SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

Testing out an SSD

Michael Guncheon

I was recently asked to test drive a rugged SSD, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD. As a video editor, my first thought was that while I know how I’d evaluate this type of product, it didn’t make sense for me to test it. When I use storage, I look for something big enough to store all of my working files, and I usually don’t need portability. On... Read more

To Green Screen Or Not To Green Screen?

Green screen can be handy for situations where you're not able to shoot talent in a particular location, but it comes with challenges

Daniel Brockett

Green screen can be handy for situations where you’re not able to shoot talent in a particular location. Have you ever shot green screen? I have. A lot. Hundreds of different projects over the years. First of all, let’s get this out of the way, “green screen” has become a catch-all term that describes a process of shooting a subject against... Read more

The Sony a7S III Vs. The Canon EOS R5: Two Mirrorless Approaches

Things have really heated up in the mirrorless camera category

Daniel Brockett

Canon has introduced the EOS R5, a full-frame mirrorless camera with almost unbelievable specs that have turned out to be true—with some caveats. Canon Heats Things Up With The R5 Rumors Things have really heated up in the mirrorless camera category. July 2020 saw the introduction of two eagerly awaited entries into the mirrorless camera wars, one... Read more

Staying Organized, Part 4

Creating a master bin structure

Michael Guncheon

In the last of this 4-part series, I’m wrapping up the rest of the master bin structure I use to keep me organized and efficient when editing. Over the years, I’ve found that if I don’t start out organized I end up spending more time than I want to dealing with cluttered bins and trying to find things. Finish The Finish bin is my catchall... Read more

Staying Organized, Part 3

Creating a master bin structure: Selects, Stills, Graphics and more

Michael Guncheon

Previously, in Part 2, I showed how I set up my master bin structure for sequences and footage. This bin structure is then saved as a template so that I can start off organized when I begin a project. Now on to other bins that store a wide variety of content. Selects I use this bin to store sequences of select shots. For some projects, I line up all... Read more

Staying Organized, Part 2

Creating a master bin structure: cuts and footage

Michael Guncheon

In part 1 of this series, I described how creating project templates can help you stay organized while editing. Similar to the folder structure system I discussed awhile back, project templates can keep your content at your fingertips without the need for a search tool to find that one shot. Today, I’m going to show you how I use bins to edit efficiently. Cuts You... Read more

The Search For Affordable Protective Cases

After purchasing some new pieces of gear for our live streaming business, we needed affordable protective cases to transport them in

Daniel Brockett

These were/are Anvil ATA cases. They were big, heavy and expensive; made of plywood, steel and aluminum; and protected large, heavy gear exceedingly well. I’ve had quite a history with flight cases for my gear over the years. Back in the day, when I was flying around the country with a lot of production gear, large crews and big budgets, it was all... Read more

Using The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro Without Streaming

While conceived primarily for live streaming, its multi-view monitoring function makes it a valuable tool

Daniel Brockett

While the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro was conceived primarily as a live streaming tool, I propose that it has so many intriguing features that, for me, it’s becoming an indispensable tool for all kinds of non-live streaming shoots. By now, you’ve probably read at least one of the pieces I’ve written for HDVideoPro or seen a YouTube video or... Read more

Staying Organized, Part 1

Project templates to the rescue

Michael Guncheon

Last time, I wrote about getting organized. I explained how I spent a little time up front creating a folder structure that I use as a base for all of my projects, making me more efficient. Folder structures are great, but once you start up your edit software, the rules change a bit. One of the differences is that at the system level, some folders,... Read more

Updating My Lighting Paradigm With The Godox VL300

While researching the latest trends in LED lighting, the Godox VL300 seemed to be reliable and a great value based upon reviews and tests

Daniel Brockett

My first LED panel light, the Cool Light CL600. While it had several advantages over the Arri Fresnel’s I was used to, mainly heat and power draw, its output and color accuracy weren’t as good. Lighting in 2020 has come a long way from where it was just a few short years ago. The choices we have today in different styles, builds and fixtures... Read more