Tricky Video

by John Cassidy

In this era of YouTube, funny viral videos are the creative outlet of zillions of kids around the world. Everyone wants to get in on the act — but how, without spending beaucoup bucks on fancy computer editing programs or courting disaster with dangerous stunts? Enter Klutz. Tricky Video is a clever collection of easy-to-achieve video tricks, gags, and gimmicks you can do with your home video camera. If you can tell the ""pause"" button from the ""record"" button, you can master these special effects. Turns out you don’t need to go high tech to be a master moviemaker. The book comes with a Hollywood-style slate (or clapper) to mark the start of every scene. Simple step-by-step sequences show young directors how to make people disappear. How to stage a painless fight scene. How to become a cartoon. How to lose your head. In short, how to be a video genius.

Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

John Cassidy is a journalist at The New Yorker and a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books. He is the author of Dot.con: How America Lost Its Mind and Money in the Internet Era and lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Charlie Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing video techniques for anyone, not just kids. I wish this had come out when I was in middle school, because I would have been all over this book. I’m excited to make some stop motion videos soon!

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I'm using for my film festival...it has some great ideas for cheap and easy ways to help kids make their movies more interesting. The website has lots of extras that are great for teaching. Perhaps not for those who are skilled at video production--but this one is TERRIFIC for kids who are just learning about movie-making.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK, but none of the idea did I actually do... they're all so... IDK... too silly? Nothing that'll make ur friends say 'Wow, that's cool!'. But I liked how it came with a clipboard. 8)