Among the trade magazines I get each month, is "Digital Video" magazine.  Typically they have a review or two; cover a trade show; cover a doc or indy shoot and perhaps a how-to.  Oh, and something else..

As I retrieved the September issue of DV magazine from my mailbox, I was struck by how thin the magazine felt.  It is generally the thinnest mag I get, but this month seemed especially thin, so when I walked into my office, I tossed it aside onto a bookcase shelf.

There it sat for a week or two until it caught my eye this morning and I vaguely remembered there was something I liked about this magazine, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Glancing at the contents, I saw three reviews, one about Boris, one about an Apple app and one about an iPhone app - nothing compelling.  "Departments" listed an article on white balancing and support systems for small camcorders.  Ho-hum.

And then, there it was - "Production Diary" by Stefan Sargent.  "Oh yeah - this is the guy who writes great articles every month!", was the thought that flashed through my mind as I flipped pages and read his September article.  I wasn't disappointed.

It's not just that Sargent writes with an entertaining style, though he certainly does.  But each article is a lesson in the video business.  Sargent isn't afraid to talk about his past mistakes, successes and failures.  There is more insightful information about the video business in any one of his articles than between the covers of "$30 Film School" (don't waste your thirty dollars!).

As to the other articles, that white balance bit actually had a good product recommendation; the info on Panny's Lumix DMC-GH1 was interesting as was the Digital Video Expo piece, but their website is even better.  Give them a look at DV.COM

Don't tell the folks at DV Magazine, but I would gladly pay a subscription fee if all they sent out was Stefan's page each month!  (Shh!)

Stefan, you're welcome to write for us any time! - Hank Castello