Use of Subtitles in Today's Video Production

Video production throughout the globe has seen a lot of advancements in the past few decades. Classic works have emerged in almost all national and local languages. Good works can be seen in all versions of video such as TV programs, advertisements and movies. The knowledge that quality video production is happening all around the world created an urge in video viewers to start appreciating productions other than the ones in their language. This trend has been made possible mainly due to one technology that permits a viewer to understand any movie irrespective of the language in which it is made, the technology of subtitling. Subtitling is the process of displaying the conversations in every scene in written form when that scene is happening. These writings are called subtitles and are provided towards the bottom of the frame so that they do not disturb the clear viewing of the scene. The language in which the subtitles are provided is decided according to the targeted viewers of the video. With the globalization of visual media industry, subtitling is one among the most common processes in contemporary video production. Subtitles in almost every language are being made these days. Subtitling the movies in different national and local languages with writings widely used languages such as English, French, and Chinese etc is very popular at present. Among the videos being subtitled with selected languages, giving English subtitles to French movies are one among the most demanded services. Understandably the reason for this is the widespread usage of these two languages and the prominence of filmmaking in them. The general subtitling procedure goes through the steps of receiving source video material, checking time code reference on video, importing the video to workstation, setting subtitle style parameters, translating source language to target language, preparing subtitle text, adding timing cues, reviewing subtitles against video and audio, producing preview output tape and deliver subtitle file to transmission.

Among the Indian production houses sought after by the global biggies, SBL comes in the premium class. SBL is a global ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2005 accredited IT and ITES solutions provider with a proven track record of successfully delivering end-to-end IT solutions to Governments and Fortune 1000 companies. SBL Graphics continues to keep winning the race among video production companies by its simple formula of giving the best results at the lowest of prices. Manpower, infrastructure and location being its might, SBL successfully maintains its repute of timely delivery of results that are remarkable and cost efficient.SBL works in implementing the best practices for Data protection in strict conformance with the global standards and cover emerging disciplines of security and privacy. SBL is ISO 27001:2005 certified for Data Security and Data Privacy under its framework. SBL has the best possible infrastructure dedicated lines for tele-conferencing, impregnable firewall protection, fail safe power supply with dedicated transformers, latest software's and 24 hour guarded access with sensor cards. Riding along India's speedy winds of advanced video production culture, SBL is soon expected to be one among the global leaders of this realm.

Among the Indian production houses sought after by the global biggies, SBL comes in the premium class. SBL is a global ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001:2005 accredited IT and ITES solutions provider with a proven track record of successfully delivering end-to-end IT solutions to Governments and Fortune 1000 companies.

http://www.sblgraphics.com/

Original article

3 Versatile Film Production Destinations

One of the top requirements for a good film production destination is versatility. A wide variety of very different locations and landscapes gives much more creative scope to a production. It also reduces production costs if one destination can provide a large percentage of the locations needed for a production, saving on travelling time and costs and simplifying logistics.

Here are three countries where there are established and professional film production companies offering an endless supply of versatile locations - South Africa, Portugal and Mauritius.

Locations in South Africa
South Africa has become increasingly popular as a destination for all sorts of film productions, from advertising to full length movies, music videos and stills photography. A large part of its attraction is the sheer range of different locations available, especially around Cape Town, where you can go from lush wine estate, to beach to mountain landscape all within a day's work. The weather is another huge draw card: summer sunshine and clear blue skies for months at a time, when the Northern hemisphere shivers in the grips of winter. South Africa is a year-round film production destination, as the winters are mild in many parts of the country.

Locations in Mauritius
Mauritius is another exceptional location for a film production. Beaches are the first thing that spring to mind, and it is true that there are a huge variety of stunning ones, tropical palms and all, but more than that there are lush green vistas of farmland, mountain wilderness, towering forests, rivers and waterfalls and scenic roads. There are South African production companies that operate here, ensuring the best of professional crews and equipment flown in for each production.

Locations in Portugal
When the South African summer season draws to a close, Portugal takes over, as summer comes to the Northern hemisphere. Lisbon is a vibrant city with plenty of historic streets and squares, and a fascinating mix of old and new. Out of the city there are endless beaches, picturesque farmland, forest and mountain, gleaming modern cafes and charming old ones. Lisbon-based production companies also operate in Madeira and the Azores, adding another wide range of possibilities to the Portugal locations list.

So when choosing a base for your next film production, look first at one of these versatile countries and give yourself the benefit of an endless choice of locations in South Africa, Portugal or Mauritius.

Prinz Productions offers premier stills and film production services based in Cape Town, South Africa and Portugal. Browse through their Locations South Africa and Locations Portugal galleries for more inspiration.

Original article

Best Video Production Leaves Unbelievable Impact on Customers

Video production can be categorized in many forms such as TV videos, marketing videos, corporate videos, training videos, etc. Though all videos carry the almost the same message with minor differences and meanings. The main aim behind video companies is to make the clients and customers know about the products, service and companies. But, the with minor differences in all the mentioned videos, the video production companies have to take care about the effectiveness and efficiency that needs to impart in all videos. These can only be acquired if the people behind video productions find latest and advancements equipment and cameras, and have the passion for their work.

The passionate people can offer memorable creativity and uniqueness in the videos. This makes them more entertaining, meaningful and leaves a great impact on the customers by sticking to the memories of customers. Talent and creativity are the skills that can not be taught through books or can be learned from experiences. When the passion stays in heart then the courage for offering significant work portrays in your assignments. The task finds an extra edge when the video production is processed using high definition cameras and advancement equipment or applications in the industry. So talent and technology merge offers unbelievable video that remain unforgettable and effective for many years and sometime for decades.

Today, videos are the best medium to display products, convey messages and woo customers in the industry. Fast and hectic life schedule never allows anyone to read and go through the description provided in a pamphlet, articles or in some written script. Making an entertaining video not only help the viewer to know about the things clients want to share to the customers but also help making the talk of the town. Best entertaining videos makes the family and the professionals talk, discuss and play all the time with it. The product gets promoted to many even when offline.

Therefore, never compromise on the video production by providing contract to less known company in the country. Always look for the client's list provided by the company of the industry. The company with more reputed clients could help you get the best, unique and impactful videos for your business, corporate and advertisement. Such companies will offer flexible budgets that will eliminate all hidden and financial disappointments in the middle of the projects. You will get efficient videos delivered to you on-time within budget by the best video production companies.

To learn more about Web Video Production, feel free to visit: Video Production.

Original article

Amateur Cinema 2012 - Video Production

We are living during an unprecedented time of options in the world of amateur and professional filmmaking. Prices, availability, options, and capabilities have been increasing at an unprecedented rate. There are many reasons for this but I think two main contributors are RED Digital Cinema and the emergence of DSLR's. There are many detractors of both but in terms of making amazing technological abilities available to the masses they have been instrumental. To literally be able to spend $1000 on a Canon, Nikon or Panasonic DSLR video production camera and have a viable movie making machine is something that was impossible even 3 years ago.

RED started in 2005 with a simple idea, to bring inexpensive, high quality cinema video cameras to the masses. With their second generation camera, the EPIC, they have by many critic's conclusions finally arrived at a camera that can actually rival 35mm film. With resolution exceeding that of S35, extended Dynamic Range provided by HDR-X and sensitivity that brings about shooting possibilities never reached by film, the EPIC has ushered in a whole new generation of filmmaking.

On the lower end, Canon with its 5DMkII camera and its full frame 35mm sensor has changed all the rules of what it takes to make a movie. In fact it has even been used on the Oscar nominated film 127 Hours. Despite their issues, these cameras have put the big guys in the industry on the hot-seat and made it very clear what they need to do to keep up in this democratized production environment.

SO... ON November 3rd 2011 there was a huge announcement from both Canon and RED about their respective products. They may not have been game-changers for major Hollywood studios but they certainly had an impact on nearly every indie filmmaker on Earth. I know that sounds like hyperbole but the point is that if Scarlet or the new Canon camera is not the one you own it will still create waves in the rest of the industry and further push the price vs. performance envelope. It's a great time to be a filmmaker and it's a great time to be in video production.

RED Epic-X

Epic-X Features are as follows: (with my comments thrown in)

RED DSMC (Digital Stills and Motion Camera)

New MYSTERIUM-X 5K sensor
5K (2:1, 2.4:1, Anamorphic 2:1) at 1-120fps
4.5k RAW (2.4:1) at 1-120fps
4K (16:9, HD, 2:1, Anamorphic 2:1) at 1-150fps (more than is currently available in the RED One at 2k)
3K (16:9, 2:1, Anamorphic 2:1) at 1-200fps
2K (16:9, 2:1, Anamorphic 2:1) at 1-300fps (hopefully it will be a sharper 2k than on the RED One which is not great.)
1080P (16:9) (one of the most exciting ones for me given so much documentary type shooting could be easily handled with a pristine 1080p master)
720P (16:9)

Increased Dynamic Range - 13.5 Stops, but ability to do 18 stops
Time Lapse, Frame Ramping (probably just an improved version of what's on the RED One)
REDCODE 12 and 16-bit RAW (Awesome for some things but that's a LOT of data, I will stick to a lower number most of the time)
ISO 200-8000 (I would love to see some relatively clean stuff at 2000 at least)
Completely Modular System, each Module individually upgradeable
Independent Stills and Motion Modes (both record full resolution REDCODE RAW)
5 Axis Adjustable Sensor Plate (sounds cool but I'm not sure how hard it will be to simply set back focus.)
Multiple Recording Media Options (Compact Flash, RED MAG SSD, RED Drives, RED RAM) They are supposedly having 2 compact flash slots which will be very useful and finally catching up with the times.
Wireless REDMOTE control (A very good idea and something that should've been around long ago.)
Touchscreen LCD control option (cool but not indispensable)
Bomb-EVF, RED-EVF and RED-LCD compatible (I am VERY happy about this one)

Multiple User Control Buttons
LDS and /i Data enabled PL Mount (A Requirement more than a development)
Monitor Ports support both LCD and EVF (YAY 2 LCD's at a time)
720P, 1080P and 2K monitoring support
Gigagbit Network interface and 802.11 Wireless interface (Finally my iPhone will not have more power than my 30k camera.)
3 Axis internal motion sensor, built in GPS receiver (Pretty slick, oh the possibilities)
Enhanced Metadata
Full size connectors on Pro I/O Module. AES Digital Audio input, single and dual link HD-SDI
Support for RED, most Arri 19mm, Studio 15mm, 15mm Lite, Panavision and NATO accessories. INDUSTRY STANDARD IS INDUSTRY STANDARD. I'm glad they're realizing this more and more.
Dimensions- Approx. 4''4,'5.5''
Weight (Brain only)- Approx. 5 lbs (2.27kg)

Original article

HD Stock Footage - A Video Production Game-Changer

People who produce videos, whether for marketing presentations, indie films, amateur film makers or blockbuster Hollywood films have taken advantage of stock video footage for years. There are lots of ways to utilize stock footage, from direct integration into the video to using it as a background prop. Until recently, the only stock footage producers had access to was standard NTSC type clips but with advances in technology and the increasing popularity and availability of high definition, HD stock footage is becoming the "gold standard" for use in productions large or small.

Granted, standard video footage still has plenty of uses in both presentations and in movies. With the intensity and quality that HD stock footage has, however, those clips have fewer and fewer uses. Since HD has become so popular, most people now have access to widescreen monitors and TV's so putting together video presentations and shows for use on the web has become increasingly popular as well.

Anyone who has compared the video quality of HD versus standard video knows just how dramatic the differences are. Not only do you have the full aspect ratio you'd expect in a movie theater but the video quality is undeniable. By using stock HD footage from a football game, almost every blade of grass on the ball field can be counted, footage of animals in nature are more lifelike than ever before, and the cooking shows are so detailed that you start to drool. That's why incorporating HD video into your productions is so important.

The main point to any video production is to get someone to notice it then to stay put until you've gotten your "story" told. Even sales video presentations have that as their main goal, although their "story" is about the company's products and services. HD footage enables you to put together a very powerful, dramatic production without having to shoot every frame of it and have it edited down into something usable. With the great selection of high definition footage available, you won't have any trouble finding exactly what you need for your production.

Perhaps the best part of using stock footage is the fact that it saves. Not only does it save you time since you don't have to shoot all your own footage but it saves you money as well. Since all you have to do is basically drag and drop the clip into your production software, there are few, if any production modifications that have to be made to it. Reduced labor costs, reduced production costs and amazing footage makes utilizing stock footage in HD a total win-win for your video production.

Using HD video clips can make a world of difference when you are putting together a presentation you want to wow everyone with. Lewis Williamson found a great stock video library he could use anytime he needed a good clip.

Original article

Chinese Video Production Gear

There are several difficult choices to be made when buying gear in 2012. It's expensive, it's confusing and it's ever-changing.

1. It's expensive. At least it was, but it's getting cheaper, but this is bringing other problems as well. I always say if you want to make something cost 3 times as much just write the word 'video' on the side. There are a few things that are helping lower the costs such as competition and foreign production (and I'm not talking about Germany). The specific question here is if being able to get more video production equipment for less is really a good investment if it means that it comes straight from China or a 3rd world country. Think about where the ideas came from for the design, the overall quality level and the chances of being able to replace it if something breaks. There are other considerations, but when it comes to those it is usually pretty obvious that buying Chinese made knockoffs is probably a bad idea. They are cheaper and competentish but also chintzier and rarely make you feel like a pro. Paid video production is often just about looking and conducting yourself like a pro.

2. It's confusing. 'Standards' often mean nothing in the world of film in film and video. Like rules, they are made to be broken. An issue with buying video production equipment from less than stellar companies is that the pieces don't always play nicely with the rest of your gear. Although companies like Red Rock aren't perfect they do offer something that is pretty valuable. They offer complete sets. If you find that the day after you bought a kit you need to modify it to do something a little different you will most likely have a lot of luck on the Red Rock or Zacuto site finding the exact right piece to make your setup work perfectly. It may not be cheap but it will be designed and built for exactly what you need it for. I was on set as a 1st AC once with an ASC DP when we were talking about my RED One camera and its pros (which he found few) and cons (which he found many). A lifelong Panavision user he knew that whatever tiny piece of gear or thing he thought he might possibly need at any point it was only a phone call away. Panavision had it all. It all worked together and it was as he called it "a complete system." RED has come a long way since then but Panavison certainly has a long pedigree of Cinema experience that is hard to beat. What RED has done with the EPIC program and all its modular parts is certainly similar to what Panavision has been doing for decades. In the end, it is nice to be able to talk to a company that knows what you are going through, what you are trying to do on set and advise you accordingly.

3. It's ever-changing. If there's one thing we know about video production it's that there are constantly new products, new improvements, new technology and of course that we want them all. Knowing that you have gear with decent resale value is important. Knowing that it is expandable, durable and made by a company that will most likely be around in a few years is also something you will feel good about long after the gear has paid for itself. One other thing to keep in mind is 'The Frankenstein Effect.' No one likes to show up on set with video equipment that looks like it was cobbled together from a bunch of yard sales and metal shops. Even if it works great it's not always the best for a professional appearance or the confidence that comes from using video production equipment that you really love.

When it's all said and done it's most likely a money issue. And the best way to sum up that question is with a simple maxim. Pay now or pay later. Few people would rather own a generic knock-off than a real Port-a-brace case. The same is definitely true for matte boxes, tripods, lights, Steadi/Glide cams etc... If you're a pro then it makes sense to buy pro gear and leave the knockoffs to hobbyists and amateurs.

Original article

Video Production Gear for DSLR Shoots

The majority of dSLR shooters require a light gear load as we usually do not have the luxury of a full crew to help carry our stuff. We also might move to several locations in a single day, and more equipment means slower set ups and breakdowns which can make a tight video production schedule even tighter. There are, however, a few things that I recommend even one-man-band shooters to carry around due to their light weight, small size and tremendous utility.

Zoom H4N or TASCAM DR-100

These little devices are indispensable as video production field recorders, thanks to their low $300 price tags and stunning stereo sound quality. You can use the onboard mics, which do a great job on their own, or attach external microphones, each of which can be recorded onto its own separate track in 4-Channel recording mode on the H4N. The sound quality of these affordable devices adds a tremendous amount of production value to a low-budget dSLR shoot, as dSLR onboard mics sound pretty terrible. Even if you have a higher-end field recorder and mics for your main capture, the H4N can be used to capture ambient sounds to layer in during post or do quick ADR sessions while your actors are on set. Have an assistant take your actors to a quiet area and re-record all their lines while you continue shooting. These takes can then be used to replace any garbled lines recorded by your main unit. One note: the units lack Time Code generators, meaning all syncing has to be done visually using waveforms.

Monopod

Having a lightweight, collapsible monopod tucked into my gear bag has come in extremely handy when I least expected it on dSLR video productions. A decent monopod costs around 20 bucks and is way lighter than any tripod. In addition to allowing me to shoot smooth pans with my dSLR with a much smaller footprint than a tripod, I have also used my monopod as a boom pole which I attach my H4N to directly. For shoots in nature, I have used my monopod as a walking stick. A bonus is the security felt by having a six-foot pole with which to potentially beat off wild animals! In a festive mood? Instant limbo-stick! Seriously though, it's a very versatile tool which can even be used as a stabilization device as I explain in this other ShutterDown article on Cheap or Free Stabilization/Steadicam Tricks.

18% Grey Card

Setting proper exposure is best done with a professional light meter. If you find yourself without one (they can be a bit pricey), then another solution for setting exposure quickly in the field is an 18% gray card. This is a card with a neutral color cast that contains 18% black (on a scale where 0% is pure white and 100% is pure black). You can use the card to set the exposure on your dSLR and avoid blowing out your whites. A secondary use of the card is to set your white balance. For most dSLRs it works just as well as a white card without having to carry something else in your gear kit. For even more accurate color correction in post, invest in a three-card set containing pure white, 18% gray and pure black. After you frame your shot and set exposure, shoot a few seconds of the cards and use this footage in post to adjust your white, grey and black levels in your color corrector using the eye-dropper tool. Need a free card? Wilsonart will send you FREE samples of their laminate which will come in handy in a pinch. I ordered a black, white and grey card from them in 3 x 5 sizes (choose "matte" finish for low reflectivity), and used a brass binder to hold them all together. The gray is quite close to a pro gray card, close enough to neutral to do the trick for most shooters on a budget.

Collapsible Reflector

When on a dSLR shoot, I like to travel as lightly as possible. For this reason, I prefer collapsible reflectors as opposed to carrying Styrofoam boards around. In addition to being inconvenient, large boards have a tendency to act like sails when not in use and fly around, potentially whacking your actors or your gear. The collapsible reflector I use shrinks to 12" when folded and put in its case, making it much less of a hazard and easy to carry around. It's great to bounce a little fill on an actor's face or to reduce harsh light by acting as a shade.

Extra Media Cards

Media cards, such as SD or P2 cards, can die at the worst possible moment. This unfortunate event happened to me once while setting up to shoot a live theater performance. I had tested the camera earlier and all was well. For some inexplicable reason, however, when I turned the camera on to start recording, my camera reported an SD card error. Thankfully, I had a spare, which I quickly formatted and used to record the show without further problems. What would I have done without this extra card? I shudder to think of the disappointing conversation with my clients that would have occurred had I not had that spare little card in my gear bag. p.s. While buying an extra media card, pick up at least one spare battery for your camera as well.

Blake Barnett
Production Manager
Video Production

Original article

Enroll in a Film and Television Production Program and Become a Movie Maker

To movie lovers, creating one's own film is often a dream come true. While some famous filmmakers started off with their parents' camcorder and taught themselves everything, an arguably faster and more formal way to break into the field is to enroll in a Film & Television Production program.

Film & Television Production programs are designed to teach students everything they need to know about making, producing, and writing films, internet movies, and marketing videos. Instruction is usually full time, and the entire program lasts approximately one year. Ideally, prospective students should look for schools that employ industry veterans with strong reputations as teachers (look for a "bio" or "about" page on a school's website to see what kind of experience teachers bring to the table). At the end of the program, graduates can begin exciting careers as scriptwriters, filmmakers, producers, music video filmmakers, video marketers, etc, either for established companies, or independently.

Because they are designed to bring students from a base of zero knowledge to a complete understanding of the industry, most Film & Television Production programs cover all the critical areas of film and television, including editing, filmmaking business management, scriptwriting, audio and online video, and movie production. Typical course loads for a program would include the following:

· Editing

· Production management

· Special effects design

· History of film

· Distribution and marketing

· Delivering a "pitch"

· Scriptwriting

· Audio for film and video

· Intro to digital audio

· Intro to DAWS

· Intro to audio post design

· Audio-post workshop

· Online video

· Film and television production

· Producing and directing

· Cinematography

The comprehensive nature of Film & Television Production programs ensures that graduates will have all the knowledge they need to break into the business after finishing their studies. Furthermore, class instruction is very hands-on, and students have the opportunity to use the industry's standard software packages, including "Final Cut", "AVID", and "After Effects." Of course, students also have the opportunity to create films and videos using the latest film equipment on a school's premises, and by the end of a program, graduates are extremely familiar and comfortable with all the tools of the trade. The net result of this all-around training is a graduate who is confident, competent, and ready to hit the ground running in the film industry.

So if you love movies, or film, or videos, and you've a spectator who has always wanted to be a creator, consider enrolling in a Film & Television Production program. It just may be the career that helps you realize your ambitions.

Contact the Trebas Institute for more information on their Film & Television Production program.

Percey Evans is a freelance writer who works for Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

Original article

Video Production Tips: Getting Started As a Producer

Video, video, is everywhere, but do you know how to produce it like a pro? Should you know? Should you even care?

In this new media world, there are plenty of so-called experts that do a great job explaining why video is so great, and why you should produce video content for your website or blog. It's no secret that online video can help you build relationships with potential customers. It can help you become branded as an expert, or help you dominate your SEO, and the list goes on.

There is no doubt that video is among the most effective mediums for educating, persuading, and informing... and it's in everyone's hands. Literally. The power of video, which was once reserved for video production companies and broadcast news operations is not only more affordable than ever, but thanks to mobile devices especially the iPhone, you can get amazing quality for next to nothing.

Let's throw the Internet into the mix. Social video sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and of course Facebook make it easier than ever to share video with our friends, family, or business associates. If people start sharing your content, you've hit digital gold!

So, why aren't you producing quality videos regularly? Have you tried to do it by yourself? How were the results? Was the video a bit, no very shaky, poorly framed, or was the audio poor? After you reviewed it, did you say to yourself, "This sucks!?"

There are three steps that you should always take during the video production process. These simple steps probably apply to other creative ventures as well, and once you understand and master each step, you will be unstoppable. You may even be able to start your own video production business.

Your goal should always be to produce a video that is as professional as possible with the tools that are available. That doesn't mean you need to buy the most expensive HD camera either. Video quality isn't determined by the quantity that you spend, but the techniques you use. People know a good video when they see it, and a poorly produced video could actually be bad for your brand (unless you happen to capture something so amazing that it doesn't matter).

Here are three elements that every video that you produce should have: 1) Great visuals 2) great audio, and 3) a clear message, or story. It's as simple as that, but those aren't the steps that were referred to earlier.

If you're a pro, a lot of the information here will be fundamental, but if you're not, and have tried to produce a video on your own, or if you're thinking about it, this is invaluable information. The tips being shared were learned through years of producing stories and video projects for the news, networks, corporate clients, and online channels.

So, back to the three production steps that will help guarantee that your end product is something that you'll be proud of. This is the same process that every professional video producer follows. Are you ready?

1) Pre-production (planning): This is the most important step. During pre-production, you should write out everything related to your video. The goals, message, location, props, talent, camera equipment, script, and how you will get it edited. It should all be spelled out.

2) Production (the shoot): If you completed step 1, step 2 should be a breeze, and your shoot should go off without a hitch. Of course Murphy's Law rules video production, so be ready for some unexpected challenges.

3) Post-production (the edit): Once you have everything shot or captured, it's time to make some video magic. You should follow your script or outline, add some music, and graphics, and by the time your done editing, you should have something to be proud of. If not, just create another video. Each time you do it, you'll learn something that will help you become a better producer.

The success of your video depends on your ability to plan, execute, and create. It isn't hard to learn or master, and once you learn the basic steps, there are numerous short cuts and tricks that will speed up the process. But you should learn how to walk before you run.

Amani Channel, MA
Learn how to make great videos and multimedia projects at our
video production tutorial site Web Video Chefs.
@AmaniChannel

Original article

Film Production In Cape Town

A favorite location for advertising and commercial shoots for many years, Cape Town is now looking set for the big-time. With the new Cape Town Film Studios fully operational and attracting high-profile projects, we are now seeing more international movies being made in South Africa and more top stars discovering the delights of Cape Town's cosmopolitan but laid-back lifestyle.

So what does Cape Town have to offer that has finally convinced Hollywood that it is a serious film production destination?

Cape Town Film Studios
Completed in 2010, the new film studio complex offers brand-new state of the art production facilities with four sound stages, set production warehouses and all the rest. The first big-budget movie to take advantage of the studios has been Judge Dredd, the comic book reboot, that has been made as a 3-D action movie, due for release in 2012. There are very few places in the world with the facilities to handle this kind of movie, 3-D action being more complex than just 3-D animation, and Cape Town Film Studios is on a par with any of them, according to co-producer Andrew MacDonald.

Experienced production companies, casts and crews
Cape Town has a well-developed infrastructure of production companies, post-production facilities as well as local cast and crew that have gained extensive experience of all aspects of film production over the many years that South Africa has been a top location for advertising and commercial filming and stills shoots. With South African made District 9 becoming an international blockbuster, the world has finally seen the home-grown talent on offer in South Africa.

Cost -effective
With the dollar-rand and pound-rand exchange rate so favorable, movie makers can make first class film productions for far less that they would cost in Hollywood or Pinewood. Much of the savings come from using local crew and casts, but there is also the sweetener of government rebate of 15% of production costs spent in South Africa to foreign film-makers using local production facilities. Even higher rebates are on offer to films made as co-productions with a local company.

Locations
One of Cape Town's top draw-cards has always been the sheer variety of the locations available either in, or within a few hours' drive of, the city. Beaches, mountains, wild dry semi-desert landscapes, verdant vineyards, forest, urban cityscapes, townships, farmland make it quite easy to find all the different locations you need for a movie without creating a logistical nightmare. Shooting permits have become quicker and easier to obtain than previously and all is in place for a smooth-running shoot.

Prinz Productions offers premier stills and film production services based in Cape Town, South Africa. Specialising in South Africa, Portugal and Mauritius, they also offer production services worldwide. Find out more about their film production service in South Africa.

Original article

Camera Stabilizers - The Key to Production Footage

Ever wondered how the pros produce high quality production film time and time again while you struggle with shaky playback and amateur looking film? I am willing to bet it is because you are not using some type of camera stabilizer system while using your camera.

If you are new to the world of camera stabilizing, you will quickly see that there are many different types of camera stabilizers. Each stabilizer has its own advantages and disadvantages and each one can alter your production quality. Therefore, in order to choose the one that will work best for you, it would be wise to first decide what type of footage you aim to record and/or produce.

For instance, are you shooting events, documentaries, news, or something similar? If you are then you should be looking at a rig type camera stabilizer, as they are meant for capturing moments and not meant to be held for more than 30 min at a time. Do you plan to shoot a movie, reality series, and something that involves hours of footage. Then you should look at a shoulder mount rig stabilizer as they are meant for hours on end filming. Shoulder mount rigs, when used correctly, will look just as good as a tripod, producing production type footage and are quite easy to keep stable.

If you plan to shoot through hallways, up and down stairs, and through any type of terrain you will be in need of a dolly type rig. Although dolly rigs can be on pricey side, you can get the same effect a with a handheld type stabilizer such as a Steadicam or gimbal type of device. Handhelds are relatively affordable, but can get quite heavy overtime. Most of them also take some time to learn, but once mastered, they can be an overall great way to stabilize your footage. Handheld stabilizers are also a great way to shoot footage for "being in the film" effect and help to instill a sense of action.

Nevertheless, once you have your footage and it's roughly stabilized, you can even add more stabilizing effects and up the production value by using certain types of software. For instance, two of the most popular ones are: Final Cut Pro and Adobe Aftereffects, both of which will help remove excess up-down motion as well as left-right tipping which many amateur film makers struggle with. However, before you starting spending money one expensive software, it would be wise to first invest in a camera stabilizer, as software can only do so much.

You may be surprised at how much more professional your footage will look simply by adding some type of stabilizer system, especially if your just getting started. If your also hurting for cash, do a quick Google search and see how easy it is to build your own! Good Luck and Happy Shooting.

Want to learn more about the best camera stabilizers for you and your footage needs? Then be sure to stop by our blog at @ camerastabilizergeeks.com

Original article

After Effects Templates - Catering for Production Agencies

There is a huge demand for a quality standard of motion graphics and this is increasing all the time. After Effects templates cater perfectly for this high standard. After Effects templates give the clients a visually effective presentation that has a professional appearance. It allows those seeking the projects to gain from all the enhancements without having to pay for the initial costs of such images. AE templates are perfect for production agencies, as the amount of work that production agencies undertake from film and television studios can be huge, time-consuming and complicated. These templates give the production agencies quality projects that can impress corporate clients. It also saves them time and money because the time taken to develop the templates is no longer needed. There is an extensive range of AE templates that production agencies can choose from and clients will always be satisfied as their expectations and requirements will be met properly.

There are a huge amount of benefits the AE templates provide production agencies. They can produce excellent results right through the spectrum of the media industry from multimedia giants to small businesses that are trying to gather a competitive edge in the marketplace via interactive marketing programmes. The After Effects software can be a rather complex program and it usually needs the expertise of an experienced motion graphics designer who understands the software completely. Therefore using AE templates is a great option for production agencies because they can use the templates and create visually stunning graphics that impress the clients and project the desired message across to the audience. These templates are pre-formatted visual presentations, intros, teasers and motion graphic displays which are very easy to use for either expert or beginner alike.

Ultimately, AE templates break down the barrier between the good and the bad motion graphic presentations - with the bad being created by those who cannot expertly use the software. It allows for a wider use of high quality graphics. You can purchase most packages in high definition format - adding in your own brand images, logos and/or videos.

After Effects templates allow anybody, especially production agencies to create and offer visually fantastic productions that can be communicated in a range of ways. It also allows you to work with your clients in a simple and straightforward way to get the desired result without getting caught up in complicated and time consuming tasks such as re-rendering and re-editing after you have reached the desired product.

Template Digital is a community driven motion graphics marketplace which allows buying and selling of fully customizable, royalty-free stock motion graphics for production, film, and television network professionals. This provides post-production developers a new way to reach hundreds, if not thousands of potential motion graphics customers and get their work into video productions, and saves time and money for video productions. It also includes a developing community of post-production professionals for discussing the latest techniques with After Effects and other motion graphics software programs. Check out our After Effects Templates for Production Agencies here. Template Digital can be found at templatedigital.com.

Original article

The way perilous and welcoming film production

A guide for writers and producers

You are a writer of feature with a good idea, but the difficulty it forms in a script you can sell? You are a producer in grass with a large project but frustrated and confused where to go next?

There are a pile of challenges that appear on the path of the page to the production for the producers and writers: what are the key elements in a success story? What makes it commercial? When you know whether a script is developed enough and ready to show a film director, actor, or a funder? How do you get funded? What are the steps all the way up to the end? and what are the producers of traps must avoid?

Information - information useful, solid - is power. You, as a writer or producer, understand the process of filmmaking more you will be able to shape and refine your project from the outset.

There are essentially four stages in the production of a film: development, preproduction, PRODUCTION and POST-PRODUCTION. Each step is complex, which requires a range of skills and knowledge and an ideal action but first sequence see any development.

Development usually involves a close relationship of work between the writer and producer. This can be considered a kind of marriage, a relationship of some importance, because it is likely that both parties will collaborate for a many years yet. Even writers and producers tend to be very different animals, it is vital that there is a mutual understanding and respect for the talents of others. Writers need to be open and flexible and producers must move slowly at the time, especially if important changes to the script.

Prudent to reports and analysis stage are used to develop the initial script and strengthen history, delete unnecessary or low items and increase its commercial potential by adding things like a touch of comedy, a love interest, action scenes, more suspense and so on.

(You could argue that there is a step before that - the drafting of the first drafts of the writer on his own.) This must not be regardless of the practical and commercial considerations. Writers would be wise to investigate the production and marketing so that the craft of screenwriting, so that they understand their first line which they write for and be aware of the practical constraints such as the number of characters and locations, special effects, stunts and action sequences. Successful writers include all scenarios have a context - the film industry. It is not a novel. (For a script have value - i.e. be an option, sold or produced - it must meet certain commercial criteria.)

Script is the master plan, a set of instructions to the Director, composer, actors, decorator, etc., they can take and implement. It is a bit like a machine with different parts that everyone must be shaped by different highly skilled workers. With a good plan, everyone will have a clear idea of what to do and the overall construction will be very effective.

Many films fall because they have not been sufficiently developed. For example, are vital issues for producers and writers ask at this crucial stage: is the commercial script? Is it developed enough that a player will want to feature it or fund a financial? It is a story that is appealing to an audience of current film? For writers immersed in the process of creation of the characters imagined and intrigue, it is often impossible to take back and take a more objective view, it is vital that the producer has a strong development context and that have a network of readers of script he or she can trust.

Any script at this point is a great success. It may take several drafts, hundreds of hours of writing and discussion, the months and years. If you have this extreme, well, you've covered the first round. Now, breathe deeply and get ready for the next one: pre-production.

Alan denman is a British writer, producer and Director with his own company, tingling Bull Films. He is also a consultant and experienced teacher. More information on him, and how it can be of service to: http://www.finishyourscript.com/. Copyright Alan Denman 2011.

Alan Denman invites you to visit http://www.finishyourscript.com/. Unlike other coaching and consultancy services for producers and writers, FinishYourScript.com offers a comprehensive overview of the entire process of script development until the end of the final film. Years of experience and education Alan bring clarity and distinction for the complex process of cinema. Previous comments, writers and producers: "source of inspiration and information", "very good overview of the process of production", "I have now a much firmer idea of how to move my projects that go and how to be a writer, producer, rather than as a writer with a script to sell".

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