Those of you who have been taking cameras out from VCAM are already aware that we have several different models available.  We still have a couple of Sony TRV950 3-chip DV cameras, we have a few Panasonic DVX100 24p cameras, and our most recent additions are three Canon HV20 HDV camcorders.  The HV20s are capable of shooting in “high definition” DV video at a 1440 x 1080 (anamorphic) resolution, which is obviously higher than the standard DV resolution of 720 x 480.  However, because of a complicated post-production workflow dealing with HDV video and because of the fact that VCAM channel 15 still broadcasts in standard definition video (and will for the forseeable future), VCAM staff has gotten used to recommending that producers shoot in standard definition when using the HV20.

That said, if there are any adventurous VCAM producers who would like to explore some of what HD video has to offer, you might want to take a look at this Vimeo channel devoted to the Canon HV20/30 camera series.  Some of these folks are using special software for doing effects and color correction in post-production and some are using fancy 35mm lens adaptors, but the basic footage is all shot on the very same cameras we have available here at VCAM.

So give us a call if you want to try your hand at HD videography!  We’d love to showcase what you create on VCAM channel 15!

Following their excellent publication, Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use, American University’s Center for Social Media has released a new document aimed at amateur producers of online video: Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video.  Since the internet is basically one giant, largely unrestricted open forum, it’s basically like a global public access channel where anyone can upload their content at will.  Many of the same legal challenges and questions regarding copyrighted works come up in both venues.  At VCAM we’ve been recommending AU’s documentary best practices publication to access users who wanted to learn more about copyright issues and fair use.  This document seems even more appropriate.  Copyfighter Cory Doctorow explains…

Fair use is a legally challenging area: it consists of four factors that judges can weigh when evaluating a claim of copyright infringement (judges can even disregard them or tweak them, based on common sense, as the Supreme Court did when they legalized VCRs in 1984). It’s very hard to know beforehand whether a use of a copyrighted work will be found fair or not — it requires careful analysis of previous caselaw and the direction in which the federal circuits are moving.

In constructing these principles, the Center for Social Media has done an enormous public service: they’ve created a plain-language document that is aimed at helping people who aren’t legal experts to navigate the muddy waters of fair use, to make use of the rights they have under the law and make better videos without getting into legal trouble.

Click here to download the document.