Howdy, from North Texas at DVinfo.net

Gene Trussell · January 6th, 2009, 08:01 AM

I've been a lurker since I found this site a couple of months ago and thought I'd finally take the plunge and introduce myself.

I'm 37 years old and live just outside of Dallas. My day job is as a software developer (for about 13 years) and have had an "interest" in film making for quite some time. Only recently have I actually decided to do something about it. I'm still a green-horn and have been soaking up as much information as I can, this site being the most useful I have found so far. I'm flying solo, for the most part, with some help and support from friends and family; one friend does make-up (blood & gore, not the pretty stuff) for the occasional local, low-budget, indie film (MySpace.com - Evil John Mays).

As far as equipment goes, there's not much. I have a Sony HDR-SR11 camcorder, while not prosumer grade, it's decent, but then I don't have a large starting budget. I'm mostly using it to learn the editing process using Pinnacle Studio 12, and boy is there a lot to learn!

In addition to learning how to use the camera, lighting and editing, I'm also learning how to write a script for the first of three (maybe more) short mockumentaries. I figure it'll be easier to get started with laid back and relaxed shorts instead of trying to jump in with a full feature. I doubt they'll be sent to any indie contests; I'll just have to wait and see how they turn out.

Anyway, I'd like to meet others in the area and maybe help out on a no/low budget set and I'm always open to tips, tricks and helpful comments.

Thanks!

Jeff Mack · January 6th, 2009, 08:39 PM

Hi Gene,

Jeff Mack here from McKinney, TX. I know you are not a final cut pro user but we have a meeting the first Thursday each month in Dallas. You are welcome any time. Use the search feature and you will be learning a lot in no time. Glad to have you!

Jeff

Srinivas Swaminathan · February 6th, 2009, 03:00 PM

Jeff, where do you have the meeting and at what time? I am at Irving, very close to Dallas and would like to attend the meet sometime. Is it only for FCP users or general film/video discussion?

Aaron Page · October 17th, 2009, 08:20 AM

I'm in Dallas. What are these meetings you speak of?

Jeff Mack · October 20th, 2009, 06:16 AM

The meetings are for a final Cut Pro users group. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month and talk about various editing techniques. There are about 25 or so that show up. They are Held at AMS in Addison at 7pm. You are welcome to join us. We have a yahoo group you can check out if you go to fcpdallas : Dallas Final Cut Pro Users Group to check it out.

Jeff

Bruce Foreman · October 26th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Hi Gene,

I'm in San Angelo about 5 hours drive from Dallas area. Retired air force, worked in portrait, wedding, and commercial photography (operated my own studio) for awhile then wound up working as a civilian photographer for the air force at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo.

Fully retired now and doing independent video mostly at the hobby level.

What you might consider doing is participating in the 2 kinds of video "challenges" hosted on this site. One has been described as being like "free film school" and everyone I've seen come up with entries on a somewhat regular basis has improved their skills dramatically. The latest one is here:

The DV Challenge (our semi-regular contest) - The Digital Video Information Network

This one just finished up, DVC17, and you can find links to the entries in the thread on DVC17 finalists. The "challenge" was to produce a trailer to a film we might produce. We all had fun doing it.

January 6th, 2009, 08:01 AM	#1
Gene Trussell Tourist Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Royse City, TX Posts: 1	Howdy, from North Texas I've been a lurker since I found this site a couple of months ago and thought I'd finally take the plunge and introduce myself. I'm 37 years old and live just outside of Dallas. My day job is as a software developer (for about 13 years) and have had an "interest" in film making for quite some time. Only recently have I actually decided to do something about it. I'm still a green-horn and have been soaking up as much information as I can, this site being the most useful I have found so far. I'm flying solo, for the most part, with some help and support from friends and family; one friend does make-up (blood & gore, not the pretty stuff) for the occasional local, low-budget, indie film (MySpace.com - Evil John Mays). As far as equipment goes, there's not much. I have a Sony HDR-SR11 camcorder, while not prosumer grade, it's decent, but then I don't have a large starting budget. I'm mostly using it to learn the editing process using Pinnacle Studio 12, and boy is there a lot to learn! In addition to learning how to use the camera, lighting and editing, I'm also learning how to write a script for the first of three (maybe more) short mockumentaries. I figure it'll be easier to get started with laid back and relaxed shorts instead of trying to jump in with a full feature. I doubt they'll be sent to any indie contests; I'll just have to wait and see how they turn out. Anyway, I'd like to meet others in the area and maybe help out on a no/low budget set and I'm always open to tips, tricks and helpful comments. Thanks!

January 6th, 2009, 08:39 PM	#2
Jeff Mack Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 195	welcome Hi Gene, Jeff Mack here from McKinney, TX. I know you are not a final cut pro user but we have a meeting the first Thursday each month in Dallas. You are welcome any time. Use the search feature and you will be learning a lot in no time. Glad to have you! Jeff

October 20th, 2009, 06:16 AM	#5
Jeff Mack Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 195	Final Cut Pro Users group The meetings are for a final Cut Pro users group. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month and talk about various editing techniques. There are about 25 or so that show up. They are Held at AMS in Addison at 7pm. You are welcome to join us. We have a yahoo group you can check out if you go to fcpdallas : Dallas Final Cut Pro Users Group to check it out. Jeff

October 26th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#6
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Howdy... Hi Gene, I'm in San Angelo about 5 hours drive from Dallas area. Retired air force, worked in portrait, wedding, and commercial photography (operated my own studio) for awhile then wound up working as a civilian photographer for the air force at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo. Fully retired now and doing independent video mostly at the hobby level. What you might consider doing is participating in the 2 kinds of video "challenges" hosted on this site. One has been described as being like "free film school" and everyone I've seen come up with entries on a somewhat regular basis has improved their skills dramatically. The latest one is here: The DV Challenge (our semi-regular contest) - The Digital Video Information Network This one just finished up, DVC17, and you can find links to the entries in the thread on DVC17 finalists. The "challenge" was to produce a trailer to a film we might produce. We all had fun doing it.

February 6th, 2009, 03:00 PM	#3
Srinivas Swaminathan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas USA Posts: 33	Jeff, where do you have the meeting and at what time? I am at Irving, very close to Dallas and would like to attend the meet sometime. Is it only for FCP users or general film/video discussion?

October 17th, 2009, 08:20 AM	#4
Aaron Page Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 25	I'm in Dallas. What are these meetings you speak of?