[KelliV]

I started by using iMovie on my mac (at the time it was a g4) which can be expanded by adding the slick effects package. I then moved to final cut pro, and this summer I will start using Avid full time for my classes at Columbia.

My advice for shooting, create a sheet of paper with boxes on it, approx 4 boxes across and 6 down. Then as you tape each time you start a new clip sketch a small picture of what you see in the box and write down the time of the tape it started. It makes it so much easier when you go back to edit, becuase as much as you tell yourself "oh it's labeled Atlanta 2006 on the I will know where the clip is" you won't know four years down the line when you are looking through the footage, trust me.

Also, see if you can get your hands on a 16mm bolex and experiment with that. It is black and white, the film is a bit on the expensive side, and you have to send it out to be developed, but it will teach you how to measure light, and plan shots becuase it isn't like digital where you can delete and repeat everything, it is a hard piece of cut and tape film. I used it last summer and it showed me a lot