Blind Date was done with out a green screen on location with two actors.
October 10, 2011
March 10, 2011
How George Cutler Makes His Videos
In this blog I will be descussing the first two procedures before I shoot any scenes. The first is the script and second is recording opposing dialogue.
SCRIPT
Try to imagine a scenario about anything with people. It could be funny or serious. Start to write the dialogue that the characters would be saying. As you write, create a conflict between them. Let it get heated, then find a way to end it as best as you can. This will create a beginning, a middle and an end. This what I did in my last video, “Senior Pickup“. This process is an improvisation on paper. You can also take a situation that happened and re-enact it into a script such as my video called ”Old Inclusive Texas Holdem“. You should write in script form with directions and shot blocking. It would help you remember the feelings while you write it. Click here to see sample script.
RECORDING THE DIALOGUE
This is the method I use to play many parts in my videos. Of course, if you have actors to play the characters, it will not be necessary. In both cases it’s a good thing to rehearse as much as possible so that you will have fewer takes when you shoot.
I start off by recording only one character’s diaolgue and leaving a quiet recorded time between the character’s lines. In this quiet recorded time read the lines silently of the other character. When you play the recording you will just fill the memorized lines of the other character. Don’t worry about the recorded lines from the recorder getting on the sound track of video you will take it off in the editing. This process will eliminate a lot of cuts and freezes in the editing to get the dialogue to sequence well. The next to do is the other character. Do the same as above, just record the opposing lines. I haven’t done it yet but I am going to take the sound off the video of the first recording and put it on the recorder. Of course edit out the sound of the recorded part of the recorder. I will use that to do the other character. This would synchronize the dialogue much better.
Recorded Dialogue
February 28, 2011
The Senior Pickup in the Park
Just got a new HD camera. WOW!
What a difference
Yes, it’s still me, George Cutler with better equipment and a new script. After I finished this video and watch it for the first time I laughed so hard that I fell off my chair. I could not believe that I created it. It’s proof that all you need is a script, a camcorder, a green screen, the right lights and a good microphone pick up while putting together with a video editing program.
I will tell more about how I did it and what not to do in my next blog, so come back soon.
video
Funny Videos
January 20, 2011
The George Cutler Old Inclusive Texas Holdem
This is an example of what you can do with a script, a camcorder, green screen and a video editing program. Read below for more details.
By clicking on underlined items you can see what they look like and their prices.
First let me start out saying it is much easier using semi-professional or professional equipment as I found out the hard way. But you can wing it and come out with fair results as I showed in my previous blogs.
I started off by writing a script with a few characters. Your script does not have to be long. My total run time is around 2 minutes. As you see, I played all of the characters by myself, but you can get other people to play the characters in your own script. I divided the script into scenes and backgrounds that I would use in place of the green screen.
I used two softbox lights that gave even light to the green screen, but you can use cheaper lights as I show in my previous blog (How to Do Green Screen). Believe me, it pays to invest in the softbox lights . It’s easier to edit the green out. They cost me about $150 for the pair at B&H Photo . What a difference! Put one on one side and one on the other side of your space, crossing each other’s beams. It will kill the shadows and give even light to the green screen.
I am still using a simple camcorder which I still find OK, but I advise you to set the “white light” on the camcorder. This will give your video more consistency from scene to scene.
Organization is a “must” in shooting your scenes. Yes, it’s scene 1, take 1 and so on, just like in a real movie, because when you capture the video to your editing program and log in the scenes, it will be already organized to help you make your video.
I used Final Cut Express for my editing, but there are other programs that are good, as well. The main goal is to get proficient with whatever software you choose and get to know it well. Read up on the features and find out what they can really do to improve your editing. It takes time and a lot of patience, but the results will be worth it.
I wish you success in shooting your videos. Have fun with them. I certainly did enjoy making this one!
November 28, 2010
Rolling Along Part I (3)
This is where George Cutler takes a ride with my bike from Brooklyn to Queens as a young boy. He produced this on GREEN SCREEN with a CAMCORDER behind me while he was pedaling and stopping. George Culer video taped the background from my car while tracing the original bike route.
In the editing proccess, he used FINAL CUT SOFTWARE to eliminate the green screen and insert video of the ride taken from his car. He also converted the color to black and white to add effect of the old days. He did that by lowering the saturation level of the color filter. To do the voiceover, He used a good quality MICROPHONE that plugs into his computer, and does not give an echo.
