Our Short "Cinnamon"

This is our freshman short. Because of equipment issues we had to use the light kit from the broadcast cage. If you ever used the this kit you know...it is worthless. It makes light, sure, but it is hard florescent light that just doesn't blend with ANYTHING! So, I got to use my color correction process on it. (the seperating colors as I mentioned in my presentation) Yeah, I'm still experimenting with it, but you can't argue with results.

So here it is!

Looking for Opinions

So after Psycho, Hitchcock was criticized for manipulating his audience with sound. Basically, critics were saying that, without the score, Psycho wouldn't have been as scary. In turn, he mad The Birds without a single note. In fact, the only thing like a score is the sound of the birds and the children singing in the playground.

Was this a good move? He didn't want to be the "sound guy" so he responded by making a movie without sound. But do we really need to address the nitpicks of critics? I'm feeling like I'm heading towards being a "something guy" like that. Should I purposely change it up, or let the change come naturally, if at all?

Taking an Oath

Raise your right hand.

I hereby promise that, over Christmas break, I will not intentionally watch crap. I will do my best to avoid anything that is 90% explosions. The lead actors will be draws because they are talented, not because they are "stars." Females will be realistic or empowered. These films will not be borderline porn for tweens who can't figure out how to get around their parents internet protections. I will not watch 2 hour toy commercials. I will not watch Digital Graphics The Movie. I will not watch shameless sequels, especially ones to Digital Graphics The Movie.

And above all else....no sparkling vampires!

Orson

Since his words seemed to hit home with a few, here's the full interview with Orson Welles.

Sketch a Day

I struggle with perfectionism. Add to that my time is usually really crunched. I have a couple of unfinished projects on my computer. It's not that I'll never finish them, it just that it takes enough time for me to settle on what they are as opposed to what I wanted them to be. When I reach that point I really have no problem slashing and burning through them.

There's something I used to do when I first started picking up a camera. I would call, "Ed Wood Style", meaning that whatever happens is in the flick. Even if half the set falls down on top of you, it's one take and done. Naturally this was done with comedies so we didn't have to take these failures so seriously. But this idea could apply to other genres, as long as the information that is needed to continue the plot is in some way expressed.

I'd really like to adopt the sketch a day concept. Maybe I'll find something I can film and have finished at least once a week.

What I Want and What it Is

Have any of you seen Shadow of the Vampire? It's a movie starring John Malchovich and is a fictionalized account of the making of the classic silent film Nosferatu. Anyway, what I want film making to be like is how it is in that movie. Everything is taken seriously, it's all organized, and it is treated as a very scientific process (hell, they even wear lab coats). The director talks of making the movie in very epic ways; saying that this is the key to their immortality, that the image will keep moving long after they as individuals have all fallen still. And everyone believes in what he's saying. They take it just as seriously as he does. He is their captain and they will fallow him on his epic quest.

What's it really like? The Climatic Death of Dark Ninja. Sure the toys get bigger and more expensive, and you may even get more people willing to help you, but it's pretty much the same. It's like pulling teeth to get things to go the way you want. You have to reason with people or boss them around, even though you don't really carry that kind of authority. A lot of times you will find yourself doing something odd like strapping a sword to a dummy's hand and thinking, "I can make this work...right?" You are just the kid with the camera. You never grow up. In fact, if you grew up you'd probably realize what a hassle and waste of time it all was and go get a "real job." And just when everything is ready to go, a huge tree falls on your set. (The tree fell while he was holding a camera, so I suppose that puts it in the realm of digital arts. Hmm...that sounds somewhat familiar.)

How Does One Expect the Unexpected?

So I got to do some shooting over break. After one scene, I was walking with the camera and felt a sudden pain in my foot. Luckily, I felt it just before putting all my weight on that foot. Hopping around, trying not to drop my camera, I kicked off my shoe. That's when I discovered I had stepped on a block of old moldy wood that had a twisted rusty nail sticking out of it. This thing was just hiding in the dead leaves waiting for me. The nail had punched through the bottom of my shoe and was stabbing at my heel. It didn't break the skin (no shots for me!!!) but it put a bruise where it was trying to pierce my foot. I wish I had taken a picture. Wasn't thinking of it at the time though.

Cinnamon Challenge

Who here has done it? What do you think of it? Would you be willing to do it again? Would you be down with doing it again if we all managed to convince Leeper into doing it?

Turkey Bits

If you have the time, brine the turkey. That's where you let it soak overnight in water, salt, and spices. Or just water and salt. Look up Alton Brown on youtube for more on that. (Alton Brown kinda looks like Leeper 0.o) If someone in the house needs low sodium, you can skip.

Injects can be tasty. You can gets kits at the store. If you don't want to use the store's inject, mix butter, honey, and lemon juice or some lemon pepper in a bowl. Then start stabbing that bird. You'll want to get the meaty parts; chest, wings, thighs. When you do it right the bird's skin will inflate somewhat like a balloon. Try not to inject yourself....no seriously, it's easier to do than you think.

There are two ways of getting a really juicy bird. 1. Put the bird in the pan chest down. There will be no need to baste it as the it will be swimming in its own juice. In fact, basting will slow your took time as you'll be opening the oven door and letting the heat out multiple times. 2. Take a piece of foil and shape it like the superman symbol. Place it over the bird's chest. This will create a small seal around the area keeping the meat moist. However, if you're going for presentation (perfectly brown bird all over) maybe you won't want to use this. The foil will pretty much destroy the skin on the breast. That's the cost of good meat.

GRAVY! If you boil up your own gravy you're going to need a hank of the fat for the stock. Or you can wait and use the drippings from the bird. When I go the hank of fat way, I like to use the bloodiest piece of fat I can find. Gives your gravy some iron. Might not be for everyone. Mix with some milk, thicken with flour. I have yet to find a use for corn starch. Only use corn starch if you hate flavor and wished everything tasted like cardboard. Don't worry about lumps. If they grew up with someone who actually cooked, they had lumpy gravy. They'll probably be thinking of mom when they eat it. The rest of them were raised on store brand....child abuse! They don't know any better. Or you can wuss out and buy store brand. Don't worry, we'll only be silently judging you. :p

(for the guys) Real mashed potatoes will impress the lady you are cooking for. The funny part is, mashed potatoes could be made by a chimp. Skin them, boil them, and then mash them. Mix in a little bit of milk and butter. Or maybe a lot of butter. Can't go wrong with butter. Use a blender, a hand masher, or just punch the hell out of them. Ask her ahead of time if she likes smooth or lumpy. Then when you serve it up just the way she likes, she will associate you with all the warm fuzzy feelings she has for home, and that can lead to good things.

I like to throw this out there every year, in hopes my words reach someone in time. THAW YOUR TURKEY BEFORE YOU DEEP FRY! First off, deep fried turkey isn't really that great. It has become more of this "man" thing to do. A dude wouldn't be caught dead in the kitchen on Thanksgiving, so he's gotta take it out into the lawn on in the garage. He's gotta get a ladder and pulley system set up, it's all very mechanical. Nope, no woman's work there eh? :/ So when the frozen bits of the turkey hit the oil, the ice is turned to water and rapidly expands. This causes the oil to flow over the top and down onto the burner, which is usually a propane burner. Oh yeah, oil is flammable, and propane tanks don't like being set on fire. One explosion later, the kids are out a house for Christmas. Sucks to be them. So yeah, that will probably be on my facebook and I'll text it out just in the hopes that it stops one more person from blowing something up. I hear about it every year.

We Need to Watch This

This video is about a new bill in congress that is actually picking up a lot of steam. It will give the entertainment industry the ability to censor the internet, a power I'm sure they will in no way abuse. (how does one type that sarcastically?)

If you like watching things like movie reviews, or even linking to these reviews, without getting sued, I'd recommend you watch and maybe follow up on this.

What's the Magic Word?

PIVOT!

Remember this word. It's a business term, and it will keep you from shooting yourself in the head. Since the line between being a filmmaker and being a business man is getting more and more blurred we need to learn this.

Businesses don't fail...they pivot. In fact, the only time a business can fail is when its owner stops trying. Twitter was a pivot. Someone tried a website, it didn't fly in most ways, except the one. Everyone seemed to like the info feed. So from the ashes of their failed attempt came a game changing website.

So, you find yourself on a film shoot that falls apart, pivot. Take what worked and throw out what didn't. Go at it again and try to make it work. Doesn't happen...pivot again.

Ryan

I don't think I can explain how much I liked this film. Just everything about it spoke to me I guess.

The way he animated everyone, it was like he could actually see the real them. That's the world I used to live in. Those are the people I'd see walking around. And only someone who has been through the looking glass would know that at the bottom of that gaping, screaming, hole in your head is a patch of sunflowers. And I don't think I've ever seen a better representation of the dread of personal failure. (that was those colorful strands that came out of their heads and violently wrapped around them.)

It was the small details that were the best though. Like the way their colorful scars waved at each other, the hands on the drink, and how Ryan's body slowly began to heal when he touched Felicity's hand.

This is really good stuff, but it makes me wonder how many people in class were actually on the same page.

Nicole Dreiske

My brain is full! To put it into terms you may understand, my computer will be rendering this for a number of days. I actually wasn't going to come in today. Wednesdays I have to get up around 3am. I was digging for excuses. One class wasn't meeting, another is starting a new section, I'm failing another. Just out of a random choice I got out of bed. Glad i did. I still ended up missing a class though.

Nicole Dreiske spoke today at Becker 3rd. It was supposed to be a big DMA meeting, but the email didn't go out. Only those who saw the fliers, or had someone tell them, knew what was going down. As much as that sucks for everyone else, I can't say I'm sad that only a few of us were there. It was kind of like seeing a shooting star. At one point I thought to myself, "Why isn't anyone recording this?!" But I wasn't about to get out of my seat. We were in the screening room, probably too intimate a setting for someone so full of energy. As an introvert, probably shouldn't have picked the front row. She was talking directly to us. She would stand, inches away, and directly looked into our eyes. She did this with everyone, and it didn't seem forced at all. There was hopping, and turning, and touching, and gesturing involved. Not gonna lie, kind of felt like running for the door.

I don't even know where to begin with what was said. Like I said, still rendering. What I can tell you about is the feeling you get when someone not only justifies exactly what you've been thinking, and finally has given you the words you've been looking for, but also points you in the direction of the next step. It's like finally getting to stand up straight after years of dragging a heavy cart behind you.

Here are the key points I'm still holding onto, as interpreted by my brain.

• You are at the center of layers of media sediment. To create, you begin tapping into this, but most will try to be like someone else who has added to the sediment. If you drill all the way down to you, the real you, then you'll have something real and true to you.

• Don't take a $h@t job! The act of creation should be sacred to you. Keep this space clear of the clutter. I set up some steep standards for myself and I can't tell you how awesome it is that someone like Nicole backs this up. The jobs I do must be true to me no matter what. Which reminds me...

• Know when to walk away. If you're not going to bring your best, and bring out the best in others, then just don't move forward.

Is there more? Lots! But yeah, back to rendering.

How Film (And Even Digital) Works

Do you remember Prof. Leeper talking about animating by scratching layers off of film stock, how there would be various colors layered on top of each other? This is how that works. You may be surprised to learn that this principle still applies to digital photography.

I'm assuming that most of you are aware of the three color channels; red, blue, and green or "RBG." With these three color channels we're able to make entire pictures. It used to be everything was black and white. Then movie studios started experimenting with adding the reds and the blues in certain segments of silent movies. It was an expensive and troublesome process, but that didn't stop them from trying. Eventually, green was added and the process refined. When you see a camera that has 3 CCD written on it, that means that it has the red, blue, and green sensors. Okay, enough of the history lesson.

Red, blue, and green are the sensors used, HOWEVER, those are not the only color channels. If you begin scratching away at the film you find that there are actually 6 colors; red, blue, green, yellow, magenta, and cyan.















All of this is layered on top of a black and white base. But even this base can be broken down into three parts; blacks, whites, and neutrals.








What's more interesting is that these level can be broken down into even more levels. I can get finer and finer amount of the blacks, whites, and neutrals until there are none of each left. I'm not crazy enough to do that, but it's cool that I could.

When these are all layered together you get a full picture.



I wonder what he's talking about. "So he's walking down the street, and he has the sandwich in one hand..."

READ THIS BOOK!

Special Effects: The History and Technique

This is actually a textbook, but it's the only textbook I've gone through cover to cover. I first picked it up after finding it in the Fort Wayne library. It walks you through everything, from the first cameras to computer animation. What is important about it is that it helps you understand why things work the way they work. When you know that, you can then adopt technologies and techniques that have been passed up in favor of newer methods, technologies and techniques that in this computer era can be picked up again and used in whole new ways. That is, if you're clever enough to apply the knowledge.

You can get it on Amazon for around $50. If I ever have the money I'll be getting a copy for myself.

Some Uncanny Stuff

So the first video is apparently 100% computer generated. If anything has managed to bridge the uncanny valley it's this one.



But you'll notice, it's just fruit falling into stuff. I wonder how we'd respond if they had tried to tell a story? What would the response to this be if a digital person was standing there throwing the fruit?

Also! Here's a review of Avatar that points out some of the ways James Cameron got around the uncanny valley. He points these things out for another reason, but it still applies. In a word, "Disney Eyes." HOWEVER (READ THIS!) I must warn you that this review, as well as the Star Wars one I'm posting, are of an adult sense of humor. Maybe some of you have heard of RedLetterMedia and their reviews by the character Harry Plinkett. Mr. Plinkett is a drinking whoring, homicidal old man who likes to post movie reviews on the internet. (Leave a comment on his web zone and he'll send you a pizza roll.) He talks about murdering his wives and having sex with his cat. I think it's funny, some of you...probably not so much.





Okay, so the Star Wars one. It's 70 mins long! But never have I heard the reasons why I don't like the prequels put in such a succinct way. In fact, I'll never do a Star Wars review or paper myself because all I have to do is point here. He got it perfectly right. However, there is a running plot line in this, and all three prequel reviews, of his battles with a hooker he has kidnapped and locked in his basement. I didn't exactly get it, until someone pointed out that he was trying to say that he could make a more believable relationship between these two than Lucas did with Annakin and Padme. All this stuff is at the end of the videos, so if you wish to skip it you can. Continue on to his youtube page to see all the other parts.

You don't get it. Should I care?

This is the interview my group did. I slipped a story in there while editing. I'm surprised how many people don't get it. It doesn't even seem those who worked on it got it. Here's the thing, I'm not sure if I should care. I mean, if you pay attention to what's being said, what you see when it's being said, and what you hear and when you hear it...then you might just put it all together and walk away with the feeling that was intended. There's also that "aha!" moment that I like, but the problem with that is you've got to be able to put that together. Ask yourself, why am I being shown this right now within the context of the whole.

When making a film is it alright to slow the bus down to let more people on? Stanley Kubrick didn't when 2001 bombed at the box office. In fact, he pretty well kept his mouth shut about what he was going for on that on all the way up to the day he died.

I'm happy with it. In fact, the only regret is that, in order to get it done on time, I had to plow through it, which took some of the experience away from the others. That's my fault for not trying to put it together sooner. I've tagged them all in this post. It doesn't have to count as blog credit, but if it does everyone deserves it. Anyway, check out the awesome lighting and location by Megan Carpenter.

Note: After writing this I went back and tried really hard to make it more obvious what I was going for. It didn't really work. It seemed forced. It is what it is.

What I've Been Working On

I've been working on this for what I think is close to two years now. It's part of a larger color correction process whole. While working on separating out color channels I discovered a potential way of doing true to color day-for-night. Well, not that there's much color at night. Posted is an example. This is steps above my earlier attempts, but I'm still having problems with artifacts/grain/ etc. You can see some of it in the bottom corner as the frame turns to the left. Since I'm just about out of ideas, I figured I'd throw it out there and see what others think.

It was shot one Sunday morning just inside the doors of Becker. I used a t2i with the stock lens. This is pretty much all simple post work done in After Effects. Any ideas are welcome.

Dudes are Messed Up

Sorry to all the females out there, but yes, guy filmmakers are messed up. It's a deeper psychological matter at play, probably something to do with mother issues. Let me explain.

So Prof. Leeper mentioned that guys tend to do some weird things with the females in their work. The fairytale assignment he mentioned was a pretty crazy example of that. So that night I go home and put in a random movie. Going through a bit of an Eastwood phase, so I went with High Plains Drifter. In it, there are two moments where different females are dragged off and givin' the what for, if you don't mind my prospector era parlance. Okay, so some context; the movie is about a vengeful spirit that knows that everyone in town is corrupt. He knows that these two women are miserable and desperate to find real men who are not greedy cowards. So they relent and get into the "what foring" if you will. But still, they were dragged, kicking and screaming, into rooms, as if that's the cure for a woman who is screeching at you like a harpie.

What I find interesting is that this was the "ideal man" of the time the film was made. Do you think it's the same for today? In all honesty, do any of you here think about being dragged off like that for some what for? Is that ever, could it ever be, a turn on, or is it just wishful thinking on the part of the male filmmaker.

You'll have to answer, because, as a male, I have no idea how females think. O.0

Contemporary Animation

I'm a little split on the animation we watched in class. I appreciated the work put into it, and how it washed over the viewer, but I don't know if I actually liked it or not.

A more contemporary version of this would be M dot Strange's "We are the Strange." There is a story to it...but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I mean, I know it takes place in a world inside a video game...but that's just about it. This one as well washes over the viewer. Whenever I see it I usually come away inspired because it reminds me that there are no rules to film-making.

It uses animation techniques from all sorts of fields. It's all posted on youtube, so check it out. Below is the trailer.