The AAW needs new video cameras!!
hockenbery said:
Hi All,
If you attended the 2007 AAW Symposium,
I would appreciate your comments on the videographers.
<snip!>
We assembled a team of 23 videographers recommended by their local clubs.
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Thanks for your help
Al Hockenbery
Al:
I spoke with you Sunday morning of the Symposium about this, but I will go a bit further with specifics here in case others share (or differ) in opinion. Sorry for the length, but it needs to be said and acted upon well in advance of the Symposium in Richmond next year. Please be sure the other members of the Board see this and subsequent posts....(I will also fill out and submit a form, but this post will contain more specific experiences & recommendations)
Videographers:
I was a Room/Demo Assistant for three rotations this year (Firmager, Bosch, and Clewes); I also attended about 5 or 6 other rotations, and by and large, the gentlemen running the cameras in the sessions performed well in their role of trying to capture the processes of woodturning being shown by the demonstrators. I ran the camera twice last year in Louisville for two turners (Cindy Drozda and Mike Darlow), and was commended on my performance by Mike Darlow, who asked if I could be "the camera guy" for his remaining demonstrations, so I am personally familiar with their responsibilities. I think the cameramen did a good job overall, however some exceeded their responsibilities by trying to be both cameraman
AND image switcher at the same time - This was in direct opposition to my instructions as a room assistant to function as camera/image switcher to obtain the best image for showing the process being done at the time - whether that be the video camera, an overhead shot, or a front-on shot with the mini-cameras.
Cameramen should be instructed to use the video camera and concentrate on getting what he thinks is the best image (which, by the way, is
not always an extreme closeup of the cutting edge, etc.) and let another person maximize the visualization of the whole process for the audience (....perhaps even
in consultation with the audience), whether or not it is the video camera's image being shown on the screens, or if another video source is selected.
The Real Problems:
1. Quality of the Video Cameras.
The biggest contributing factor to poor image quality during AAW demonstrations is NOT the videographers, but the inability of the video cameras to perform adequately in our application. First and foremost, the 'low end' video cameras presently being used with their always-on autofocus mode cannot properly lock into proper focus on a rotating cylinder of wood spinning at whatever slow or fast speed is selected by the turner. The infra-red sender/receiver circuitry cannot tolerate the spinning....which may be made even worse by turning wet wood.....so that the camera responds by focusing in and out, not being able to lock-onto an appropriate 'focusable' surface, and never achieving a true focus, especially under close-up conditions (...which, most of the time, is what we really need to see....).
Purchasing better cameras should be the #1 priority for improving overall video images at the Annual Symposium. I am certain that the AAW has the available funds ( ...or should make them available) to purchase a set of better quality video cameras that have automatic focus over-ride, so videographers can focus the cameras manually, and avoid the infra-red autofocus system altogether. Further, it would be desirable for the cameras to have brightness and contrast controls; this would enable the videographer to adjust for subjects having lots of reflective surfaces or particularly pale colors (....ever see the entire image get washed-out when the headstock of a Oneway lathe occupies much of the field?)
I was dismayed to hear that two cameras were stolen during the early part of the Symposium, and that AAW funds had to be spent to purchase replacements under these 'emergency' conditions. I am somewhat thankful that the thief likely got 'junk' cameras, but am unhappy that the AAW now owns two new cameras that will probably not improve the overall video quality situation at all.
For specific recommendations on equipment, the AAW Board may want to consult with AAW member(s) who have extensive experience in this area - I suggest calling upon the gentleman from the Great State of Florida, Mr. Ray Wishart (aka 'woodwish') who is a professional in this field.
2. Tripods.
Some videographers complained that the tripods used were somewhat unstable and may be too lightweight for our application. This should be investigated with respect to what new cameras might be used in the future.
3. Lights on Lathes.
In some cases, the lights on the lathes contributed to the significant washing-out of the images as videographed. Sometimes this was due to poorly placed lights (i.e. shining directly into the camera's lens), or because pale-colored or shiny surfaces contributed to overall bad image quality under the ambient lighting conditions. The balance between the demonstrator needing to see and capturing an acceptable image had to be addressed several (many) times throughout the demonstrations I saw. Videographers need to be aware of the lighting being used and how it should be positioned to get better quality shots.
4. Set-up.
For the most part, the digital video projectors used at the Symposium performed well (although, as a 'blast from the past', there were a number of "antique" units still functioning reasonably well, albeit with the characteristic 'flicker' of the earlier units).
What could clearly be given a "C" (or lower!) was the wiring set-ups in the demo rooms from the cameras to the switching box. For example, the gentleman I worked with who was running the camera during Trent Bosch's "Vessels of Illusion" demonstration had such limited mobility with the camera because the rat's nest of wires that was set up for him at the switching unit made it somewhat "challenging" for him to move about properly to get the best video shots. I can tell you as a radio station engineer in an earlier life, and as an active ham operator for the past 30 years, such a poor set up of video wiring at the switching unit is inexcusable if the system is to be set-up "professionally".
Furthermore, in the same session, the compressor being used was placed on the same circuit as the right half of the room's AV equipment, and when it came on, a circuit breaker was tripped. This circuit included the amplifier for the microphone and one of the two video projectors. The cameraman and I had to scramble about trying to re-wire the room while Trent was doing his presentation; I had to leave the room through back corridors to get the Convention Center Staff to get us re-powered for the compressor, and re-energize wall outlets in the demo room. Such set-ups need to be done thoughtfully as to loads involved.
Putting my money where my mouth (or typing) is, I plan on volunteering once again to be a videographer and/or room assistant for next year's AAW Symposium in Richmond, and if necessary will also volunteer to assist with set-up and running of the equipment (...assuming I can get there early enough). If there are better video cameras in use (with manual focus, etc.) and more professional set-up with coordinated tasks in the demonstration rooms, I am confident that the quality of what can be seen during the demonstrations in Richmond will increase by leaps and bounds.
Well - enough for now.....I will post another tread with other suggestions regarding improving on other "non-video" issues about the Symposium.
I would be interested to know of other impressions or recommendations, and whether or not you agree with my assessments. Given that the numbers of participants in AAW Symposium demonstrations are not likely to get smaller as time goes on, I think this is the most significant issue about our annual Symposia with regard to having an excellent learning experience during the demonstrations, and the membership should recommend to the Board that this be handled as a very high priority issue for Symposium improvement.
Best wishes,
Rob Wallace
