Copy
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
 
View this email in your browser

Electronic Eye

Sydney Video Makers club newsletter

Dear <<First Name>>, we are so glad that you are reading this :)
LINK to see club calendar.

The Electronic Eye, or EE for short, is the newsletter for the Sydney Video Makers (a.k.a. SVM) Club. You can peruse past edition of the newsletter on our website. We use this newsletter to advise of our upcoming club meetings and provide pertinent news items from our members. We do not wish to be a "me too" video magazine as there are plenty of those already on the web.

The EE is open to both financial members and non-members who are interested. If you wish, you can easily unsubscribe at anytime and if you got this forwarded to you, and want to subscribe you can do so via our club website.

Looking Forward: This Wednesday 22 January - CLUB NIGHT

This is our Kick-Off meeting for the year 2020. We have a full programme mapped out for the year! We also have our competitions for the year.
Come along and find out about this years competitions, how to get involved in a production, or how to get your production made.

Competitions for 2020

  1. Open subject max 5 minutes - entries close 19 Feb
  2. 15 and 30 second commercial with the theme of REVENGE - entries close 15 April
  3. Drama film on the theme of 'AWKWARD MOMENTS" A 5 minute film on the theme - entries close 17 June
  4. Shared Edit. The edit competition will use footage which will be shot during the year and which will be made available by the end of June at the latest. - entries close  19 August
  5. VOTY - entries close 22 October
Club COMPETITIONS page.
 

Programme for 2020 (5 months look)

Please note that programme is subject to change so use the club page for up to date information.
  1. January
    1. Club night:
      Kick-off 2020,
      VOTY 2019 analysis, review of entry Raw Deal,
      plus script writing fundamentals
  2. February
    1. Focus night:
      Script Analysis & Storyboarding;
      Script review of "Elderly Surprise";
      nominate roles for shooting March Focus Night
    2. Club night:
      The results from the Open Competition will be here and we'll go through and critically analyse the entries, the judges remarks and see what we can learn.
      We will also discuss the script for the shared edit - a simple script of around 3 pages which can be shot fairly easily is what we need and we'll introduce the options and select the favourite to go with.
  3. March
    1. Focus night:
      We will shoot the 1 page script that we reviewed and storyboarded last month. Come along and help or just watch!
      At the end of the evening the footage will be available for anyone to take away and edit for next months Focus Night meeting.
      REMEMBER TO BRING A LARGE USB STICK IF YOU WANT A COPY
    2. Club night:
      Guest Speaker - Brendan on "What makes a Good Idea"
      After his session we will confirm the Shared Edit script and start to discuss pre-production - another chance to get involved.
  4. April
    1. Focus night:
      We'll review any and all of the edits from the 1 page script shot previous Focus Night.
      We'll do a production review and see what we could learn all the way from the script, pre-production, edit and more.
      After that we'll have a quick session on using Star Now to cast actors - with the drama competition coming up soon you could pick up some invaluable tips!
    2. Club night: 
      Come along and see all the ads on theme of REVENGE!
      We'll watch them all more than once and go through and critically analyse them all, review the judges remarks, see what we can learn and also find a winner!
      We will also go through shared edit pre-production - come along and get yourself a role on set.
      And finally, build your analytical and review skills by getting details of the You Be The Judge homework where you get to judge 3 films from other clubs and then next month we'll see what people thought, learnt and discuss it all.
  5. May
    1. Focus night: 
      Tonight we'll look at some of the latest kit, gadgets, toys and the like that we have, are on the market, or we might be considering. Lights, audio, camera, maybe even editing suite.
      We'll probably try and look at them through the lens of how each one might be able to make our Shared Edit shoot better. 
      Either way it's an opportunity to find out how some of them work and how perhaps you could be using them better!
    2. Club night: 
      Analysing other peoples films helps us understand how our films can be better so we'll go through peoples thoughts, comments and scores on the 3 films from other clubs.
      After that we'll look at how to improve your titling, how to make it look more polished, more professional and create the impression and impact you want for your next production.

Looking Back: 2019

We had a fantastic 2019, thanks to all our active members! The year culminated in VOTY (which is our answer to "Tropfest"). Congratulations to the Atoms Team for winning the Video Of The Year (aka VOTY) award with The Cyclist - a horror movie without dialog!

See the winners' list on our club website HERE.

VOTY 2019 winner:
The Cyclist
- a short horror film by the Atoms Team Join our club if you want to be part of making stuff like this.
VOTY 2019 entry
Raw Deal
will be analysed and discussed at the January 22 club meeting

MEMBERSHIP FEEs are now DUE

We need to book and pay for the hall in advance, so
please pay you membership in January!

You can pay by

  • EFT (Electronic funds transfer, using internet)
    • Put your NAME into the transfer comment field
    • BSB: 032-090
    • Account number: 390-845
    • Account name: Sydney Video Makers Club
  • Cash to the Treasurer (Terry Wayne), President (Paul Szilard), VC (Eddie Hanham) or Secretary (Ian Scott)
  • Credit card - see the President (Paul Szilard)
  • PayPal.com - send payment to vp@sydneyvideomakers.org.au with your name in the comment
  • or request a credit card or PayPal invoice by email
IMPORTANT: Once you have made a payment, please email us at president@sydneyvideomakers.org.au so that we can mark you as financial on the register and activate your website login.
 

Through the President's Lens

Paul Szilard, SVM President 2019
 

Audio recording with your camera

Most of us know that for quality audio it is best to use off-camera mics, and external audio recorders, however a good quality camera audio track can make the synching of external audio to video, much easier. There are also times when we don't have the luxury or option for external audio recording and have to resort to either using the camera's own mic(s) or have a shoe mounted mini shotgun mic whose output is plugged into the camera's mic IN socket.

Advantages of a shoe mounted shotgun are

  1. Better pickup of audio from in front of the camera and rejection of side audio, which could be distracting background noise
  2. Higher signal means that the camera's input level can be reduced, resulting in less hiss and greater clarity
There are many brands and models of mics available with prices ranging from approximately $100 to $500+. One of the most widely used is the RØDE VideoMic range, and they have several models to choose from.

RØDE VideoMic Pro - 1st gen

For the 2nd generation, Røde changed the shock mount. These are all self powered via a 9V PP9 battery and include a high quality buil-in preamp. The latest, and dearest in the family is the RØDE VideoMic NTG for $360, which can be used in multiple scenarios, such as connected to a 3.5mm stereo input, a TRRS smartphone socket or a USB on a computer. It can even record a -20dB safety track on the second input channel and act as a USB output device! It also has stepless gain control, a rechargeable battery and automatic on/off sensor. When coupled with the 85g RØDE Wireless Go transmitter, it makes a handy lightweight wireless boom mic too.


RØDE VideoMic NTG shown with RØDE Wireless Go transmitter

 

Social Media/Publicity


Remember where to find us:
  1. On the internet at http://sydneyvideomakers.org.au
  2. On Facebook (pst - we now have 352 members there!)
  3. On Meetup
To help promote our club, we have some business cards, which will be available to all members:

SVM card Front and Back

Get Involved

Our club is an interactive concept. We want to encourage you to get involved, that way you will not only help the club, but also help yourself to get new friends and to participate. We need people to:
  1. Join the VOTY sub-committee
  2. Join our Welcoming Team
  3. Send in a short article to be published in this Newsletter 
  4. Offer to help run the nights using the projection gear, setting it up and putting it away
  5. Join a film making team (or start a new team!) and try your hand at directing, script writing, editing video or sound recording, and more
  6. Suggest discussion topics for a future night
  7. Share your videos
  8. Share your knowledge
Paul Szilard
President
 

Club Teams



Eddie Hanham - Team Leader and club VP

We currently have 4 team leaders:
  1. Atoms ("We make up everything") - Team leader Mark Ward
  2. NUTS ("Not usually too serious") - Team leader Ian Scott (aka Scotty)
  3. PACKERS Team - Team leader Paul Szilard
  4. The Wednesday Group - Team leader Eddie Hanham

4 Sale or Wanted



If you have an item to sell, or want to place "Wanted" advert, then contact email the Editor.

 
Buy and Sell Protocol
Financial members may use this section of the EE to detail information about second hand photographic/video equipment which they wish to dispose of.
This allows other Members to be advised of the opportunity.
The Club is not involved in or have any responsibility for any such sales.
 
Commercial representation
Direct or indirect commercial representation of new products by members is not permitted in this EE or during Club Activities.
Articles of relevant general interest about new products are allowed in EE.
 

Place Your Ad?

If you are a (financial) Club Member, then send the following information to the Editor.
  • 4Sale or Wanted (which?)
  • Contact: Your name
  • Item: Summary
  • Price: Asking price
  • Options: If any
  • Description: Any details, with photos and links

RØDE VideoMic Pro


RØDE VideoMic Pro for only $165

The RØDE VideoMic Pro is probably the world's most well known shoe mounted mini shotgun microphone for DSLR or mirrorless camera shooters. As Paul has recently upgraded o the latest and dearest version for $370, he is selling his original RØDE VideoMic Pro for only $165. It is on eBay, if you want to grab a bargain, contact Paul (0414 269 404 or email) immediately to see if it is still available.

See this on eBay.
 
 

Assets

Club assets that are available for loan to financial members

Mark Ward is the Asset Manager. He is reachable on the email address of assets@sydneyvideomakers.org.au
 

Loan Procedures

  • Club assets can be borrowed by club members that are financial, for club related shooting only.
  • Contact the Asset Manager (Mark Ward)
  • The borrowing member is responsible for returning the items in the same condition they were in when borrowed. Damage or loss are the responsibility of the borrower.

Audio Kit 1

  1. RØDE NTG2 shotgun mic, with RODE Boom Pole and noise breaking "Blimp"
  2. RØDE FilmMaker radio mic (Lavalier)
  3. Carry Bag

Audio Kit 2

  1. RØDE NTG2 shotgun mic, with RODE Boom Pole and noise breaking "Blimp"
  2. RØDE FilmMaker radio mic (Lavalier)
  3. Carry Bag

Lighting Equipment

Items available separately
  1. LED light panel with mains PSU and stand
  2. LED light panel with mains PSU and stand (2nd unit)
  3. Dedo Halogen 150W focusable spot light, mains powered

Miscellaneous Items

  1. Camera Crane (aka JIB) with stand
  2. 7" LCD LED Field Monitor (HDMI)

 


See you at the meeting - and email me your thoughts!

Paul Szilard
EE Editor

Click to email Paul now
Copyright © 2020 Sydney Video Makers Club, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp