SEANFX

I like free stuff. So here’s something free that every filmmaker can use. Your done with your film and you’ve entered it into some film festivals and you got IN congratulation!

I’m sure the last thing you want to do is make more art work to promote your film. I wanted to show off the festivals I was accepted at but I found most Festival didn’t have their own Laurels to hand out. So I made some, now I figure other filmmakers can use them too.

Just click on the image or here to download your customizable PSD file. Yes you will need Photoshop to use this.

In the PSD you’ll find a black version and a white version.  But you can make these any color to match your website.  Here’s how use can use them.

1. Click on the text layers to change the name of the film festival, it’s subtitle, and year.
2. Then select all the text layers and recenter the text so they fit in the Laurels nicely.
3. Set background color.  There is a black and gray in there now but you can set those colors to anything you need.
4. Transparent background.  Turn off the background colors, then select “Save for Web” in Photoshop and select the PNG file format.  Then you won’t have to worry about color.

I tried to make the psd a nice size so it could be scaled down to any size for web and it should still be okay for print on posters or DVD cases.

Let me know if you find them useful.  If there are questions leave a comment.

Remember this?

“every movie, ever made, in every language, anytime day or night”

What’s the hold up?

Be warned this list can change from time to time.  These are not in order of importance just must see movies.

1. Dude, Where’s my Car?
2. Donnie Darko
3. The Thing Directed by John Carpenter
4. Miracle Mile
5. Colossus “The Forbin” Project. Don’t wait for Ron Howards version
6. Run Lola Run
7. The Butterfly Effect
8. May
9. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
10. Duel
    
11. Ghost dog.
12. Lady Killers with Alec Guinness
13. Marathon Man

Oh and yeah I made it 13 because of Halloween!  BOO!

This effect has been getting some buzz lately because of this fantastic looking tilt shift time-lapse effect created by Keith Loutit.  There are a number of Photoshop Tutorials out there related to this, this one is great! so check it out.  I believe I even saw this explained in “Wired”…

But I figured if it can be done in Photoshop it can be done in After Effects.

It’s a pretty simple concept and so many other people have done a great job of explaining it, I figured why should I even bother.

But I figured I could do it one better by making an After Effects file you can use!  You can download it here.

In the file you’ll find a version for HD and SD.  You can drop in your own footage by just replacing the image I’ve included in the project file.

TIPS:

If you replace the footage un-parent the null object first, then do a replace footage command.( I used a null because I was using a digital image and I wanted to scale.)

You can adjust the blur of the image and the feather of the mask.

Keep in mind the band of focus should be narrow.  But with this technique you can move the mask around and make any part of the image have the miniature effect.

I hope this is useful.

Oh yeah, The photo is Downtown Kansas City, MO!

No I didn’t spell it wrong. I mean Nagra not Niagara.

Let me start off by saying I am not a sound guy and no sound persons job is any danger.

When I was in film school the way we would gather sound was with a Narga reel to reel recorder or a Marantz audio cassette recorder. The Nagra offered Crystal sync with the film camera. Which enabled the picture from the film camera and the audio from the recorder to by synchronized for editing later.  This was called a double system.  Get it… sound and picture… two, double system.

But who needs this any more? Nagra is still around and it looks like they have some very cool gear. But this has always been the Mercedes of Recorders not to mention the price is pretty similar.

Here’s my kit.

Zoom H2

Azden shot gun

mic cable

grip

mic mount

I’m usually a crew of one or two people so I don’t really need anything that complicated.  But even if I had more people around and I needed more mics I would still go this way.  There is a mic input and line input on the Zoom H2 which enables you to hook in a Shotgun Mic like I have pictured above or a mixer.  (I’ll do a another post on my mixer solutions later.)

But for run-a-gun productions this is a sweet system and can be used several ways.  Always remember to at least carry some ear buds with you.  Just in case you forget your head phones.

1. Double system: Don’t worry about the sound that is being recorded on the camera and the sound person can be running around separate from the camera person.  It’s a good idea to have a slate with you or clapping hands is fine too.  You just need a visual and a sound cue on the wave form to see there the two medias line up.

2. Sound Gathering: Capturing wild sounds that you find you need during post production and editing.

3. Interview Style: Recording two or more people.  In most cases you can just use the built in mic on the H2 but if you have a group or people at a little distance the shotgun mic will help out tremendously.  The pistol grip makes pointing the mic around a lot easier too.

What other sound tips do you have or what’s your sound kit look like?

This is a good example of the kind of video projects I work on from time to time. It’s fun stuff and I’m always on the move. You always have to be ready to go when doing a productions like this. You never know what’s going to happen. There is some planning you can do but not much so here are some tips for getting the job done.

Equipment Check: Every production is going to be different and for these I’m packing lighter and lighter every trip. But here’s my short list.

1. Camera
2. Batteries
3. Video Tapes!
4. Camera light and Battery
5. Firewire Cable (just in case) mini to mini and Large to mini
6. Mic Cables plus a (Mic Adapter to go in camera depending on model)
7. Mics, I have a Shotgun and Hand held. Someday I’ll go wireless…
8. Batteries for the Mics if you need them.
9. Lens cleaner
10. LCD hood for outdoor shooting.
11. I like bringing a still camera for extra web content.
12. Yeah, I might even twitter about it when it’s slow.

Don’t for get a quick double check.

Story Check: My host and I like to do a brief check of the facts. Who is this person. What’s their story. Everyone has a story if you think they don’t you’re wrong, it’s up to you to help find it. For these types of videos we’ve established a system.

There are 3 elements we know we are going to need.

1. Intro: It’s the introduction. We find what who’s who and what are we doing here.
2. Middle Recap: By this time we have an idea of what’s going on and we’ve meet some of the players so it’s time to give more information. Most of the time this is made up on the spot because you really don’t know the all facts until you get there. One shooting style note: I’m a big fan of the walk and talk. That’s where the host walks toward the camera and the cameraman (ME) has to walk backwards or sideways… Visually I think it adds a lot of drama and makes it more interesting.
3. Outtro. You guessed it this is where the host says see ya next time! You’re style may vary.

B-Roll: When things are quite and people are standing around talking or trying to figure out the next move this is your chance to get some shots that will fill in the story. You have to pay attention to what people are saying. You are the second set of ears. So you might catch something the Host didn’t and that’s your chance to speak up and say, “hey we need to get this shot or interview this person too”. That’s going to influence the images you take. But there are always some standards you need to get. These images also help in editing to cover mistakes, flubs and changes in storyline or any dialogue you might need to shorten.

1. Establishing shots. Location, People, Prizes anything that was important or mentioned
2. Logos ALWAYS, Always get shots of logos. If there are several groups involved with the event you need to be on the look out for logos. They can be on the backs of shirts, sleeves, hats, cars, store fronts. And this is the chance to so something clever with a camera move or angle. Those company names are going to get mentioned at some point so it’s just nice to have it in the can.
3. People milling around looking over the prize or just at the event.
4. Make sure to get the winner spending some alone time with the prize. Usually they playing with it either way there are all types of emotions running around which always makes for good video.
5. Lot’s of footage of the prize. Another chance to get creative with the camera work and it covers creative editing

Since most of these videos are done on the road and I can’t run back to the office because I forgot something I always make sure I have the things I can’t buy while I’m there. I’m not going to buy a new camcorder, lights or sound gear. I can always pick up video tape, extension cords, pens and other little things when I get to my location. So it’s not always the end of the world if you forgot something.

What are your tips and what would you add to these lists of must haves on a video shoot?

This was fun. I thought I would turn it into a writing assignment. I enjoy creating new inventions and I wish I could have entered more than one a day. Sad thing is I found out about it about a week or so into the contest. Find out more about Made in Eureka at the Sci-Fi Channel.

But here’s what I would like to do now. I want to turn it into an open source video project like the old cartoons when I was a kid. “Welcome to the World of Tomorrow”

If you want to play just pick one item and make short out of it. 10 to 30 second video with the product in it. It’s like an ad or maybe a little snippet of what life would be like with these contraptions. Really whatever you want. There is no limits other than 60 words when writing these up. So why should there be making the videos? When they are all made we’ll put them together and make something cool! Claim which one you want and put it in the comments so no one else takes it.

Atom Packer: The size of a small camera, it’s back scatter emitter coils break down the atomic structure of any rooms contents and orders the molecular structure in to a nice digital stream that is stored in the device for easy moving or postal delivery.

PEP Personal Escape POD: Can be installed in any house or high-rise condo and takes up no more room than a coat closet. Once activated the occupant can be eject safely up to a 1/4 mile away from harms way. A low orbit models is also available. Disclaimer: Not to be used to evade Law Enforcement.

Space Saver: No need to worry about your parking space now. This small disk projects a 3D image of your car or transportation of your choice. New solid photo-tonic stabilizers will fool anyone and your space will be saved for when you return.

oneKEY: a polymorph standard key. Now all you need is one. Once oneKEY samples any key you have, car, boat, house, skeleton… It can instantly shift to the new target key enabling the user to only carry one key. Freeing up the users valuable pocket space.

B-BLOKS: These small disks really pack a punch. Once activated stand back! It turns the atomic structure of its surroundings into more useful materials. It comes preloaded with 10 outdoor structures or you can design your own on-line at our website. Warning: KEEP LIVING MATERIAL 10 METERS FROM REORDER ZONE.

SuperPOOPER: Have as many pets as you want! This cute little bot cruises all over your yard picking after them. But it’s also green! It doesn’t use solar or batteries. It’s powered by all the POOP it picks up. Any extra gets sent right to the house. Now you can have a clean yard and a clean conscience.

Memory Bank: WiFi neural data bank that interfaces through an ocular interface with the smartypants glasses or direct skin patch that enhances knowledge base of any know recorded fact or experience and enables expertise in any subject or skill. Great for those handy weekend science projects.

A-iPark: Door to Door service is now the norm. With state of the art GPS and the best AI navigation on Earth your car drops you off and finds it’s own place to nap and never in a TOW ZONE. You car knows when you are ready to leave so it meets you right at the door.

TalkBUD: This new ear-bud nano projector can beam a life size image of your counterpart across from you. To give the illusion to all the people around you are taking to a real person while on your cell phone. Conference mode allows up to 3 image buffers. Customize you look with your Second Life Residual self.

iQchat: It’s the new rage in like minds and crowd sourcing. This small devices enables a sable quantum wormhole to communicate to your other selves in other quantum dimensions. Now can work with hundreds of yourselves to solve the mysteries of the universe. CAUTION: DO NOT USE DURING LIGHTING STORMS RIFTS MIGHT OCCUR.

softSPACE: Hate where that window is? Want to move that door? Now the softSPACE Generator fixes all your home decor problems. This handy device makes matter soft you can move it around to new places in your house. Turn it off solid again… The possibilities are endless!

POWER PAC: This new nano carbon fiber weave comes in all size. Fits like a spandex suit it gives extra support and stability to enable a anyone to lift or manage objects many times their own weight. Available in Tops, Bottoms, Full Body and get the gloves to insure a firm grip!

PHATpower: You’ve heard of burning fat, with this belt you can! Wear this belt at night and your body fast is absorbed into it and stored. Once placed back on it’s docking station that fat is transformed in to new power cells to be transferred to you small electronics. So now your power is really in your hands.

nanoGRmER: These little guys really hang round. Once programmed with the electromagnetic burst illustrating where you want grooming to be maintained. The microscopic bots go to work. Keeping all your hair follicles to your desired length. No need to worry about charging them up either. They’re powered by what they groom.

MindsEye Projector: Having trouble visualizing your ideas on paper? Use this inconspicuous baseball cap looking device. It scans deep into your visual cortex and abstract mind center enabling you to visualize any type of dimensional objects on any video device. Hook up to a 3D printer and you can get a hard copy for everyone to play with.

iPlants: Now the phone gesture people make with their hand is real! This subdural technology means the latest communication tech can be placed just below the skin. No gear to carry around batteries to charge. These droplets contain millions of nanotech mechs that bond together to form communications devices. Now you can permanently install your phone.

FunBuilder: Now your kids can have fun making their own toys and help the environment at the same time. Just toss in your plastic bottles and metal and this simple machine will sort and break down materials so they can be reshaped right inside. Load up toy designs from our social network or design your own with our toy maker app.

eFreeze: This little device once attached to most objects halts molecular vibration by creating a damping field. Once stop the it’s frozen till disengaged. The patented HOLDwav stops everything. Can be used for suspended animation. It’s instant on instant off with hardly any side effects.

POOF: Yeah and it’s gone for real! Based on the eFreeze technology this upgrade pack lets you disable the HOLDwav and all the matter of the frozen object dissipates into its base molecules. Now the Universe can recycle the matter easier and safer. NOT TO BE USED ON HUMANS

GrooveSCAN: Convert you old Audio Records to a digital format instantly with this Topographic laser scanner. In an instant it scans the surface of the record turning all the groves into 3D geometry that is instantly translated into a digital audio file. Gone are the days of of real time digitizing.

Green Machines: These transformable robots take care of everything around house. When not in use they connect together to form a yard art. When activated they keep you grass groomed, trees pruned and gutters clean. With many add on modules just about anything can be taking care of and all yard waste gets stored and used for fuel.

Everlast-H2O: This is the last water bottle you’ll ever need. It’s micro collectors gather water right out of the air. Combining hydrogen and oxygen molecules to make the most pure water that can be found. Now your bottle is never empty and it’s backwash micro-scrubbers makes sure that very sip is as fresh as the first.

Flash Back: This device once placed into an undisturbed crime scene can map air currents and dust particles back to any moment with in the past 2 hours of an event. Once mapped a 3D image of the people can be extrapolated, which can be displayed or printed out. Giving the police a real view of who was there.

If you didn’t know I’m already a fan of J.J. Abrams, didn’t watch “Felicity” but I started paying attention after “Alias” and I’ve seen everything he’s ever had is hands in making. This is a great talk about the what inside the mystery box.

The mystery box can be anything, the fun part is figuring it out.

Any content creators want to help make mystery boxes?

Hmmm… maybe I’ll give Felicity a second chance.

What? A visual guy doing an audio podcast? That’s right I had my trusty Zoom H2 with me so I talked to a few people. The place was noisy and packed with people I think my H2 did a great good job of picking up the conversations. I have several and I’ll post them over the next few days.

Now about the summit. What a night! A lot of energy and hope being brought to Chicago last night. Great speakers and a lot of motivation. With the idea of people working together and figuring you how we can become the New Media Capital. This was just a preview to what is coming in Sept.

There is already a lot going on in this town but an event like this will start linking up the individuals and companies that want to get it done and get more out of the work they are doing. CNMS08 is putting the world on notice!

 

 Interview with Marilyn McConnell [0:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

My first talk is with Marilyn McConnell, Director of Sales for Pixel Brothers. I think she knew the night went well too.

“Veoh wants to move beyond the PC to mobile devices, and is putting a lot of resources behind developing its behavioral ad targeting platform for video.”

You can read the full story from TechCrunch here,

Yeah I want “behavioral ad targeting” and so should you.   Here’s why… 

As a consumer I tired, TIRED of seeing ads that have nothing to do with me.  I never want to see Comcast, female hygiene products, hair-loss pills, or male enhancement drugs.  Why should I?  It’s a waste of time for me it’s a big waste of money for the advertisers.  I do want to see ads that know what I want.  I might not always buy it but I’ve got a greater chance of doing just that.

As a content creator, it would be great to have ads that is relevant to my content or might be relevant to my viewers.  That way it enhances the content and they are less annoyed by commercials breaks.

A few notes:

1. It really does have to be relevant ads.

2. You can’t share my profile with my friends or make it public, (no one cares what I just bought online)

3. The ads have to be different than repurposed commercial breaks.  I just watch something that was 2 minutes long.  The commercials shouldn’t be longer than what I just watched.

This will be a whole new.  I know people will resist this and think it’s weird or creepy.  But I want to know where to sign up so hey get my commercial feed just right.  I think once people see how much better things will be more people will adopted it.