Videoblogging For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) Review

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(More customer reviews)Videoblogging is one way for people to record their thoughts, advertise a service or product, and/or get their message across to Internet viewers without spending a lot of time and money with recording studios and the like. Stephanie Bryant who clearly has quite a bit of experience with videoblogging has done a great job in explaining how the average person can become a "videoblogger." Using a casual writing style (I love chapter titles like "I Vant to Vatch Your Vlog), she breaks down the steps involved in getting a successful videoblog off the ground and onto a web site.
She starts off with an overview of what videoblogs are, why you'd want to watch and/or make your own videoblog, and the various kinds of people who are videoblogging. Subsequent chapters detail items like the tools needed to do a successful videoblog (they're not as expensive as you might think), the physical "process" involved in shooting a videoblog and then converting it to a format your computer can understand. Part II of the book details the "behind the scenes activities," things like figuring out who your audience is, getting comfortable behind a video camera, and scripting the show you want to present. Having done some TV work in college many years ago, I discovered some of the same concepts apply here as well as doing a TV production.
Stephanie in Part 3 details the "physical production aspects" of videoblogging: actually shooting it, editing it, adding sound, and saving it to the 'Net. And finally, there's the task of hosting your files online, syndicating them, adding to them, and of course publicizing them. The book's Part of Tens include "Ten Core Vlogs to Watch," which give you ideas on how successful videoblogs are put together.
Stephanie has done a wonderful job in demystifying the world of videoblogging.

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Have you ever felt the urge to share the entertaining and insightful things that happen in your everyday world? Got a message you'd like to get across to others? A cause you want people to support? A videoblog allows you to share whatever you choose in a colorful, interesting way that gets attention—and furthermore, videoblogging is fun!
Grab Videoblogging For Dummies and put your videoblog on the fast track. You'll see how to
Gather and use videoblogging tools
Decide what you want your videoblog to do
Plan content and edit your footage
Set up a video hosting account and post your videoblog
Create a complete "show"
Videoblog safely, without compromising your security or others' privacy

Of course, a great way to get an idea of what you want to do with your videoblog (or vlog, as you'll be calling it when you're an insider) is to check out other people's vlogs. You'll find information about that in Videoblogging For Dummies too, including where to find videoblogs and how to set up RSS feeds. And you'll see how vlogs can affect public opinion, offer fresh viewpoints, and be terrifically entertaining.
Written by a true videoblogging pioneer —Stephanie Cottrell Bryant launched her first vlog in 2005, and now presents seminars on videoblogging topics—Videoblogging For Dummies gives you the scoop on
Choosing hardware and software you need to get started, plus an idea of what it's going to cost
Adding the extra bells and whistles and professional touches that will get your vlog noticed
Deciding whether to script your vlog or make it "reality TV", dealing with "vid fright", and making other people comfortable before your camera
Finding out who your audience is, getting feedback, and fine-tuning your vlog
Giving your vlog a clear identity
Becoming a citizen journalist, an advocate, or a small-screen movie producer
Editing, adding soundtracks, working with file formats, and publicizing your vlog

Videoblogging lets you showcase your art, keep in touch with friends and family, make new friends, or do your part to help solve the world's problems. Videoblogging For Dummies is the fun and easy way to get started!

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Mastering Blender Review

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(More customer reviews)
I am a Blender wannabe. I know I'll never be anything more than a tinkerer with it and I certainly don't have the artistic ability to do anything serious with it. Blender is an open source, free 3D program with an impressive list of capabilities. In fact, Blender rivals commercial programs costing thousands of dollars.
"Mastering Blender" is the third Tony Mullen book I've read and it is as impressive as the first two. But Mullen's books are aimed at people who are actually quite proficient with Blender. As Mullen puts it, he is writing for "intermediate and advanced" Blender users. If you've attempted to use Blender, you'll immediately recognize that even achieving the intermediate stage of proficiency requires many hours of learning and doing.
That said, there is nothing that prevents the patient novice Blender user from reading, looking at the pictures and, in my case, gasping both at what Blender can do and at the people like Mullen who can do it.
The first chapter is actually helpful to inexperienced users, as it describes how you can gain control of the Blender interface.
After that, it is strictly for the more advanced and capable user. Sculpting and Retopo Workflow explores sculpting; Creating Realistic Images with UV Textures and Node-Based Materials covers texturing snd then Mullen moves into Video Compositing, which is a Blender feature I didn't know existed.
The next six chapters cover scripting Blender with Python, another revelation, and mastering the Blender Game Engine.
Mullen appears to be one of the most knowledgeable Blender users on the planet. His writing style tends to be matter of fact and very straight-forward. His coverage of each of his subject areas is very thorough. There are many large and clear illustrations.
Overall, though it is highly doubtful that I will personally ever be able to use these Blender capabilities, I really enjoyed learning about them through Mullen's ably crafted book.
Jerry


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Blender, the free alternative for professional-quality 3D animation is a complex program to learn, but once users become familiar with its power, they begin to seek more from it. This book is the first of its kind to explore the more advanced features of Blender so that you can get the most out of the software. You'll take your Blender skills to a whole new level with the featured in-depth coverage of intricate uses for Blender's modeling, texturing, animation, and visual effects tools in a professional environment.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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How Really Smart Lawyers are Using Video on the Web (to Get More Cases) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ojinski is a master of producing polished educational lawyer marketing videos. His videos on youtube have tons of hits and it has helped propel him to the top to Google rankings. Try 'Gooogling" Medical Malpractice attorney new york and see how well he does... the search result is also a credit to the books co-author Mr. Foster who runs one of the top law firm web site design firms in the U.S. and who provides Ojinski's website. The book teaches a lessor that anyone already familiar with Ojinski or anyone who is buying the book already knows., i.e., that adding video content to law firm websites can if done correcting improve traffic and conversions. Where the book falls short is on specifics. I would have liked recommendations for axillary video microphones, suggestions for camera angles, directions for tagging video so that it shows up on search engines, and recommendations as to sites other than youtube where the video should be posted. Several of the chapters are just printed version of columns by Ojinski written for various websites wherein Ojinski and other columnists evaluate lawyer videos. Having already read some of these columns on Ojinski's blog this seemed like a waste of paper. When I buy a book I expect fresh content. A link to the video reviews would be sufficient. I think the reviews were included to prevent the book from being to thin. Part of the problem might be that Ojinski sells video production services to other lawyers... a great way for lawyers to obtain his outstanding talents. Unfortunately... if Ojinski put all of his tricks into the book he might cannibalize sales of his video production services. Most everything in this book is available on his blog or on other sites for fee. I wanted more detail, more how to.. and more information about what to do with the video once its shot and edited. For a lawyer who has not read the authors blog and is about to spend money on professional video production I would still recommend the book to avoid common video mistakes and marketing blunders. Hopefully the second edition of this book will be better.

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Wondering how you can maximize your advertising dollars, distinguish yourself from competing law firms and reach potentially thousands of people at the same time? Tom Foster and Gerry Oginski, Esq. have your answer!In this informative and fast paced book, Gerry & Tom discuss what every attorney needs to know about online video, including: Benefits of online video; Using video to get high search engine rankings; Avoiding common mistakes; Converting video viewers to potential clients; Video content ideas; Creating effective video; And more!Don t miss out on the hottest trend in lawyer advertising! Let Gerry & Tom educate you, so that you can start taking advantage of what online video has to offer.

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Producing Video Podcasts: A Guide for Media Professionals Review

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(More customer reviews)I normally don't write reviews, but after meeting the author at a recent conference, I felt I had to spread the word. This is one of the best books on technology I have read in a while, and I read a lot of tech books for my job. If you know technology but need the video part it works, if you know video and need the technology part, it works, if you need both it works. The book just works. I have been following Richard's podcasts for a couple years, but have never read any of his books, my loss. If you are interested in video podcasting, this is the book for you. My only warning would be make sure you are interested in podcasting and not streaming. There is a huge difference and this book shows you the difference, then teaches you podcasting.

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Put the video podcast medium to work for you and your clients with a winning formula. Know how video podcasts work and every facet of what it takes to produce a professional-quality program that will meet every criterion for success. The authors are seasoned video production pros that have been on the crest of the video podcasting wave as it has risen. With over 2500 episodes produced, they can reveal what works and what doesn't with detailed, illustrated guidance. You get the nuts and bolts of the complete process, including: *Preproduction: budgeting guidelines, mapping your production, and working with talent*Production: the ENG shooting style, lighting values and portability, sound, essential camera features, acquisition formats, and gear lists*Postproduction: resources for adding music and images, motion graphics, and editing techniques *Delivery: cost-effective hosting options, creating RSS feeds, compression, and hosting processes*Promotion: choosing directories, promoting your program, and monetizing your podcastInstruction and case studies go in-depth on issues unique to the podcast medium. A full-color presentation delivers tangible, inspiring examples of creative video podcasts. The companion website-www.VidPodcaster.com-provides a blog, templates, planning documents, sample clips, and state-of-the-art updates.* Written by video experts for video experts* Artist profiles and case studies demonstrate creative implementations* Companion web site provides template planning documents, sample clips and state-of-the-art updates

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Avid Editing, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently, I took a one week Avid Course at geniusDV and found Sam Kauffmann's book a welcome addition to what I learned in the course. Sam reviews all the basic operations that should get a beginner started; and it should be a valuable resource, as well, for the intermediate video editor who needs to look up a thing or two. Avid has an enormous amount of options of how to do things that can be overwhelming to the beginner. Sam offers a common sense basic approach that enable the beginner to edit successfully in a short time. The references he adds are helpful, especially after one grabs the basic concepts. Avid used to be the high-end editing application for Pros. It is becoming more available for consumers, and books like Sam Kauffmann's should accelerate that process.

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Geared toward novice Avid editors, this book provides step-by-step instructions for hundreds of editing tasks and concepts within the Avid software applications. The chapters guide you through an editing project, while the accompanying DVD provides footage to edit allowing for a hands-on experience.More than just a software manual, the book weaves editing principles with the Avid workflow, delving into general editing techniques, principles, and pitfalls, and helping you master the Avid as well as improve your overall editing technique and skillset.
Concentrates on the latest Media Composer software, and Mojo DX and Nitris DX hardware.Due to the similarity of Avid's interface across product lines, readers will also find the book relevant forAvid Xpress Pro HD, Xpress Pro, Xpress DV and Avid Symphony.

Expanded coverage on HD, DVCPro HD, HDV, and P2 and memory card workflows, DVD authoring and media management and more, preparing editors to work seamlessly with the latest technical updates to Avid.

Companion DVD contains two narrative scene and one documentary project allowing you to work along the lessons taught in the bookfootage allowing you to work alongside the lessons taught in the book
* New edition of time-tested bestseller is updated with coverage on, Mojo DX and Nitris DX hardware,HD, DVCPro HD, HDV, and P2 and memory card workflows, DVD authoring and media management and more* Unique in that not only is the book a great primer on using Avid, it also effectively teaches editing techniques and concepts helping readers become better technical editors in general* DVD contains footage readers can work along side the text with, further allowing them to focus on improving their editing skills instead of capturing their own footage

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