[TheForge] videotaping (was: Abana conference)

[Ben Barrett]

I think you'll find that auto-tracking cameras can be had for under
$1K, but you'd want some sort of remote and monitor to control & view
the zoom,
if you're doing it alone.  As to whether people will watch -- youtube
proved people will watch, so it depends on your audience.
As a beginner who is already web-savvy, I have been gobbling up
anything I can find on youtube, google video, etc, since it is free
and easily
accessible... so to all you out there who want to help, I say you can
do just fine with a digital camera on a cheapo tripod, for online
videos.
If it is well-thought out and segments are prepared, you can be quite
surprised by the quality, even with minimal editing.
Start with something simple, like making a nail or rivet, or twisty widget.
Oh, and if you are looking for some cameras that handle auto-tracking,
search on PTZ (pan/titl/zoom) and tracking, I found a nice Sony for
$920,
but I'm not sure how well its tracking would work for demos, as it is
made to follow someone down a hallway.  Prolly better if the subject
wears
a brightly-colored shirt :)

-ben


On 3/5/07, Bruce Freeman <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com> wrote:
> For what it's worth, I read about a camera that followed the speaker/demonstrator automatically.  The speaker wears a clip-on mike that is in radio or optical contact  with the recorder.  The camera is robotically directed to the signal from the mike.  I was under the impression these were commercially available, but have no contact or price information.  Wouldn't be cheaper than volunteer cameramen, but might be cheaper than professionals.
> Bruce
> NJ
>
> >>> sos at alum.mit.edu 3/3/2007 8:24 AM >>>
> Chuck, I don't see the equipment being the issue. You have to have
> people who are willing to run the equipment and people to edit the tape
> into something useful. To make a good video of a demo, I think you need
> two cameras and tripods, two people on those cameras, an extra person
> capable of setting up the sound and running errands. If instead you duct
> tape a camera to a spare anvil, what you'll end up with is a video that
> nobody watches. Just my opinion. For an example of the best conference
> videos I've ever seen, get one from Rocky Mountain Smiths. The budget
> won't break (much), but finding the volunteers is tough.
>