Serving the Berkeley Community
for over 42 years

VIDEOGRAPHY
For documentaries and broadcast programming, we shoot with the new Sony 4K camera to provide a broadcast quality video. For DVD/BluRay and webcast programming, we use Canon Vixia HF R300 cameras. Our camera packages are available by the day or half-day, with single camera, or multiple camera packages available.

For shooting events, parties and promotional programming, we can use smaller digital cameras to provide a cost effective choice for video. Our packages are available by the day or half-day, with a multi-camera package also available.

Single camera packages include a crew, (1 or 2 as needed), camera, tripod, dolly, batteries, power supply, two 1000w lights and a mic.

ACCESS can produce a video program for you or you can choose to produce it yourself. Whether you’re an experienced professional, with a work project, or someone working on a family project for fun, we can provide the right equipment and expertise needed to create a successful video.

We can help you find the right on-camera host, voice-over talent, or background music. We can also search for stock footage or scout locations.

Traditionally Multi-Camera shooting involved a remote video switcher with lots of cameras wired to each other, like a sporting event using a video truck to capture a live game. While this method uses more time to setup, more crew, more equipment and it costs more, it can save a lot of time and money later in the editing room.

Another method is to use individual cameras, independantly recording the event with the plan to edit the program together later. This is often easier on the day of the event and gives more control of the final video program to the editor.

Our multi-camera remote switcher package is only available by the full day with HDV cameras. The two camera package includes a director and full crew (4 or more as needed), a video Switcher with color & B&W monitors, extra long video cables (up to 250ft), intercom headsets, three 1000w lights, 2 mics with an audio mixer.

PRE-PRODUCTION PLANNING
In Video Production, the first step is Pre-Production planning. The Producer must balance project needs with available resources, and select the talent, equipment, props, location, etc. You can be the producer or just hire us.

The Production can be on Broadcast (Sony 4K) or Consumer (Canon HDV) equipment. We can shoot your event, stopping and starting as needed, without the need for editing, or we can shoot everything with several cameras (Multi-Camera), and then create the program afterwards in the editing room (Post-Production).

Decided to produce it yourself? The key to creating a successful video is to make a plan of your production on paper first. Who will be the intended audience? Target your project to its audience by choosing whether to distribute it on cable TV, the internet or mass duplication onto VHS or DVD? Do you need several distribution formats?
Next, you start to plan your shots and the locations on paper. Try to visit the shooting locations, looking for power outlets (lights use a lot), and set up your camera positions with the talent, avoiding windows that may be in the background. Consider hanging drapes on any outside windows to try to reduce street noise. Do you need to rent additional lights or special microphones? Make a list of all the equipment and don’t forget to bring the tape stock!   Consider any graphics, logos, photographs, or special effects that you would like to see in your project. Will there be music, voice-over, or on-camera talent/actors? Are there similar programs you can watch to know what look you want in your program before you get started?
On Location: When you get to the shooting location, you should already know where the power is. Does everyone have the directions & phone numbers needed?
During the shoot, take several shots of each scene, and if possable, make a list noting which ones are the best. Also, right after the shoot, label the files for more organized editing.
Dave Karp - Videographer
Our Latest 4K Sony camcorder
Our Latest 4K Sony Camcorder
Dave Karp

Dave Karp

Videographer

I am 64, and have lived in Berkeley most of my life. I have travelled around the world a dozen times already... I am a videographer by profession, something I have been doing for almost 50 years... I have also been meditating for about the same time, and I have been a vegetarian for even longer... I have a newly discovered interest in clearing my mind and body of unwanted imbalances (Bug Free Mind), you may have another name for them. I am also beginning to learn energy healing (Emotion Code) and as a result have started a new website, called Truth Whispering... It's dedicated to helping change our lives and the world. Let's see what happens!