how can i get a more professional look for a tv show? I'm using premiere 6.5 and i wanted an easy and quick way to make my footage look more like for tv production. What software can i use to give it a non-home movie look? thanks.

Well first what kind of show? Talk show or more like sitcom/series? Talk shows are video but sitcoms and series like CSI are film, hence any "film look" effects will help you achieve it.

Regardless of whethere its talk show or series the key element is lighting. If you dont have a well light shot to start with your not going to get anything even remotley close to a "TV" look. More specific questions will get more specific answers.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

I think the biggest step you have to make in making your video look professional is shoot at 24 frames per second, not 30. Obviously, shooting on film is the typical way to do this, but if you want to go a lot cheaper, try to find a video camera that offers a "movie mode" option that lets you shoot at 24 frames per second. Also, try to get some good lenses, and maybe blur the footage a little in post-production. All this should help defeat the amateurish appearance of low-detail and unnaturally sharp video with unnatural video motion. Also, make sure you have good audio. Use individual high quality microphones, if possible. And make sure your cameramen are skilled, because bad framing and excessive movement of the camera also makes your footage look amateurish.

What are you hoping to improve? Are you wanting to use CG? Is it a lighting issue? What type of programming are you trying to emulate?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, I'm just not quite sure what you're after.

The show is going to be based on amateur music bands and i'm going to rent the tv studio to give it a more "talent show" look (any tips on filming in a tv studio?). I'm using a canon xl1 and imma try to get the sound direct thru the audio in to get a clear sound. My aim is to get a professional tv talent show look but maintain the groups unprofessional look. ---my target audience likes to critique music bands. Thanks for any suggestions/tips i really appreciate it. o and if u live in nyc my show will air on channel 57 public access. laterz

If you want your show to look pro, spend some time on production design. Have a background that consists of more than just a painted flat. Get creative with the background lighting (use vivid colors) and light the talent very high key. Also, watch a talent show (i.e. star search) and see what kind of shots they get. Copy that.

Also, something you might want to think about is having different lighting designs for each band--more like conert lighting. The tv studio won't have intelegent lights, but you could program different lighting chase sequneces and so forth for each band, then return to the primary lighting design when the band stops playing and the host is talking. It adds a ton more work, but if done well, it'll sell a much more pro look.

Obviously lighting choices will go a long way for achieving a professional look. A lot of it is also in presentation.

And strangely enough, I just went through the motions of pitching a similar show concept as to yours.

Okay, some tips for shooting in a studio: While the band is performing, if at all possible, try to simulate a live-to-tape setup. Meaning, your going to need more than one camera to cover the band. Even if you can work just a two camera setup, you'll realize the advantage behind it when you move into post work. The other camera doesn't have to be anything fancy, even a black and white camera would work (could be stylistic?). I would suggest keeping this camera on a steady wide shot.

Now, the important thing while the band is playing, is to NEVER stop either camera. Keep both rolling for the entire segment. While your other camera is wide, you can take your "nice" looking XL1 and use it for close-ups on band members, low angle shots, trucking, etc. etc. After all is said and done, import footage from both cameras into your NLE, line them up on seperate tracks, and go crazy cutting in the different shots from your XL1 with your wide-angle camera.

There you have it. A simplified live-to-tape two camera setup that eliminates the need for studio cams, a switcher, and expensive VTRs.

i'm definitely going to use mechanical artist idea with both cameras --that's a must. thank u all for ur input i'll keep them all in mind when i start shooting this week. wish me luck