Seeing it All Come Together

Elliv 2013

         Elliv is a 'mock-awards' show put on at the end of every Cedarville University school year. Students perform popular songs with dancers, motion graphics and live IMAG supporting the performance. Our chapel is turned into an elaborate stage with lights, screens, and sometimes pyrotechnics (sadly none this year).
For many this event is a time to take a break from studying for finals and just enjoying the night.
       It's a little different for me.
            I've worked this semester on motion graphics for two different performances of this year's Elliv (one is featured in the image above). Motion graphics was a new adventure for me. I had dabbled in them before, but never attempted a full blown sequence. Having to not only create this content, but make sure that it followed the act's overall vision and not just my own was an exciting experience. Once the weekend of Elliv finally rolled around, I was excited to see my content integrated into the final production. However, I had to enjoy this content during a dress rehearsal because I was also directing live video for the event.

            There were six cameras, two video playbacks, and the challenge of keeping shots centered to fit onto the 1080x1080 cube in the center of the stage. Though I was standing in the video booth instead of sitting with my friends, and shouting instructions instead of shouting in excitement when one performer smashed his ukelele- I wouldn't change this experience for anything. Seeing it all come together for the final production is worth the hours of hard work (especially when you get to see it come together at 6 different angles). I've always heard that it is important to have a career doing something you love, which (as cliche' as it is) is very true.

New Workstation

Hello all!
I know; it's been ages since last I wrote and you all feel robbed of the beauty of my words. Well then this post shall satisfy you! I have recently made the most expensive purchase of my 20 years and no it wasn't a car...I should really look into getting one of those though. Anyways, it was a computer! Not just any computer, oh no. I bought my command center, or as I have titled it: The Master and Commander. Pair my new computer with my new Adobe software and I'm the happiest kid on my block (which is saying something because the kids on my block are having a snow day).
I've been spending most of my spring break working on projects for class and in no way does that upset me. My computer is insanely fast compared to what I've been using at school and I can have more than one window open without the programs crashing-It's fantastic!
I love my new computer and am crazy excited about the rest of the semester! I'll be posting soon with updates on what I'm working on now and maybe even some screenshots from my upcoming music video!
Here's a link to the computer I just bought in case you're in the market. I've only had this computer for about a week, but I would recommend it!
http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/workstations/z420_features.html#.UTb7dBysh8E

The Customer is Always Right....Right?

When it comes to working with clients, trying to create someone else's vision is more a challenge of concept than production. When I'm working with my production company on in-house projects then it's our own ideas, collaborations, brainstorms. We know one another (and the industry) so it is easy to throw ideas around- freelance clients...not so much.

There's a lot of different types of clients, but the ones I run into the most are these three:

              Shy Ronnie (for all you SNL fans): This is someone who is too timid to tell you their own thoughts, which leaves you struggling to really grasp their concept. This meeting usually ends up like an interrogation minus the swinging single light-bulb, but as long as the right questions are asked a great final product can be achieved.

              The Poker Face: This person may have a concept in mind, they may love your ideas, they may loathe you with a passion...you'll never know because all this client does is nod. Occasionally they may tilt their head and squint or rub their chin in thought, but overall their input is minimal. For some unknown reason they want to hold their cards close to the vest and wait for the final product to weigh in. It's important to do all you can to get a response from this player because there is no bluffing once the deadline comes around.

              TMI (Too Much Info): This is a client who knows exactly what they want, down to the pantone colors and camera angles. It's fantastic to have a solid idea in mind, but if your client isn't giving you any creative space or wiggle room it can get frustrating very quickly. It's clients like this that need to be shown progress as it's being made and be sure to include them on any radical changes that occur.

              The Perfect Client: This person doesn't exist.

Your first meeting with a client is crucial in both gathering information about their project and about them in general. A freelancer's job isn't just about building a demo reel, it's about building relationships. Being able to work with all kinds of people is vital in this industry. Your work will get you noticed, your networking will get you hired.

Play List

            These past few weeks I've been gathering colors, drawing out storyboards, and playing around in After Effects in order to create a pitch for an upcoming project. This project is based on a song, so one would assume I'd have to listen to the song to fully create a concept. While I have listened to this song a few times to gather a concept, I find that I start to over-think things after an extensive length. So instead I've created an 'inspiration play list.'
            This list plays through Imagine Dragons, Florence and the Machine, Blake Shelton, One Direction (Don't judge I know you sing along when they're on the radio) and Johnny Cash, REO and Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, the Beach Boys, Of Monsters and Men, and FUN. I know, my choice in music is bipolar-but it's how my mind works. Once I've gotten my overall concept, these songs help me to shape and flesh out the final pitch. Because the music is so different from song to song I feel like I'm always looking at the project from a fresh perspective; instead of only listening to Mumford and Sons and discover my pitch is so hipster it needs a V-neck and square glasses (I love you Mumford, but let's be serious).
           Now my final pitch is ready to go, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop listening to music. Let's all cross our fingers that this pitch goes well and I can create a new play list for producing the actual project. I've got a whole library of artists to choose from (A is for Aaron Carter, J is for Jimmy Eat World and Z is for Zac Brown Band just to give you a picture).

New Year, Same Blog

I know it's been a while since I last posted, but to be fair we were preparing for a Mayan apocalypse. Actually, I was just preparing for finals (though some would argue it's the same thing).
This new year has brought with it some exciting opportunities (and it's only the second week of the semester!). I'm currently casting for a music video with my production company AbstraqtMedia (check us out on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AbstraqtMedia) as well as working on various vfx/graphics projects.
I've started getting senior emails, which is both exhilarating and terrifying. In loo of this new label, I've started to edit my demo reels (for both camerawork and directing live productions), editing my resume and creating business cards. Even more interesting- I've started to test my abilities, especially in the realm of motion graphics/vfx. I like to research video tutorials and then see if I can accomplish the task, using the tutorial only when I'm stuck. This not only teaches me new effects, but also stretches me to think creatively about how to get from point A to the final render.
I think I enjoy this technique of learning because I love to problem-solve. I'd rather figure something out for myself then read the answer in a text book (except for math problems...please don't take away my calculator). This is why I'm excited for my Designing Solutions class. In case the title didn't give it away, the entire class is devising a strategy for a business to better integrate into the age of technology. I'm looking forward to this new semester and the many problems and solutions it will bring.

Freemium Funding

All the research I'm doing on the "freemium"funding model for online and mobile devices keep talking about it as if it is new. But in reality, this model has existed since infomercials and trial periods were born. At least, the principle is the same: Let the consumer try the product (one of Everett Rodger's qualities in the diffusion of innovation), then once they're hooked up make them cough up the payment. I remember watching infomercials that not only promised steak knifes, but a 30 day free trial. This idea has transformed when applied to the web and especially mobile devices. Farmville is free to start playing on Facebook, but if you get addicted and can't level up until you earn an item buying that item starts to look like an appealing option. The same idea is applied to mobile devices. Sure you can play Fruit Ninja for free, but you want to play something other than the arcade version? Well just click right here and purchase the version you'd like. Want more colors in DrawSomething, but can't figure out your friend's pictures? No problem, the in-app purchasing allows you to simply click and purchase without ever leaving the game. It is a fascinating way to apply an old idea to new media.

VFX Underway

 

A couple weeks ago I shot a music video and cut the footage together. My two partners and I had been planning it since this summer and it was more than just exciting to see our vision come to life. Production has always been one of my favorite parts of making videos. We have recently started the third phase of completing our video: Post. I have always liked editing, but this project has introduced me to a whole new world of post-production: VFX. I expected to create a couple vfx shots because they are part of a class assignment, but the effect I am currently working on was just to challenge myself. Personally, I love how the effect is turning out and feel extremly accomplished having figured it out with only the aid of an old online tutorial. The screen is black, until the subject 'wisps' into the frame as if a memory or a ghost appearing from the air around him. The effect continues into another shot where his hand finishes appearing just in time to grab the hand of our female lead. As you can see the effect used quite a few layers, which managed to crash the computer I was working on twice (that's what having 4GB of Ram gets you).

In order for this effect to work in the final render of the music video, I have to mask this character out of the shot before this one, which isn't too hard for most of the frames seeing as the two subjects do not interact. However, there are 9 frames I keep ignoring because I know the only way is to Roto (insert scary dramatic music here). Actually, it's not all that bad. I don't get along with the rotobrush all that well, but me and the pen tool have been tight ever since my photoshop days. I am excited to see how this project comes together after compositing the different vfx shots and hope my work pays off. (You ever notice how much effort goes in to 2 minutes of the final video? I try not to think about it...it makes me sad).