Trade shows are world-wide and around the year.

Digital Video Expo just finished here in LA (Pasadena, actually), and we took our podcast – Digital Production BuZZ – to cover the event.

There are really only two reasons to go to a trade show: To learn something that you can’t learn on the web, or to meet people. For some, meeting new people is a chore, for others, its the highlight of the event. But when it comes to getting connected in our industry, nothing beats a trade show.

As for learning, whether it’s an insightful presentation from a conference speaker, or going in-depth with an engineer to resolve a problem, trade shows are for getting questions answered.

The BuZZ took an informational approach to our coverage – creating seven shows in five days. You can see a complete list shows here: www.dvexpobuzz.com.

These are some of my highlights from all our interviews:

* Shooting video with Digital SLR cameras is very hot. Oliver Peters (Show 6) gives a great overview. Brian Valente (Show 3), Jens Bogengn (Show 3), and Jehu Garcia (Show 7) offer insight on the additional gear necessary to make it work.

* LED lighting is exploding. Paul Kobelja (Show 6) provides a good overview. Brady Harris and Michele Baily (Show 6) provide vendor perspectives.

* Getting jobs and making money are on everyone’s mind. Philip Hodgetts (Show 1) and Jessica Sitomer (Show 4) both talk about this.

* Trade shows are under pressure. Carmel King (Show 1) and David Williams (Show 2) address the challenges of putting on trade shows in the age of the Internet.

* It’s possible to save significant money going green. Lauren Selman (Show 6) talks about how to save money during production by considering the impact of “Keeping it Green.”

(Here’s the complete list of the shows I mentioned: www.dvexpobuzz.com.)

The thing I like best about trade shows is that I get a chance to meet companies that I haven’t heard of, or didn’t properly understand, before.

And now, through creating these programs for Digital Production BuZZ – you can share in the insights as well.

Larry

If you are looking for something free to do tomorrow – Tuesday, Sept. 29 – join me at the South Coast Plaza Apple Store at 8:00 AM for a two-hour FREE presentation on the new Final Cut Studio (3).

The Apple Store invited me to speak and I’m delighted to be there.

During my two hours, I’ll cover not just the hot new features in the software, but the power tools that lurk just beneath the surface that can help you edit faster, edit better, and create images in ways you may never have thought possible. Plus, as always, I make sure there is plenty of time for questions.

Remember, this event is FREE, but limited to about 20 seats. For more information, contact the store – (714) 424-6331 – and ask for Eric Sanchez or Darren Burgos.

One of the questions I am constantly asked is “what’s the best digital video camera?”

The problem is that while I understand video formats pretty well, I don’t shoot very much. So, I don’t have the experience to pick a “favorite” camera.

Yesterday, Philip Hodgetts sent me a link to the Fletcher Camera and Lenses website, where you can find a great comparison chart of a wide variety of high-end digital video cameras.

If you are looking for professional-grade gear, take a look at this free PDF:

http://www.fletch.com/09digitalcamcomparison.html

Larry Jordan and Mike Horton are bringing the Digital Production BuZZ to DV Expo – Sept. 22 – 24, 2009 – at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Visit the show floor – check out the latest news – stop by our both and say hello!

The Digital Production BuZZ is the Official Podcast of DV Expo and will be originating at least seven different programs live from the show floor during the Event.

Starting Sept. 22, Digital Production Buzz will interview key industry leaders for each show which will be streamed live, distributed via hundreds of websites, and downloaded via iTunes.

As the show gets closer, we will post more details here: www.dvexpobuzz.com.

Click here to add The BuZZ player to your website (its FREE!).

Click here if you are going to DV Expo and would like to be interviewed for the show.

DV Expo is an exciting time to see how our industry is doing. Stop by our booth – #130 – and say Hi!

I’d love to see you there!

If you are anywhere close to Orlando, Florida, join me for WEVA 2009!

WEVA (the Wedding and Event Videography Association) is holding their annual Expo at the brand-new 26-acre Hilton Orlando, in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14 – 17, 2009.

They’ve asked me to present two sessions:

* The New Final Cut Pro 7 – When Should I Upgrade?
(Tuesday, 9/15, from 10:55 – 11:55 AM)

* Final Cut Pro Plug-Ins and Short-cuts
(Wednesday, 9/16, from 9:20 AM – 10:20 AM)

Plus, I’ll be around the show the rest of the time to meet with you and answer your questions.

With over 70 different sessions – all devoted to improving your business and your craft – WEVA has become a “Don’t Miss” event.

I look forward to seeing you there.

During our recent summer seminar series, I got a lot of requests to provide more opportunities to meet with editors. We decided to take that to heart for September – and have created a variety of ways, and places, to help you make the most of Final Cut Studio.

Here’s a list of our events in Southern California this month.

Larry

Santa Barbara – Sept. 9 (Wed)
Full-day FCP seminar — 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The new releases — working with stills — video compression — and lots of discussion

Click here for more information.

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Woodland Hills – Sept. 11 (Fri)
Half-day monthly FCP workshop — 3:00 – 7:00 PM
* Making your video look great on the web or DVD
* Technical problem solving

Click here for more information.

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Burbank – Sept. 18 (Fri)
Half-day monthly FCP workshop — 6:00 – 10:00 PM
* Making your video look great on the web or DVD
* Technical problem solving

Click here for more information.

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Santa Monica – Sept. 19 (Sat)
FREE Two-hour Event — 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Highlights of Final Cut Pro 7 — Tell your friends!
This is a great way to get an overview of the software!
(Held in partnership with DV Creators.)

Click here for more information.

Anaheim – Sept. 21 (Mon)
Half-day monthly FCP workshop — 3 – 7 PM
* Making your video look great for web or DVD
* Technical problem solving

Click here for more information.

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South Coast Plaza Apple Store – Sept. 29 (Tue)
FREE Two-hour Event – 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
New features in Final Cut Pro 7 — Hidden tips –
Power Tools. Come get your questions answered.

Click here for more information.

Woodland Hills – Sept. 30 (Wed)
Half-day monthly FCP workshop — 3:00 – 7:00 PM
* Improving, repairing, and mixing your audio
* Technical problem solving

Click here for more information.

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Santa Monica – Oct. 1-2 (Thu/Fri)
Two-day hands-on Apple-certified Training
* Learn the basics of Final Cut Pro 7
* Work directly with the software
* Held in partnership with DV Creators

Click here for more information.

In an article posted to it’s KnowledgeBase, Apple announced: “The versions of Final Cut Studio and Final Cut Express listed below are compatible with Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard.”

• Final Cut Studio 2
• Final Cut Studio (2009)
• Final Cut Express 4

It is interesting to me that both recent versions of Final Cut Studio were certified.

Keep in mind that while Final Cut Studio may be certified, many third-party applications that run inside Final Cut Studio are still being updated for Snow Leopard.

I would still urge a “wait-a-bit” approach.