What is Nonlinear Editing?

Eons ago, film editing was prepared through a linear scheme, wherein the film was cut literally into extended strips divided by take and scene and then taped or glued back together in order to make a film in a logical series. Obviously, this was daunting, time-consuming and requires specialized attention and work. While linear film editing is still practiced up to this date, there is a more user-friendly and newer approach available for film editors, which is the nonlinear editing. With this system, we no longer need to be a slave of VCRs (video cassette recorders). This reason alone makes the system an interesting option for anyone who does plenty of editing responsibilities. 

Nonlinear film editing is a method which permits us to access random frames within a digital video clip, irrespective of the clip’s sequence. We can easily and instantly access the clip we want, making it easy for us to work on any frame of the clip.  In a nonlinear editing, the original source files are not gone or modified while editing. This is possible through an EDL or Edit Decision List, which documents the editor’s decision and can also be interchanged with other tools for editing. Having said that, plenty variations on the original source files can go without the need to keep a lot of various copies, permitting for flexible editing.  Through an EDL, it also becomes easy for us to change cuts and undo past decisions, without the need to actually film again. Loss of quality data can also be prevented through a nonlinear editing since we no longer need to re-code the data over and over again when several effects are added. 

The Difference of Nonlinear Editing from Linear Editing

•  Video from the original source files is recorded to the hard drive of the editing computer or RAID array before it proceeds to the editing session.
• Instead of laying video to the recorder in chronological shots (done in linear editing), the segments are organized through a video editing software. The segments can be shifted around at will, in a simply drag-and-drop manner.
• Modifications can be done between the segments. Additionally, a lot of video editing programs have a character generator or CG feature that allows you to place titles below every segment.
• You are able to view the video working progress any time you want.
• Nonlinear editing eliminates the need to lay a video down in real time. Moreover, it allows you to do edit and make changes at any point without affecting the rest of the edit. 

Nonlinear Editing Also Has its Pros and Cons 

Pros

• Allows you to access any scene, frame  or even a series of scenes at any time
• The original footage is kept as it is when editing. You are able to go to the original take whenever you desire.
•  Offers flexibility when editing. You have the chance to change your mind over and over again without the need to begin the all over again with every change.  
• You can edit both HD (High Definition) and SD (Standard Definition) broadcast videos swiftly on a PC.

 

Cons

• The only thing that we can say that’s disadvantageous when using the nonlinear method of film editing is that if the machine is not configured well, the machine hangs. Files can get corrupt and some times footage may be lost.

Digital Cameras for Shooting

It has been widely observed nowadays that there are lots of individuals who are shooting videos using digital cameras over the typical camcorders. Even I can attest to this because I have seen many people who have been video shooting using their digital cameras. There are many good reasons why individuals need to choose digital cameras for video shooting. Digital cameras have better sensors and tend to deliver better and more enhanced photo and video quality. Unlike common camcorders, digital cameras deliver huge logistic and creative benefits. 

 

Digital cameras continue to evolve and advance over time. Lots of manufacturers have been competing against each other since the demands for digital cameras for video shooting also increases. With the unceasing demand, several manufacturers make it a point to add more advanced features to every model of digital camera they make. There have also been upgrades taking place over time so I can say that it would be best for individuals who are looking for the best digital cameras for video shooting to educate themselves about the different features and brand of digital cameras offered in the market today. 

Helpful Tips in Choosing the Best Digital Cameras for Video Shooting 

 

 

I knew how important it is to choose the best digital camera that suits your exact needs.  I made a mistake once and I will never commit the same mistake again. I know how hard and confusing it is when it comes to product selection but for those who are looking for the best digital cameras for video shooting, there are helpful tips that can help them so that they will not experience what I have experienced before when I made a wrong choice. 

In choosing a camera, you first need to assess your requirements and determine the features you want. If you are into video shooting rather than photography, then it would be best to choose a digital camera that is geared towards video shooting. The choice for a digital camera will also depend on how you really want to shoot videos using this camera. 

Of course, you need to try before you purchase. Ensure that the digital camera you opt to choose must have a comfortable fit in your hand. The digital camera should not be too big or too heavy so that it would be easier to bring the camera with you wherever you go. The digital camera must also provide you with quick access to the commonly utilized menus and functions. 

The digital camera must be easy to learn and use and must be simply structured for easier and more convenient video shooting. The latest models can deliver greater performance and functionality. It is true that it can be quite frustrating if menus and controls are not properly organized especially when shooting videos. 

There are still many other helpful tips to keep in mind when choosing a digital camera for shooting videos. It would be an advantage to choose a camera that can shoot videos for longest period of time. The digital camera should also have high-speed and high capacity memory card to capture, shoot and store videos. You do not really have to buy the most expensive one. As long as the camera is highly functional and have specs needed for video shooting then it would just be fine. You only need to add up some skills and creativity.

                                                                                                                                                

Digital Cinematography

Transforming the World of Filmmaking 

When it comes to film making, I believe that cinematography is the most essential part. It involves the capturing of the movie in a celluloid film. In the early years, movies doesn’t have sound, films are more focus on the entire picture. However, with the advancement in technology, the addition of sounds to the films has been possible. In this article, I will discuss more about digital cinematography. 

I must say that digital cinematography is the same with film cinematography, wherein it captures a series of steady images at 24 frames every second. Digital images are stored in flash memory or hard drives. It is safe to say that most of the features films that are shot today are partly in a digital video format.

Pros and Cons

One advantage that I see in using digital video is that you don’t need to wait for the laboratory to process the film. Another advantage will be the cost. It will cost $1,500 to print a copy of a film in a 35 mm film and then shipped it to theaters inside a metal container. For example, if you will be sending 4,000 copies, it will be $6 million as compared to the expenses for digital copy which is $150 times 4,000, which is 10% of the cost of traditional film copy.

On the other hand, I also observed some disadvantages of digital cinematography. Digital copy tends to be an unreliable and poor medium of storage unlike film, which can last for hundred years. Some small theaters also closed because the cost of going digital is expensive.

Digital Cinema Formats

Digital cinema formats are modified in horizontal resolution. I described these video formats as 24 frames a second and progressive scan which is the frame rate of a movie.

Digital Cinema Cameras

The camera sensors capture film images with CCD or CMOS sensors. I can compare digital cinema cameras with DSLR camera which uses one camera sensor that ranges from 16-35 mm film frame to 65 mm film frame. Digital cinema cameras are also made with PV, PL, and same lens mounts which allows the usage of wide range of high-end cinematography lenses. The large sensors also let the camera to have same shallow field depth of 35 mm film cameras. 

There are several video cameras available in the market nowadays, which I think are specially designed to be use for high-end digital cinematography. These video cameras offer large sensors, selections for frame rates, as well as the ability to utilize optics with high quality. 

Traditionally, cinematography only involves recording of motion pictures in celluloid film, however, the modernization and advancement in technology have emerged where digital cameras are being utilized to create video films. I should say that modern cinematography also involves digital photography. With the use of digital cameras, it is possible to create different cinema effects in addition to motion pictures recording.

Digital technology is changing how I look at movies and what films look like. From the budgeted movies capture in digital copy to blockbusters one with computer-generated imagery, I must say that digital cinematography has transformed the world of movie making.