Thanks Rob. It's a pleasure meeting you. :-)

This is a really great community here, and I look forward to participating with everyone.

I'm located in Waco, Texas, dead in the center of the state. I've been working for the last 8 months on producing an independant horror movie called "Risen". We've got a unique script, some amazing locations secured, special assistance from the city and more. Overall preproduction is going quite well.

I'm here to learn and hopefully find someone skilled to DP "Risen".

Check out the site http://www.risenthemovie.com

You might want to contact Gary Watson at Roadster Productions in Houston. He just wrapped a feature Horror shoot this summer as DP.

www.roadsterproductions.com

He's my former boss, and a straight shooter.

Thanks for the tip, I'll definately get into contact with him!

Welcome aboard David and good luck with your feature!

Welcome aboard DVInfo.net Rod! Good to have you with us!

Thanks Rob!

Hey Rod and everyone in the DVi Community. I am a web and video guy living in Round Rock, TX. I graduated from UT with an RTF degree last year and have been doing freelance and contract video/web design work for the past year.

Just wanted to say hello and thank everyone for all the information I have found on this site as a lurker thus far!

Great to hear from you.

Would love to meet up some time.. You can send me email to topper@xemaps.com



Rod

Hey Brooks and Rod, just wanted to say hello from a fellow Austinite.
If either of you are ever up for a drink down at Dolce Vita (or wherever you like to go) let me know.

I just frequent that place because it's quiet enough to have a conversation.

Hey Luis:

Where is Dolce Vita? I would like to do that soon. Send me email and we can coordinate with Brooks.

Are either of you members of the Austin Film Society?

I am going to this next Thursday 5-12:

*AFS Presents Award-Winning PBS Filmmaker DANTE JAMES Workshop*
*
*
*WHEN: Thurs May 12, 7 PM*
*WHERE: Austin Studios Screening Room, 1901 E. 51st Street*
*COST: FREE, must RSVP to attend*
*INFO:* *http://register.austinfilm.org/ereg1.php?_eventset_id=66*

*A*ward-winning PBS filmmaker Dante James, series producer of SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA/,/ is coming to Austin to honor the legacy of the late Civil Rights Movement giant James Farmer, a native Texan. He will speak at the* AFS* screening room about his documentary filmmaking work.

SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA/,/ a four-part series that first aired on PBS in February of this year, chronicles the institution of American slavery from its origins in 1619 - when English settlers in Virginia purchased 20 Africans from Dutch traders - through the arrival of the first 11 slaves in New Amsterdam, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the adoption of the 13th Amendment and Reconstruction. James, who serves as producer for the series, also wrote and directed the first segment, "The Downward Spiral."

Dante James is a protégé of Blackside, Inc. founder, the late Henry Hampton, creator of the acclaimed Civil Rights Movement series EYES ON THE PRIZE. Dante James' film credits include such works as THIS FAR BY FAITH: AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS/,/ the six-part series that aired on PBS in 2003, THE GREAT DEPRESSION, AMERICA'S WAR ON POVERTY, and A. PHILIP RANDOLPH: FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM.
.................................................................................................... ...............................................

Hope you can make it!

Cheers,

Elisabeth

You have to be a member, but you could both do that between now and next week. It costs $40 to be a member in the "Filmmaker" category.

Also, I would be interested in knowing what you both use for an editor.

I just received a free upgrade to Sony Vegas 6 because I purchased Vegas 5 very recently and am starting a Vegas Editors group in the area. Perhaps you are using FC Pro or something, but let me know if you are interested.

ciao

Rod

Also, I would be interested in knowing what you both use for an editor.

I just received a free upgrade to Sony Vegas 6 because I purchased Vegas 5 very recently and am starting a Vegas Editors group in the area. Perhaps you are using FC Pro or something, but let me know if you are interested.

ciao

Rod

I am using Final Cut Pro HD and am foaming at the mouth for all the new versions of the Pro Apps from Apple. I am a recent graduate, so I have had to put my video kit together piecemeal over the years.

SHOOTING: Sony VX2000, Beachtek XLR adaptor, Azden SGM-2x, Wideangle, Fisheye (shoot fair amount of skateboarding)

EDITING: Power Mac G5 (dual 2GHz, 2.5 GB RAM, 600GB total HD, 20" CD), FCP HD, Motion, DVDSP, Cleaner 6.

Dolce Vita is a little coffee place (they serve liquor/beer too) on Duval, just down from 45th street. It's right next to Hyde Park Grill (and across the street from Mother's restaurant).

I'll send you an email...just wanted to post that in case anyone else here was interested.
:)

Oh, and no, I'm not a member of the Film Society.
I generally try to keep an eye on what they're doing, and go to any screenings that catch my interest and just pay full ticket price.


EDITED TO ADD:

I generally shoot with the DVX100, though I rent whatever I need for the job.
Editing I use Avid Xpress DV or Premiere for my cutting, then usually go into After Effects for any post work.

I've got two systems here at home (one avid and one premiere), and for the life of me I haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of one yet...it's just been too convenient to have two. My premiere system has the old DVstorm card in it with the break out box, which still comes in pretty handy.

Looks like between the 3 of us we have all 4 major editing systems covered.

I think I'm about to make the switch over to mac/fcp though, by the end of the year. It just seems to make the most sense for me right now, and in the coming years.

Brooks and Luis:

I know exactly where Dolce Vita is now, so let's do it. This week is out, as we have seminars on both Tuesday and Thursday nights and are getting ready to leave for Port Aransas on Friday morning. We have a meeting on Wednesday.

I am shooting a Wedding near Kerrville on Saturday May 21. After that, things are a little more sane.

It looks like we are covering the gamut in both editing platforms and cameras, except for the new Canon XL2. I have heard really good reviews of the DVX100 and almost any Sony professional camera.

Let me know what works for each of you and we will get together.

Rod

I think I'm about to make the switch over to mac/fcp though, by the end of the year. It just seems to make the most sense for me right now, and in the coming years.

I made the switch about 2 years ago from using a PC, After Effects, and Premiere and have been extremely happy. The stability of the Mac platform is strong and FCP keeps getting better.

I am not a member of the AFS either, but I did attend a lot of the "Master Classes" at UT and they were usually pretty slick.

Hey guys. I'm in Austin as well and have been hooked on editing since I decided to have a videographer just shoot my wedding and edited it myself with Premiere. I'm right on the cusp of upgrading to an FX1, but still haven't committed yet. I've had a lot of fun doing this as a hobby and would like to meet some people in town interested in the same thing. This week doesn't work, but I would be up for either coffee or fine beverage at any quality establishment downtown.

-Dan

Maybe we need to have an DV Info Net Austin Chapter hoot night, but my venue recommendation would be Matt's El Rancho down on South Lamar.

Chris:

That sounds good to me. Let's go for it! I also like the Mexican restaurant in Manchaca (can't remember the name right now, but they just opened one up by Lakeline mall.

Looks to me that you may also be a Linux geek?? Am I correct?

Rod

I have only tried to eat at Matt's once and the wait was too long. I would be interested in a local chapter eating, err meeting... Haha. I got some buddies that would most likely be interested too.

Wait's too long at Matt's? How about Guero's Taco Bar on South Congress.

(Rod -- read my code!)

Wait's too long at Matt's?

No, the wait was just too long that one time, and I still want to try it. We all know trying a new restaurant with new people will be cool or a disaster, and either way it will be a cool memory.

Chris, shouldn't you be W+++$?

Chris:

OK, I found the translator.

I have seen folks using geek code for awhile but never had the time or interest in figuring out how to translate it.

You have set me straight now! ;-}}

Rod

New to the forum ... been in the biz for a while.

Started on a cuts only system, Sony 2860s and a 1610 camera ... does that date me?

Gone through the natural procession of equipment ...

DXC 325s
VO 58xx
BVU 9xx
UVW100
UVW 1800

Amiga 2000s/Toaster (actually met Kiki at NAB/Dallas)
Media 100 (multiple revs)

Lightwave 3D

Now using GL2 and Matrox Extreme

I am SW of the DFW area ...

Welcome aboard, Mitch! Always nice to see another fellow Texan, as it helps to offset the surprising number of Canajians and Aussies we have running around here.

For Brooks:

Chris, shouldn't you be W+++$?You'd think so, and I'd sure like to be W+++$, but the fact of the matter is that I'm just barely W++$ as it is, if even that much.

Hey! Add me to the list of gathering DVINFO Austinites... It'd be great to meet y'all. Let me know when and where this shindig ends up...

I'm in Houston

Hello,

Victoria is about 2 hours south of Austin, Texas (between Austin & Corpus Christi) I started my own videography business at 17 and have been running with it ever since. Started with football games for local high schools and my recent addition is weddings (whew!). I am beginning an Independent feature in Victoria in the fall of this year to raise money for local charities.

Equip.
I use a GL2, Davis & Sanford Steady Stick, Davis & Sanford F-12 tripod. Impact lighting kit, a few pars & gels, Canon wide-angle lens, VS 100W on camera light w/ 1hr battery pack. 9hr GL2 battery. A couple of 5-in-1 reflectors, green screen, about 100 DVD tapes (most are archival, better than storing on Hard drive)

Editing
Sony Vaio Desktop-2GB Ram, 2-250GB Hard drives, 3.2GHz Processor.
OLD Sonic Foundry Vegas 3.0 :p
Ulead DVD workshop 2

About to get.
BeachTek DXA-8
2 countryman B3 mikes
Mac G5 w/20" display
1 to 5 DVD duplicator
More Sony DV tapes

Anyone else in Victoria, Texas?

I'm in Austin / Pflugerville actually. No real camera yet, working up to that one. Currently using my DV Sony w/ FCP HD Suite.

Hello Matt, thanks for your introduction and welcome aboard!

hello everyone, im jared thomas. i live in southeast texas and i think im the only person here that enjoys the art of film/video. Well it atleast seems that way. If anyone knows where beaumont is, im moving there in a few weeks...but its not a very big move, about 30 minutes from where i am now. I work as a p.a. for a local a.b.c station in beaumont, thats why im moving there. i also have a very small video production company that is just getting started called Rhythmic Productions. you can learn more about that at www.rhythmicproductions.com . like i said i dont know anyone around here into dv, so thats why im posting this...in hopes of possibly meeting some people and seeing what others around here are doing with dv. im not very advanced in the ways of dv so i was hoping of learning some tips and tricks of the trade and maybe collaberating on some projects or something. im only 18 so im still young and have alot of learning to do. i would like to work with video for a living somehow...possibly documentaries: music/special intrest kinda stuff. im not sure. i would love to work on a feature film one of these days. yeah thats sorda a quick rundown on me....anyone in the area that would like to meet up and exchange a conversation, holler at me via email or post on here.....thanks.

p.s. even if you live remotely close, im willing to travel for a decent conversation....i know what your thinking, and yes i am that lonley.

p.p.s. im not really that lonley, i have plenty of awsome friends...but none of them know anything about dv filmmaking....................so i dont even consider them friends.

p.p.p.s disregard previous p.p.s....that is all. thank you.

Welcome aboard Jared. There are all sorts of folk here from Texas! See the
following thread for example:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=39148

im in southeast texas, about 1 hours drive north east of houston....in beaumont to be exact. i would love to meet some of DVi people, holler back.

thanks rob.

First off, I am throughly impressed by the wealth of knowledge that can be obtained from this site. It's great to see so many people so eager to share their knowledge and experience so quick and freely. Thanks to the gurus that help the greenhorns like myself break into the adventurous videography/film game. Through a series of conversations with a friend of mine we aired out our desire to immerse ourselves in the world of film. Both of us are writers and I am an artist of sorts. So, naturally we wanted to develop and hone a craft from our talents. Of course, with that was born big dreams of big cameras followed by big paychecks, but soon we realized the reality of it all and we came down from our initial high. I am a World Geography and World History teacher and John is a teacher as well, so we can gain some experience on the weekends and during the summer months. We would eventually like to break into filming documentaries and even write/ shoot independent films later, but we are at an impasse mainly because we do not know where to start and we do not have too many resources here in good ol' West Texas. If you any of you gurus out there have any advice for a lowly "grasshopper" like myself, your input would be greatly appreciated.

I suggest either going to your local community cable television station, and working for free to learn how to shoot and edit. Or, getting some books.

websites work as well:
http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=32317

http://www.b-roll.net/ (click on the "tips" tab)

Also, watch films and pay attention to the lighting. TV commercials as well, you'll have no idea how many times i've copied other DP's when I shoot commercials.

Well, good luck!

Thanks Jacques,

I will be checking into that. Can you suggest any particular films?

Thanks for all of your helpful advice,

Keith

MSProductions
Matt Sawyers
Victoria, Texas Videography
www.mattsfilms.com

Hello Keith, welcome aboard (H)DVInfo.net! It's good to have you with us!

I taught video production for Victoria I.S.D. and Region 3 Education Service Center for 10 years before moving to Orlando 2 years ago. I also did videos for several school organizations including the cheerleaders, swimteam, and D.A.R.E. Possibly we have met.

Hey there, Matt! Glad to see there's someone in my area. I'm out of Rockport Texas (near Corpus Christi).

My name is Jeff Jassky. I would consider myself an advanced-novice to professional videography/film work. I currently own a canon XL1 and some equippment for that, as well as some digital SLR still camera equippment. I should soon be upgrading to a newer Panasonic HD 24P camera and a guerilla 35, or micro35 adaptor when I get the dough.

This fall/winter I'm looking to hook up with an experienced, or even not-so experienced film maker to possibly help out with a film and learn more about this profession/hobby. Are you by chance looking for any help with your movie this fall/winter? If so, let me know for sure. I would really enjoy helping out with a film project for the first time. Even doing coffee & McDonalds runs. I was hoping on possibly working on a short film with some other film enthusiast friends of mine around the same time in the texas area. We haven't done any work on it yet to speak of, so I don't know if that will solidify.

Anyway, once again good to see you on the boards man. I'm a newbie to the boards here. You guys wll probobly be seeing me on here more. I look forward to hearing from ya

-Jeff

Hello fellas,

I am out of Corpus Christi. I do part-time event videography...mostly weddings and school dance programs. I have a Sony VX 2000 with the Beachtek XLR adapter. I use a Sony tripod with a zoom controller built into the handle. It is very light but works well. Azden wireless lav microphone, Canon WD wide angle lens. I also have a Lowell stand light with various gels. I use a Sony Digital 8 as a backup for now. I am looking to buy a new camera, probably a Sony PD 170. I edit on a Sony Vaio Desktop with a 100 gig video partition and use three 120 gig external firewire hard drives. I use Pinnacle Studio 9 Plus and Sony Vegas 3.0 for editing. My computer came with Adobe Premier LE but I seldom use it.

Robert Gonzales
Digital Memories Video

Just getting started and have learned quite a bit so far on this community forum. Thanks

John

Welcome aboard (H)DVInfo.net John. Glad we could help you out, good to have you with us!

Howdy Y'all!

As this is my first post on this site, let me just say a hearty, "Hello!" to you folks. I'm down here in sunny and warm (for @#$% February!) South Texas and have enjoyed DV for the last ..... crap!...has it been that long??? Well, I've been editing video for over 20 years, but actual "DV" for the last few.

By day, I'm a multimedia/internet specialist with the Department of Defense. All other times, I own and operate El Pilon Productions from home. My wife does most of the still photography, while I do the video. We've done a couple of weddings (and, God help me, I want to do more!), couple of events, are working on a tourism video. Just finished production on a Wine Festival DVD! We're just having LOADS of fun.

I use a Sony HDR-FX1 and a DCR-TRV38. Running the full Adobe Video Collection (not the new one - dammit), although I'm still learning AE, on a Dell dual monitor, dual processor system. Love it, love it, LOVE it.

Looking forward to reading all the topics on here as well as finding others in the area who share the same passion. Give me a holler!

Ed.

Welcome to DVinfo Edward! Will look forward to reading more about your projects.

Hello everyone, my name is Shedrick Mask living in Waco, Texas working as a News Photographer for News Channel 25. I have been working here for over a year now and just started buying equipment for my own personal use. I recently brought a HVR-A1 to start practicing shooting in HD. If any of you are near my area let me know there is still a lot stuff I want to learn as far as shooting scenes and would like your expertise.


Thanks

Shedrick

Hello Shedrick, welcome aboard (H)DV Info Net, good to have you with us!

Texas born and raised!

Not even Chris will hold that against you here! :)

Welcome, we would like to hear about what you do. Check out our thread on the DV Challenge movie contests, and get prepared to try it out. No better way to learn.

Mike

For the DV challenge can I start with news stories that I've done and then short stuff later?