VIDEO EVOLUTION

I've been in Video Production since the late 80's and have seen the evolution of the Video Production industry. I remember when I with the help of my friend bought a video camera around 86', and it was a vhs and I'm not sure what the make was now, but I remember the excitment I felt when I was behind the camera. My friend didn't share the same love for video production, but I kept shooting little skits and eventually got a job for a successful video production company who did the majority of their video on the Main Line in Philly.

I went from using a vhs consumer to a vhs prosumer, where the camera and the deck were separate, connected with a cord. The decks were touchy and you had to be careful not to hit certain switches so that the camera recorded in the proper format. When I first started it was fun...real fun, and my boss was a great guy who believed in me and my abilities. Weddings ceremonies were definately stressfull and we had many close calls and George had to make some incredible fixes when editing. Which reminds me we had to edit with three decks and the decks were 3frames accurate at best. The whole editing process took forever, which really limited creativity, especially if you were on a deadline, which we always were.

Cameras and decks eventually became svhs compatible, but the process was still linear. At this time I went to school for video and TV production, which was kind of joke and a hustle, but I did learn a few things and got an internship with a mid level corporate/psa/documentary video company and I also interned at a leased access TV station. I operated a camera at the least access station and got to work with 3/4 inch decks. At the video production company I was a PA(production assistant )but was able to do alot of grip work. They used betacam cameras, and were one of the first people I knew that went to a non linear editing system. It cost around 150,000.00 or more, I can't remember the exact amount.

It was all so elite, even at the level that I was working. In order to get into the bussiness in a professional capacity you would need to spend over 100,000 dollars just in equipment not to mention your other expenses like a studio and staff. The thought of being able to have your own video production company for 15,000. to 20,000.00 or less depending if you wanted to be a freelancer or have your own small video company, was so far from being reality back then. I'm talking the early 90's at this point. If you don't purchase a light kit, and you have a basic knowledge of lighting, you can produce nice looking videos with a digital camera w/ final cut pro.

Now, where ever you look theres another youtube video that is being emailed to you by a friend or co-worker. The production value isn't always the best, but if the content is interesting it doesnn't seem to matter. It's definately a good time to be in video production if you don't care about making money and just want to produce programing. There have been times when I would feel threatened by the speed at which the technology changes, thinking that I know have even more competition, but I truly welcome this change and see it as a positive change. We don't have to really on monopolies to supply us with information, and it is harder to control what information people have access too, even in contries like Iran. It's hard to maintain a Dictatorship if you can't control the flow of information that the masses have access too. With all of the I phones and Blackberry's and camera's that also take video, makes it hard to suppress information. Iran is an example of information giving a voice to the people. In Iran's case twitter and youtube are the vehicles used. What's next! It's an exciting time. A troubled time, but a good time for people that want their voice to be heard.

Now, ofcourse the industry is going to HD, but if you use Youtube ,Quicktime or any other computer based product you don't need to use HD. HD is the future though, and for Vidoegraphers who display their work HD set's via DVD's it's becoming a must. It's becoming more and more afordable also. Panasonic, Sony and JVC have afordable pro sumer HD cams. The other positive aspect is that these companies are putting XLR inputs to give the cameras a more professional touch. I also like to shoot with 24 p depending on what type of job I'm working on to give a more film like quality. I'm a content guy though, so I don't like to get into to much about equipment, but at the same time I appreciate a good camera, sticks (tripod), wireless mics and lights. Speaking of lights I don't own a light kit as of present, and rent my lights, but would like a nice Arri or Lowell kit. There are others but I like and am most familiar with these brands. I digress, sorry, the story was to be about the change that I've witnessed in regards to the video production industry and I will more than likely make equipment another catagory. Anyway, if you are new to Video, Welcome! Don't let folks squelch your vision or your dreams, and get out there and tell a story. Never forget, beginning, middle and end.