How To Get Started Making Videos

   How does one get started making video for sites like YouTube? All you really need is a camera. Since everyone has a cell phone with a camera, it's the easiest tool for you to get started. You can even do some basic editing on them now! The camera on phones today, for the most part, are better than the camera I started with when I got into Film-making. 

  My first videos I shot were on a Sharp DV Camcorder. It only had the old composite video connectors. I had no way at the time to get the footage on a computer to edit the video, so I would try to stop and start recording hoping that we had the perfect take, otherwise I'd have to rewind the tape, and play it forward to hopefully the perfect point to retake the cut. It was a lot more work back then than it is today to get started.

  Now that we have figured out an accessible camera for you to use to get started, and even some basic video editing built into your device, you're ready to get started. I use the camera built into my phone for videos all the time. Any shot you see of me driving in my car, chances are that I'm using my phone to shoot that video. You don't need to spend hundreds, or thousands of dollars on expensive camera equipment. Over time I slowly built up my film-making toolbox, picking up a light here, a microphone there, and camera upgrades after saving up over time. 

  At this point you'll want to figure out what you want to shoot. Do you want to shoot a short film? Shoot a VLOG? A mimi series? Anything else? Just go for it, get started, plan things out, write it out, and/or improve it all. At this point it's up to you, and your imagination.

Why is a Suction Cup Camera Mount Great for Film and Content Creation?

 Why is a Suction Cup Camera Mount Great for Film Making and Content Creation? 

I go over the how to use a suction cup camera mount, and great uses for it! 

Suction Cup Mounts:
Small one for camera's like GoPros: https://amzn.to/2GHNqol
Medium one for DSLR Cameras: https://amzn.to/3byby8a

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Some Products I Use: 

Canon XF-405: https://amzn.to/3h6fejV 

Insta360 One R: https://amzn.to/2AIKgNX 

32 GB Micro SD Card: https://amzn.to/2XFrboQ 

Affordable Light Kit: https://amzn.to/3h4gWCo 

Some of my favorite Coffee: https://amzn.to/3h1zYcl 

Where's Alex?!

 Created a fun 360 video where I took some 360 video shots from a Virtual Tour I created and mad a little game. Basically it's called "Where's Alex?" You have to look around and try to find me hiding in the scene. You'll have to really look to find me! Comment where you found me in from each video clip.

Are 360 Cameras Great for Filmmaking?

Why are 360Why a 360 camera is a great addition to your filmmaking toolbox. I go through the reasons and ways you can use a 360 camera in your films, videos, and other content you create. 

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What is Railfanning?

I took my nephew out railfanning. Railfanning is all about trains. Railfans will go and watch trains go by at stations, rail crossings, etc... They'll also get videos of them and share them with other railfans. It's honestly a lot of fun, and you get a pretty good adrenaline rush from it! Watch the video and see what I'm talking about.

Will 360 Virtual Tours Still be Relevant after the Pandemic?

Will 360 Virtual Tours Still be Relevant after the Pandemic? I definitely believe that they will be for several reasons.  Watch the video below to find out why!

What is a 360 Virtual Tour?

In this most recent VLog I talk about what a 360 Virtual Tour is, and some of the cool features that you can have with them.

Here's the sample tour I talk about in the video. Make sure you click the Menu icon and go into Full Screen mode for the best experience!

Why I got into 360 Virtual Tours - VLog Ep. 2

Today I talk about the story behind me getting into 360 Virtual Tours, and some of my thought process behind it.

   

SpaceX & NASA Launch! VLOG Episode 01

Created a VLOG talking about the SpaceX and NASA Launch, and talked about 360 Virtual Tours.

Recent Videos

  I've produced a couple new videos which may end up being a regular series, with each one I do it seems to evolve from the last one. These have been a lot of fun to do. Watch them below.

This first one is the most recent.

Adventure & Antiquing In Mohawk, NY

This the the first one I shot while doing a Photoshoot with Miss Amy ala Mode.

Union Station in Utica NY

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@missamyalamode

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A Change in Direction

  We've decided to make a change to the direction of this site. We're going to be producing content on how to do different video/film, photo shoots, and other items in this category. We're also going to be sharing our progress in growing a video production, photo, and media business. I hope this will give value and training to those who want to get into video/film production, and photography. You will be seeing this new content start to come out soon.

Please Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRetroAve
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Follow us on twitter also: @alexstronach

The New The Retro Ave Podcast!

We return with a new Podcast!

PAX East 2016 Day One

  Long time no see my friends. Well it's that time of year again, it's PAX East Weekend! Well day one is in the books, and I feel like I barely had a chance to see anything. We arrived, tried to check into the hotel, went to the convention center, and did my best to do a basic run through of what the expo hall has to offer. As every year there is so much to see, this year is no different. Overall it has been a long day, and I don't have much to talk about. Tomorrow will bring more, I promise.

The Retro Ave Podcast Episode 23!

  John and I have uploaded a new episode of The Retro Ave Podcast. We talk about Star Wars Force Awakens, TMNT 2, the possible Cloverfield Sequal, and more!

We do apologize for the quality of the audio in this one, the next one will be a lot better.

The Saga Of Joseph R. Astalfa (Ragnar)

  On May 22nd, 2015 the world lost one of the most talented people I have ever known. His name is Joseph R. Astalfa, he was a writer, director, and to many of us family. Many of you who know me, most likely knew him, and many of you may not have known him at all.


  I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for the influence of Joe; he introduced me to the world of classic movies, film noir, westerns, monster movies, and many more. Over the years we made a few short films together.  Our first film was shot with a Sony consumer grade camera and was entitled, The Saga of Ragnar. Later on we purchased a professional high definition camera and we produced One Last Shot, which Joe had written, directed, and starred in. Later we ended up going back and shot a few new scenes, re-edited it, and re-named it Free Agents. The last short film Joe and I worked on together was mockumentary wrote for a final in college called Zombumentary.

  Joseph was also a fan of Godzilla. He collected Godzilla figures, obviously watched all the movie, went to Godzilla conventions, and spoke at some as a panel speaker. Joe even had one of his short stories published in a G-Fan magazine, it was a fan fiction named Nuclear Terror. Here's a link to the issue it was in http://www.g-fan.com/html/gfan_index/index_96.php.

  Overall Joseph R. Astalfa was my best friend and a brother to me. The one thing I wish I had was the ability to use the written word in the way he could to write up this post in honor of him. I'm not sure if the English language could due justice on the kind of person Joe was.

  Joe, we all know that you're in a better place now, but we miss you, and will always honor your memory.

RIVE - PAX East 2015

  While at PAX East I had a chance to check out RIVE, a fun game made by some great people. I spoke with Martijn Reuver, the co-founder of Two Tribes, the developers of Rive. Check out my interview with him below.


Get more info on RIVE at http://twotribes.com/

Follow Alex on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/alexstronach

World Zombination - PAX East 2015

 World Zombination, a ridiculously addicting game, which I can't seem to pull myself away from. If there is a reason why it's taking so much time for me to post up another interview from PAX East 2015, this game is the reason.

  While at PAX, I spoke with Seth Sivak the CEO of Proletariat, the developers of World Zombination. We had a great chat about the game, check it out below! And while you're watching the video, download the game to see for yourself how much fun it is!


Get more info on World Zombination by clicking the links below.
http://proletariat.com/
https://twitter.com/proletariat_inc

Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexStronach

Tumblestone - PAX East 2015

  While at PAX East I was able to try the game Tumblestone a match three puzzle game. It's not like any normal match three game, it's actually a more intelligent, and intuitive match three game. And it's a lot of fun! It gets to be even more fun when you play the multi-player mode with your friends. After playing the game, I had a chance to speak with the Game Designer and Software Engineer of Tumblestone, Ty Taylor. Check out the video below, and keep an eye out for the release of Tumblestone later this year!


http://www.tumblestonegame.com/
https://twitter.com/tumblestonegame
https://www.facebook.com/TumblestoneGame


Follow Alex on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AlexStronach

PAX East 2015 Day 1

  PAX East day one went rather well. I was able to check out a few of the exhibits in the expo hall, and figured out a basic game plan for Saturday (Technically today, as I'm posting this after midnight). This year we brought along more friends and family than previous years, and being able to watch someone experience it for the first time, is quite an experience in of itself. My niece ended up coming this year, and I was able to show her the X-Men Arcade cabinet, in the classic arcade area. She just stood there playing for almost an hour, deep into the game, and making comments wondering why so many sentinels, creature, and other mutants had it out for Wolverine. You see, she didn't grow up with arcades like many of us did, she's too young to remember anything like that. My niece grew up playing on her iPad, or Nintendo DS, but never experienced what it was like to hangout with a friend to play a two player game because online games didn't exist the way they do today. I probably had more fun watching her play X-Men than she did playing it but it was really a cool experience I know I'll always remember, and I hope that she does too as she grows up.

  When I originally stated writing this post I was planning on talking about some of the exhibits I saw, but honest the best part of the day was just sitting there and playing games with my friends and family, and honestly I think that, that is what PAX is all about. It's about people getting together to enjoy something, and to spend time together. In the game of life, I believe I leveled up today.

PAX East 2015!

  Today if the day! PAX East begins today, and I'm currently on my way to experience another weekend full of fun, and games. I've been lucky enough to have been able to go to PAX East every year since it began. As each year comes and goes, I've come to realize that I look more and more forward to PAX East. I believe part of it is that I've grown to appreciate more at PAX each year, not just what the new big thing is coming out on PC or Console. I also think that with these interviews I do with the indie developers I end up feeling more connected with the people, the games, and the energy of the place. Well it's time for me to get ready and to head into Boston. I hope to see you there!