Running Your Own Personal DreamWorks

A few years ago, the producers of “Oprah” invited me on the program to showcase the latest and greatest in consumer video cameras, also known as camcorders.

I packed up eight camcorders, from full-size VHS models (about the size of a four-slot toaster) to compact Hi-8-millimeter models (roughly the size of a club sandwich) and headed off for Chicago. I had two carry-on bags that weighed more than a sack of potatoes.

The segment was fun, with the compact models drawing the most interest from the audience.

Today, a segment on what’s cool in home movie-making with camcorders would be much different. For starters, consumer camcorders have come down in size--and price. But that’s not the big news. What’s hot is the mini-DV (digital video) format, which offers superior image quality compared to the cameras of just a few years ago. Mini-DV cameras, some just slightly larger than a mini-juice box, use digital technology to record home movies on ultra-small digital videotape.

All of the major manufacturers, Canon, Sony, Panasonic and JVC, offer digital video cameras. Prices range from around $650 for a basic, compact model to $2,200 for a larger model with a wider zoom range.

The new camcorders also offer excellent stereo sound recording, especially when you add an accessory microphone. But they do have one thing in common with earlier models: easy, one-touch operation.

The news in home movie-making does not stop with camcorders. In fact, that’s only the beginning of the exciting process. Easy-to-use computer programs make editing a snap--even for the beginner. Programs undreamed of a few years ago are readily available.

Apple, for example, offers the iMovie, a basic program that now comes preloaded with the iMac computers with a DV drive. To create an iMovie movie, all you have to do is shoot some video, hook up your camcorder to your computer, click your mouse a few times, place your video clips in the desired sequence (called a scoreboard) and away you go. After you have edited your movie (cutting sections is easy) you can watch it on your Mac computer, make a new videotape or even e-mail your creation to family and friends.

Sony offers an easy-to-use movie-making program, too. The Sony VAIO comes with the Movie Shaker program that makes movie-making fun and easy.

PC (Windows) users can get into home movie-making with several relatively inexpensive programs (starting around $100). Dazzle has a program called MovieStar that lets you create movies and save them on a VHS tape, CD or even a DVD. MGI’s Video Wave, Ulead’s VideoStudio and Digital Origin’s IntroDV all help you play Steven Spielberg for a day, or longer.

More advanced movie-making programs for both Mac and PC are available, too. Apple offers Final Cut Pro 1.2 ($999), which transforms Mac computers into digital imaging stations. Adobe offers Adobe Premier ($599) as well as a program called Adobe After Effects ($700), which expands the creative capabilities of Adobe Premier by offering many special effects.

Keep in mind that as the programs increase in sophistication, the amount of computer memory needed also increases. Required memory also increases along with your footage. Some serious home movie-makers use an external hard drive for editing and storing their work.

If you feel a bit intimidated about getting into home movie-making and movie editing, you are probably not alone. Some words of encouragement: My 9-year-old son was shooting and editing movies less than 20 minutes after we got our camcorder and computer. Now that’s intimidating!