Dave Curlee at WordCamp Dallas 2009

Dave Curlee spoke at WordCamp Dallas 2009 about adding video to your WordPress blog.

Here are some of the highlights from that session:

People have different learning styles including visual, auditory, reading and writing, tactile learning
Budget does not necessary to produce a quality video product
Video software does not replace skills
Continual practice is key to improvement
Low budget does not equate to low quality video
Start with what you have available to you (web cam, still camera with video, higher end cell phone video etc.)
Use cameras with higher quality lens glass if you can afford it
Increase your budget as your skills increase

Recommended Cameras

Key Production Factors

Lighting is important to creating good quality video (backlight, key light, and fill light)
Professional lighting can be costly so use Halogen work lights to cut costs. Bounce the light off of the ceiling to diffuse the light.
Flood lights work well on a tight budget as do daylight fluorescent lights with a reflector.
Use tripods to lock down the camera for better image stabilization. Jerky video is distracting to the viewer.
Use the rule of thirds for framing your shot. Don’t center your subject matter.
Get tight with your video framing. Get close to your subject.
Treat your webcam / isight camera like a real camera by elevating it and put it out in front of you so it doesn’t look like a web cam video.

Video on WordPress