Tried making a video (geeky subject)

[Tuna]

We're hoping to be able to start our self-build in the New Year (planning permission willing and all that). In anticipation of lots of exciting things happening, I've started a blog that's going to have some diary stuff, some photos and perhaps some video.

As an experiment I've shot a short film showing how we plan to survive this winter in a caravan without freezing - using biodiesel and a hot air blower. The video was done on an old Fuji S602Z (a great digital camera for its time) and edited using Jahshaka (free, but not very easy to use and distinctly rough around the edges).

I'm tempted to get something like Adobe Premier Elements, and a decent camcorder to do this all properly, but at the same time I'm not sure if mere mortals are meant to be on video. Having suffered at the hands of dodgy family cine-films as a child, I suspect that it's about as exciting and interesting as watching (someone else's) paint dry.

What do you think? http://lockfarm.blogspot.com

At the start of the blog, in the archives somewhere, there are a couple of photos showing lightning and the stars rotating through the skies if you're interested in such things.

[GetCarter]

Hi Tuna

Have just finished my build, and my blog! (thank God)

First you're mad. Second, Good luck.

I suggest Windoze Movie Maker - it's free and on every copy of Win XP. Very easy to use and configue for web posting.

I'll keep an eye on the blog. I suggest you don't read mine till you've finished or you might change your mind!

Steve

blog: www.stevecarter.com/build/build.ht

edited to add... blog looking good... will watch with interest in smug 'thank god I've finished' mode

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th October 15:33

[Tuna]

GetCarter said:

Hi Tuna

Have just finished my build, and my blog! (thank God)

First you're mad. Second, Good luck.

I suggest Windoze Movie Maker - it's free and on every copy of Win XP. Very easy to use and configue for web posting.

I'll keep an eye on the blog. I suggest you don't read mine till you've finished or you might change your mind!

Steve

blog: www.stevecarter.com/build/build.ht

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th October 15:20

We already know we're mad. We've been in the caravan for 18 months now, arguing over planning. Our first son was born last summer, and our daughter is due in December.

Your blog is quite an inspiration - I've still not got the hang of landscape photography, though my main excuse is that the fens aren't as exciting as Scotland. I really need to understand how to take a good landscape image.

I've tried Movie Maker, but it only seemed to have one 'track' - so you can't do cutaway video, just a sequence of clips. I just can't think that way and get the right things on film - it comes out very slow, linear and boring. Hence trying to find something more sophisticated, and wondering if I can justify spending the money.

[GetCarter]

I know what you mean but eventually all video is one single linear track - it's just the way one creates that track. This was done with Movie Maker (and I'm sure I hardly scratched the surface)... unless you mean picture in picture, which Movie Maker can't do (I think).

www.stevecarter.com/highlands2.wmv

also... just watched your vid: Blimey. I'm glad you know what You're doing. If I tried that It'd be the first caravan to make orbit

Keep warm and good luck with planning.

Steve

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th October 15:49