Inside+Video+Production

=INSIDE VIDEO PRODUCTION=

By: KENN MERCHANT merchantk@students.nescom.edu


 * (BANGOR)** - Here at NESCom video production is a huge field of study. The question is, what makes a true video-producing persona?

According to Cary Chelsey, a sophomore here at NESCom, being a person who has a positive attitude and dedication is surely a video producer. Chelsey goes on to explain that if you get an assignment and say, “Aw man, I don’t have time for this,” then this is a clear sign that video production is not the field for you. A “movie buff” and a video production student at NESCom, Mike Cummings, explained that there is a little bit more to video production than simply taking out a camcorder and shooting shots. Cummings says, “Filming takes inspiration and hard work.” Cummings has been doing video production since his junior year in high school. He has analyzed films as well as edited them, creating short films.
 * What does it take?**

Chelsey talked about planning ahead of time in order to become well prepared for new assignments. “Being well prepared is the best way to perfect video production.” “Getting used to all the equipment,” Chelsey says, is another involvement necessary for becoming a video producer. Some of this equipment involves video editing software, such as Final Cut and Avid, a jig, dolly, steady-cam, as well as technique. Other types of shots and filming techniques that Cummings discussed were pans, transitions, point of view shots, low angles, and sound effects. A lot of these shots and techniques are covered in Video Production I and II. Here is a link to a video that Cummings did for a project.
 * What is involved in this field?**

Advanced Lighting, a class at NESCom, covers some pretty unique and advanced video production techniques. Black filming for instance is one of these techniques. This technique is much like the style of filming that you see in 80’s films. It involves minimal color, usually none, and is done under very dark lighting. Neo noir is another technique that is similar to black filming, except that there is a slight amount of color in the shots. A great example of a neo noir film is Sin City. While working on a group project Cummings suggested, “Don’t present your project idea first in a group, save it for later.” He explained that while working in a group, havoc breaks loose amongst everyone in the group fairly easily. “Film is at its best when everyone collaborates well,” explained Cummings. He goes on to explain that keeping an audience happy is what brings success to a videographer, “You got to make your customer satisfied, otherwise you did not do your job correctly.” In the Advanced Lighting class that Cummings took, he went through many difficulties trying to keep his group working together, eventually almost giving up on the project, “Film of noir is like a game I walked in losing, the project took a toll on me.” This goes to show that video production students need to work as a team.
 * What are some types of technique?**
 * What are some suggestions for new video production students?**

In order to know if video production is your field, simply ask yourself, ‘Do I want to do this for the rest of my life?’ Acknowledging this question truthfully, Chelsey says that you will be lead down the right path. “If you believe in hard work,” says Chelsey, and then video production is the right profession for you. Cummings says that he has been inspired to pursue video production, and shows it in his hard efforts to do project after project. Whether you’re a “movie buff” like Cummings or a student to video like Chelsey, to be in the video production field extra measures must be taken beyond normal extent. 
 * Do I suit this field?**