The Art of Moving Camera Techniques ~ Volume 1 - Mark & Trisha Von Lanken

The Art of Moving Camera Techniques ~ Volume 1 - Mark & Trisha Von Lanken
Category - DVD
Reviewed by: Anonymous User & Damon Dietz
Rating - 4.5

Summary:
Mark and Trisha have captured the very essence of "moving camera techniques." The DVD teaches the fundamentals on how to hold the camera and move the body so as to produce the most fluid moving shots possible without extra equipment.

What Worked:
Commentary is available on the utilization of the "moving camera techniques" in two separate sections, depending if you are using a handheld or shoulder mount camera. Mark also offers the viewer great insight into utilizing the manual settings on your camera. The DVD offers suggestions on low-cost camera equipment that can further improve the shot without breaking the bank.

What Didn't Work:
This DVD is jam packed with useful information on much more than just "moving camera techniques." The only negative to putting so many different things on one DVD, is the inability to elaborate on certain parts. I personally would have liked to have seen more in-depth look on the use of manual settings.

The Bottom Line:
The Art of Moving Camera Techniques is a must have for videographers who are new to videography or those who have opted for stationery camera shots in their productions. I would highly recommend this DVD as it is an excellent investment if you are looking to raise the value of your productions.
This DVD is available for purchase for $125.

Ratings:
Content: 4 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 4.5 out of 5
Worth the Price: 4.5 out of 5
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 Read More!

Reaching the Next Level ~ Sound Design - Steve & Laura Moses

Reaching the Next Level ~ Sound Design - Steve & Laura Moses
Category - DVD
Reviewed By: Damon Dietz
Rating - 3 out of 5

Summary:
Reaching the Next Level - Sound Design addresses the importance and utilization of sound in your Wedding, Love Story, and Concept Video Productions. Steve & Laura cover the use and implementation of dialogue, music, ambiance & room tone, sound effects, sound bites, and more.

What Worked:
The production and presentation of this video is very good, providing an overview and excellent examples of the various types of sound techniques used to enhance the quality of your productions. It describes the many technical terms and shares good insight relating to these numerous sound & audio techniques.

What Didn't Work:
There is a lot of strong and useful information of this DVD, but the pacing seems a bit slow. Also, the content is presented on an introductory level, leaving me wanting more advanced content.

The Bottom Line:
This is an good DVD for the beginning to intermediate videographer who is looking to create a higher end & more emotional production with the utilization & incorporation of sound. This DVD is available for $100.

Ratings:
Content: 3 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 4 out of 5
Worth the Price: 3 out of 5
Overall: 3 out of 5 Read More!

How to Master the Art of Selling Anything - Tom Hopkins

How to Master the Art of Selling Anything - Tom Hopkins
Category - 12-Disc Audio CD Series
Reviewed By: Damon Dietz
Rating - 4 out of 5

Summary:
This twelve compact disc series teaches you the complete sales process from prospecting & original contact through to closing & getting referrals. The set consists of twenty-four sessions which explain: where and how to meet new prospects, effective qualification strategies, how to overcome customer objection, how to power close, how to turn rejection into success, and much more.

What Worked:
This audio set was not produced by a videographer or even specifically created for videographers, rather by a world renowned sales trainer, Tom Hopkins. I have personally found there to be a lack of good sales & marketing training material created specifically for videographers, but Tom does a tremendous job explaining the strategies that any field of business can implement to increase sales. This is ultimately the reason that we do everything else in this business; to make more money.

What Didn't Work:
There are definitely times throughout How to Master the Art of Selling Anything, that Tom speaks on items not related to the video business. There are nearly 12 hours of audio presented on the CD set, and this can be a good thing and a bad thing. Since Tom speaks on a variety of sales & marketing strategies related to any sales field, it can sometimes feel unrelated to what you are trying to learn.

The Bottom Line:
This product can help even the most business savvy videographer. There are so many solid and time-tested proven sales strategies presented not currently being effectively utilized by many videographers, that this set can help anyone who wants to improve the current state of their business. This product sells for $185 for the entire 12-Disc Audio CD Series.

Ratings:Content: 4 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 4 out of 5
Worth the Price: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5 Read More!

5 Short Form Weddings - Steve Fowler

Five Short Form Weddings - Steve Fowler
Category - 2-Disc DVD Set
Reviewed By: Damon Dietz
Rating - 2 out of 5

Summary:
Steve Fowler of Video Experts have made their productions available now for the very first time with this two-disk DVD set containing five short-form wedding movies in their entirety. Each of these award winning short-form videos runs approximately 30 to 40 minutes in length.

What Worked:
Steve does a good job showing the viewer examples of short-form videos. While watching you can get excellent ideas on the layout and creation of how a video like this can be produced.

What Didn't Work:
5 Short Form Weddings claims the videos featured on this DVD are
guaranteed to thrill, excite and wow audiences alike. I was not so fortunate to experience these same emotions. In defense, these videos have won numerous awards; however, I personally wasn't impressed with the shooting or storytelling of these videos. The editing and layout of the short-form videos were fairly good, but I was disappointed with the variety of videos; once you watch the first one, there is no need to watch the remaining four, as they are all edited exactly the same. In addition, for what you are getting, I feel this product is extremely overpriced at $200.

The Bottom Line:
I think if you are in the market for learning how to create short form wedding videos, there are better products on the market.

Ratings:
Content: 2.5 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 2 out of 5
Worth the Price: 1.5 out of 5
Overall: 2 out of 5 Read More!

The Dissection of a Same Day Edit - Laura and Chris Randall

The Dissection of a Same Day Edit - Laura & Chris Randall
Category - DVD
Reviewed by: Damon Dietz
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:
The Dissection of a Same Day Edit walks the viewer through how to create a Same Day Edit (SDE) from start to finish. You will follow Laura as she goes through the entire process on an actual timeline, and also have an opportunity to view six different Same Day Edits that you can watch with or without commentary.

What Worked:
The Dissection of a Same Day Edit gives great insight in to the planning and successful execution of the SDE. I was pleased with both the content & production value of this DVD, with the commentary being both informative & educational. Laura makes it easy to follow along by showing her timeline and her time saving tips for the wedding day. It seems as if a lot of work went into producing this product.

What Didn't Work:
The only thing that I believe could have been done to improve the quality of the production would be to give additional information on the process of audio capture and the utilization of audio during the SDE.

The Bottom Line:
I would recommended this DVD to anyone in the field of wedding videography who currently is not doing SDEs. The regular price on this DVD is $99, but is currently on sale at the 4Ever Group website for $65. This is a steal for this DVD and you should pick it up right away!

The Rating Breakdown:
Content: 4 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 4.5 out of 5
Worth the Price? 5 out of 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Read More!

Event DV - The Authority for Event Videographers

Event DV - The Authority for Event Videographers
Category - Magazine
Reviewed by: Damon Dietz
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Event DV is published monthly, and is free to anyone who subscribes. It covers the ins and out of the vast world of event videography and it's counterpart EventDV.net, offers a wealth of additional information including breaking up-to-date news, popular articles, and video tutorials.

What Worked:
So, is Event DV the authority for event videographers? I believe it is. The magazine is packed full of information on shooting, editing, marketing, branding, it seems I can go on forever. This all comes at a fantastic price - it's free!

What Didn't Work:
It all works. There is nothing I can say more than I love it!

The Bottom Line:
Subscribe. Enjoy.

The Rating Breakdown:
Content: 5 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 5 out of 5
Worth the Price? 5 out of 5
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Read More!

Blue Skies Cinema Presents - Short Form Weddings

Blue Skies Cinema Presents - Short Form Weddings
Category - DVD
Reviewed by: Damon Dietz
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Jeff & Andee Wright put together a two disk DVD set containing 4 short form weddings in their entirety. The disc set contains multiple award winning videos presented in a short form format (25-45 minutes). This video is designed as an inspirational tool to aid wedding videographers in the area of the short form wedding video.

What Worked:
The best aspect of this DVD are the videos. If you are selling a DVD set with nothing more than videos, you better make sure they are good, and in this case they are. By watching the videos you will be able to some good ideas on the editing and creation of a short form video.

What Didn't Work:
I would like to comment on the overall value of this product. While the videos are very good, I can't help but mention the fact that all four of the videos seem very similar. It is my hopes that when purchasing a DVD for video content alone, that there be a little more variety, especially at the hefty price tag of $200. This could have been improved upon by either offering fewer videos at a lower price, or greater variety at the current price.

The Bottom Line:
I would recommend this DVD set to any wedding videographer who is currently looking to expand their skill set to include short form videos. However, this product is a bit overpriced, especially for anyone currently shooting cinematic or editing short form videos.

The Rating Breakdown:
Content: 4 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 3 out of 5
Worth the Price? 2 out of 5
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 Read More!

Real Weddings Volume 1 - Mark and Trisha Von Lanken

Real Weddings - Volume 1
Category - DVD
Reviewed by: Damon Dietz
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:
Real Weddings, Volume 1 showcases one wedding in its entirety as delivered to the client. The DVD offers Mark & Trisha's insight into the technical and creative aspects of creating and delivering such a wedding film. With commentary on shooting & editing of a "Real Wedding," volume one offers the following: camera placement & shooting assignments, editing styles & techniques, audio sources & voice overs, time shifting, and much more.

What Worked:
I was extremely impressed with the presentation and production value of Real Weddings. When you first put in the DVD, you encounter a well designed motion menu with an epic-cinematic trailer playing as the background. You are presented with numerous selections on the main title screen, with the most impressive being the option to watch the entire wedding or individual segments with no commentary, or to select to watch the entire wedding with your choice of commentary regarding the shooting or editing of the wedding. This allows three individual learning opportunities for the viewer. One additional feature I felt was extremely informative, was the "Information & Resources" section of the DVD, where you get detailed instruction on how to navigate all the features of the DVD, as well as gaining insight into the equipment used in the production of this "Real Wedding."

What Didn't Work:
At first glance, $125 may seem a bit steep for a single 60 minute wedding, but with separate audio commentary for shooting & editing, this DVD is a real gem.

The Bottom Line:
This DVD should be utilized as an educational tool for anyone looking to learn about the overall process of producing a wedding video. From beginner to expert, documentary to cinematic, this video is a definite must have.

The Rating Breakdown:
Content: 4.5 out of 5
Presentation/Production Value: 5 out of 5
Worth the Price? 4 out of 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Read More!

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2. The company, producer, and name of product.
3. 3-5 sentences of your overall review of the product. This should include your thoughts on content, price, presentation, and overall value.
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