Posts

Showing posts from February, 2007

Star Wars: The Next Generation

Image
The one movie that affected me more then any other is Star Wars. Yes I was and remain a child of George Lucas' imagination. It was 1977, and I turned thirteen. I was prime pickings for a tale of epic proportion where good and evil fought for control of the universe. All my movie going experience never prepared me for what I was about to see. Galaxies, star ships, hyperspace, robots, stormtroopers, and the force all had a serious impact on me. Not only was it a great story, but the effects were revolutionary. It was the effects that lead me down the path to filmmaking. I was already interested in movies, and I was experimenting with my Super-8 camera. I'd film epic battles in my backyard with GI-JOE's battling lizard men. But it was Star Wars that set me on the path in exploring the world of special effects and how they did it all. I found out about mattes, split screens, stop-motion, and miniature photography. I remember my frustration in not getting it right, and wanting t

Deadly Obsessions Trailer #2

I did this trailer because I wasn't so happy with the first. I digitized the footage from a VHS tape so the quality is so-so, but I liked the way the trailer does flow. If I wanted better looking footage I should go off the DVD, but I'm not sure how to do that or even if I have the proper programs to do so. For the past few days I've tried encoding a video I worked on, so I can fit it on a DVD, but no luck, so it feels like I'm in digital hell. Maybe I just don't have the proper tools, but I've done some shorter projects with success, so this longer program is giving me a headache. If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to them. On the filmmaking front still writing, and experimenting as you can see with DV, and to think I do this on my free time. I must be a sado-masochist! POST SCRIPT: Got the Video to DVD. Seems Adobe Premiere likes DVD+ Not DVD- Premiere encoded and fit the video at the proper resolution, and frame rate. To say the least I'

Tales from the Front Line of Indie Filmmaking

Image
I’m an avid reader when it comes to filmmaking. I love books, articles, and magazines that deal with filmmaking, so it’s no wonder that I ordered " Tales from the Front Line of Indie Filmmaking " by Peter John Ross . Mr. Ross is a filmmaker who hails from Ohio. He’s been noted in such publications as Computer Arts, RES Magazine, Film & Video Magazine, LA Weekly, Film Threat and Internet Video Magazine. The book details Mr. Ross’ experience in filmmaking and he devotes a section of his book to the making of his first feature film " Horrors of War ". In the beginning of the book Ross discusses characters he has met in the DV filmmaking scene, and some tips about writing, editing, directing, and audition tips. Truthfully I could have done without the so-called characters Ross has come in contact with. I’m sure we all know that the world is a strange and peculiar place inhabited by wacko’s, weirdoes, and liars. To his credit Ross doesn’t go about naming these people