Your Questions About Commercial Window Film
Robert asks…
Where can I find a grocery store in Toronto for my Food Bank Commercial? (w/ large unobstructed window)?
Hi, I’m shooting a commercial for the final year of my film program for the Alberta Food Bank Network. I’m looking for a grocery store with a large window, without obstructions (large logos, paint, etc) to shoot a shopping cart on display.
I’ve been scouting for the last 3 weeks without luck. If anyone can help me with a suggestion or if you know someone who might be able to help me, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
Dan
mariok answers:
Most Ontario Food retailers do not typically place any advertising on their window’s so you should be able to find one quite easily. I would suggest contacting the head office of A&P which also owns Dominion. These are nicer Tier A stores and have a better, clearer appearance than most. Ask to use a new location out of Toronto but in the GTA….as they’ll be more inclined to help you out in a store with less traffic. Additionally, these stores are open 24 hours so you may be able to light and shoot at night.

Sandra asks…
Weird film on my windshield, unable to get it clean, what could it be?
On inside of my Lexus. Ive used windex 3 times and some other commercial glass cleaner that worked great on the rest of the windows but the windshield, on the inside of the car has a weird film that wont come off. Ive buffed and buffed and it still streaks. What is this stuff?
Im using paper towels. I tried windex wipes. then regular windex twice then I bought the foaming commercial aerosol.
mariok answers:
Take some acetone on a soft cloth and whipe the glass, turning cloth frequently. Then go over the glass with Windex and waded up newspaper. Don’t get the acetone on anything else, it will melt plastic. And remove paint. It’s a good way to clean the outside as well.

Paul asks…
Does anybody out there use a Windows PC for professional video production?
I have been producing video for 6 years on a mac, but I’m hearing that windows has many pro features. Features like: blue screen and being able to download footage from major film productions off a commercial DVD.
mariok answers:
Try this,
Total Video2Dvd Author can help you convert video to dvd simply and directly,
1. Convert avi and other popular video formats (*.flv, *.divx, *.xivd, *.avi, *.wmv, *.mkv, *.rm, *.rmvb, *.3gp, *.mp4, *.mov, *.ts, *.ogm, etc.) to DVD or ISO image file.
2. Download youtube video or other video share website video, and burn it to dvd,
3. Include a lot of beautiful dvd menu template
4. Support photo slideshow to DVD,
5. Supports .srt . Sub .ssa .ass .smi .psb .tex .idx subtitles
6. Easy to use, only a few clicks.
You can download it from:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=total+video2dvd+author&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz2
William asks…
How can I edit my DVD on Windows Media Player?
I had to make a commercial for my Marketing Class. We filmed the commercial on a tape, then my friends dad put it on a dvd for us, and she brought it to me. But the commerical isn’t done, we still need to edit and splice it etc. Windows Media Player won’t let me open it, what can I do?
Is there another program I can download to do what I need to do?
What program then?
Sorry I meant Windows Movie Maker in the title, not Player.
It won’t open in Windows Movie Maker, sorry!
mariok answers:
Try windows movie maker. It’s already on the computer Youmight want to use a laptop because it’s super hard to get on a disc
Lisa asks…
using windows movie maker for talk show?
For school, my friend and I are going to film a talk show, with commercials and stuff .. Would windows movie maker be good for this? To like combine videos, and effects and things? Any other free download programs for suggestions would help! Thanks.
mariok answers:
I’ve only used WMM so I don’t really know much about other editing programs so use this advice at your own risk.
I believe that WMM has a very user-friendly but very limited interface. It really depends what grade you are in. In a higher grade level you will probably want something that looks nice so WMM might not be the best option, but it will still work. If you are just in middle school or something, though I really doubt it will matter.
I have no suggestions because I don’t really care to search for other free editing programs because I think that WMM is one of the best free ones on the internet.
Mandy asks…
The sound on my camera isn’t clear?
I’m filming a commercial for a school project me and my friend and the sound isn’t clear.I’m planning to edit it on windows movie maker.Is there any way to make it clearer? I’m using a plain ‘ol digital camera.It’s a pentax.On the front it says: 7.1 Megapixels,7.1 MP,3x optical zoom,high sensitivity of ISO 3200,powerful flash and 2.5 inch LCD if that helps.
mariok answers:
The microphones on P&S cameras are just very low quality and cannot produce broadcast quality sound, nor can the produce broadcast quality video.
You can always do what the production companies do, that is add all the sound alter when editing.
Most video editing programs include tools that will allow you to do voice-overs, Foley, music and text credits. Windows Movie maker is one such program.
Next time, in stead of listing all the features of a camera, just give us the model number. Then we will have access to all the cameras features.

George asks…
How do I start a security firm?
I visited my friend the other day who runs a successful well established security company. He provides security for the public and tv sector including Big Brother, Films, Harry Potter and Clubs etc.
This inspired me to want to set up my own security company when I’m older.
For this to work, I would like:
Commercial Premises
Range Rover Sport – With privacy windows
Mercedes Vito – Van to carry guards
Dog Unit
What else would I need?
mariok answers:
Starting a security company is a bug investment and requires a lot of experience in the security and law enforcement field. To start a company, you need to consider many things. What type of services you will provide, at what level, how many employees you need, equipement, and insurance. Its a gamble because you may borrow money to purcahse you vehicles and dog, but you need to make sure you have enough clients. Many security companies start after they already have a client list. Security contracts come and go so sometimes you are booming and need many employees, other times you will survive with just yourself working only one contract. Start small. Contract yourself out first before getting the vehicls, dogs, and other fancy equipment. Then advertise. If places are calling you for services, then consider hiring employees or purachsing equipement to fullfill those needs. Just be paitent.

Steven asks…
DVD formats copying vhs to dvd?
Please! What format do commercial film makers use to burn DVDs. I have family tapes converted to DVD and it uses TS_video on – R or-RW dvds. these do not play on windows. Also My funai players says you can use video disks. No one knows what these are and where to buy them.
Finally is there software I can buy that can convert my DVD format.
Microsoft warns about down loading conversion software as it is unsafe/unstable…
I want to get rid of the old bulky tapes and burn a copies for family members.
There is some software to copy tapes to computer. none of the reports appear to be very good
Grateful for any help
John
mariok answers:
The simplest, but least flexible way is to simply get a DVD recorder. No computer required. Once connected, push record on the DVD recorder, play on the VCR and come back when the tape’s done.
To capture on your computer, you’ll need either a video card that can take a VCR’s video and audio as input, or a video tuner card that can tune to the TV channel that the VCR broadcasts on. Another nice alternative is a VCR or camcorder that can output on a firewire connection, and then capture to a firewire card in your PC.
Once it’s on the computer, a DVD burner and some burning software, and you’re in business. The nice thing about capturing to your computer is that the burning software typically includes some rudimentary editing functionality, and there are several higher powered editing packages available as well.
How to Convert VHS to DVD:
http://www.signvideo.com/conv-v-to-d.htm
Sharon asks…
How do you convert a Windows Movie Maker file into a Windows Media Player file?
So me and my friends had this project for my LA class that had a commercial on it.
We filmed the commercial with my friends camera and edited it onto my laptop with Windows Live Movie Maker.
So i saved it as a windows movie maker file because there were no other options to “save the file as” a different kind of file i.e.- Windows Media Player
I downloaded the commercial as a Windows Movie Maker file onto a flash drive and took it to school.
It didn’t play.
The computers at school are so old they don’t have Windows Movie Maker.
I knew why it wasn’t playing.
Because they DON’T have windows movie maker!
So my question here is: How do i change a Windows movie Maker file into a Windows Media Player file that WILL play on the computer at school?
If i download the commercial onto CD will it still play?
Please help?!? The commercial is DUE tomorrow?!?
Thanks
mariok answers:
You have to publish your commercial. One of the choices in the MM workspace is “publish”. Your options are To your computer, To play on other computers, etc. Just select To My Computer. This is the standard wmv file type which will play on any windows computer. I hope your school doesn’t have Macs.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers