Author: Yuriy

Panasonic PTZ Camera Video Switcher for iPad with Cinamaker Inside

When Panasonic was looking to develop a new multi-camera video switcher software platform for its professional line of Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) video cameras, Cinamaker got the call.

As a result, we are excited to announce our partnership with Panasonic and today’s release of LiveCTRL (pronounced LiveConTRoL) Panasonic’s new mobile iPad app with Cinamaker-inside enabling control, live switching and streaming select Panasonic pan/tilt/zoom cameras.

LiveCTRL for iPad is now available in Apple’s App Store for free.

“Panasonic chose us as their platform of choice because they recognized Cinamaker did precisely what their users were asking for,” explains Cinamaker CEO Benjamin Nowak. “This software partnership demonstrates the power and sophistication of Cinamaker’s IP workflow solutions for professional video cameras, and we’re proud to work with Panasonic to help their customers create and live stream more efficiently, with portability and at significant cost savings from traditional desktop and standalone hardware solutions,” Nowak added.

LiveCTRL App Pushes Video to Streaming Platforms and Social Media

With Cinamaker’s core Video Production technology built from the ground-up atop Apple’s iOS platform,  Panasonic’s LiveCTRL can facilitate single or multi-camera live streamed monitoring and control. Camera control utilizes a newly-designed software joystick and remote operation interface for enabling smooth control and fine-tuning from a software interface.

The app is compatible with Panasonic AW-HE40, AW-UE70 and AW-HE130 PTZ cameras as input sources. In addition to Panasonic cameras, users can also add iPhones as camera sources.

With LiveCTRL, a single Panasonic camera stream can be sent to streaming platforms such as Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Upgrading to the premium license permits a user to switch between multiple cameras, live stream and record, mix audio, add graphics, titles, and b-roll video, and push a finished production to the same streaming platforms and social video outlets.

Adds Nowak, “With our Panasonic partnership and the extension of our core iPad-based Video Production Platform, Cinamaker continues to make it fast, easy, fun, and affordable for ANYONE to successfully produce professional-grade video”.

A video interview can be as simple as two people sitting and talking to each other on a couch or as complex as a staged panel interview or survey of strangers on the street. Maybe while watching TV, you see a host talking to some people in a huge, beautifully lit room. This interview lighting might seem effortless, but it can actually be difficult to accomplish.

While you may be used to shooting no-frills, single-camera, documentary style encounters, sometimes a multi-camera setup is the best or only way to capture a particular interview configuration. Interviews with multiple cameras can invite varying production problems, and you could spend hours trying to figure out how to arrange the lighting. But don’t fear– Cinamaker is here to help! What follows are some tips and steps on how to set up interview lighting for a multi-camera video shoot.

Ensure All Cameras Are On The Same Side Of The Axis

When setting up interview lighting for multiple cameras, make sure that all the cameras are on the same side of the axis, or the imaginary do-not-cross line created by the 180-degree rule. Reverse angles only result in everyone being framed on the same region of the screen. To set up lighting for multiple cameras, you need to place your lights based on the location of each camera.

A Three-Camera Interview Lighting Setup

You can light a three-camera shoot using just four or five lamps. When you have multiple cameras focusing on two or more people, there should be one camera in the center and then one camera on the left and right of your interview subjects. Once the cameras are in place, you can begin a three-dimensional lighting setup with the right camera.

First, position a key light about 45 degrees above the subjects and slightly to the left side of the right camera. Next, ensure that the backlight is directly adjacent to the camera. This backlighting should target the person facing the right camera. It should also light the face of the individual speaking to the interviewee. This right camera lighting setup will ultimately provide the fill light for the camera on the left and vice versa.

At this point, you have two cameras and four lights set up. You can now add an extra light directly above the middle camera or to the left or right of a middle camera. This fifth light will soften the shadows and provide a sweep for the scene. This light needs to be less bright than the main lights, as this creates a disparity between the dark and light areas.

After you’re done with lighting setup, look through the cameras to ensure that you’ve properly lighted the area. Feel free to rearrange the lights in different directions to achieve the perfect scene. If it’s not properly setup, you’ll need a slight change in light concentration. You can always use a grid cloth or a white board to bounce the light back to the objects.

Other Important Considerations

The trick with lighting for multiple cameras is really quite simple: light your scene with key light, fill light, and backlight according to three-dimensional lighting principle. If you do this and apply some of your own creativity, you can achieve a polished, bright look with the tone you want for your interview.

Still looking for an affordable multi-camera solution? Download the Cinamaker apps today to begin creating quality multi-camera productions with just your tablet and smartphones.

You don’t have to be an expert filmmaker to produce a successful product demo video.

With that said, the quality of your product demo could be one of your first chances to really impress your potential client, and there is a certain level of professionalism expected from these videos. But never fear! Thanks to free, professional quality, multi-camera production software such as Cinamaker, creating a top notch product demo on your own is totally possible. You just need some pointers to get started.

First, you should thoroughly plan your shoot, from set to storyboard, so that when the time comes, you’ll know exactly what your video should look like. This plan should be created with your exact goals, target audience, and brand voice in mind. Your storyboard and script should be polished well before you plan to shoot; be sure to research comparable product demos beforehand. This will ensure that your product demo hits all the standard marks and show you the points on which you can improve to demonstrate your product’s “special sauce.”

When it comes to the technical side of production, there’s a lot that can go wrong, so you’ve got to be sure your setup is right…

Have The Right Equipment Ready

It’s pretty clear cut — without the right equipment, you won’t be able to make the right video. Some key equipment you should have within easy reach includes:

Have A Great Set

Without great staging, your product demonstration will look weak and floppy. You therefore should have the right tables and props in place, a professional lighting system, and a background that flatters the foreground without distracting from the subjects. Solid colors are often best, but above all else, make sure you don’t choose colors so similar throughout your set that they work to camouflage each other. Create dynamic contrast with your set, props, and lighting. Run some test shots beforehand to perfect the colors on screen and make sure there is nothing upstaging your product.

Break Up The Shoot

Instead of jamming the entire shoot in one go, try breaking it up into parts so you have built-in time to spot and correct any flaws and time to prepare when moving from various stages or angles. It’s always better to budget more time than less. If you video is shot in a rush, it’s likely your audience will notice — and it won’t reflect well on your brand.

Edit Your Video

Unless you want to risk committing any of “The 7 Deadly Sins of Product Demos,” you shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to editing your work. To make your product demo stand out among the rest, you must use a reliable editing app, especially if you’re not an expert editor yourself. And remember, it can be fun to add music and animations, but keep any extras minimal, tasteful, and always ask yourself if they’re truly in line with your brand voice and goals. Don’t add for the sake of adding. Be concise and stay focused.

A Never-Ending Learning Process

Life is about learning. Shooting a product demo is no different. These tips will give you an excellent foundation to begin shooting, but you’ll find that you will be picking up many other little things along the way, ensuring that your next product demo will be better than your last.

For more video marketing tips and tricks, read more articles on the Cinamaker blog. Want to start making professional, multi-camera video productions with tools you already have? Download the Cinamaker Apps today.