Punk Video "FYS" now up..
 

WARNING!!! This clip has lots of the "F" word!!!

I cut this to an audio track from Patheic Subsistence's album F.U.W. which I recorded in June and mixed this November.

It was all shot on on location at the CAC house in Houston on a GL2, edited in FCP 3.0 (Thanks to all who helped me resolve my audio woes) and is being hosted by Paul Sedillo (MANY THANKS PAUL!!!)

http://www.image-studio.com/movies/fys01.html

I sort of just went for the vibe it's not really a "music video"

Comments???

Mark

I liked it, but I'm also partial to punk rock. Good stuff!

Mark,

Good show my man! I really like the colors in this short film. Nice use of transitions with the music. Good shot selection of the band, mosh pit, and punk kids.

Tell Kyle that he owes you some DAMN money! :)

Comments?
 

I was hopeing to get some feedback on this clip. I see there have been a lot of viewers but only a few comments. Remember HONEST, don't sugar coat it.
Thanks,
Mark

Mmmm Sugar...

Hey Mark,

Don't take any of my comments the wrong way, I feel that critisism, no matter how mad it makes you, only makes you create a better product.

Your video was cut together nicely. I liked the abstract shots that you threw in every once in awhile. It seemed a little dark, but I know what its like "working with what you got" lighting.

One thing that I would deffinitely ditch, is the final cut count down at the beginning. It cheapens the rest of the video in my opinion.

Did you use a promist when you were shooting?

I would like to hear if you used any other kinds of filters or accessories?

Over all, it's still a lot better than some of the other "pro-stuff" I've seen.

- Nori

Thanks
 

I guess I just didn't think about the count down, thanks, I'll nix it. It looks darker on the web than on video but it's still pretty dark. I didn't use a promist when I shot, it was done in post with a freebee filter "CHV Silk and fog", I really liked how it added a little glow to the bright shots. Most of what I shot was pretty grainy and it realy took the edge off. let me know if you want a copy of the filter, I'll post it for (any of) you.
Mark
p.s. I definately aggree about the feedback. I like "real" feedback it does indeed make you better.

Intro (Header) Film Clip
 

I was messing around with FCP today and created a crazy little intro clip. Thought I would share it with the class:

File Size - 230K

http://www.image-studio.com/movies/is_head.mov

Looks like
 

You are ready for prime time! Nice Work!
M.

Cool, Paul! Really slick looking.

It's certainly eye-catching without being gaudy. It made my eyes cross! The cobalt blue smear on the black background is very zoomy.

Thank you Gentlemen!

It's amazing to think that little clip took 8 hours to build. The FCP filter that I used is a BEAST to work with. It did not really come with an instruction manual, which goofballs like me need.

They sure do take some doing. It would look cool with the background flashing through white to an opening clip then the text fading out

<<<-- Originally posted by Adrian Douglas : They sure do take some doing. It would look cool with the background flashing through white to an opening clip then the text fading out -->>>

Adrian,

I thought the same thing when I first started working with this plug-in. The other thought I had was an active background (ala Matrix) with this F/X in the foreground.

Paul,

Which plug-in is it?

Check your email regarding the response.

"A Plea to Santa" Micro-Short Film
 

Working with yet another new plug-in, I created this Micro-Short Film:

"A Plea to Santa"
http://www.image-studio.com/movies/santaplea.html
Size - 8.7MB
Length - 25 seconds
Filter used - CGM Film LE

My youngest son is relentless in his quest for a gaming system. So I told him to write a letter to Santa and seek absolution for his poor behavior.

If it works
 

the absolution that is, I want to tak to him! Great clip in the holiday spirit!

Tell the boys I said hi!
Mark

Haw. Cute. The CGM filter does a pretty good "old film" look, too.

(So is he getting his XBox as compensation for his talent role?)

Mark,

Well you know Zachary and how persuasive he can be. You need to post that whacky little short that you created. Very funny stuff.

Ken,

The drive behind making it was to test the new CGM filter. Yes it does have a nice old film look. I shot the footage last night at my oldest son's Christmas concert. Zachary was doing his homework and I was just rolling tape. The footage worked out perfectly for this silly little short.

And no he is not getting an XBox! I am actually looking into getting him a Mac. He is quite the artist, so I wanted to start him up with the right tools. Plus he knows about IMovie, which is much more fun than an XBox.

More holiday goofiness
 

<<<-- You need to post that whacky little short that you created. Very funny stuff.

Not on your life! Wendy would kill me!! (I'll ask the "Talent" for permission)
Mark

What short Mark & Paul??? You've peeked my interest here!

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : What short Mark & Paul??? You've peeked my interest here! -->>>

Mark and his wonderful wife did a short documentary/Christmas story/house tour for an upcoming family VHS tape. His wife is very funny and gives Mark the business all the way through it. Mark thought it would be funny to leave in her mistakes as opposed to cutting them, which adds to the piece. Knowing Wendy, I don't think she would like this little gem up online. :) Which is a shame!

Music Videos just for fun
 

Please take a look to my work on www.dinfinity.com
Music videos by me :) It's filmed on Sony 1CCD DV Cam. In Prague, Czech Republic.
Now i have new Cannon XM2 and more music videos will come :)

New Short film - need footage
 

I'm trying to set up a short film based on three songs written by a friend of mine. The songs are: Black veil, Trail of the dead, and Bridge of ghosts. I want to release it as one body of work, but it will basically be three shorts combined into a trilogy. If you have any footage you can "donate" I'd be willing to shoot some stuff for you in return. Scenes don't have to be very long just visually dramatic and related to the theme. B&W is cool, as is color, out of focus, racking focus, whatever. The only constraint is shoot/shot at 4:3. You will get film credit at the very least. I live in Houston near the gulf so if you need "Texas" (horses/cowboys/rodeo/oil wells etc.) or coastal shots I'll be glad to do what ever you need in return.

I have been doing a still photography project in cemetaries for a couple of years and I started shooting video footage in some stunning cemetaries last month (Greenmount, in the heart of Baltimore). If you need any footage shot in a visually stunning cemetary, let me know and I'll shoot it for you in return for footage trade and/or film credit.

I could shoot the whole project in my "backyard" but wanted to expand the idea as much as possible by including something visually completly different than I can shoot here in Texas or in the Baltimore/DC area.

I can email MP3's if you want to preview the songs for ideas of shots etc.

Thanks in advance!
Mark
p.s. I'm going shooting all next week (with a family visit in there somewhere) but will be back by the 28th.

Hey Mark,

Could you be a little more specific for the members what you are looking for?

If you are looking for angry snowboarders, let me know!

Thanks- Nori

Scenes from Black Veil
 

We are still story boarding so I'll try not to be too vague even though I'm not sure what we will need yet.

Basically I'm looking for funeral footage, cemeteries, veiled people (in the context of death, not middle east etc), seasonal changes in cemeteries ie. flowers, fallen leaves, snow, shots that portray solitude and loss. I know it's still pretty vague, but I'm going for (conceptually) dark images

I hoped that people will conjure up their own images and submit something that portrays any of the aforementioned. As I said before I can send out the music, and let people plug in their own visual perceptions. I have an idea of what I want the finished project to look like based on my interpretation of the music. I'm very interested in what you talks to you folks, visually, when you think of the story.

The songs are from a novel that is based on a true story. It's about a man who accidentally kills on a friend on a hunting trip when he was young. In his later life he puts on a veil and his face is never seen again. The story talks about his guilt, loss, and desperate search for meaning. It’s very dark, and really touched me. The basic audio tracks are amost done for the songs, guitar and vocals but that's all. The songs will probably end up sort of in the "Oh Brother" genre, but will be much darker and not so cheery.
Thanks again,
Mark

p.s. the angry snowboarders might work for another punk video eh?

i liked it, you got some nice coverage so that you could cut stuff.

A few thoughts, keeping in mind it's a vibe thing, not a music video for broadcast.

- It's in web video, so I couldnt tell, but it was a bit dark. Even on some of the insert shots. THats a hard call when you don;t get a chance to light the place. I might be nice to have a obi-light or on-camera light that you can use from time to time. It's not the best light source ever, but it's fun and useful.

- A few face close-ups make good insert shots on action. I mean nice tight ones. You had some mid-range reaction shots that were cool.

- Cuts on the beat always entrance the viewer!

good work!

Feedback
 

Thanks!! It's a shame really, it's a pretty dark peice, sort of intentionally. That being said, the copy I have posted is way dark. I made a copy to VHS from FCP and although it was dim it had more contrast, and was therefore easier to see, had a lot more punch, and was more what I was shooting for. The place only had like 4 or 6 60 watt bulbs so you get an idea of how well the GL2 looks in very dim light. It was pretty grainy but useable for this sort of thing. I may have to go back and bring up my output, everyone says it's too dark on the web, and I aggree. A small simple camera light is on my next up list, it won't be a Mole Richardson for sure but it may make for an interesting effect in a very dark room.
Thanks again for writing your review,
Mark

False start...sort of
 

I started reviewing the songs, and realise I need a more effective way to storyboard. I found some links here on some software that should help a lot. I'm going to be working on it over the next couple of weeks and will update as the project progresses.

I completed the basic audio tracks yesterday, and have the three songs in MP3 format if anyone is interested in previewing them. Keep in mind that these tracks are just the raw framework tracks (unmixed / unmastered) and will have more instrumentation added as John gets the arrangements in order.

After talking about the project in depth yesterday we decided on a slightly different song list and order. It's now; Rise again (bridge of ghosts), If I tried to tell you everything, and Black Veil.

The MP3's are about 5mb each.
www.markaustin.com/mp3/black veil/Rise Again.mp3
http://www.markaustin.com/mp3/black ...Everything.mp3
www.markaustin.com/mp3/black veil/Black Veil.mp3

That was great!

That was better than video's i have seen on 3 chip cameras
and even higher end DVCAM ,etc.

The reasons you win is because, you have good shot composition, you use handheld where it is justified or make sense. You also use availible light to your advantage.


The Victim
-------------

I liked how the video knew where it was going.

- I loved the car , it has so much character and there was a point, where the light reflected off it's side so nicely.

- There is a point, where the protangist enters the scene from the door, there is a chiascoro effect over her and the door that is so pleasing, a tear nearly came to my eye in remeberance of things past.

- The effects were excellent. I see you have a thing for future technology. You must have loved Minority Report.

- The acting while they are kidnapping the protagonist is a little weak, also, you might want to get some close up of action shots to inset, such as when he grabs her: an insert shot of him grabbing her arm closeup, will make that scene come alive.

- While the ending was cliche for me, it was well done, Unforuantely the protaginst had reached the end of her screen time, just as her clothing had become see-thru :)



The Metro
------------
You have some really great shots to compose this peice with. The haunting track was nice. There are points where the focus belies the weakness of the camera, but you got the most out of it.

- I thought for sure , the signs were going to start dancing for some reason.
- I would have like to had the last shot of the narrative been a little better composed, either we dont see them at all, or we see more action after they get in the train, the hybrid for me was a little weak.
- The ending surpise at the end of the credits was very nice.


What? I will strike it down!


Good stuff1

Thanks
 

Thanks for the feedback JeepBastard ! I really appreciate it and i need it :)

Ivan

Nice work, Ivan, it shows a lot of thought and effort. Thank you for posting it and poviding the link. I hope we get to see more of your work.

Mac users, download DivX for Mac http://www.versiontracker.com/morein...d=12844&db=mac to view the files.

Jeff

Disco Cops test footage
 

Heya All,

I have been doing some test footage for a short in pre-production with the two actors who will be in the production.

So i thought i would slap some temp music to it, and get you guys/girls opinions. My biggest attempt to capture the look of the mid-70's bad movie/tv show.

The footage was done at 3am, with a lot of pre-christmass drinks.

Total time spent on this was 32 minutes and 8 seconds of shooting. Editing took around 30 minutes.

Anyways here is a direct link http://www.motionaftereffect.com/disco/discosmall.mov (9 meg)

(this seems to work much better if right clicked on and selected as save as, or whatever mac users do, as i did not prepare it for streaming, and played at double size)

The actual site [motion after effect] is currently being designed, should be up in around a week, i would pay someone in control a lot of money for a 35 hour day, where does the time go!!

Thanx All,

Zac

p.s Btw Chris, if possible, can u change my name from Kermie klien to Zac S. Thanks.

p.p.s the clothes the stars are wearing are actually hand me downs from my father, every piece shown was purchased between 1974-1977, and if you can see the hat the character Russle is wearing, it was actually purchased in LA in 1975 and was a real prop from the Jackson 5 variety show, we don't know which one wore it, as they all had one.

Hahaha! That was very entertaining. But then, I'm a sucker for some good ol' fashioned pimp humor set to disco backbeats...

I'd love to see where this is going...

Out of curiosity, what type of equipment did you use? (camera, lighting, software, etc.).

Camera - A pal Sony pd-150 on a manfrotto tripod.

Lighting- this was a very specialised and scientific setup, it consisted of a badly parked car with it's high beams on. (grins)
Otherwise was ambient street lamp light with an off white balance to skew the colour scheme.

Software- It was cut with vegas video, titles were done in adobe after effects, with a film fx plugin to creat the dirt, I also shifted the red slightly, and de-interlaced.

Not sure what else there is to say, the music atm is just temp music, i really want to use all original stuff, but as i said this is just test footage.

Zac

Nice, even remembered the pork chop side burns.

This looked/sounded an awful lot like an intro to an infamous John 'Johnny Wadd' Holmes porno flick. (Yes, I saw it, back in my mispent 70s era youth).
He played a detective in that one too. Did your dad role some old 8mm films to inspire you? (just kidding).
Pretty cool stuff.

It's was a fun romp.
thanks for sharing.


(dont be afraid to turn up the gain at night for test footage like this! movement in the dark is lost!)

Just finished my first commercials
 

I just finished my first television commercials (OK, cable TV).

Interesting. Used real actors, a Hollywood actor as the director, a DSR-300, and a AT835B shotgun on a boom pole. Easy setups with 2 locations.

Voiceover was recorded on an AT4043SE studio microphone through a Shure 267 mixer and into a Sony MD recorder.

In making the master tape on DVCam for transfer to BetaSP, I set tone at -6 dB as shown on my DSR-20 VU meters and then kept the audio just under that.

Everything transfered very nicely to BetaSP with the audio right where it should be.

DV would have worked just as well and I could have shot it on my PD-150 for all the good the higher-quality DSR-300 will do by the time the commercial hits the viewer's 13" TV set. Still, the customer liked the camera size.

There appears to be a lot of potential business for small-town business commercials. It doesn't pay a lot but I think it can be fairly steady work.

The cable network (AT&T) said they didn't care if I brokered air time for my commercials and that I could sub-divide the 30 second spots into shorter lengths for clients that couldn't afford the longer commercials and air time charges. Since AT&T charges $1300 for a 30 second commercial, that leaves a lot of room for a small operation like mine.

So after the 1st, I'm going to try selling 10 second commercials to the local folks. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mike you can do what i did to land my first job ever.

I got a 12 year old HUGE s-vhs camera, got the job, then used a pd150 :)

heh heh

Zac

Then again, i didn't get payed, it was a thing for closed circuit uni tv.

... U know that had to be the most right on footage of the 70's I have ever seen!!!! LOL Reminds me of Starsky and Hutch