Tools
These are links to helpful resources and tutorials for Video Citizen Journalists (CJs). If you know of an additional resource or link we should list here, please send us an email
General video production questions:
TimeScape Media Forums- basic info on what equipment to get, most common production errors to avoid, etc (disclosure-site is run by UpTake member Mike McIntee)
Apple Discussion Forums - A good place to get answers on editing with iMovie and Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express
Ken Stone-A treasure trove of information on Final Cut Pro, iMovie, editing in general, cameras, and production tips.
Video sources:
Archive.org - contains many public domain clips-old films and current as well. Pay attention to the license requirements on each video. Some allow re-editing, some do not.
Political Video.org - large archive of downloadable, editable video — mostly from the George W. Bush administration
MetaVid Archive- an indexed video archive mostly of congressional TV.
Tools
Video Downloader - a firefox plugin that allows you to download all kinds of embedded video from a web page.-Free
MPEG Streamclip - a multipurpose tool all video editors need. Rips DVDs, plays and converts nearly all types of video.-Free
Flip4Mac - a must for all Mac users. Allows you to play Windows Media files in Quicktime.Basic Free. Pro-$29
Windows Media Recorder - About the only way to record steaming Windows Media Files- Windows Platform Only-$49
Fair use and Copyright and other legal issues:
Top Ten Rules For Limiting Legal Risk - Knight Citizen News Network -Games, exercises and video advice from Harvard Berkman Center experts and Media Law Resource Center attorneys.
Legal Risk Blog- Also from Knight Citizen News Network. A place to get legal advice from experts, but not a substitute for consulting your own lawyer
Stanford University’s fair use and copyright page - a good over view of the issues and what you can and can not use of material you have not shot or produced yourself.
Code of Best Practices in Fair Use For Online Video - From the Center For Social Media. Guidelines, but not copyright law.