New instructional videos available through Lie-Nielsen Toolworks - Mary May

I now have 4 different instructional videos through Lie-Nielsen Toolworks.

Over the past few years I have spent several weeks in lovely Warren, Maine filming instructional videos. That part of the country is amazing and I am trying to set up our schedule so my husband and I can spend July and August (or more) in this area, and get out of the South Carolina heat.

You may or may not know, but much of my work is making instructional carving videos in my workshop and adding a video each week to my online carving school. The way I am set up, I have 3 different cameras set on tri-pods to get different angles of my work, and I carve and talk through the project – “thinking out loud”. Then my son, Caleb, edits the video, takes out any goofy comments I make, chooses the correct camera angle, adds the tool identification, and helps it all make sense. So – not a huge, intense production. But when a video is added every week, how much time can you really spend?

When Deneb from Lie-Nielsen contacted me several months before filming my first video, he asked me if I could send my “script”. What’s that? I wondered. I’ve never used a script in my life! I usually just ramble on and let the cameras run. Now I was starting to get nervous. So I said “Sure, I’ll send that to you in a few days.” I soon discovered how the “professionals” did it. A script – Hmmm, who would have thought?

The filming process for each video was intense. Four full days of professional videographers (Harry Kourvakorian & co.) making sure the lighting was right, adjusting the sound, waiting for large trucks to pass by, and filming stage by stage through my script. There were times when the simplest 15-second shot took 10 takes to get it right (they were so patient with me). Why did I get so nervous? I think it was because other people were in the room and I am used to being completely by myself with just my chisels, wood and cameras. I can’t imagine being one of these famous actors doing a 2-hour movie over a 6-month period. But then again if I was getting paid a few million dollars, who can say??

After several months of editing, reviewing, and editing again, the video was finally ready! And it’s amazing how those 4 chaotic, stressful days of filming came down to a well-organized, professional instructional video. I’m so glad I used my “script”!

Here is a direct link to Lie-Nielsen’s website.