PRACTICAL DV FILMMAKING

Practical DV FilmMaking

• Overview
• Inside video
• Films and how they work
• Pre-production
• Production tools
• Production aesthetics
• Post-production tools
• Post-production aesthetics
• Careers and distribution
• Mapping the industry
• Glossary of film and video terms

But beware that the camera could over­heat over a period of time.

Cleaning

Some camcorders react badly to being cleaned with benzine or thinners. The body casing can be deformed as a result. Use a soft cloth with mild, dilute detergent mixed with water. Wring out the cloth until nearly dry before use. Never clean the camera while the battery or mains supply is attached.

Clean lenses rarely, and with great care. Avoid getting the lens dirty. Try fitting a protective clear UV filter (semi-)permanently to the front of the lens if the camera has a filter thread fitted. You can always buy another cheap filter when it gets damaged.

Cleaning the video recording heads is advised, but with care. Sometimes, after a lot of use, dirt and tape particles build up on the video heads, obstructing perfect quality recording. Some cameras tell you when this is happening, with a display on the monitor. To clean the heads, get hold of a cleaning cas­sette, which cleans as it plays. But don't do this too often - the cleaning cassette is an abrasive cleaner.

Power

AC adapter

• When you charge your battery, make sure that the temperature of the battery is not excessively high or low. Charging when the battery is outside the right temperature will not adversely affect the charger - it will simply not charge. Some camcorder adapters will start to charge automatically once the right temperature is reached.

• When the battery is warm, charging can take longer.

• The AC adapter may affect radio reception, so don't charge near your radio antennae. One metre away from the charger is sufficient.

• Keep the terminals of the charger and the battery clean to enable maximum charging power.

Battery care

Batteries for many camcorders work by generating electricity through a chemical reaction, using lithium. The reaction is easily affected by temperature and humidity, and impedes the amount of power you get from it. At very cold temperatures, a battery may have its life-span cut down to just five minutes, while high temperatures may cause the battery to switch off for some time. Protect the battery terminals from moisture, as this can cause rust to develop. If metal objects touch both battery terminals at the same time they may cause it to short-circuit and generate serious amounts of heat, even starting a fire. If you pick up a battery that is short-circuiting, you may receive burns.