Hollywood Station, by Joseph Wambaugh is a wild ride through Holly-weird. This story is perfectly paced and draws you in through a series of vignettes that are alternately heart-breaking and comical. Here’s my video review:
This is the first book by Wambaugh that I’ve read. I look forward to several more in the same location and with many of the same characters. If you like you’re cop stories with heart, this is the book for you. Not all of it is pretty, but it is certainly realistic.
The Zoom H4n is an excellent digital audio recorder that is absolutely packed with features. In fact, the H4n has so much within it that I recommend checking out the Zoom company website for the details. Suffice it to say, this audio recorder far exceeds my expectations. I’m using it every week to improve my video productions by recording sound on location, especially sound effects that can be added later. Here’s a video review of it, including audio recorded at the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster County, PA, USA.
Now you saw one of the tricks of the trade, gathering sound separately and then using it with another video take for a specific reason. In a movie production, this happens all the time, allowing for dialog to be heard over top the sound of machinery or traffic or something else that would otherwise mask it. Whether you making videos like me, or a singer/songwriter, or a band looking to make a demo, the H4n will serve you well at a price all of us can afford.
Here’s another gadget review, actually a triple. Rode is a brand I’ve come to appreciate for their good quality at reasonable prices. Hence , I put together a rig for recording sound on location that includes the NTG-2 microphone, Blimp Suspension and Windscreen, and the boom pole. Check it all out.
High quality sound definitely improves the moving image, so don’t neglect it in your videos or movies. You don’t have to spend a huge amount of money. Rode will get you the sound you need at a number you can afford. Enjoy the process!
The Bent Page 
The Alchemist (video review)
The Alchemist is a fable worth reading more than once. Author Paulo Coelho takes the reader on a fantastic journey with his lead character, Santiago, and along the way everyone learns some lessons, all hidden in the context of an eccentric narrative. Here’s my video review.
I recommend this book for younger people, those just leaving middle school into high school. The captivating action will keep them interested, and they’ll never notice how much they’re learning. Few books are like that. Enjoy this one.
- Books
- Commentary
on February 19, 2012 at 3:39 pm Leave a CommentTags: book review, Books, fable, fantasy, fiction, literature, Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist, video, video blog, video review