Sony has answered this call by announcing the NEX-VG10, a $2000 high definition video camcorder that shoots 1920×1080 resolution at 60 fps. It boasts the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor as Sony’s other recently announced NEX cameras, and can shoot 14 megapixel stills in addition to the HD video.

Why is this a big deal? At this point, there don’t exist any video camcorders in this price bracket that can shoot both HD video and high quality stills with interchangeable lenses and a CMOS sensor, with the ergonomics of a video camera. That’s been a huge stumbling block for videographers who have wanted this type of camera in a more traditional form factor. With the Sony NEX-VG10, you’ll be able to record 315 continuous minutes, unlike today’s video DSLRs which have clip time limitations; interchange lenses, including Sony’s A-Mount series (with a separate adapter); and shoot high quality still photos, all in one unit. With more professional video features, the Sony NEX-VG10 is sure to be the beginning of high quality, affordable prosumer grade interchangeable lens camcorders.

The NEX-VG10 will be available this September, and can be pre-ordered on the Sony website.

1. Use the sun as a backlight. By keeping the sun behind your subject and at an angle, you create separation from the background (part of the basic 3-point lighting setup), control shadows, and can expose for the background. But how do you expose for your subject?
2. Use a reflector. In fact, use two. Use the two reflectors in the same manner you would a key and a fill light. Bounce the sun (your backlight) back onto your subject’s face, filling in the shadows created by the sun and illuminating the subject’s face. At this point you should have a properly exposed image. If you’re fortunate enough to have colored reflectors, experiment with different colors (gold, silver, white) in the key and fill positions until you find a combination that you like. But basic lighting can be pushed to the next level if you…
3. Shoot during “Golden Hour.” This is the time from about a half hour before sunrise and sunset to a half hour after. So yes, it’s technically more than an hour, but the golden hues and long shadows created by the sun makes for softer and more beautiful shots. But pretty pictures are just that unless you get good sound. One way to record great audio is to…
4. Use two microphones: a wireless lavalier microphone and a shotgun microphone. It always pays to have a backup in case one of your mics fails. The two microphone situation also allows you to capture “wild sound,” which is the natural ambient sound in the area. That’s useful in the editing process for covering up gaps in audio. Of course, none of this matters at all unless you…
5. Have a plan. Make sure you know the story you want to tell, and write down all the shots you think you’ll need to tell that story. You waste huge amounts of time trying to figure out which shot to get without a pre-planned shot list. That’s not to say you can’t improvise on the spot, but having a plan serves two purposes: it keeps you organized so that you get what you need to tell your story, and it gives you the freedom to get the cool improvised shots you didn’t plan.

It’s easy to forget all the rules when you shoot outdoors, but by remembering these five tips, you’ll at least have the fundamentals for your edit. Keep them in mind the next time you run out the door with your camera.

Before you start dropping money on a fancycam and crazy dollies, think about where your skill level is right now. Can you pan smoothly while following a subject? Does your handheld work still look like Uncle Harry’s home movies? If you want to be a professional videographer, you need to raise the bar on your skill level, and the only way to do that is by mastering the equipment you have now. Too many beginners focus on the toys rather than the skills, and that just lowers the bar. In turn, that lowers the quality for your potential customer, who comes to expect less, which then lowers the standards for the industry.  It’s a vicious cycle that has been plaguing the creative industries for the past several years. It’s up to you to raise the bar again.

Here are a few ideas for improving your skills:

• Practice your pans and tilts on your tripod. A smooth camera movement improves the quality of your video without expensive gear.
• Improve your handheld work. Think of your arms as the legs of a tripod that help to steady your shot.
• Think about composition. Remember the rule of thirds; play with interesting angles; look for creative viewpoints.
• Look for color, contrast, and interesting lighting. Golden hour is a good time for these. Think of other times of day as well.
• Remember to tell a story while editing. Video editing is an art and a craft unto itself. Make sure your viewer understands what you’re trying to tell them.

Once you’ve mastered all the basic skills (there are more than what I’ve posted here) with the equipment you have now, you’ll be well prepared to move on to more expensive, complex equipment. Like the carpenter who starts out with a hammer, saw, tape measure, and basic skills, and then builds his toolbox as he gets better at his craft, you should master your basic toolbox before building up to the bigger and better. Your clients will thank you.

Google’s acquisition of Youtube ushered in a new era in how we create, find, and consume media on the web. Now, more than ever, it’s important to consider video as a legitimate tool in building brand awareness, creating community, and asserting public relations. The more relevant your topic, the more “Google Juice” you’re likely to get. If you run a clothing boutique, how about a series on how to tie a tie, or how to put a business outfit together? You’ll no doubt be surprised at how many people are searching for those very topics. In fact, do a search on how to tie a tie right now, and look for the video results. Wouldn’t you want your content to be in that position?

There are literally thousands of topics to cover, and with the power of the Google/Youtube combo, your business has the opportunity to position itself at the top of the list. Don’t just limit yourself to pre-produced content either. Live video streaming can be a fantastic opportunity to cover events, meetings, or interact with your clientele on a regular basis. Record the live streams, upload to Youtube, and you’ve got another powerful tool in your social media toolbox.

People are flocking to the web to consume content. With the constant incline in smartphone sales and the ever increasing numbers of people consuming video on the web, using video to position yourself high on the food chain is smart business. You don’t necessarily have to completely understand the intricacies of SEO and video production to participate; that will come with time, effort, and practice. What you do need to understand is that more people are heading to the internet to get information. Do you want to be there waiting for them?

We’re looking forward to working with a host of talented creators to bring Part Time Vagabond to the next level.

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• Part Time Vagabond has been going well. I’ve started doing video productions for the blog, and have been in talks to do some interviews and instructional videos for upcoming posts. The site is something that I’m pretty proud of, but of course, I’m always looking to do more and expand the reach of it.
• Teaching at Maine College of Art was canceled for the fall semester. After speaking with administrators, we set up the Citizen Journalism class for the Spring 2010 semester. Course information is available here.
• No news from the National Park Service on the Inside Ellis Island podcasts. If I hear any news, I’ll let you know.
• I’ve been working on making connections at several non-profits and nature conservancies to learn about the status of their public relations, marketing, and video productions needs.

And that’s all the news. I’m currently debating the next steps for Filmosity Productions. It’s not an easy time in the economy, and the need for video productions has dropped dramatically, while people attempting to enter the field has increased. My goal is to determine a path for the company that is less traveled but more likely to keep us making content. Stay tuned for more as we move forward!

When ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary situations, they can become citizen journalists. In this hands-on course, students will use social media websites like Twitter and Qik, consumer-grade production tools, and journalistic practices to provide immediate coverage of breaking events. The course will cover the basics of video and audio production, the use of social media tools, and the application of journalism principles for the gathering of news and information. As citizen journalists,? students will learn their responsibilities as news gatherers and apply those lessons to real world situations. Over the course of the class, each student will create accounts on social networking sites, report on topical subjects, and submit stories for peer review. We will analyze the ultimate effect that using such technology inevitably has on what topics are covered and how they are reported.

I’m really excited be teaching a college level course after doing workshops and presentations for years on social media. I think citizen journalism has so much potential for influence on the newsgathering industry that I had to propose this class. This will be fun.

Classes will be held for 8 weeks on Thursday mornings, 9:30am – 12pm beginning October 1. If you’re in the Portland, Maine area and are interested in taking the class, or you know someone who might be, check out the MECA Continuing Studies Course Page.