Tips for videos-

Speaking as someone who has not had a "video capable" camera until last August, there is definitely a learning curve for proper technique. My first video was not the best thing to watch.

Everyone has their preferences, things they like to see and things they're less interested in.

I agree with all the suggestions so far, but here is my 2 & 3/4 cents worth for creating a great video...

PREPARE FOR FILMING:

1. Good lighting is VERY important! Having one 60-watt bulb in the ceiling behind you or way off to the side just doesn't cut it. Have a decent (but not blinding) light above the washer (for top load), or at front, obviously for a front load. After all, we do want to see the action inside the washer!

2. A good mix light/bright colored clothes or towels or sheets is BEST for the viewing audience� and/or also have a couple "darker" items in the mix for contrast so we can really see things moving around.

3. Have all of your additives, (detergent, bleach, softener, etc) pre measured and ready to add before you start filming. (for reasons mentioned above)

4. A tripod for the camera is always good. But if you don't have one, hold the camera steady and move it SLOWLY and SMOOTHLY. Try to avoid quick, sudden or jerky movements.

5. I agree, music at the beginning or end of the video is nice, but no music during the action is best. We want to hear the sounds from the washer and the water sloshing around, that's the most desirable.

FILMING:

1. Do a quick test video, then look at is in your computer to make sure your lighting, angles and everything look good first before you shoot the "actual" video.

2. Again, slow, smooth camera movements are the best.

3. Dialog before and after is also best! If you make comments during the cycle, be brief, again, we want to hear the machine and the water. ALSO: if you are filming the "mechanicals" of the machine, don't talk as it's running because the noises from the motor, etc, drowns out your voice and we can't hear you! (I did this, I know!)

3a. Laundryshark's comment about being descriptive for the visually impaired is an EXCELLENT idea! Describe your machine, year, model, color, console and any lights, etc. Also what you are washing and with what laundry products you are using. (I recently received an e-mail from a blind man who frequents AW.org)

4. If you don't have the ability to edit the video after it's done, do your "editing" while recording. i.e. shorten the time (stop & start recording) while the machine filling, and/or neutral draining (it's boring).

EDITING:

If you have the ability to edit, that is the best time to remove undesirable parts of the video (long fills or drains). It's also a great time to add music or text, etc.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts and have fun with your videos!
Kevin


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Post# 402873 12/30/2009 at 17:33 (5,229 days old) by laundramatt (Youngstown, Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes Hi everyone. I'd like to thank all the members who have posted or plan on posting videos of their favorite washers. I am an avid viewer of anything that has to do with laundry on YouTube. Videos, for the time being, are about my only way of remembering the many sights and sounds of all of the vintage washers I have seen and used. I have never made a video, but if I ever get the recorder I'd like, I will be making many videos of our 2008 Speed Queen automatic, and some day hopefully, of a vintage collection. In the meantime, I'd like to start a thread that contains tips for anyone who might be thinking of creating a video of one of their favorite washers. I can start with a couple of tips that might be appreciated. To start, if you are making a video of a wash load, please make the video with a) clothing that is light colored, or B) an overhead light. Part of the interest in watching a video is viewing the effect that the washer has on the clothing, e.g. is the turnover fast, etc. If the clothing is light-colored the viewer can see it better and see how it is being agitated. Light-colored sheets or towels seem to appear best. Secondly, if you have a story to tell, or instructions, etc., please do the talking before or after the parts of the video that show the actual washer 'action'. While the washer is running, viewers like to listen to all of the sounds it is making, remembering some of these wonderful washers as if they were standing right there next to them again. I have lots of tips, but I'd prefer to hear from other members as to what makes a good video for them. Again, thank you all for the time and effort you put into not only the restoration of these wonderful machines, but also these timeless videos. It shows how much you truly appreciate vintage laundry equipment as well as appreciate other members who are less fortunate in being able to own a vintage collection. Thank you, Matt

Post# 402882 , Reply# 1 12/30/2009 at 18:05 (5,229 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)
Checkrate/Likes *My 2 cents* Ok, 1) Show us the timer dial every once in a while so we know where we are in the cycle. (Shots of timer advancement are a BONUS) 2) No background music. We want to hear the machine. It's like test driving a car and the salesman turns on the soundsystem. 3) If using a tripod, don't forget to turn off the steady cam feature. Otherwise, the spin cycle will be jittery. 4) Be careful about lighting. Too much lighting is worse than not enough. 5) Have fun with it and learn as you go.... Malcolm

Post# 402947 , Reply# 2 12/31/2009 at 02:32 (5,229 days old) by pedro (London)
Checkrate/Likes One thing that annoys me (and i know i sound like an idiot for picking on it but it really does bug me!) is that no one wants to see lots of shaky fumbling video work whilst you measure out detergent or try and undo a fabric conditioner bottle with one hand, surely it's simpler all round to have everything measured out ready before recording? I do feel bad for picking but i couldn't help myself, lol. Asides from that, it is brilliant that so many members have made vids, from the UK, or across the pond, well, from all over the World, it is a brilliant way to see washers in action that you otherwise would have wondered about...i've been trying to do some more vids of the commercial washers i use at work but just not had the time, plus one of them has broken down so there is just the one trying to keep up with all the work. I'll keep schtum now, :-)

Post# 402948 , Reply# 3 12/31/2009 at 02:57 (5,229 days old) by laundryshark (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes *Shark's Remarks* ...Especially for blind and visually impaired members (or even if we are not in this category): Good sound quality is important for distinguishing audible information, such as the classic belt drive sounds of Whirlpool and Kenmore machines. Perhaps one could first test the filming equipment and make adjustments for lighting and sound quality before the actual demo takes place. If the video demos can be made in stereo, this gives us the impression of actually standing in the laundry room with the machine running, along with any sounds that happen from either side of the room. After all, most computer users can deal with larger files within expanded download limits. True, too many other sounds could interfere with one's enjoyment of a machine, but as somebody mentioned earlier, have fun with your project. Occasional sounds, such as a dog barking, cat meowing, or even the sound of a can of pop or beer being opened, add a touch of liveliness to the video. Of course, those descriptions of your machines, including model and year numbers, along with the type of wash you are running, are also most appreciated. Furthermore, if you wish to describe the color and lighting of your machine's cabinet and display panels, that would also be really neat. Finally, if you like, tell us which kinds of laundry products you are using during the wash demo. Maybe manually pausing the machine to quickly note the next cycle would be a good approach. An example of a well-rounded video demo in which music and actions complement each other, instead of interfering, is the 2002 convention video available on the front page of this Web site. Also, I like the several videos that Ben from Waterloo has done in which he incorporates music near the beginning or end, but allows for clear enough audio of the machine going through its paces. Thanks all for your wonderful videos and thanks also for taking in these ideas discussed here. Happy New Year to you all!--Laundry Shark

Post# 402994 , Reply# 4 12/31/2009 at 10:31 (5,229 days old) by mixfinder ()
Checkrate/Likes *Video Junky* I sit in rapt attention watching and listening to every video. I like to snoop through the laundry area and see how people "live" what they have decorated with and what other machines are in the room. I don't find enjoyment in watching the machines fill. A quick shot of how the fill flume looks is intertesting but 4 - 6 minutes of watching the water run has me moving ahead in the video to the money shots.

Post# 403032 , Reply# 5 12/31/2009 at 14:31 (5,229 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes *Practice DOES make perfect... as they say.* Speaking as someone who has not had a "video capable" camera until last August, there is definitely a learning curve for proper technique. My first video was not the best thing to watch. Everyone has their preferences, things they like to see and things they're less interested in. I agree with all the suggestions so far, but here is my 2 & 3/4 cents worth for creating a great video... PREPARE FOR FILMING: 1. Good lighting is VERY important! Having one 60-watt bulb in the ceiling behind you or way off to the side just doesn't cut it. Have a decent (but not blinding) light above the washer (for top load), or at front, obviously for a front load. After all, we do want to see the action inside the washer! 2. A good mix light/bright colored clothes or towels or sheets is BEST for the viewing audience� and/or also have a couple "darker" items in the mix for contrast so we can really see things moving around. 3. Have all of your additives, (detergent, bleach, softener, etc) pre measured and ready to add before you start filming. (for reasons mentioned above) 4. A tripod for the camera is always good. But if you don't have one, hold the camera steady and move it SLOWLY and SMOOTHLY. Try to avoid quick, sudden or jerky movements. 5. I agree, music at the beginning or end of the video is nice, but no music during the action is best. We want to hear the sounds from the washer and the water sloshing around, that's the most desirable. FILMING: 1. Do a quick test video, then look at is in your computer to make sure your lighting, angles and everything look good first before you shoot the "actual" video. 2. Again, slow, smooth camera movements are the best. 3. Dialog before and after is also best! If you make comments during the cycle, be brief, again, we want to hear the machine and the water. ALSO: if you are filming the "mechanicals" of the machine, don't talk as it's running because the noises from the motor, etc, drowns out your voice and we can't hear you! (I did this, I know!) 3a. Laundryshark's comment about being descriptive for the visually impaired is an EXCELLENT idea! Describe your machine, year, model, color, console and any lights, etc. Also what you are washing and with what laundry products you are using. (I recently received an e-mail from a blind man who frequents AW.org) 4. If you don't have the ability to edit the video after it's done, do your "editing" while recording. i.e. shorten the time (stop & start recording) while the machine filling, and/or neutral draining (it's boring). EDITING: If you have the ability to edit, that is the best time to remove undesirable parts of the video (long fills or drains). It's also a great time to add music or text, etc. Thank you for listening to my thoughts and have fun with your videos! Kevin

Post# 403134 , Reply# 6 12/31/2069 at 18:00 (19,838 days old) by ingliscanada ()
Checkrate/Likes *IMHO* The sequence I like to see is: - Abbreviation of the fill, just enough to see what the flume looks like; - Kicking into agitation (and the change to each next function); - A minute or two in agitation; - If neutral drain, just kick into the cycle and run for 30 seconds, then skip to when the water is almost gone, and hear the pump become heard and run for about 10 seconds of that, then skip to kicking into spin, and show it coming to speed; - If directly to spin, abbreviate the pause before spin, and show entire draining process of spin, as many like to watch that, and the spray rinses. Also let the pump be heard for a bit. Then show it shut off and how the tub comes to a stop. That's what I like to see. I'm sure others like to see it a bit differently, but that's my input. Gary

Post# 404582 , Reply# 7 1/8/2010 at 11:18 (5,221 days old) by ingliscanada ()
Checkrate/Likes *Dryer Vids* I'd also like to see videos of dryers in action. I know that watching a dryer running for a period of time is like watching paint dry (pardon the pun), but just a quick shot of it in operation, with good sound clarity, would be a bit intriguing. Showing one running with the inside mechanics exposed would even be more interesting. I'm sure many people would like to see how different dryers work on the inside. I saw a vid of an old Westy slant-front dryer, and they showed the inside mechanics in operation. It showed the positive airflow blower and heating element, and the "How Dry I Am" chime at the end. That dryer is perhaps the most entertaining one to watch on YouTube, because of it's interesting features. I'd also love to see the inside of an old Norge, especially it's blower.

Post# 404585 , Reply# 8 1/8/2010 at 11:26 (5,221 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)
Checkrate/Likes *Dryers* I would especially like to see a video or two of a dryer that reverses tumbling. :) Malcolm

Post# 404591 , Reply# 9 1/8/2010 at 11:53 (5,221 days old) by hoover1100 (U.K.)
Checkrate/Likes *A dryer that reverses tumbling* :) Matt CLICK HERE TO GO TO hoover1100's LINK