How to shoot video

You don't need flash gear to create video clips for Mash Pit Comedy, you just need an outrageously funny idea! But, because your video might end up on Prime TV, therefore making you incredibly famous... there are a few guidelines:

1. Shoot your video using progressive mode on your video camera. Don't shoot interlaced video unless you really really really really have to!

   Want to know more about progressive video? Wikipedia says this and there’s a YouTube video that explains the difference between interlaced and progressive video.

2. Shoot your video in the Widescreen format (16:9). And if you can avoid it, don't letterbox it, make it full screen. But if you are using a digital stills camera or a mobile phone to shoot your video, chances are it won’t let you shoot video in widescreen. As long as you are funny, we will forgive you. But...we would like to encourage you to shoot and edit widescreen (16:9) video clips for upload to the Mash Pit website.

   Want to learn more? Wikipedia says this about the 16:9 aspect ratio and there’s a Youtube video all about different aspect ratios. Riveting stuff huh.

3. Your final video should be no longer than 5 minutes long.

4. Your video file should be no larger then 100MB.

   Want to know more? Tips on encoding and exporting video files.

5. Always, when possible set up your video editing project within your video editing software to be Widescreen (16:9) format. Your exported Video should have a screen size of 1024 x 576.

   Want to know more? Tips on setting up your video editing project.

Check List

• Was your video shot using progressive mode on your video camera? Or did you select 'de-interlace video' within your video editing software when exporting the video file?
• Was the original video shot Widescreen (16:9)?
• Is the total duration of the final exported video no longer than 5 minutes?
• And is the exported video file under 100 MB?
• Was your video editing project set to Widescreen (16:9)? Please note that if your video was shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio, you may choose to make your project 4:3 also.
• Did you export your final video with the screen size of 1024x576 pixels?
• And most importantly, is it funny? Not sure? Upload it anyway!