a must or for what I’m doing they are a must. But for now READUP! Oh yeah and create something?

Send me a link to something you made! I want to see and talk about it!

The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More

I submitted it to On Super8 and they accepted it for their podcast!  Check it out if you haven’t seen it.  A vintage Sean and Tammy are in it.  It was shot in fall of 1990?  Tammy’s Grandfather played his Lowrey Organ for me for the music.  Believe it or not I shot the film.  The part where the hearts are animated. I had a foot release trigger clicking off the frames.

If you are into Super8 film and yes they do still make Super8 film.  On Super8 is a must bookmark.  It will make you want to break out your camera and start shooting film again.

Maybe Bob Seger isn’t ready to be rediscovered by a new generation, or he doesn’t want the money, or they are still fighting over some rights…

Here’s and idea.  While you are fighting about who gets what, let all the money go into a trust or Amazon gift certificates.  Then maybe when you are done you’ll wonder why you were fighting while you’re walking to the bank.

Well, now I got to go find some old friends that might have some Bob Seger CD’s so I can rip them…

Don’t worry I’ll wait a little longer it’s bound to show up sometime.

Now why can’t the music industry can’t figure why people pirate?

NBC made some of their of new shows available for download right to my TIVO for free!  Smart move I’m already talking about them!

This concept is right on.  I really don’t even care if they have commercials in them.  I just want the commericals to be relevant to me.  Amazon already knows what I want, why can’t the networks?

Here’s the idea NBC, send me the shows right to my TIVO with commercials for things I like, like; zombies, robots, spaceships, time travel, anything future related did I mention robots?  I also like to shop at Target…

Now just think if NBC could pick commericals for products I like and insert a few of those into the normal breaks.  Then I wouldn’t get ads for men who have ED or female problems maybe another MAC add.  (sorry, you can’t convert a PC user if you are always making fun of them… just so you know…)

The chances of me watching and buying go up!  Way up!  Really how hard could this be?  It’s the future of TV.

Now the Bionic Woman’s tag line should be,  “Some HEROES aren’t born… They’re made”