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The next step up from movie maker for me?

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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
Hey, I'm sure there are threads similar to this already, but i wanted to make this more about whats good for me.
I want to make my edits look more pro, the only thing is i don't have a clue what i want from the software only what i want to achieve so that's why I'm looking for your help.

I have a PC with vista and a mini dv handycam - def nothing fancy but maybe one day i'll upgrade.

I want to addeffects to my edits that are not cheesy and be able to conrtol how slo to mo goes and do other such things like zooming and panning on my comp i also want to ad motion graphics and quaity titles to my edits. i understand i will have to learn these techniques but if you could tell me the best program to start doing this sort of thing that'd be SWEET!

All help is greatly appreciated.

here is my most recent edit so you can see where i am starting from.

Eugene Mackie Season Edit 2009 from EMK on Vimeo.


May 14 2009 2:21PM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
i am going to suggest torrenting Adobe Premier Pro CS3 or CS4. Cs3 may be easier to get since CS4 just dropped
May 14 2009 2:55PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
probably pinnacle or roxio. Switching from wmm to premiere could be a bit overwhelming
May 14 2009 2:58PM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
thanks a lot guys, i think i'm gonna try out cs3 and if i do get overwhelmed i'll look into those other programs. ++Karma to you both!
Can i ask you guys what after effects is for? I'm sure if you know you will laugh at that question but i honestly don't know. if premier is so good why would you need it too.
May 14 2009 3:40PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,947

After effects is for exactly what it sounds like - specialized video effects, like better slow-mo, fancy titles, etc.

I don't think you'll be overwhelmed by Premiere.  Get it, and ease your way in - don't try to learn all the effects in one night.  Learn the basic tools, how to capture, how to set up your projects, how to import, and how to cut and manipulate your clips in the timeline. 

It's really not too sophisticated, and to be perfectly honest, learning about the program is part of the fun!  You don't have to be ready for something like this in order to experience it - by taking the initiative and stepping up to a program of this caliber you will improve more quickly than if you had gone with Pinnacle or another type of in-the-middle software.

May 14 2009 4:45PM
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Justin.B
Posts: 2257 - Karma: 721
and if premiere doesnt work out for you you should try Sony Vegas. I use Sony Vegas 8 Pro and I love it. Ive been using vegas for a few years and recently upgraded to pro 8 and its awesome. I would definitely reccomend it
May 14 2009 5:44PM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
i tried to use sony vegas once on my frinds computor i found a lot of stuff that i expected to be basic incredibly difficult.
May 14 2009 7:16PM
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Justin.B
Posts: 2257 - Karma: 721
Premiere is just as hard man
May 14 2009 7:24PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
vegas was my next step and it was a HUGE difference. I still haven't mastered that
May 14 2009 7:25PM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
i jumped straight into premiere when i started.

honestly just play around with it for a couple hours and youl be fine. basic things you need to know is how to set up your project according to your video from then on just play with the tools and don't worry about the effects too much.

just so you know though fades are called dissolves. i remember i could not figure that out at first haha.
May 14 2009 7:30PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
I use Sony Vegas 8 Pro.

Out of any editing program I've used (FCP/E, Premiere CS3, ect) It's my favorite.

For motion graphics get Adobe After Effects.  It's very hard to learn (I need to work more on titles), but that's where it's at.

PM me with questions if you need help with Vegas.
May 15 2009 11:53AM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
Thanks for all the advice guys! i got premier pro cs3 but i am feeling quite overwhelmed as was suggested. will using those inbetween programs help me on my way to being able to use harder programs or will it still be such a huge leap?
I thnk i need more footage to give prem pro a proper try anyway though.
i guess i should read a book to help me or something cos i just don't even know wha all the tools are for and things, i think when you start here with no guidance it is very new to you.
May 15 2009 4:08PM
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Justin.B
Posts: 2257 - Karma: 721
Movie editing is one of those things that takes a lot of time and patience to do. Like you really need to take a day or 2 and just sit there and searching up basic tutorials to learn about things and maybe tutorials a little bit harder. Its going to be hard at first but just be patient and work at it and youll be on your way in no time
May 15 2009 4:15PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,947

I know what you mean.  I learned the program through my school, so I had some guidance.  Justin B. is right, all you can do at this point is spend time with it - you'd have to find time to read the guide book too.  Just mess around with it, play with it, mess with the tools.  Find a weekend where you've got nothing scheduled and sit at the computer and play with the program.  There is no better substitue to that.

Like I said up top, you can go for one of the middle-of-the-run programs, but its probably not worth your time now that you have Premiere.  I really think that if you're serious about learning, you'll soon find it uninteresting.  Premiere will always keep you learning.

May 15 2009 7:07PM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
you make me excited to get some footage to play with!
XD
May 16 2009 11:35AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,947
Thats what its about mang.  Good shots make good edits :)
May 16 2009 2:27PM
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mmallender.
Posts: 5805 - Karma: 936
if youre having problems with understandings/using premier, or any editing program for that matter, youtube is your friends, you can probably find a video explaining exactly what you are trying to accomplish on youtube if you search.
May 16 2009 3:40PM
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XmoxieX
Posts: 31 - Karma: 13
Also on the Adobe Webiste, http://tv.adobe.com/#pg+1600 there is a whole step by step learning guide for PP.  Learn on Premiere like everyone said the skill will translate better to FCP or Avid even to some extent if you ever want to make a career out of it.  After Effects is an amazing program with literally endless opportunity for designing motion graphics and compositing.  The Adobe site also has turotials for AE along with creativecow.net and videocopilot.net but try to master premiere first, beacause for me good editing in ski videos is more important then flashy effects, though proper use of both is never a bad thing.
May 18 2009 1:05AM
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