Tips on Using the Mini Camcorder Flip or Kodak Zi6

I've spent the last two weekends documenting a Lighting and Grip Crew Workshop held for a Chattanooga State Technical Community College Film and Production course. I am taking the Production Assistant (PA) Internship which is an accompanying course with instructor Dave Porfiri. As a PA, Dave gave me the opportunity to assist him on the set and video the workshop.

My goals were three fold. One, I was able to use the school's Flip camcorder and share it with other students on site to introduce them to the camcorder available for student check-out. Two, by passing the camera around to students I could see how easy it was to use and I could evaluate how well this camocorder would stand up in the real world. Third, I was able to video the Lighting and Grip Workshop to provide review material for the final exam in the course and to show case our CSTCC students and instructor.

I confess, I had a fabulous time. I learned alot about the students in the course and picked up tips on filming I could only get with hands on experience. I also learned a lot about the film industry and the equipment used to create a film. The big plus for this post-I learned how to use the Flip camcorder to make good videos. Here are my tips to shooting video with the Flip...

Tips:

1. Find an area out of the wind to record or try to block the wind from blowing on the microphone located on the front of the camcorder. I filmed on a windy day and the voices were picked up well but the wind blowing against the mic was too.




2. Two AA lithium batteries will last 2 hours, the same length of time you will fill up 4GB on a SD memory card.




3. Duracel batteries last about an hour have dozens if you plan to video all day.




4. Have extra memory cards too. Nothing less than a 4GB. I'm not sure the Kodak Zi6 takes larger memory cards but I'm going to try it.




5. Don't try to over edit on the spot. When the record button is first press the video is a shakey for 3 to 5 seconds. Give yourself an extra few minutes on the end of the clip. You can always fine tune the edit then.




6. Don't try to add music from a location unless the location is about the music going on there.




7. Add music in the editing. Most video editing applications let you add your own music selection.




8. Your images will be shakier if you try to hold the camera alone. Brace yourself or the camcorder against a solid services to minimize shaking. Better yet-bring a tripod and use it if you know your subject is sitting or standing in a contained space.