Stabilizer Innovations

So a company that works in aerial cinematography with professional camera helicopters and what not decided to make a stabilizer. It's godly. Hence the $15,000 price tag (There will be a cheaper version that's half the price). It's a complete redesign of the popular steadicam design that adds some new features to the stabilizer business. Basically, your camera is not going to move. At all. It's perfection. It's being advertised by Vincent Laforet, a popular filmmaker. (Note: we also watched one of his short films in class. He dropped an 'L' series lens in it. It was a horiffic sight.)

One thing that people seem to worry about is that I believe it requires two operators: one to move the camera remotely with a computer or some device, and one to actually move with the camera.
Either way, it's the first of its kind and nothing but good can ensue. So I look forward to when this is affordable to people, who, you know, don't have $15,000 sitting around (aka me.)





And the Behind the Scenes. Watch it, too. Let's you see how easily it's operated.

Real Life Typography

About a week ago I saw this really cool video that was pretty much typography in real life. They stacked up boxes with cut outs and put lights behind them. They then flipped the switches to time it correctly with the song. I thought this was an incredible idea. Definitely time consuming, but then again, so is regular typography. And I think this is a lot more creative and unique. Thought I'd share it. It's tempting to try something with this concept or something derived from it, but it seems unrealistic for me at the moment.

And here's the making of:

Extracting Quality Stills from Video

So, recently enough, Canon released the newest 1D camera, their most professional grade camera line. It's the Canon EOS 1D-C. Now, this is something new, because the C stands for Cinema. It's the first DSLR to be able to shoot 4k video, which is 4 times the size/quality of 1080p.This camera is basically a replica of the Canon 1D-X, except its video capabilities. Something itneresting about it being able to take 4k video is that you can actually extract frames from the video to use as pictures. This wasnt possible previously because the quality of video was less than half the quality of a "medium" size picture file. The details in the picture would be much less, and colors more easily blown out. Now, with this camera, one frame is about the same size as an 8 MP shot on my much cheaper T2i. Yet, at the same time, you get video, and the ability to choose from 24 frames each second for the one perfect shot, compared to the about 3.7 on my cheaper DSLR. However, there is a slight downside to this 4k video on the 1D-C: it's compressed, not RAW. Many photographers shoot in RAW uncompressed files so that they can be more easily manipulated in post, however, video is almost always always compressed, as is the case with the 1D-C. I mean, it'll still look incredible and be quite usable, but it's still not quite there. Currently, to get RAW 4k footage, you'd need an actual cinema camera that would likely cost upwards of $20,000 such as the RED Epic (about $35,000 to get up and running) or Sony Cinealta F65 (More than that).

Check out a investigation done by cinematographers (including the famous Phillip Bloom) here:




If you're interested in buying it, look here, and then give up.

This Blog is So Dull Now, sorry for the lack of anything original. Maybe I'll actually make a video soon.

Haven't been doing much video-wise recently except for extensively looking for things I can't afford and won't be able to for a while. What else is to be expected?

So here are two videos. The first is pretty interesting to me because it's similar to a lifestyle I might want to live, not exactly, but close. I currently think that in the future, I'd really just like to do freelance photography and videography. It lets you have so many unique experiences and meet so many unique people. Kirill seems like he mostly wants to live, and only uses photography to stay afloat more than to have a job. I generally think that I could make a career out of this...which makes me quite uninspired to do much in terms of work not any bit related to it. Sorry school, but I just don't find you relevant or necessary all to often. Yes, it's important, but not always, plenty often, nowadays, do I find myself thinking that what I'm learning is just not important to living a quality life as a quality, intelligent person. I also think that intelligence isn't that relevant, but rather wisdom. Also, props to that outro animation. *Contains plenty of explicit language, not that that should matter*





Alright, this other video is simply amazing. Hint the "Original" quality on YouTube, for those of you who can watch it in 4k, do so. Yes, Red Bull and other energy drinks have somewhat taken over the industry of extreme/street sports videos, possibly for the worse, but at least they're ridiculously well made. I reall appreciate good editing and cinematography, obviously.

City Timelapse

NightFall from Colin Rich on Vimeo.

Needed to post this. These timelapses are incredible. Simply. Alright. I'm done here.
Maybe, one day, I'll make a decent timelapse. Maybe.

That Rare Occassion

I don't skate, but I hang out with a fair amount of skaters. I generally don't like skate videos because I find them to be repetitive. They're usually filmed on a handycam. With an over the top fisheye. Possibly even the horendous circular fisheye, not even aspherical. Nastayy. And they're rarely edited beyond the simple cuts. No effects. No color correction. This goes with parkour videos too, but more people that aren't proffessional put in the work,  at least I'd say. For me to enjoy a video, it either usually needs to make me want to be that person, or admire the work put into it. That's difficult to do with videos without as much care and work put into them.

THIS video though. Absolutely perfect. A unique style to the skating as well. Color corrected, not a bunch of skaters in the background yelling. (Sorry, not a fan of unnecessary background people)

They used some archival footage, color corrected it with the seeming atmosphere of the location. A retro-ish yellow purple because it was in the desert and abandoned. I usually think of a slight purple tint as either hipster, instagram-y, or retro. Hipsters and Instagram just trying to be vintage anyways so...

This video also makes me want to learn to skate. He makes it look like such an art.
#wishfulthinkings

After Effects: Kinetic Typography - Choose Not to Fall

I wanted to try something new with After Effects, so I decided to give kinetic typography a go. It's incredibly tedious. A total time consumer. I've spent a while on this on and off. Came back to it yesterday to finish it up. This is just a minute of the original 3 minute video. I chose this video because, well, you have to use words or lyrics (usually) and because it involves parkour. I also think what Daniel Ilabaca is saying is relatively true and agree with his ideas and mindset.

This was how it was made:
-Choose a video (Choose Not to Fall -  Daniel Ilabaca)
-Create a background (I chose a white background with a slight vignette)
-Choose a font
-Type EVERY word of the part you're doing as individual Text Layers
-Position, re-size them, etc.
-Set them to appear as they say each word
-Add an effect to the more important words
-Create any interesting graphics etc. in other compositions
-Add other graphics, position them
-Create Null Object Layers and make them the parent layer of sets of words/graphics
-Animate Null Object Layers to move into the frame etc. bit by bit
-Add credits

So yeah. I think that was everything. This is what it came out to be:





The original video:

When you take video of anything and everything, this happens.

My sister and I made a video together yesterday because we can. I just got my Glidecam and am working on learning how to use it for the best results, so I've been taking it everywhere and taking random clips, hence this video.  This is a video of our times getting a Christmas tree out near Olney (Jordan's territory. It's pretty blank there.) and checking out a farm of sorts that was hosting some art gallery that we avoided to mess around.
Shot on my trusty T2i and kit lens. Oh, and the new Glidecam...but I've since balanced it much better, so I'll make another video soon. Color correction's a bit over the top, but I like it. A bit bright, but I think that's appropriate for the mood. Check it out (in 720p).

Being a Freerunner.

One of the worlld's most renouned team, Team Farang, just posted this video. I watched it, and I found I totally agree with everything they say. Some say they do it for creativity, self-expression, discovering themselves, and loving to move. Always looking for an adventure. They look at the world a different way. I feel I can relate to most of these statements.

A Philosophy on Fear - TEDTalk

I'm interested in philosophy a bit myself. And when I found out one of the original practitioners of parkour and freerunning did a TED talk (just now), of course, I watched it. Not only was it by a traceur, but it was on an interesting topic: fear. I have plenty of fears. Fears that are worthy and fears that aren't. Facing fears is something, that we all can generally agree, nearly impossible. It's one of the hardest things to do. I'm always struggling with fear. We all face fears everyday. Sometimes, fear is too controlling. We want to face them change, but it's difficult. Sometimes it's the only choice. It's only possible with motivation, time, and perseverance. Facing your fears helps you grow. It helps you be more confident. It helps you live your life and face the challenges life poses. I generally agree with most everything Foucan said. I, and many others, can directly relate to what he's saying.

Red Giant Short Film

Just found this short film from a company that makes After Effects plug-ins that I use. Really interesting plot/concept. It's about a device that can slow or speed up an object in time, but not all of time. The graffic effects in this video are really awesome too. Check it out!



Tempo from Red Giant on Vimeo.

Meh. Music.

Found this song recently. It's not often you find rap songs that spread positive messages, or at least according to the stereotype. This song seems to be one of the few that straight up address issues and say they're bad. I'm not strictly against a lot of issues brought up my rap and hip hop music. But sometimes it's good to see someone change it up a bit. An occasional reminder is necessary.

It's shows and speaks about the consequences of drugs, gangs, etc.
The music video shows what happens to a boy named Jake who, with a friends, tries to get some weed, but then there's an initiation that forces him to beat up his friend.
It uses a lot of good figurative language (yes, I did just make this post dull and educational). Lots of metaphors, diction,etc.
It also uses propaganda like the snowball effect.

Alright, basically, I just felt like posting something. I'll make something more interesting over Thanksgiving break I suppose. Apologies. Check out the song anyway. Has Tim Shieff in it, so can't hate really.

Expression through more unique means.

ASOS Puma 'Os Pixadores' from Pulse Films on Vimeo.

As of recent, I've been more interested in abstract art and graffiti, and when I saw this video, I was in awe. However, this video is about 'pixadores'. Pixadores are gang members in Sao Paulo who express themselves and tag their gang through art and graffiti, often times illegally. Now, is this right? No. Is it legal? No. Why would a company like Asos or Puma essentially sponsor this? This has been the question many people are asking. I, too, am confused, however, I don't really mind. It's definitely a better way of expressing themselves than killing people or committing much worse crimes as some gangs do, but it's still illegal. It's hard for me to side against these guys though because of my interest in their art and all. I don't mind small crimes like trespassing or whatever these artists are doing. As long as you're not disrupting anything or damaging anything, I don't see anything wrong with trespassing. Psh. Why not be communist? Let's all share our property. Sounds good to me. And their graffiti can always be removed if need be.

The process itself interests me. I love scaling walls and buildings. It's not hurting anyone, but the fact it's sometimes illegal is exhilarating. On top of that, most people haven't been on these roofs, etc. which, to me, is entertaining because it's almost like the most basic form of exploration. Sometimes you can see everything from a different view, or see new things you've never noticed.

And about the video, it's good. Really well done. Color correction on spot. Angles and speed of film perfect. Interesting story because I don't think many people know of these pixadores, or at least in the United States. Music and sound effects fit well.

A Look At Our Law Enforcers

Saw this shocking video today. I've heard similar stories before on the radio station NPR. Every time, it's so angering. It just gives people even more reason to hate the police, which I slowly find myself doing. I respect the police when I see them, but slowly, through media, I feel I'm being slightly brainwashed. There's a feeling inside my head that wants to hate the police, and there's reason for it, as shown through this video. I want to believe the police and law enforcement systems are doing their job correctly, but it's difficult with evidence like this. When someone hasn't even done anything illegal, and the police officers try to find something to charge them for, and the way they disrespect the "criminals" is simply bothersome. Especially because it has to do with race and other things, irrelevant to the crime "committed".

Now, I myself, as most people have committed minor crimes if they're even worthy of that title. J-walking, trespassing, blocking pedestrian traffic, just to name a few. Knowing things like this are being used to arrest people is enraging. Many of these simple laws are for our own safety, and definitely, for first time offense, are not as punishable as some police departments make them.

Just saw this video and felt the need to write a reaction.

*Warning* Lots of explicit language

Life in a Handstand: Homeless (Ep 4)

This video series is an interesting concept, and is incredibly well done. The filming and color correction look cinematic. It uses sliders, timelapses, film grain, and lots of other great stuff. Some really interesting camera angles that definitely help get the point across, like the close ups of the cigarette scene. Visive Productions is the best filming group I know that's not some major Hollywood group. They only use DSLRs (Two Canon 7D's) and a GoPro, I think.

Considering it's not a real actor, decently emotional, and the fact he's totally not homeless cause he drives an Audi.

Oh...and the skills required to balance on his hands...not easy as well. Props to Livewire.

Russians

Psh. Russians. They must not have backbones or something. Parkour and freerunning at its finest.
So explanatory. Nothing explains it better.

But basically, this video has some of the craziest moves I've seen. Russians always seem to be the first to do the new trick and seem to be able to morph themselves like nobody else.  Who else does gainer precisions? Anyone else wanna try running forward, doing a backflip and landing on something else? Doubt it. Or jump, do half a gainer, and catch a 3 foot high bar in your legs and not hit your head, and then land on your feet. Impossible.

Parkour analysis makes me sound like some crazy person. like that guy ^

*excuse explicit content. once again*

One of my favorite videos to date. Great cinematography, color correct, and editing, as well.