Videoguy's DV Filmaking Page
WE have the technology - YOU have the talent!

The technology is here today for you to produce your full
length features using video!

In recent years the production of independent films and videos has greatly increased due to many contributing technologies. The internet has allowed the independent producer the opportunity to achieve broad distribution of their product for little or no cost. This is the same phenomenon that created the buzz which launched "The Blair Witch Project" into commercial success and have given many small-town bands widespread exposure through web radio and MP3s. Faster access in homes throughout the country will soon allow the same broadband distribution of video and an independent producer will not only be able to create a buzz for their production, they will actually be able to distribute it right into our homes. There are many new technologies making this broadband distribution a reality.

DV camcorders, decks, and non-linear editing systems have brought the ability to create high quality final productions at a fraction of the cost of a similar system just 2 years ago. In fact, this new format is so popular that major studios are now supporting DV production and the Sundance Film Festival has received about three times as many digital entries this year compared to previous years!

The Electronic Mailbox was established over 10 years ago as "The Video Editing & Production Experts." As the technology has changed so has the focus of our company and the products we sell. However, one thing has always remained the same, our commitment to video editing and production! We pride ourselves on being a value-added mail-order reseller who specializes in providing the technical information and customer service before and after the purchase. Our interest in the DV film and video making is an extension of our company's focus. This page is dedicated to providing the information and tech advice targeted to the independent producer with buttons and content linking to other resources in the online community.

Info for DV Filmakers on this page:

1. DV Film Making Resources
2. DV Film Festivals
3. Real DV Film producers who use our stuff
4. Our top products for DV Filmaking

Recommended products for Editing your DV Film

Recommended links for getting started in DV Filmaking:

Studentfilms.com

The on-line resource for film students and aspiring filmmakers everywhere. Submit your short film to the site for as low as $10/year. Visit the Filmmaking Forums for filmmaking tips, film festival calls for entry, advice on film schools, and much more. Welcome and enjoy!

MovieMaker

MovieMaker is packed with articles featuring interviews with top actors, directors, writers, producers, editors and cinematographers. Loaded with notices and calls for upcoming projects. Links to resources and film festivals around the world! Subscribe today and stay focused!

Beginners Guide To Digital Video Production

Steve Saylor is another one of our long time customers and friends. We highly recommend his excellent video
A "How-To" video (VHS) for Mini-DV Camcorders & Digital Video Editing on Desktop Computers. It's loaded with grreat information about:

• digital video moviemaking
• non-linear editing and software
• digital camcorders
• making video look like film
• independent (low-budget) filmmaking

http://www.ifilm.com/

Launched in February 1999, IFILM is a forum for the best and most innovative work in filmed entertainment. In addition to our extensive database of streaming and deliverable short films, IFILM has forged partnerships with a wide range of affiliates to create content packages tailored to specific segments of the moviegoing public.

http://www.cyberfilmschool.com

Project Greenlight gives aspiring filmmakers access to independent filmmaking through an online community, a film, and a television documentary series. Project Greenlight holds a contest where one person or team gets to make their original film. Miramax Films finances production of the film with a minimum $1 million production budget, and releases it in theaters. An HBO documentary series shows the entire filmmaking process, from the selection of the script, through production and editing, to the film's theatrical run. In addition to the contest, the Project Greenlight community provides a forum for screenwriters and filmmakers to work on their ideas and gain knowledge in a peer-to-peer environment.

The Project Greenlight Contest began when Miramax Films & Television and LivePlanet joined together to create an online screenwriting competition designed to give an aspiring, unknown screenwriter the chance to make their movie. Miramax would finance and release the film and HBO television series, and Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Chris Moore (co-producer of "Good Will Hunting" & producer of "American Pie") of LivePlanet would executive produce them. In addition, there was hope that, through such a competition, other amateur writers might gain the attention of Hollywood agents, managers, and studio executives.

http://www.indieclub.com/

Webcinema

DV Film Festivals:

RESFEST Digital Film Festival

Now in its third year, RESFEST spotlights the Future of Filmmaking with a dynamic line-up of film screenings, in-depth panel discussions, hands-on technology presentations and gala parties. Many of the films premiered in last year's RESFEST programs went on to screen at other top international film festivals, and many of the filmmakers garnered industry-wide attention.

RESFEST continues its mission to engage and inspire audiences globally with new films, by new filmmakers, made with new technology.

Slamdance

Have a high-concept geared for the studios? An indie gem you're hoping to self-direct? The mission of the screenplay competition is to recognize and support talented new writers. A Slamdance script doesn't have to be chic or small. It just has to be good.

Of the submissions to our 1998 screenplay competition, we received scripts of every possible genre. The screenplays were scored on character development, story, dialogue, structure and originality.

This year, ICM signed two of the top twelve Slamdance 1998 finalists, Kate Alfieri and Trevor Munson. Trevor¹s script was also optioned by Ed Zwick's company, Bedford Falls. Another top twelve 1988 finalist, T.S. Faul, signed with Zide Management.

Last October, news broke that our 1997 first place winner, "Chinaware-Fragile," by Christine Desmet, Robert Shill and Peggy Williams, had been optioned by New Line Cinema. Subsequently, over twenty-five major studios, production companies and agencies have requested to read the 1998 winning scripts.

In Janurary, first place winner, Kate Alfieri, went to the Slamdance Festival at Park City to accept her Sparky. She wrote about her whirlwind adventures in "Slamdance: The Art of the Schmooze."

At the festival, we also held staged readings of selected scenes from some of the winning scripts. The readings were directed by Slamdance directors and performed by actors in films screening at the festival.

A unique and increasingly popular aspect of the competition is that writers can call in for coverage on their submissions. This way writers who aren't official winners can still receive feedback on their work.

Here is what some of our customers and supporters of Videoguys.com are doing in the world of independent filmaking:

Roo Productions
is proud to present SECRET MESSAGES, Arizona's first ALL-DIGITAL Feature film. Shot on Digital Video and edited with Adobe Premiere, SECRET MESSAGES is a milestone in digital entertainment production. Visit www.rooproductions.com for more information and to order your copy today.

The Last Broadcast
Lance Weiler and Stefan Avalos completed a digital film for a reported $900. Now that film, "The Last Broadcast," has now become one of the first digital feature films to be projected digitally in a theatrical release. This production was made long before the break through "Blair Witch Project". Winner: Best Feature, Silver Prize Chicago Underground Film Festival

Sorenson Squeeze 4.5 Compression Suite
Academic Version

Sorenson Squeeze 4.5 Compression Suite is the first full-featured compression application to incorporate High Definition (HD) encoding for a variety of video formats including - MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, RealMedia, and Windows Media 9. The Suite also compresses the highest-quality video for Macromedia Flash files.

Includes Sorenson Video 3 Pro, Sorenson Spark Pro, Sorenson MPEG-4 Pro and Sorenson AVC Pro video codecs.

EDU $249.95

reg. $399

Avid Media Composer Software
Academic Version

Avid introduces Media Composer software: affordable, hardware independent film and video editing for both Mac & Windows systems. This is the same Media Composer toolset used to create more of the world's films, television shows, and commercials than any other editing system, and it's more powerful than ever. New features include Motion Tracking and Stabilization, full-screen video output over DVI, and HD editing for Mac OS X (Tiger) systems-plus all the creative tools, integrated asset management, and multi-format editing support that have made Media Composer the best editor on the planet.

EDU $295.00

reg. $3,995

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium
Academic Version

Maximize your productivity with Adobe CS3 Production Premium software, the total post-production solution available for both Mac & Windows systems. Tighter-than-ever integration between Adobe's all-new video, audio, & design tools.

CS3 Production Premium includes:
• After Effects CS3 Professional
• Premiere Pro CS3 with Encore CS3
• OnLocation CS3 (Windows)
• Photoshop CS3 Extended
• Flash CS3 Professional
• Illustrator CS3
• Soundbooth CS3
• Dynamic Link, Device Central CS3 & Bridge CS3
• PLUS Ultra CS3 Chroma-Key & Virtual Set Software for Windows

EDU $599.95


reg. $1,688

Sony Vegas Pro 8
Academic Version

With an extremely powerful titling engine, multi-camera video editing tools, a complete virtual audio mixing console, an industry-leading 32-bit video signal path, and Blu-ray Disc burning technology, the Vegas Pro 8 collection is poised to be the essential high-performance professional digital nonlinear video editing application. The Vegas Pro collection combines Vegas Pro 8, DVD Architect Pro 4.5, and Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software to offer an integrated environment for all phases of professional video, audio, DVD, and broadcast production.

EDU $359.95

reg. $499

NewTek LightWave 3D Version 9

Proven for years in television, film, and games, LightWave 3D is also being used to create graphics for print, web, industrial design, architecture, medical imaging, and many other applications. Designers and artists from Malaysia to Norway, U.S. to Australia, and everywhere in between are producing award-winning work and making a living with LightWave 3D. LightWave fits the bill for any size business from a one-person shop to Hollywood special effects titans with hundreds of animators on staff.

NewTek LightWave 3D with Electronic Manual
$195.00 EDU

reg. $895

Media Composer Academic Studio

Media Composer Academic Studio includes professional software and hardware at a price that that enables any school to teach the same audio, video, animation, and DVD authoring tools and workflows used throughout today's film, television, and music industries.

Available only to schools, this specially priced package for Windows-based systems features the latest versions of:
• Avid Media Composer Academic
• Digidesign ProTools 7.1 with Mbox 2
• Avid Studio Toolkit which includes Avid FX, Avid 3D and Avid DVD by Sonic

Media Composer Studio EDU
$999.95 EDU

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection

A comprehensive creative environment featuring highly integrated, exceptionally productive tools for designing for print, web, interactive, film, video, and mobile devices, this is a value-packed offering that helps you meet deadlines while you explore and express your creative ideas.

CS3 Master Collection includes:
• InDesign CS3
• Photoshop CS3 Extended
• Illustrator CS3
• Acrobat 8 Professional
• Flash CS3 Professional
• Dreamweaver CS3
• Fireworks CS3
• Contribute CS3
• After Effects CS3 Professional
• Premiere Pro CS3
• Encore CS3
• Soundbooth CS3

$999.00 EDU


reg. $2,999

PowerProduction StoryBoard Artist Academic Version

Create professional quality digital storyboards with StoryBoard Artist 4. Designed for media savvy creatives: filmmakers, television producers, advertising creatives, game developers, DVD and interactive TV designers and educators alike.

PowerProduction StoryBoard Artist Academic Version
$499.95

Multi-Seat Discount Available. Order 5 or More Seats at only $399.95 each

In order to qualify for the Educational versions of the products listed, or any discounted educational pricing, you must be able to provide a valid School ID, a shipping or billing address to school residence, dorm or classroom, a qualifying school e-mail address (.edu) or a registration receipt, school transcript, course schedule or other documentation.

Red Giant Trapcode 3S ESD
Now supports Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 & After Effects!

Includes:
• Shine - Ultra-fast light ray effect!
• Starglow - Ultra-fast star shaped glow on highlights!
• 3D Stroke - Create a world of organic shapes & fly camera through them!

50% OFF
$115.00

reg. $229

Trapcode plug-ins are now available as ESD (Electronic Software Download) only.

Boris FX 9.2 and Graffiti 5.2 Bundle

Combine the leading FX & 3D Titling Software with this Bundle and Save $299. FX is a grat value with realistic lighting, advanced keying and color correction, compositing, DVE, vector paint and support for third-party After Effects filters. Graffiti lets you easily create sophisticated title animation including type on text, text on a path, jitter and randomization, and more!

$299.95

Special bundle price includes Graffiti LTD with upgrades to the full FX & Graffiti

Matrox RT.X2 with the NEW Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium

Designed primarily for realtime native HDV & DV editing, Matrox RT.X2 also captures in MPEG-2 so you can mix HD & SD formats on the timeline in real time. This special bundle offer includes Matrox RT.X2 hardware and breakout box plus Adobe CS3 Production Premium

Matrox RT.X2 Hardware + Academic Version of Adobe Software
$1,875.00 EDU

Matrox RT.X2 Hardware Only
$1,295.00

Focus FS-4Pro HD
Portable DTE Recorder

FS-4Pro HD models are capable of recording in DV & HDV. Record HDV as as either the M2T file format as well as the unique QuickTime HDV format for Direct To Edit use with Apple Final Cut Pro.

80GB - $1,095.00
After $200 Mail In Rebate

$1,295.00EDU at checkout
reg. value $1,495
expires 3/31/08

Videoguys Special Offer for StudentFilmmakers Readers
5% OFF + FREE UPS Ground Shipping on Orders in the Continental US
Use Coupon#: STUFILM5OFF

Order Online at Videoguys.com or Call 800-323-2325

G-Tech G-Raid2

G-Raid2 features a new triple interface design with FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0 connectivity. G-Raid2 is now available in storage capacities up to an amazing 2000 GB in the same compact form factor. The G-Raid2 builds on the original G-Raid design by incorporating the latest and greatest disk storage technology currently available – 7200 RPM SATA II hard drives each with up to 16MB of cache and the new Oxford 924 bridge chipset.

500GB
$329.95

1,000 GB for Under $500!
1 TB (1,000 GB)
$499.95

Pioneer BDR-202
Blu-ray Disc Writer

The BDR-202 Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD writer is the next generation Blu-ray Disc writer from Pioneer. This writer allows professional users to test & author high-definition Blu-ray Disc content while also delivering the ability for high-capacity data storage. The drive can read BDROM discs, read/write single layer BD-R & BD-RE discs, read DVD-ROM, and read/write most DVD and CD recordable media formats.

BDR202A - beige drive
$429.95

BDR202B- black drive
$429.95

VASST Absolute Training for Final Cut Studio Volumes 1-3

Absolute Training for Apple Final Cut Studio offers instruction from the highest level trainers including Richard Harrington, Abba Shapiro, Gary Adcock, Mason Dixon, Chris Phrommayon, and others. And now you can own the first three beginner titles for one low price!

$99.95

We have Training DVDs available for all of the most popular video editing software. Click here for the Videoguys Training center

Click here for the Videoguys' Top 10 Products of 2007

Click here for the Videoguys' DIY 5 Update Page

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