Death Orb Commercial from Qore
oh yeah, I have a blog…
I almost forgot. dear Blog, sorry i forgot about you. I just felt like you weren’t into me. I kept writing and writing and you never said anything. I assumed you weren’t interested so i lost interest. Now, summer is here and I’ve been dreaming of a blog like you to really get into. What do you say, should we give it one last shot?
I promise, you’re the only online writing outlet that i use for writing pointless stupid things…well, besides twitter and facebook.
Fix your iPhone earphone speaker problem
yes I’m one of those d-bags who has an iPhone. whoop-de do. yes, I know ‘the edge’ network is slow. So…
I wanted to share a solution to an iPhone issue i was having. I couldn’t hear out of the ‘ear-hole’ speaker. If I activated speakerphone, no problem. So I took it to my local apple store’s ‘genius bar” -which, I hope history remembers as one of the biggest d-bag arrogant and annoying names ever- and they fixed it in a jiffy. turns out dirt/lint gets caught in the headphone jack, if put if you keep it in your pocket and such. So, they just used compressed air to blow it out. Thanks apple…it shouldn’t take a genius to troubleshoot that one, but looks like it did.
how to shoot and edit video: a basic primer
I’m working on an instructional document to help PC gamer’s editors capture quick and easy videos in the field while they are demoing games and equipment. that way they can show fans on their site. I’m still working on it but i thought I’d put it out there to see if I get any feedback. So here you are:
So here it is, all my experience and wisdom boiled down to one easily digestible document and practical steps. Production, like writing, mere moments to learn, a lifetime to master…
Production process
Before you begin, think about your audience and message. What do you want to show and tell them? How long should it take? Why do they care, etc. Then:
1. Plan segment: what do you want this video so show and say. Write a script down if it’s longer than something you can just spew easily from the hip.
2. Shoot it. Show your topic so they can see it well in a tiny little video player.
3. Import: move video to hard drive, import video into Final Cut.
4. Edit: get the timing of speaking clips set first, then ad the gravy.
5. Export: what settings to you need? H.264 and MP4 are good compression options and work for most situations.
6. Post: where does the video go?
Shooting: 10 demandments:
1) Get close-if it doesn’t look good, you’re probably not close enough. (or you are too close)
2) Cameras are light sponges. – make sure its not too dark, find a light.
3) Sound –make sure its not to loud…or too soft
4) Framing –show a person’s head and shoulders. Don’t shoot their ear, shoot them in the face. Does it look bad? Re-frame it…
5) Hold steady- All movement should be controlled and intentional. Resolve any motion: start move, then stop move.
6) Keep it short –make people talk in sound bites. Nobody likes a windbag.
7) Start recording for a second or two before the action starts.
8) Shoot like an editor: get it on the tape, give yourself options. Do it again.
9) Shoot like a producer: control the situation, shoot first, apologize later.
10) Respect your audience. If you are bored, so are they.
Editing big 3 rules:
-Is it clear if you don’t know the topic well?
-Does the pace flow comfortably? Does anything happen to suddenly or drag?
-If they say it, show it. “ My dog has three legs” = show the dog’s stump.
No duh, but…
Recharge your batteries.
Don’t delete footage you may need.
Don’t drop stuff, it breaks. Don’t get cameras wet.
Use the IAYDRTFM method: (I ain’t your daddy, read the f’ing manual)
podcasts passe?
are people still excited about podcasts or is that it? Doesn’t seem like there is as much talk about them these days. Its just a web video that you can download so has it all just faded into one thing?
Tom Clancy vs. Dean Koontz
I don’t know anything about Dean but my lovely wife teases me that when I read TC, I’m reading DK. weird? yep. I liek to read ‘good book’ from the literary giants, but TC is my guilty pleasure. It like reading a movie. next up in Phillip Roth’s The plot against America. After that, Fatherland. I’m fascinated with the Nazi phenomena. It’s like they are the mythic bad guy of all time. It’s very easy to dehumanize and demonize them all, but I wonder about the regular people who were swept up in it all. It reminds me of america post 9-11. the fervor, the brainwashing. It’s important to understand and remember so history does not repeat…or at least we delay it best we can for a generation or two. It’s only a matter of time before ignorance and intolerance resurface, were just people after all.
I’m baaaack….
after an involuntary technical difficulty-induced hiatus, I have returned and have much to blog about. Take your pick:
-thugs in my hood
-entreprenurial insights: the gift of failure
-PRock Band the game = drums
-new teak furniture
-pound puppies and scrutiny at the hands of a vet
-Dean Koontz vs. Tom Clancy
-Nazi book by Phillip Roth, Mercedes Benz and National Geographics televisions evolution into the history channel
-Google tracking php file troubles…