Izzy Video

In this installment of Izzy Video, I review the two-step process to accomplish “short lighting.” This is a very popular method for lighting a face. It makes a face look thinner, and it adds drama to the image. Watch Izzy Video 88 to see how it’s done. This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in a Higher Quality format. * This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership information p...more

This installment of Izzy Video explores “Catch Lights” which are the little bright lights in a person’s eyes that give them “life”. It’s a simple episode, but it’s a useful one. You can get Izzy Video 87 here. *Premium subscribers have this one available in High Definition. *This is the free version of Izzy Video. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Premium Subscriber, please visit the membership information page.

I frequently get questions regarding tips on exporting. Contained in this installment of Izzy Video are two of my biggest tips. They will make your life a lot easier (at least when it comes to exporting video). This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in a higher quality version. * This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership information page to see how you can become a member.

The size of the light source you use when lighting a person’s face makes an enormous difference. It transforms the quality of the light. In this installment of Izzy Video I show the difference between a bare bulb, small, medium, and large Chimera light banks. Visually, this really demonstrates my point — particularly in the High Definition version of the video. This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in High Definition. * This installment of Izzy Video is available to pr...more

Many of you have asked me to release some free Motion tutorials, so that’s what this week’s free Izzy Video is all about. Motion is very powerful, and my personal opinion is the best way to learn it is one concept at a time. In this brief tutorial, I demonstrate an interesting way to use an Anchor Point in a 3D environment. You can get Izzy Video 84 here. *Premium subscribers have this one available in High Definition. *This is the free version of Izzy Video. If you’d like to ...more

One of the most useful tools I have in my equipment is the C-Stand. In this installment of Izzy Video, I show several different ways to use a C-Stand, and why they are so important to have as part of your gear. This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in High Definition. * This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership information page to see how you can become a member.

This installment of Izzy Video introduces the concept of Keyframes inside of Final Cut Pro. Although Final Cut Pro isn’t built around animating video, it has plenty of functionality. If you’d like to animate video clips, objects, or text, then this tutorial should be helpful in getting you started. This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in High Definition. * This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please ...more

Today’s installment of Izzy Video is an answer to a question from The Wood Whisperer. His question was regarding the challenges of working with mixed light sources. This show should help with some ideas. You can get Izzy Video 81 here. *This is the free version of Izzy Video. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Premium Subscriber, please visit the membership information page.

Several viewers have asked me how I create the intros and outros for the different shows I produce. The answer is that I use Apple’s Motion. It’s extremely powerful, and in Izzy Video episode 80, I show the basics of how to use particles in Motion. The particle emitter is very useful, but it can be overwhelming to somebody who is new to Motion. I try to make it easy for you. I also briefly show how to create particles in a 3D environment for a very cool effect. This episode is avail...more

A few months ago I ran a session at Podcamp AZ, and it was called “Improve Your Online Video.” It was an hour-long session, but for this installment of Izzy Video, I condensed it down to under six minutes. Inside you’ll find suggestions for how to improve video, and three keys (which I learned from Tim Street) to creating a viral video. You can get Izzy Video 79 here. *This week I decided to release the free version in 640×480, which is the size normally reserved for the...more

Controlling soft light is difficult because it tends to spread out everywhere. For the first members-only episode in February, I do a quick intro to the soft box. This is one of the best tools for both softening and controlling a light. I show how to assemble one, and what it looks like on the inside and outside. When it comes to lighting, a soft box is one of the most important tools to have. I use them more than I use barn doors. This episode is available in iPod/iPhone format and in High Def...more

For the second members-only episode of the month of January, we’re back inside Apple’s Motion for a new tutorial. I show how to animate a drawing line on a map. This is a classic animation used to show someone’s trip around the world, but the technique can also be used for a variety of other purposes. For example, you can use it to circle something on the screen, to show the path a football player is going to run, and so on. It’s a very simple effect to create, and I tho...more

For the first members-only episode of the month of January, I show the revised setup I’m using for Paperclipping. I show the large Chimera light bank I’m using for the key light, along with the white foam core board for the fill, and the small light bank for the kicker. This episode is in high definition. And yes, I shot it on my new camera. This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership informat...more

My new camcorder is the Sony XDCAM EX. Although this seems to be what everyone’s calling it, the actual model number is Sony PMW-EX1. In this installment of Izzy Video, I give a miniature video review of the new camera. If you haven’t heard of this camera before, I should let you know that it’s pretty revolutionary. You can get Izzy Video 75 here. If you would like to see footage from this new camera, head over to www.paperclipping.com, and watch the high quality version of ep...more

Merry Christmas! from izzyvideo on Vimeo. A message from the Hyman Family. ;-) Here is the link.

For the second members-only episode of the month of December, I did a fun video showing some differences between the imagery from a High Definition camera and the imagery from a Standard Definition camera. I used my Canon GL-2 to shoot the standard definition footage, and I used my brand new Sony XDCAM EX to shoot the high definition footage. Do I like the new camera? I love it! This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visi...more

“Masking” appears to be more complex than it is. It’s a visual effect that we frequently see in video, and it uses layers. In this installment of Izzy Video, I introduce you to the concept of “masking”. I also briefly explain what the “Alpha Channel” is. This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership information page to see how you can become a member. This is the fir...more

Want to know how to put light sabers in your video? It’s easy to do, and in Izzy Video 72, I show you how. I use Apple’s Motion to create the effect, but you can do it in many different applications, using a technique called “rotoscoping.” This installment of Izzy Video is available to premium subscribers only. If you’d like to watch it, please visit the membership information page to see how you can become a member. This is the second members-only tutorial for the...more

Colors change when viewed through a video camera. This means we have to be careful with what we wear in video. In this episode, Noell and I review several principles for dressing for a video shoot. We cover colors as well as other items. You can get Izzy Video 71 here. By the way, this is the free version, which is 320×240 resolution. The premium subscribers receive it in 640×480 resolution. Correction: I realized after viewing the video that I implied patterns always cause a &ldquo...more

I just posted Izzy Video 70 in the members-only area. This new video tutorial is about avoiding clicks and pops in the audio portion of your video. I have had several people ask me why they have “click” sounds in their videos. Usually this happens during transitions, and this tutorial should help you avoid those problems in the future. This is the first members-only tutorial for the month of November. Get Izzy Video 70, along with access to all of the archives, in the members area.

I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about previous tutorials on Apple’s Motion. I thought it might make sense to release another one. Filters are a very powerful aspect inside Motion. In this tutorial I briefly describe some of the ways you can use filters, and also delve a little into the content that is included with the application Motion. You can get Izzy Video 69 here. By the way, this is the free version, which is 320×240 resolution. The premium subscribers receive i...more

I just posted Izzy Video 68 in the members-only area. This installment of Izzy Video is all about light positions. It shows the various results which come from moving the key light relative to the subject. I demonstrate “Broad Lighting” and “Short Lighting” among other topics. This is the second and final members-only tutorial for the month of October. The other members-only tutorial for October, Izzy Video 66, was on the subject of Compression. Both light positions and ...more

I thought you might be interested in seeing the studio setup I use for Paperclipping. In this video, I show you how I convert a room in my house into a temporary studio. It usually takes about 30 minutes, but in this video, it only takes a few minutes. Enjoy! You can get Izzy Video 67 here. By the way, this is the free version, which is 320×240 resolution. The premium subscribers receive it in 640×480 resolution. Also, the first premium-only episode was released last weekend. Those ...more

In previous episodes I have focused so much on following the rules associated with videography, lighting, and editing, that I thought it might be interesting to have one episode devoted to breaking the rules. This was a fun one for us. Enjoy! You can get Izzy Video 65 here. By the way, this is the free version, which is 320×240 resolution. The premium subscribers receive it in 640×480 resolution. Also, the first premium-only episode will be released this coming weekend. Thank you to...more

I’m excited to announce a change to Izzy Video. I’ve launched a new Premium Subscriber program. Here is what a Premium Subscriber receives: The Archives — Premium subscribers get exclusive access to the archives of past Izzy Video tutorials (currently 55 episodes strong). The archives will no longer be available to free subscribers. However, I have made a few sample episodes available to help free subscribers determine if they would like to become premium subscribers. Two Memb...more

This week on Izzy Video, I demonstrate an interesting effect using the channel mixer filter in Final Cut Pro. Thanks to Alex Lindsay from Pixelcorps for showing the effect on a recent episode of DL.tv. You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 64 here. Izzy Video is a free resource I provide in my spare time. Hundreds of hours went into creating these tutorials. If you find it helpful and would like to show your appr...more

In this installment of Izzy Video, I briefly review a Marantz Digital Audio Recorder, specifically the PMD-670. It’s a piece of equipment I’ve had for almost a year, and I really like it. I’m not affiliated with Marantz, and this wasn’t a paid sponsorship. I’m simply showing another piece of gear that I find useful. You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 63 here. Izzy Video is a free ...more

The audio engineers in my audience aren’t going to enjoy this Izzy Video much. My method for preventing audio clipping is a sure sign that I’m an amateur, but it works. For those of you who are like me, untrained in audio, this installment of Izzy Video might be helpful. You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 62 here. Izzy Video is a free resource I provide in my spare time. Hundreds of hours went into...more

Light modifiers, just like they sound, are tools you can use to modify your light source. For example, you might use them to change the color or shape of your light. In this installment of Izzy Video, I briefly discuss barn doors, color gels, and a snoot. You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 61 here. Izzy Video is a free resource I provide in my spare time. It has taken hundreds of hours to create. If you find i...more

This weekend I’m responding to viewer requests. Previously in Izzy Video 58, I included a shot where my website was spinning against a graphical background. Many of you asked how I made that shot, so this week I’m showing you how. Once again, this tutorial is inside Apple’s Motion, but I’m sure you can create the same effect in a number of different applications. You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of...more

This weekend I’m getting extremely informal by doing a quick demo of a free application called “Cam Twist.” It allows you to add special effects in real time using your webcam. As you’ll see from the video, you can also use it to capture your computer screen as if it were a video source. It’s a fun app to play with! You can click on the flash version of the video above, or you can get the higher quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 59 here. * Note: A special tha...more

Creating slow motion effects from video can be challenging. This week’s Izzy Video explores various aspects of creating slow motion effects. Included is a brief introduction to Motion’s “Optical Flow” which is an incredible new tool. I was amazed at the results when I first saw what this little tool could do. You’ll see what I mean. The results speak for themselves. As always, you can click on the flash version of the video tutorial above, or you can get the high q...more

I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Philip Hodgetts and Michael Horton for having me on their show. It was a lot of fun! I’m including a link to the show in the RSS feed, something I rarely do, but I think the Izzy Video audience would really enjoy “Digital Production Buzz.” What a great show! Editing tips, interviews, and news. I’m certainly a subscriber!

You can create some interesting special effects in your videos using the behaviors “Analyze Motion” and “Match Move” in Apple’s Motion. Motion’s capabilities appear endless, and can be quite intimidating, but I keep things very simple in this video podcast. This installment of Izzy Video shows you how to use Motion to create a “magic wand” out of a stick. You can get the high quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 57 here. This video podcast is f...more

Izzy Video 56 takes you behind the scenes of a Paperclipping episode, and demonstrates three point lighting. You get to see my setup for 90% of the shoots I do, because they usually take place in my living room. You can get Izzy Video 56 right here. Creating this video podcast of DV tutorials is incredibly time-consuming. If you find these helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Important Links: Follow me on Twitter Visit My Personal Blog Subscribe to Izzy Video in iTunes Vote for Izzy Vide...more

My goal in this installment of Izzy Video is simply to illustrate the fundamental differences between hard and soft lighting. To do this, I light an orange using both a hard light source and a soft light source. The results are quite different. By the way, the lights I use are a Chimera Small Video Pro light box (for the soft light), and a Lowel Pro Light (for the hard light). You can get the high quality quicktime version of Izzy Video 55 here. Creating this video podcast of DV tutorials is in...more

Click the image, or watch the original full quality version of Izzy Video 54 here. Travel Matte - Luma is a compositing tool built into Final Cut Pro. You can use it to create custom mattes in specific shapes. In this video, I show how to use it to blur out a subject’s face. I chose this topic because it’s one of the more obscure tools in Final Cut Pro, and I haven’t seen many tutorials on the subject. You can get get Izzy Video 54 here. Creating this video podcast of DV tutor...more

Click the image, or watch the original full quality version of Izzy Video 53 here. These days, most internet videos (including video podcasts like mine) are rendered for small screens such as those found on the video iPod. This can be a challenge because when you shoot for small screens, some different rules apply. This installment of Izzy Video will show you how to ensure your video looks great on small screens. You can get get Izzy Video 53 here. Creating this video podcast of DV tutorials is...more

Click the image above, or watch the original full quality version of Izzy Video 52 here. I’m focusing more on the creative side of video in this new installment of Izzy Video. You can use a Gaussian Blur in a number of ways, but my purpose in this video podcast is simply to expose you to some new possibilities. It’s a brief Izzy Video because I’m just throwing out some ideas. In the future, I’ll show how to create the effect. How do you use a Guassian Blur? Let me know i...more

I’m here for business, but I think Wednesday (tomorrow, Jan. 17th) night would be a good time to get together for a drink if anybody is interested and available? Audio request found here. Just send me an email at israelhyman at gmail dot com. Or you can call me on my mobile at 480-980-1533.

Many of the videos I watch on the web are too quiet. I think that’s because new producers tend to spend more time on editing video and not their audio. There are many things that can make your audio sound better. One of them is simply making it louder. I like to use the Adaptive Limiter in Soundtrack Pro to increase the volume of my audio without clipping. How do you use the Adaptive Limiter? Just watch this installment of Izzy Video, and I’ll show you. You can get Izzy Video 51 now...more

Would you like to know how to use the Time Remap tool in Final Cut Pro? My guess is that other video editors have a similar tool, but I don’t know. It’s certainly quite useful, but there isn’t a lot of documentation on the web about the Time Remap Tool, so I thought I’d offer a basic introduction. You can create some really clever effects using the Time Remap tool. I frequently see it used in car commercials and extreme sporting footage. With the Time Remap Tool, you can...more

Even when we’re trying to do otherwise, sometimes we all shoot bad video. This installment of Izzy Video puts my flaws under a spotlight. This is an opportunity for you to learn from my mistakes! Anyway, feel free to watch Izzy Video 49 right here. If you find this video podcast of free tutorials helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Links: Subscribe to Izzy Video in iTunes Vote for Izzy Video on PodcastAlley.com Frappr Map for the Izzy Video Audience Izzy Video Subscription RSS Fee...more

Reposting as a smaller version: My camera is still off at the shop, but I found some footage in my computer that I decided to use for this installment of Izzy Video. Try not to pay attention to the expression on Noell’s face. She was listening to a serious scientific talk via the internet, so she was hardly even aware that I was working around her. :-) This week’s installment of Izzy Video introduces the idea of four-point lighting, instead of the more frequently covered three-point...more

Once again, the small version. This time it’s episode 47. The original text went like this: Because my camera is broken, I have no choice but to do more screen casts. This installment of Izzy Video is for newcomers to Final Cut. In it, I show you how to use the “Fit to Fill” editing option. It’s extremely useful for timing video to music. Please pardon the technical problems. There are a couple of audio and video glitches in this Izzy Video which I couldn’t get rid...more

I received an overwhelming audience request to post small versions of all the videos, so I’m doing just that. This is Izzy Video 46, only much smaller. The text from the original post went like this: Time for another screencast. I had someone ask me this week how to do the “Pleasantville Effect” in Final Cut Pro. This installment of Izzy Video shows you exactly how to do it. Please get your Izzy Video 46 (small version) right here. If you find this video podcast of free tutori...more

Cinematography is more than framing an image. To me, it’s also the energy and momentum of an image. Or the lack of energy. In Izzy Video 45, I briefly overview some options for adding energy to your imagery. It should be helpful whether you’re creating a video podcast, a short film, or just making family videos. You can get Izzy Video 45 right here. Just click and it’s yours. If you find this video podcast of free tutorials helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Links: Su...more

I promised that I would get back to visuals, after having done two installments on equipment back to back, so here it is. In Izzy Video 44, I suggest several related tips to help shoot better interview footage. Izzy Video 44 is available here. Thanks for watching Izzy Video! If you find this video podcast of free tutorials helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Links: Subscribe to Izzy Video in iTunes Vote for Izzy Video on PodcastAlley.com Frappr Map for the Izzy Video Audience Izzy Video...more

Since posting Izzy Video 42, I’ve received several emails from viewers, asking for less expensive options for recording audio for DV. Although I’m not an audio expert (I’m a beginner, really), I show how using an alternative audio setup can be a more affordable solution. You can get Izzy Video 43 here. Thanks for watching Izzy Video! If you find this video podcast of free tutorials helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Links: Subscribe to Izzy Video in iTunes Vote for Iz...more

Like many installments before this one, I created this week’s Izzy Video based on questions I received from viewers. In this case, since so many people have asked me about my sound equipment, I thought I’d get into audio this week. Although I’m not an expert in sound, I was thinking you’d like to see the equipment I use…and then I throw in a couple pointers along the way. Here’s where you can download Izzy Video 42. As always, thanks for watching! If you fi...more

In this installment of Izzy Video, I demonstrate how to do single frame animation. It’s easy to do, and if you have children (like I do), you might want to get them involved. They’ll love it too. The editor I use is Final Cut Pro, but you could just as easily use iMovie or any other [...]

This video podcast installment of Izzy Video demonstrates different techniques for dealing with backgrounds in video. As it happens, this one is all outdoors. I plan on doing indoor backgrounds in a future Izzy Video. You can get Izzy Video 40 right here. As always, thanks for watching! If you find these free tutorials helpful, please leave a donation for Izzy. Links: Subscribe to Izzy Video in iTunes Vote for Izzy Video on PodcastAlley.com Frappr Map for the Izzy Video Audience Izzy Video Sub...more

I appreciate it when Izzy Video audience members leave comments here on the website, because it frequently gives me ideas for future installments. Thanks to everyone who asked about exporting video for the web. I will very soon return to videography as a subject. I wanted to do that today, but the rain outside prevented me from covering the subject I had originally intended to do. We rarely get rain in Arizona! Today’s Izzy Video picks up where last week’s leaves off. Once I have th...more

I received many requests for this particular topic. I realize that there are plenty of “how to make a podcast” type of articles out there, so it probably doesn’t make sense to add another one. I couldn’t resist. Making a podcast is easy, and this ten minute video will show you exactly how I do it. You can use the same process if you want, although there are many alternative ways to accomplish the same thing. This is the type of tutorial I recommend you view a couple time...more