The actual trailer will be avaiable online soon. But if you can't wait, check out the bootleg now.
That feeling came back to me when I was watching it. That magic that makes you want to make movies. Like the first time you see the grand canyon, the statue of liberty, the kremlin, your first broadway show. Like being in church and being swept up in the spirit, like God was touching you.
This is my church.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
I've gone back in time
There's huge buzz about the new Indiana Jones trailer debuting tomorrow. Check it out if you go see the Spiderwick Chronicles. It should be online shortly after that. I'm hella excited of course, but it's all so odd to me. All this talk about the next Indiana Jones, more talk about the next Batman. I came home the other day and saw back to back commercials for Knight Rider and American Gladiators.
I've certainle entered some sort fo timewarp. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to put on my members only jacket, slip on my reeboks, get on my schwinn, and meet up with some friends over at Mazzio's Pizza where we'll spend the next few hours playing Commando and trading Garbage Pail Kids cards.
I've certainle entered some sort fo timewarp. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to put on my members only jacket, slip on my reeboks, get on my schwinn, and meet up with some friends over at Mazzio's Pizza where we'll spend the next few hours playing Commando and trading Garbage Pail Kids cards.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Heaven's gonna need a bigger boat!!!
Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for the wonderful body of work. Thank you so very much Mr. Schieder.
I'm quite sad about this.
Writing Research for Monster Cops
Don't mind me. These videos are just notes for me to remember as I finish writing this episode of the next Monster Cops.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Visual FX Test 2808
Gunfights are mandatory in Monster Cops. But good gunfights are a requirement. In all honesty you can't beat the real thing. And when I say real thing I actually mean blank firing guns. I've used them in the past and they are just amazing. I am fascinated by the use of prop nonfiring guns and then later compositing gun fire over the footage, but with blank guns you get the same realism you'd get with the real thing. The smoke, the blowback, the shell ejecting, and just that overall feel and sound.
However I do have to run tests to look at my options, because putting the gun effects in after the footage has been shot costs me nothing. Now I do have blank guns, but some of these scenes call for more than one gun firing within a shot. So here I am testing it out, gun flash composites, nightvision filter, I even threw in a neat little blast just for the heck of it. Let's see the 20 second test shall we.
So what do I think. I think it's rather neato to watch, but I still think it's not up to par for what I want. First of all I haven't put in the shells being ejected and for me that's a big minus. I like to see the actual action on the gun and the shells pop out with each shot. I think some of the flashes look fine, but too long on the shots and they look too produced. The gun sounds are fine, seeing as how I recorded them myself from real guns. I like the nightvision, should fit in fine with our other nightvision footage. The blast really sucks. Heck I'm looking for perfection here and I haven't found it. However some of this in small spurts cut in with the actual blank firing gun footage should do fine. Vince DeNiro I wish I could afford ya. Perhaps when we do the feature.
In other news I'm actually finished with casting for this episode, but if you were looking to be cast, not to worry, I've got so many great resources and people now that I've just got to do 2 or 3 more, so I'm actually still casting for two more Monster Cops shorts. But more on that later.
Video blog coming up on locations, fx, casting, rehearsals, and all of the behind the scenes goodness that is Monster Cops.
However I do have to run tests to look at my options, because putting the gun effects in after the footage has been shot costs me nothing. Now I do have blank guns, but some of these scenes call for more than one gun firing within a shot. So here I am testing it out, gun flash composites, nightvision filter, I even threw in a neat little blast just for the heck of it. Let's see the 20 second test shall we.
So what do I think. I think it's rather neato to watch, but I still think it's not up to par for what I want. First of all I haven't put in the shells being ejected and for me that's a big minus. I like to see the actual action on the gun and the shells pop out with each shot. I think some of the flashes look fine, but too long on the shots and they look too produced. The gun sounds are fine, seeing as how I recorded them myself from real guns. I like the nightvision, should fit in fine with our other nightvision footage. The blast really sucks. Heck I'm looking for perfection here and I haven't found it. However some of this in small spurts cut in with the actual blank firing gun footage should do fine. Vince DeNiro I wish I could afford ya. Perhaps when we do the feature.
In other news I'm actually finished with casting for this episode, but if you were looking to be cast, not to worry, I've got so many great resources and people now that I've just got to do 2 or 3 more, so I'm actually still casting for two more Monster Cops shorts. But more on that later.
Video blog coming up on locations, fx, casting, rehearsals, and all of the behind the scenes goodness that is Monster Cops.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Our tripod was a napkin and a coaster.
A great article from Studio Daily about some of the VFX work on Cloverfield.
Cloverfield Carnage
How Double Negative Smashed Up Manhattan
By Bryant Frazer
And an interview with Matt Reeves from Shocktilyoudrop.com.
The way Cloverfield was shot is a good example of how I want Monster Cops to feel especially with the monster and battle scenes, minus the puking factor of course.
Cloverfield Carnage
How Double Negative Smashed Up Manhattan
By Bryant Frazer
And an interview with Matt Reeves from Shocktilyoudrop.com.
The way Cloverfield was shot is a good example of how I want Monster Cops to feel especially with the monster and battle scenes, minus the puking factor of course.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Work For Yourself
Sometimes it feels like we all underestimate our own freedom. We get so use to the routine in our day to day lives that we condition ourselves to feel like this is all there is. That nothing could get as good as we've got it now. And that we have to settle for business as usual. I also believe that often, not always, but often, fate deals us a hand in life to get us all shook up so that we may reconsider where we our in context to what are dreams are or were, as compared to what we've settled for.
Think of the man who surrendered his dreams of being a painter for 30 years as a corporate exec, only to survive a near fatal plane crash. Because of his brush with death he rethinks his life and reignites the passion he once had for art. Other examples aren't so extreme but are just as powerful. The day in day out 9 to 5 job that you've settled for, the one that was supposed to be a stepping stone, a temporary exile to help you pay some bills while you pursue that dream of yours whatever it may be. The one that has now consumed you to the point that you're working beyond full time, and that dream has faded away. Then one day you get fired or layed off, and you realize that you need that job. Although it's made you so bitter and programed to the routine that all you do is dream of quitting, but yet you fear the idea of losing that job because you think you need it to pay the bills you don't want to pay but you think you have to because it's how you "survive" or "get by." But maybe losing the job was fate telling you to lose your inhibitions, that it's time for something new, or time for something you'd forgotten about.
And there is the extreme reaction. You get all gung ho. Decide you're tired of working for "the man" and you quit your job in the spirit of revolution, rebellion, and going for your dreams. But you end up sitting on your broke ass, not looking for a job, and failing at your dreams, because "shit" cost money. You know "shit". Instruments, amps, brushes, canvases, cameras, art school, cooking lessons, or whatever minutia you require to pursue whatever it was you needed to become that great cook, artist, rockstar, rapper, writer, filmmaker, etc. So you go back into the grind to try to get your "shit" together. Pay those over due bills, the back rent, or whatever money hungry slips of paper you were ignoring while you were "rebelling." And you get hammered down. You're back in the routine, and before you know it, cuz often times people never know it, you're settling for the day in day out again, and those dreams fall by the wayside. Heck, at this point a plane crash would do you great.
It's really become the norm. Everything above is typical of what goes on in the world. Granted there is a good percentage of people actually achieveing their goals and doing what they love, but there is a great percentage of people constantly in and out of the routine, always missing their opportunities. There are a percentage of people who do get the "plane crash" wake up call, get gung ho about going for the gold, then completely forgetting about the mission weeks later. I'm not writing this for them. Those people would never read this, and if they do they'll forget about it as soon as they breathe.
I think that in most cases a rebellion is in order. If you're stuck in your routine and you know it, and you want to get out of it to pursue your dreams, then the rebellious thing isn't to quit and say fuck you to the job. I think the thing is to keep working. Start saving, figure out what you need money for, cuz let's face it, everyone needs money for something especially your "shit". Work for it. Get caught up on the bills, get a nice savings for yourself going, and then start saving for your dreams. And once you've got enough to do your dreams, then take some days off and go for it until your dreams become what you do for a living. Sure it'll take months, maybe even a few years, but the alternative is for you to sit around and bitch about what you shoulda coulda woulda done for five years, or actually work for it and have something to show for it in the same amount of time or sooner.
The rebellion isn't in the defiance of the job or the routine, the rebellion lies in what everyone else isn't doing. I see alot of people that say they're going to chase after that goal and just quit their job to do it. Rebel against rebelling. The truely unorthodox method is discipline. The discipline to keep working while keeping your eyes on your prize. To have the discipline to set aside the money to do what you've always wanted to do. To "work for it". I know you work at that job that you hate, or it just gets on your nerves, but when it's all you've got and you're trying to get to somewhere or some dream, then it's a precious thing.
You have to have the discipline to work the job and keep it separate from your real life and your true dreams. It's not only giving you money, but it's part of the climb that makes reaching the top of your dreams all the more sweeter. If it's that bad then quit and find another one, but do what you can to make the routine your own. Your days off are your days off, your job is not your life. Stop thinking of it as working for someone else. If you've got a goal to work for then anything you do is actually you working for yourself.
You have the freedom to stop making yourself feel like all you do is "survive" or "get by." No matter what, do what you have to do to get your "shit" together. Don't wait for fate. Don't wait for the plane crash.
Think of the man who surrendered his dreams of being a painter for 30 years as a corporate exec, only to survive a near fatal plane crash. Because of his brush with death he rethinks his life and reignites the passion he once had for art. Other examples aren't so extreme but are just as powerful. The day in day out 9 to 5 job that you've settled for, the one that was supposed to be a stepping stone, a temporary exile to help you pay some bills while you pursue that dream of yours whatever it may be. The one that has now consumed you to the point that you're working beyond full time, and that dream has faded away. Then one day you get fired or layed off, and you realize that you need that job. Although it's made you so bitter and programed to the routine that all you do is dream of quitting, but yet you fear the idea of losing that job because you think you need it to pay the bills you don't want to pay but you think you have to because it's how you "survive" or "get by." But maybe losing the job was fate telling you to lose your inhibitions, that it's time for something new, or time for something you'd forgotten about.
And there is the extreme reaction. You get all gung ho. Decide you're tired of working for "the man" and you quit your job in the spirit of revolution, rebellion, and going for your dreams. But you end up sitting on your broke ass, not looking for a job, and failing at your dreams, because "shit" cost money. You know "shit". Instruments, amps, brushes, canvases, cameras, art school, cooking lessons, or whatever minutia you require to pursue whatever it was you needed to become that great cook, artist, rockstar, rapper, writer, filmmaker, etc. So you go back into the grind to try to get your "shit" together. Pay those over due bills, the back rent, or whatever money hungry slips of paper you were ignoring while you were "rebelling." And you get hammered down. You're back in the routine, and before you know it, cuz often times people never know it, you're settling for the day in day out again, and those dreams fall by the wayside. Heck, at this point a plane crash would do you great.
It's really become the norm. Everything above is typical of what goes on in the world. Granted there is a good percentage of people actually achieveing their goals and doing what they love, but there is a great percentage of people constantly in and out of the routine, always missing their opportunities. There are a percentage of people who do get the "plane crash" wake up call, get gung ho about going for the gold, then completely forgetting about the mission weeks later. I'm not writing this for them. Those people would never read this, and if they do they'll forget about it as soon as they breathe.
I think that in most cases a rebellion is in order. If you're stuck in your routine and you know it, and you want to get out of it to pursue your dreams, then the rebellious thing isn't to quit and say fuck you to the job. I think the thing is to keep working. Start saving, figure out what you need money for, cuz let's face it, everyone needs money for something especially your "shit". Work for it. Get caught up on the bills, get a nice savings for yourself going, and then start saving for your dreams. And once you've got enough to do your dreams, then take some days off and go for it until your dreams become what you do for a living. Sure it'll take months, maybe even a few years, but the alternative is for you to sit around and bitch about what you shoulda coulda woulda done for five years, or actually work for it and have something to show for it in the same amount of time or sooner.
The rebellion isn't in the defiance of the job or the routine, the rebellion lies in what everyone else isn't doing. I see alot of people that say they're going to chase after that goal and just quit their job to do it. Rebel against rebelling. The truely unorthodox method is discipline. The discipline to keep working while keeping your eyes on your prize. To have the discipline to set aside the money to do what you've always wanted to do. To "work for it". I know you work at that job that you hate, or it just gets on your nerves, but when it's all you've got and you're trying to get to somewhere or some dream, then it's a precious thing.
You have to have the discipline to work the job and keep it separate from your real life and your true dreams. It's not only giving you money, but it's part of the climb that makes reaching the top of your dreams all the more sweeter. If it's that bad then quit and find another one, but do what you can to make the routine your own. Your days off are your days off, your job is not your life. Stop thinking of it as working for someone else. If you've got a goal to work for then anything you do is actually you working for yourself.
You have the freedom to stop making yourself feel like all you do is "survive" or "get by." No matter what, do what you have to do to get your "shit" together. Don't wait for fate. Don't wait for the plane crash.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Move over Max Adams
As far as screenwriter chicks are concerned I've harbored a crush for years on Max Adams. I'm fairly certain that this crush has been moved over to the incredibe Diablo Cody. If anything, for the fuckin kick ass pen name.
Cody on Letterman.
Check out Diablo's myspace.
In all fairness please see Max's website: SEEMAXRUN.COM
Cody on Letterman.
Check out Diablo's myspace.
In all fairness please see Max's website: SEEMAXRUN.COM
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Working it.
Figured I'd post some pics of what's been going down for the past month or so. Next I'll post the first Monster Cops Video Blog.
I'm still in the middle of casting, but below are pics of some of the actors that have for sure been cast.
Brandon White, showing off in one of the new costume pieces.
The Adorable Nicole Nastazzio
Comedian Greg Romeo
Doug Hanks, who is also loaning us the use of his guns as well as gun expertise and a location to fire these guns at. Thank you so much Doug.
Danielle Motley has been cast in the much sought after role of Greenly. Yes Danielle I'm using your headshot, and yes I stole it off your myspace, get over it.
And if you're one of the many actors who were looking to audition for the role of Greenly I'm sorry, but I am still actively looking to fill other female roles and will continue to keep in contact with all of the actors who have been emailing me.
Others cast but not pictured:
John Burcham
Lisa Molenda
Will Atwood
Jamie Bertman
more to come.
Secured almost all of the locations. Special thanks to Kelly Emerson for giving us her ranch to shoot at, which has an amazing backwoods area. She also put me in touch with the person who can get us in to shoot at this massive warehouse in downtown Winston.
Kelly's been a real Godsend, she's also contributing some possible props/costumes as well as giving us an in to a Helicopter.
I've been hard at work at creating one of the prop guns for the movie. I felt the Monster Cops needed a specialized weapon, not unlike the Ghostbusters proton pack, or the Plasma Rifle from Aliens. I took my inspiration from Indy Mogul. Everytime I see empty bottles now, I just see gun parts. A full video on how I'm making this will be done later.
Here it is with a final paint job, but still without the final parts and accessories added.
Here's our Special FX guy William Stine working on the Werewolf FX. I'm not going to post too many photos of it just yet, don't want to completely give it away. William you're doing an amazing job.
Still going through casting, still looking at locations, alot is still up in the air, but so much has fallen into place. Can't wait to shoot this one.
I'm still in the middle of casting, but below are pics of some of the actors that have for sure been cast.
Brandon White, showing off in one of the new costume pieces.
The Adorable Nicole Nastazzio
Comedian Greg Romeo
Doug Hanks, who is also loaning us the use of his guns as well as gun expertise and a location to fire these guns at. Thank you so much Doug.
Danielle Motley has been cast in the much sought after role of Greenly. Yes Danielle I'm using your headshot, and yes I stole it off your myspace, get over it.
And if you're one of the many actors who were looking to audition for the role of Greenly I'm sorry, but I am still actively looking to fill other female roles and will continue to keep in contact with all of the actors who have been emailing me.
Others cast but not pictured:
John Burcham
Lisa Molenda
Will Atwood
Jamie Bertman
more to come.
Secured almost all of the locations. Special thanks to Kelly Emerson for giving us her ranch to shoot at, which has an amazing backwoods area. She also put me in touch with the person who can get us in to shoot at this massive warehouse in downtown Winston.
Kelly's been a real Godsend, she's also contributing some possible props/costumes as well as giving us an in to a Helicopter.
I've been hard at work at creating one of the prop guns for the movie. I felt the Monster Cops needed a specialized weapon, not unlike the Ghostbusters proton pack, or the Plasma Rifle from Aliens. I took my inspiration from Indy Mogul. Everytime I see empty bottles now, I just see gun parts. A full video on how I'm making this will be done later.
Here it is with a final paint job, but still without the final parts and accessories added.
Here's our Special FX guy William Stine working on the Werewolf FX. I'm not going to post too many photos of it just yet, don't want to completely give it away. William you're doing an amazing job.
Still going through casting, still looking at locations, alot is still up in the air, but so much has fallen into place. Can't wait to shoot this one.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Why so serious?
Yes I completed my list of things to do. With the exception of about 3 things. But I got what I really needed to get done out of the way. And I even found time to workout. And also we've got another screening for TMS.
Just when I thought we were all done with screenings, here comes another one. Yay!!!
FILM: "Midnight Special"
WHEN: Friday, February 01 10:00 AM
WHERE: Norhtern Lights Theatre Pub
3893 Commercial St. SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
HOSTED BY: Mid-Valley Video Festival
TICKET PRICE: $3
RSVP via the following link:
http://monstercops.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/10167
As part of there Horror Comedy screenings on Friday Nights. Should be fun. Wish I could be there. I've flown over Oregon once, but I've never actually been there. I did contemplate moving there once a while back.
I can stop drooling over The Dark Knight trailer. Check out (and download) the high quality trailer here. http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm
Here's the youtube embed:
Just when I thought we were all done with screenings, here comes another one. Yay!!!
FILM: "Midnight Special"
WHEN: Friday, February 01 10:00 AM
WHERE: Norhtern Lights Theatre Pub
3893 Commercial St. SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
HOSTED BY: Mid-Valley Video Festival
TICKET PRICE: $3
RSVP via the following link:
http://monstercops.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/10167
As part of there Horror Comedy screenings on Friday Nights. Should be fun. Wish I could be there. I've flown over Oregon once, but I've never actually been there. I did contemplate moving there once a while back.
I can stop drooling over The Dark Knight trailer. Check out (and download) the high quality trailer here. http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm
Here's the youtube embed:
Thursday, December 20, 2007
You have to see with better eyes.
Well I think I have successfully cast at least two people for the next Monster Cops short. Although I feel I'm behind in my goal as far as meetings with people are concerned for this week, I think I've still gotten a lot more done then I really expected. And if all turns out well, then it seems I've achieved at least half of what I was looking for to help express my proper vision for Monster Cops. Can't wait to get this stuff on camera.
I've got a bunch of stuff I need to do before the week is over and even more before the year is up. Let's do the list and see if I get any of this done before I post again.
1. Email potential cast members and send out pages.
2. Email even more potential cast members and get them on board.
3. Touch base with everyone, cast and crew before January.
4. Meet with FX guy and begin Special fx and Make up tests.
5. Finish the rest of my video segments for Expotv.
6. Finish Christmas shopping (I know I suck.)
7. Cast the Werewolf.
8. Find your interior location.
9. Workout.
10. Solidify all your props, costume, and gear.
11. And you still don't have a sound person.
12. Clean the house.
13. Hello, Groceries!!!
14. Registration!!!
15. Website(s).
16. Don't forget about the screening in Oregon in February.
I am now going to attempt to mark things off the list. See you next post.
I've got a bunch of stuff I need to do before the week is over and even more before the year is up. Let's do the list and see if I get any of this done before I post again.
1. Email potential cast members and send out pages.
2. Email even more potential cast members and get them on board.
3. Touch base with everyone, cast and crew before January.
4. Meet with FX guy and begin Special fx and Make up tests.
5. Finish the rest of my video segments for Expotv.
6. Finish Christmas shopping (I know I suck.)
7. Cast the Werewolf.
8. Find your interior location.
9. Workout.
10. Solidify all your props, costume, and gear.
11. And you still don't have a sound person.
12. Clean the house.
13. Hello, Groceries!!!
14. Registration!!!
15. Website(s).
16. Don't forget about the screening in Oregon in February.
I am now going to attempt to mark things off the list. See you next post.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
By Any Means Necessary
Funding a no budget production is really about spending your day job paycheck here and there. More memory for the computer, maybe you need a new camera, more tape stock, a piece of costuming, etc. It's 50 bucks here, 100 bucks there. And it really does eat up the paycheck especially after the normal bills, groceries, and lately because of gas prices. If only there was that little extra bit of cash to throw at the production monster. Some little side dough to help fund your no-budget vision.
The next Monster Cops feature is budgeted at $275,000.00. Suffice it to say I'll be doing some major fundraising for that one. But before that I'll be making at least one monster cops short film for no money, which really means out of my paycheck. Total Budget is about $1,000.00. I've got most of the equipment and props, but for what I need to accomplish I need much more, and I need to do some upgrading hardware and software wise. Which means a few chunks out of the paycheck week after week. Luckily I've found a great source of extra income to cover some of that needed funding.
I've posted about metacafe before, which has helped pay the occasional bill. If you're a video maker and you haven't heard of Metacafe's Producer Rewards, then you need to learn more about it. Especially if you have any tips or tricks or hacks about almost anything, make a video about it and you could start earning some bucks on Producer Rewards. Here's the one that's made me the most.
Paper Rose - These bloopers are hilarious
ExpoTV.com has been the real deal for me. With Metacafe you really have to have something clever, or something with a hot chick in it. With ExpoTV you just have to review something on video. Anything from house hold items, electronics, DVD's etc. I've been doing quite a few DVD reviews. I have an extensive collection so I've been going through stacks of DVD's and recording myself talking about it. ExpoTV is really trying to become the one place you can come to get decent feedback about any product, food, travel, excercise gear, you name it. They pay a certain amount for each video review you post depending on the product. You can make between $2 to $10 a video. And then you get 1 cent per view on top of that. They send you your payments monthly to your paypal account (if you don't have one get one.)
For each DVD review I do I make 5 bucks a video. You don't even have to do any fancy editing, but you do have to show a sample of the movie to give it a full review. Most people just talk to their webcams about the product and then they point their cameras at a nearby TV and show a clip of the movie. For me I have to edit. I enjoy making videos too much, and I always try to keep it close to professional looking and decent quality as possible. Always good practice to keep up with the moviemaking skills. I shoot mine on a high quality camera, I record sound with a lapel mic, I set up the lights, I edit the video including actual snippets of the movie or trailer, I use graphics, and occasionally my own original music. Here's an example below.
Beverly Hills Cop DVD Review
There's usually a cap on videos you can post. Right now it's at 75. So if you can clear 75 video reviews at about 5 bucks a piece, then thats an extra 375 bucks in your pocket. And I have a blast making these vids and it's helped fund this short film. Here's one of my favs.
300 DVD Review
And expoTV actually sent me an ExpoTV T-Shirt for my efforts on my Shaun Of The Dead DVD review. Thanks ExpoTV. Although the sound seems to be a bit off on this one. Oh well.
Shaun Of The Dead DVD Review
Do me a fav and check out my other DVD reviews on ExpoTV here. The more you watch them on site the more views and money I can make, and the more you can help me fund these indie movie projects. And give it a try yourself.
The next Monster Cops feature is budgeted at $275,000.00. Suffice it to say I'll be doing some major fundraising for that one. But before that I'll be making at least one monster cops short film for no money, which really means out of my paycheck. Total Budget is about $1,000.00. I've got most of the equipment and props, but for what I need to accomplish I need much more, and I need to do some upgrading hardware and software wise. Which means a few chunks out of the paycheck week after week. Luckily I've found a great source of extra income to cover some of that needed funding.
I've posted about metacafe before, which has helped pay the occasional bill. If you're a video maker and you haven't heard of Metacafe's Producer Rewards, then you need to learn more about it. Especially if you have any tips or tricks or hacks about almost anything, make a video about it and you could start earning some bucks on Producer Rewards. Here's the one that's made me the most.
Paper Rose - These bloopers are hilarious
ExpoTV.com has been the real deal for me. With Metacafe you really have to have something clever, or something with a hot chick in it. With ExpoTV you just have to review something on video. Anything from house hold items, electronics, DVD's etc. I've been doing quite a few DVD reviews. I have an extensive collection so I've been going through stacks of DVD's and recording myself talking about it. ExpoTV is really trying to become the one place you can come to get decent feedback about any product, food, travel, excercise gear, you name it. They pay a certain amount for each video review you post depending on the product. You can make between $2 to $10 a video. And then you get 1 cent per view on top of that. They send you your payments monthly to your paypal account (if you don't have one get one.)
For each DVD review I do I make 5 bucks a video. You don't even have to do any fancy editing, but you do have to show a sample of the movie to give it a full review. Most people just talk to their webcams about the product and then they point their cameras at a nearby TV and show a clip of the movie. For me I have to edit. I enjoy making videos too much, and I always try to keep it close to professional looking and decent quality as possible. Always good practice to keep up with the moviemaking skills. I shoot mine on a high quality camera, I record sound with a lapel mic, I set up the lights, I edit the video including actual snippets of the movie or trailer, I use graphics, and occasionally my own original music. Here's an example below.
Beverly Hills Cop DVD Review
There's usually a cap on videos you can post. Right now it's at 75. So if you can clear 75 video reviews at about 5 bucks a piece, then thats an extra 375 bucks in your pocket. And I have a blast making these vids and it's helped fund this short film. Here's one of my favs.
300 DVD Review
And expoTV actually sent me an ExpoTV T-Shirt for my efforts on my Shaun Of The Dead DVD review. Thanks ExpoTV. Although the sound seems to be a bit off on this one. Oh well.
Shaun Of The Dead DVD Review
Do me a fav and check out my other DVD reviews on ExpoTV here. The more you watch them on site the more views and money I can make, and the more you can help me fund these indie movie projects. And give it a try yourself.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Motion Tracking Research
One thing I know I need to work on in doing much of the effects for Monster Cops is the Motion Tracking.
What is motion tracking?Motion tracking is also known as Match moving. Here's Wikipedia's Definition.
In cinematography, match moving is a special effects technology to allow the insertion of virtual objects into real footage with the correct position, scale, orientation and motion in relation to the photographed objects in the scene. The term is used loosely to refer to several different ways of extracting motion information from a motion picture, particularly camera movement. Match moving is related to rotoscoping and photogrammetry. It is sometimes referred to as motion tracking.
Some of the more popular programs being used for Motion Tracking are:
3DEqualizer
Voodoo Camera Tracker
Maya
RealViz MatchMover
Icarus (I hear it's discontinued, but still floating around out there)
After Effects
After Effects seems to be fairly popular, and is what I will be using the most for specific effects. Here are just a few videos from YouTube on the subject of Motion Tracking mainly with After Effects.
EDIT: Instead of posting every video, I've compiled them into one vodpod. Click on a thumbnail to view a vid. So much more convenient.
get your vodpod
I'll update more info as I come across it.
What is motion tracking?Motion tracking is also known as Match moving. Here's Wikipedia's Definition.
In cinematography, match moving is a special effects technology to allow the insertion of virtual objects into real footage with the correct position, scale, orientation and motion in relation to the photographed objects in the scene. The term is used loosely to refer to several different ways of extracting motion information from a motion picture, particularly camera movement. Match moving is related to rotoscoping and photogrammetry. It is sometimes referred to as motion tracking.
Some of the more popular programs being used for Motion Tracking are:
3DEqualizer
Voodoo Camera Tracker
Maya
RealViz MatchMover
Icarus (I hear it's discontinued, but still floating around out there)
After Effects
After Effects seems to be fairly popular, and is what I will be using the most for specific effects. Here are just a few videos from YouTube on the subject of Motion Tracking mainly with After Effects.
EDIT: Instead of posting every video, I've compiled them into one vodpod. Click on a thumbnail to view a vid. So much more convenient.
get your vodpod
I'll update more info as I come across it.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Live for something rather than die for nothing.
Many many things to juggle and sort through, doesn't help that I'm battling a sinus infection, not to mention the day jobs. But at least I like these problems. In the end it helps to look positively at the fact that it's often not about what you don't have, but about what it is you should be happy you don't have. I'm quite happy I'm getting so much response to the casting and crew call. I just hope I can use all of these resources to the best of my ability, and that I can keep on this streak of being contacted by people who want to help.
Knowing that there is support in this area is comforting. Keeps me sane, along with looking at catalogues and listening to Def Leppard. There's alot of downtime at work, which is sometimes excruciating, and since I don't have a working computer at the moment at the day job, I've been looking at gift catalogues, sharper image catalogues, ikea catalogues, etc. Not that I can afford much of the stuff I keep looking at. I just like seeing what's new in the world of technology and consumerism. And since I'm gearing up for a bit of a fight in continuing to make Monster Cops, I've been brushing up on my Miyamoto Musashi. The Book Of Five Rings.
It's amazing how much of what can be learned about Martial Arts, Military Science, Strategy, and Combat can be applied to not only business and life, but to making a movie as well. Particularily from The Earth Scroll where Musashi lists his rules to learning his art. This is from a translation by Thomas Cleary.
1. Think of what is right and true.
2. Practice and cultivate the science.
3. Become acquainted with the arts.
4. Know the principals of the crafts.
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.
6. Learn to see everything accurately.
7. Become aware of what is not obvious.
8. Be careful even in small matters.
9. Do not do aything useless.
It's good to look to the past to have advice for the future. But you don't live by advice, you take it with a grain of salt, you let it help you, guide you to make your own decision rather than have it make the decision for you. That's definitely something that needed to be said this week, this year, this life. I feel like I'm in a fight right now, and when I battle I make strategies, I plan, I research, then I strike.
I hope to strike soon. I hope to have something to show for it all. It's a heck of a thing to have this vision in your head you want to show people. It does no good to tell people about it. We're moviemakers dammit! We're made to show you. And I shall, we shall. I'm fighting to get there again.
"A Roman general in the time of Caesar had a motto - "If it is possible, it is done. If it is impossible... it will be done." And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I live by."
That was from a movie called EVEL KNIEVEL (1971). Not exactly a great movie, but certainly about a great man, and certainly a great quote.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do my best to get over this distracting sickness, get back to sorting through details, and continue my quest to improve upon Musashi's rules specifically 2,4, and 9.
Knowing that there is support in this area is comforting. Keeps me sane, along with looking at catalogues and listening to Def Leppard. There's alot of downtime at work, which is sometimes excruciating, and since I don't have a working computer at the moment at the day job, I've been looking at gift catalogues, sharper image catalogues, ikea catalogues, etc. Not that I can afford much of the stuff I keep looking at. I just like seeing what's new in the world of technology and consumerism. And since I'm gearing up for a bit of a fight in continuing to make Monster Cops, I've been brushing up on my Miyamoto Musashi. The Book Of Five Rings.
It's amazing how much of what can be learned about Martial Arts, Military Science, Strategy, and Combat can be applied to not only business and life, but to making a movie as well. Particularily from The Earth Scroll where Musashi lists his rules to learning his art. This is from a translation by Thomas Cleary.
1. Think of what is right and true.
2. Practice and cultivate the science.
3. Become acquainted with the arts.
4. Know the principals of the crafts.
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.
6. Learn to see everything accurately.
7. Become aware of what is not obvious.
8. Be careful even in small matters.
9. Do not do aything useless.
It's good to look to the past to have advice for the future. But you don't live by advice, you take it with a grain of salt, you let it help you, guide you to make your own decision rather than have it make the decision for you. That's definitely something that needed to be said this week, this year, this life. I feel like I'm in a fight right now, and when I battle I make strategies, I plan, I research, then I strike.
I hope to strike soon. I hope to have something to show for it all. It's a heck of a thing to have this vision in your head you want to show people. It does no good to tell people about it. We're moviemakers dammit! We're made to show you. And I shall, we shall. I'm fighting to get there again.
"A Roman general in the time of Caesar had a motto - "If it is possible, it is done. If it is impossible... it will be done." And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I live by."
That was from a movie called EVEL KNIEVEL (1971). Not exactly a great movie, but certainly about a great man, and certainly a great quote.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do my best to get over this distracting sickness, get back to sorting through details, and continue my quest to improve upon Musashi's rules specifically 2,4, and 9.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Not much to say...
but very much to ponder.
There was going to be a post about casting, crewing, and eating fudge brownies, but alas, that's going to have to wait. Can't call the play while I'm in it.
Alot going on, going down, going forward. I knew I'd get some response to the casting and crew call, but it's starting to get very overwhelming. Wouldn't be so hard if I didn't have to juggle the day job. And on that front that may be changing. May be spending less time on that. Also been doing some video projects to help fund this short film.
And just for the record, here's how it's going down. I'll be doing 1 eight to ten minute short/episode for Monster Cops. Then I'm going to jump right into doing the next Monster Cops feature. Full steam, with the original script and story I had in mind years ago. This means major moves toward fundraising. The fundable page didn't work out, but I've found the funding elsewhere (the video jobs), and it's looking like I'll be able to get a hold of some free resources for everything else I can't pay for. I'm going to keep on the fundable page though, I'll just start it back up every 26 days. The holidays may very well be to blame for the lack in pledges. But I do thank those that have contributed, especially you Brit ;).
I have a feeling it'll be easier to fundraise a movie than a series, but the movie was always kind of the plan anyhow. One thing at a time. The agenda for an independent series will have to way about 3 years. I feel very confident in this fundraising plan, just a small hitch in it though, which I think I can rememdy. Won't say what it is, don't wanna jinx it. It's going to be fun and interesting.
Hoepfully I can get back on track with updating the website(s). This is dependent upon other people, but really no big rush, cuz I still have no idea what I want as a redesign. But it will come to me, and will be crucial in the funding/marketing.
Right now I've got some waiting, some pondering, some planning, and major editing to do on these video projects. I also need to gather some people together and start to form my crew.
I swear it would be helpful if I had an office. I think I have a lead on getting one, I just don't like what I might have to do to get it. No, no, I won't be sleeping with anyone, although that would be easier.
Wait! What the hell is that over there? Oh shit, is that Christmas coming this way. Well dammit.
I'm a bit anxious in juggling all this, but these are the problems I like having, my main goal now is to move into problems I like even better, that would be dandy.
There was going to be a post about casting, crewing, and eating fudge brownies, but alas, that's going to have to wait. Can't call the play while I'm in it.
Alot going on, going down, going forward. I knew I'd get some response to the casting and crew call, but it's starting to get very overwhelming. Wouldn't be so hard if I didn't have to juggle the day job. And on that front that may be changing. May be spending less time on that. Also been doing some video projects to help fund this short film.
And just for the record, here's how it's going down. I'll be doing 1 eight to ten minute short/episode for Monster Cops. Then I'm going to jump right into doing the next Monster Cops feature. Full steam, with the original script and story I had in mind years ago. This means major moves toward fundraising. The fundable page didn't work out, but I've found the funding elsewhere (the video jobs), and it's looking like I'll be able to get a hold of some free resources for everything else I can't pay for. I'm going to keep on the fundable page though, I'll just start it back up every 26 days. The holidays may very well be to blame for the lack in pledges. But I do thank those that have contributed, especially you Brit ;).
I have a feeling it'll be easier to fundraise a movie than a series, but the movie was always kind of the plan anyhow. One thing at a time. The agenda for an independent series will have to way about 3 years. I feel very confident in this fundraising plan, just a small hitch in it though, which I think I can rememdy. Won't say what it is, don't wanna jinx it. It's going to be fun and interesting.
Hoepfully I can get back on track with updating the website(s). This is dependent upon other people, but really no big rush, cuz I still have no idea what I want as a redesign. But it will come to me, and will be crucial in the funding/marketing.
Right now I've got some waiting, some pondering, some planning, and major editing to do on these video projects. I also need to gather some people together and start to form my crew.
I swear it would be helpful if I had an office. I think I have a lead on getting one, I just don't like what I might have to do to get it. No, no, I won't be sleeping with anyone, although that would be easier.
Wait! What the hell is that over there? Oh shit, is that Christmas coming this way. Well dammit.
I'm a bit anxious in juggling all this, but these are the problems I like having, my main goal now is to move into problems I like even better, that would be dandy.
Monday, November 19, 2007
SWAT Research
Yeah, yeah, it's research for Monster Cops. Next up, a real post about casting, crewing, fundraising, and the subtle art of eating a fudge brownie. For now, enjoy these SWAT related vids.
Indiana State Police ERT Breach
SWAT open fire on fleeing drug dealer
Swat Sniper Training
Mind Body & Kickass Moves - Taiwan SWAT Team
FBI SWAT
Socom Swat SF Tactical Training
swat training video
Indiana State Police ERT Breach
SWAT open fire on fleeing drug dealer
Swat Sniper Training
Mind Body & Kickass Moves - Taiwan SWAT Team
FBI SWAT
Socom Swat SF Tactical Training
swat training video
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