
Using a Plastic Dust Sheet as a Diffuser?!
I am all for D.I.Y solutions to video shooting problems and in my world, the cheaper the better!
So I came across this video tutorial for using a cheap plastic dust sheet in a photographic situation and it reminded me of my own set up in my office where I shoot videos.
In the video the plastic sheet is used as a backdrop but I use mine a little differently.
The space where I shoot has an array of overhead led light banks exactly like you would see in any office situation with each fitting having four led tubes.
In the direct area where I shoot this causes harsh “top down” lighting that makes my wife look like the wicked witch of the west or something out of a zombie movie so I turn those off.
The other side of the room also has these lights and I like to leave them on as they provide a good even source of ambient light coming in from the other side of my key light.
However this is still fairly harsh light so to diffuse it I do what you see in this video… but with a difference.
I use a roll of cheap plastic drop sheet that has masking tape along one edge that you would use for when you are painting walls so you don’t spill on to the floor.
Only in this case I stick the drop sheet to the ceiling in front of those overhead light banks letting the plastic just hang down and voila! Instant soft light for a few bucks.
No Views or Low Views? Watch this
If you have a relatively small or new YouTube channel and you are not getting views or at least what you think is not enough views then here’s the deal.
This is either a “you” problem or a YouTube problem.
Either YouTube is not showing your videos to audiences or they are, but no-one is clicking and watching.
Here’s how to find out which it is.
Travel Text Reveal Effect Corel VideoStudio
This is a simple travel intro sequence executed in Corel VideoStudio.
If the sequence itself is not really to your liking that’s fine.
The actual value here is in showing you how to add and manipulate images and shapes to create a dynamic sequence.
Filmora 13.6 All New Features: AI Object Remover and More
As is just about always the case there has been an update to Filmora so (for this week so far) we are at 13.6.4!
With this latest update there have been some additions and enhancements with some being good and some being kind of bells and whistles grade.
The best way to get an idea on this is to check out Jacky’s video below because he is usually pretty honest about whether the new stuff is ever of any value.
Slideshow Creation with the Theme Designer Class of Templates
A slide show is a pretty common kind of project many people engage in using video editing software like PowerDirector.
It may seem a little low-tech and simplistic given what the software can actually do but for many… it’s more than enough!
Within PowerDirector there are many template options and you can use most of them for slide shows but the key here is that most people are not wanting go go too deep into the production process, they just want a slideshow!
Here’s a tutorial on using some of the Theme Designer templates for that.
Descript Updates

If you are not familiar with Descript here’s the (very) short version of what it is and what it can do.
Descript operates as either a web based or desktop app that allows you to load (or upload) any video that has dialogue like “How to” videos or videoed podcasts.
It immediately uses A.I. to transcribe that dialogue into text with frightening accuracy!
From there you can edit the the footage by deleting or adding to the transcript rather than cutting the actual video.
If you add something it can clone the original voice and make it sound like the person actually said it at the time.
To be honest there are a whole bunch of other features too numerous to go into here.
One part of it I use often is the Studio Sound feature that also uses A.I. to enhance voices to give them that rich studio quality.
Anyway they have just completed some major upgrades so if you are interested you can check it out here:
End-to-End Editing in DaVinci Resolve – Full Mini Course 2024
If you are using DaVinci Resolve or are thinking about using it as your video editing software then this is the video for you!
Once a year or so Casey Faris puts together a full end-to-end video on using Resolve aimed at beginners and covering everything you need to know to get started.
In fact it is not just about getting started but getting you well on your way to unlocking the full potential of this program.
I know how to use Resolve pretty well but whenever Casey comes out with one of these “soup to nuts” video tutorials I alway grab a coffee and watch it all the way through.
I always learn something new.
Perfect sound in DaVinci Resolve
The Fairlight module within DaVinci Resolve is a fully professional Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that many of the pro’s use.
However like most things in Resolve it can be pretty intimidating to look at for the first time.
In fact if you have no idea what’s going on in there it can do your head in pretty fast!
In the video below you can check out a few simple settings you can adjust to get a voiceover sounding better and help you safely dip your toes into the Fairlight pool.
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