How can I make a music video look more professional?

How can I make my video recordings look movie/music video quality without breaking the bank?

• I still have the same video camera I bought for college class assignments (not film school). I have a Samsung SC-D103, mini divi digital cam. Looking at all my old work I had great projects but they look cheap, I know I can't win if I put them in a contest (not up against all that's out now). What lenses, mini dv cassette tapes, etc can I use to have my future (just for fun) projects look better. I like how the Panasonic HVX200A camera's footage looks (can see on youtube) but I can't afford a $5,000 camera. I also edit on Final Cut Express HD if that makes any difference.

• Answer:

  Few simple things: Shoot with cuts in mind rather than zooms (your camera cannot take a lanc off camera contoller so your zooms will be a bit naff done on camera) Shoot with a tripod always. Take control of the camera: use manual exposure, use manual focus, use either manual or preset white balance. These are all things that cameras do badly if left to their own devices so take control. The type of tape you use will make no difference. Forget add on lenses. They are all cheap. Just think about getting more from your basic camera. In final cut look at de-interlacing to get a movie effect, look at very subtle adjustments to the gamma filter. Add very subtle amounts of noise. If you want to enhance the perception of depth of field, move further back from your subject and zoom in, note how the back ground goes very soft so that all your attention is diverted to the subect? Keep learning.