XlntAds new assignment requires you to make a video to help promote the new Harold and Kumar movie. Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanmo Bay. I immediately had an idea, but wasn't sure if or when I'd be able to get to it, as I am heavily involved with several video projects including, and most importantly, Monster Cops.
But with a little nudge from a friend, I went right into it. Took me one night. No footage needed to be shot. I utilized the assignment assets given to you when you register for the contest. Some publicity stills of Harold and Kumar, some logos. But for the remainder of my idea I would have to "borrow" from one of the Harold and Kumar marketing sites http://whatwouldnphdo.com It's a site that features actor Neil Patrick Harris aka NPH. Kind of sets him up as some sort of guru or religious idol. My idea would basically continue that theme, and the spirit of it's randomness.
I downloaded the wallpaper of Neil Patrick Harris sitting on a Unicorn. Did a little work in photoshop. Actually I didn't even bother with photoshop, I just used MS Paint. Cut his head out, cut the Unicorn's head out, stuck em in a green background ready for a chroma key effect, and after composing a bit of guru type groove music in Fruity Loops, I went to work.
I recorded the voice over directly into my camera mic and loaded them into Vegas, I didn't even bother setting up a mic. I had a ton of random things to whisper and I wanted to record them immediately. I already had the camera ready to go. Threw the images of static, and random color effects, had a heck of time multiplying Neil Patrick's head. Well there's a statement you don't read everyday.
After about 3 and half hours I was done. Uploaded it to XlntAds that night. Then I watched it and immediately thought it was a piece of crap. It's human nature to second guess your creations I guess. I guess we'll see if New Line Cinema likes it or not. The contest ends on April 13th. Ten prizes of $1,500 are up for grabs. Even if I don't win, I'm having a heck of time making this stuff. I cannot tell you the immense fun I had recording and editing around the phrase "Shut Up Unicorn."
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to editing Monster Cops and trying to figure out how we're going to shoot exteriors while trying to avoid the rain. Oh look, my inbox is full of folks requesting to be a zombie. I swear everbody loves to play the monster.
