Hobby #2

So I'd forgotten how much fun video editing can be.  I often work with real events that either I or someone else captures with a camcorder then try to piece those shots into a finished movie.  I think I've done a pretty decent job so far with Apple's consumer tools (iMovie and iDVD), but I've decided to take this to the next level: High Definition source and more professional editing tools.  What's always stopped me from going this route is training on Final Cut Pro which is Apple's advanced video editing tool.  There are other tools in the suite, Soundtrack Pro for working with background music and narration, LiveType for making animated titles, Motion for doing compositing work, etc.  These tools have a pretty steep learning curve because they're quite advanced (used by Hollywood).  But it turns out that my work has an unlimited subscription to Lynda.com and if you've never been to that site, you should check it out.  I've been logging in at night and training on Final Cut Pro, LiveType, and Soundtrack Pro.

The other thing I'm going to try is more staged shots which is something I've never done.  It involves more acting and directing (even if I'm the one doing both) than simply capturing an event and splicing it into a video.  It results in more raw source footage and longer times to edit that footage but the results are way more professional.  I already have some funny ideas for the Canada trip video but I'll keep them as a surprise for later.  In any case, chalk this up as hobby #2 - Video Editing.  One of my co-workers has made a few documentaries years ago and she offered to help me get organized.  Maybe she and I could work on a documentary together.  It would be fun to do and I know she'd like to do another one.

I'm also going to be looking for a way to share the videos on the web that I've made and am going to make.  Stay tuned.