| Advances in digital cameras and computer hardware | | | | and Final Cut for Mac computers. Many other editing |
| and software technology are democratizing filmmaking. | | | | software systems also offer digital editing |
| Every year, digital video cameras are getting sharper, | | | | capability.With powerful editing software comes the |
| faster, and more complex, while computers with | | | | need for more operating memory and lots of storage |
| super-fast operating systems and phenomenal | | | | capacity; audio and video data require a tremendous |
| storage capacity are putting advanced editing tools in | | | | amount of memory. While computers, both desktops |
| the hands of aspiring filmmakers at record-low | | | | and laptops, come with more storage capacity all the |
| costs.Single-chip digital cameras, available for under | | | | time - some systems routinely provide 60 to 80 |
| $1000, can produce sharp, high-quality images and are | | | | gigabytes of storage memory - it's wise, at the very |
| perfect for creating home movies, documentaries and | | | | least, to back up your raw footage and your edited |
| training films suitable for local distribution. Videos of | | | | product elsewhere, on CD Roms, DVDs, or on an |
| exceptional quality can be transferred directly to CDs | | | | external drive. A better arrangement might be to store |
| or DVDs and, if used solely for viewing on a TV | | | | both raw data and final edited movies on an external |
| screen, produce beautiful, crisp video. For producing a | | | | drive, backed up by DVDs, and import your work as |
| film with more versatility, for instance for projection | | | | you need it only for the purpose of editing.Make sure |
| onto a large screen in a theater or for broadcast | | | | you take into consideration the rest of the filmmaking |
| purposes, entry-level professional three-chip cameras | | | | process when you choose your software; Final Cut, |
| offer more control over color balance and broadcast | | | | for instance, is compatible with Final Draft, a |
| quality beginning at around $3000.Editing software | | | | screenwriting program which makes screenwriting |
| allows the filmmaker to take raw digital images and | | | | easy and can generate all kinds of production lists |
| process them into a final product. For years the Avid | | | | which make organization a movie project easier. So if |
| editing system was the standard in video editing, and | | | | you think you've decided on an editing software |
| has been used extensively in Hollywood to edit motion | | | | program, see what else the software company |
| pictures: raw 35 mm film footage was transferred to | | | | creates and how it interfaces with the program you've |
| video and edited, then the final cuts were made to the | | | | chosen.So if you've always wanted to be a filmmaker, |
| film footage. Now there are several computer based | | | | take the plunge! With all the digital video equipment and |
| software programs giving Avid a run for its money. | | | | software available these days, the only limitation is |
| Anyone who has Windows XP on their PC, for | | | | your creativity.Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer |
| instance, has MovieMaker, a simple digital editing | | | | living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written |
| system with some powerful capabilities. Beyond that, | | | | numerous articles for local and regional newspapers |
| Adobe Premiere and Final Cut both offer professional | | | | and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips |
| level video and audio editing tools, Premiere for PCs | | | | and Topics. |