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VC2 Producers: New Facebook group!
Join our VC2 Producers-only Facebook group:
Connect with fellow VC2 producers (or aspiring producers!), exchange ideas, collaborate, learn about our new assignments, etc! We'll be posting regular updates. Join our VC2 Producers-only Facebook group: ... more -
Pick and Choose - Current Video Encoding
Pick and Choose Video Encoding Settings
I started this project with adobe illustrator.
Switched to Adobe Flash CS3.
From Flash CS3, I file export as a QuickTime movie following the guide encoding of current. I used the 30 frames per second as it give better quality.
Switched to QuickTime Pro, I opened and export it to
mp4 encoding using this information from Current "AdvancedUploadingVideoEggGuide.pdf" that states that:
<---current video encoding settings starts--->
The standard VideoEgg Publisher encodes video at 320 by 240 pixels, and a
single frame rate, 15 frames/second. As a general rule, if you wish to export your video at a higher frame rate, we recommend you export at a multiple of the frame rate your version of the Publisher encodes. For example, at the standard publisher frame rate of 15 frames/second, the recommended frame rates for your video would either be 30 frames/second or 15 frames/second.
Audio encoding is carried out in 16 bits with a 44.1 kHz sampling rate in a single channel (mono).
Rendering your video at higher resolutions such as 640 x 480 pixels will result in a higher quality video online; however, there is a considerable trade off in file size. In this guide, we will focus on a best practice to provide an optimal user experience.
<---current video encoding settings ends--->
From FlashCS3 I adjusted the size of the Movie to 640x480 px. resolution.
I am looking for getting a final and fair resolution after uploading it.
In designing we all learned to work on proportions and sizes, so the rule was to work (1/2x) or (1x) bigger. Therefore my initial size on Flash was adjusted to 640x480 expecting that the current "transcoder" will shrink it to 320x240 thus shrinking the pixels. In theory and practice it always work and we get a better resolution. Let me see how my last result come along. If you want to follow this discussion follow this link as well.
http://current.com/items/88857057_pick_and_choose
Pick and Choose Video Encoding Settings I started this project with adobe illustrator. Switched to Adobe Flash CS3. ... more -
Current Video Tutorials Resource Page
I know this could be redundant but you are not going to believe how many people don't even go there. I am trying to get the most quality for my recent video work. My original is so crispy and fine but when I upload on Current it gets a little fuzzy.
Yes, I am pick on quality and never completely satisfied! It is the bad side of artists I guess. Anyway I am studying the exactly settings so I can get the most. If you are like me go for! Frustration is our main name but we get over it sometimes!
http://current.com/producerResources.htm
Latest News on video encoding.
Interesting I have been encoding video for the last month or so and here is what I find out.
1. Sizes (They are all proportional)
a. 640x480 <---This is the biggest size. I do not recommend it. The quality does not translated as expected on transcoding reduction.
b. 480x361 <---YouTube size
c. 430x323 <---I use this size a lot for Current
d. 320x240 <---Believe or not this size is also good and the quality comes out ok on current.
The settings for compression is usually H264, or MPEG-4, frame rate is 12fps or automatic, data rate also is automatic, Quality set to best. The sound is IMA 4:1, rate 44.1kHz, mono. I know this could be redundant but you are not going to believe how many people don't even go there. I am trying to get the most quali... more -
Film Festival Secrets- Chris Holland's blog
Some genius information about film festivals, the application process, and marketing.
Says Chris: "I'm Chris Holland, and this is my blog for interesting film festival news and research while writing a book about film festival submissions."
Some genius information about film festivals, the application process, and marketing. ... more -
Workbook Project
Workbook Project's goal is to create a free resource for content creators that will become a user contributed repository of information. The concept is part of an ?open source social experiment? called the workbook project. It?s a simple concept, the workbook is meant to be spread and edited. Meaning that content creators can add their own info, war stories, advice etc. We?re hoping that the workbook can grow as a resource. We?re building it with an open source ?client side? wiki called tiddlywiki that can be saved to the desktop, edited and then uploaded again. Workbook Project's goal is to create a free resource for content creators that will become a user contributed repository of informatio... more
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Improvised Lighting-Josh Soskin
So my very first shoot abroad in Europe, Igo to plug in my brand new light kit to my inverter/converter and Iquickly realize I'm screwed--the light is a three pronged dc adapter.I only have a converter for 2. There's nowhere in Europe Idiscover that has a 3prong to 2prong american converter.I am forced to abandon my light kit and improvise. I panic for about 5minutes Idecide to try and use a floor lamp and two LED sony camera lights, onetaped to the top of my light kit to see if I can get something decent.I remembered my buddy Mark Bella once had to do that for a shoot.Check out the images of ourlighting experiment in Europe with Marissa. The interview turned outgreat .The moral of the story for all my production friends--improvise whenyou have to, but bring every converter and inverter in the book nexttime you go to europe for production.Good times.-Josh So my very first shoot abroad in Europe, Igo to plug in my brand new light kit to my inverter/converter and Iquickly realize I'm screw... more
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Amazing Los Angeles filmmakers resource
SmogTV is an online video project supported by HD Pictures and Post, a media and technology firm located in Santa Monica, Ca. SmogTV loans professional level resources to filmmakers in the LA area to shoot Internet video content of their choosing. SmogTV in partnership with DVWI, a division of Band Pro Film and Digital, supplies filmmakers with a Sony 1080i HDV camera, tape stock, professional sound (Sennheiser microphones, lavaliers, boom mics), and lighting gear, as well as access to a 2-story state-of-the-art post-production facility. Because of DVWI's support, SmogTV does not charge filmmakers for using these resources.
All content shot by SmogTV's filmmakers is posted on its main site, SmogTV.com. To keep the goals of the site consistent, our filmmakers retain the copyright to all content shot via SmogTV. We also believe in ubiquity and encourage our filmmakers to post their content on other sites as well (YouTube, MySpace, their personal web pages, etc.).
SmogTV's purpose is to create a community of filmmakers who can express themselves freely and to encourage new ideas and views that may connect with people around the world. SmogTV is an online video project supported by HD Pictures and Post, a media and technology firm located in Santa Monica, Ca. SmogTV l... more -
Making Documentary Videos: The Interview
Some basics on shooting a Cinéma Vérité style interview.
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Miro's How to Make Internet TV
Miro is a free, open source video player that can play all formats including some sick HD. This guide to producing videos for online could be seriously useful for VC2 producers looking for tips on making and promoting videos... Miro is a free, open source video player that can play all formats including some sick HD. This guide to producing videos for online ... more
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Pre-Production Tools- Celtx
Celtx is easily one of my favorite programs. The tool that are available are great. All my projects are on it and it is one of the staples of my production process. And best of all, to date, it is entirely free. There are still a few functions that we users are clamouring for, (like budgeting and production boards) but the Celtx team is working on that too.
"Celtx is the world's first fully integrated solution for media pre-production and collaboration. It replaces old fashioned 'paper, pen & binder' media creation with a digital approach to writing and organizing that's more complete, simpler to work with, and easier to share."
Celtx is a one of a kind software, designed to aid in several aspects of pre-production.
--- 5 dedicated industry standard editors for writing- operates in the same fashion as any other industry standard script writing software. If you can use Final Draft you'll feel right at home.---
--- Scheduling- Fairly basic calender---
--- Storyboards- more of a storyboard projector. This feature doesn't create the images for you. However, once you upload them, you can rearrange and play them back, almost like an animatic.---
--- Script Break Down and Tagging function- for highlighting the various elements needed for your project ( i.e: props lists, cast list and contacts, F/X lists, Locations)---
--- Collaboration - Celtx allows to you publish your project (publicly of privately) on their secure server. Those you grant access can download and update the project. Notifications are left ion your inbox whenever a change has been made.---
-- Create a home base- everything , script, notes, cast info, reference material, can all be stored in one place, where it be to share with your team or save as a backup---
Celtx is easily one of my favorite programs. The tool that are available are great. All my projects are on it and it is one of the sta... more -
Killer list of resources for Women Filmmakers
From the Women in the Director's Chair Film Fest in Chicago. This list is badass... has everything from festivals to distributors to databases... From the Women in the Director's Chair Film Fest in Chicago. This list is badass... has everything from festivals to distributors to d... more
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Every filmmaker should bookmark this site
The Freesound Project is a vast archive of free sound samples which you can tap to and add too free of charge.Need the whistle of a steam engine in the background of your film's soundscape? This is the place to go to.Brilliant example of the democratization of the media commons. The Freesound Project is a vast archive of free sound samples which you can tap to and add too free of charge.Need the whistle of a st... more
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Another object of desire
Just to counterbalance one piece of high-end, expensive digital kit, with a piece of high-end, expensive film kit, check out this new 35mm camera 'Penelope' by Aaton.
Aaton has an interesting story too. The myth is that this French camera company was born from the streets of Paris 1968, where a whole generation rose up and blockaded the streets.
Arising out of the political events and developments of the French New Wave of cinema, Aaton wanted to create cameras smaller and lighter than anyone had done before.
Penelope continues in that tradition. It is a 2-pef 35mm camera which means that it shoots a 2.35:1 aspect ratio laterally across the roll of film, making it economical and very light compared to using anamorphic lenses and shooting on 4-perf.
Fascinating stuff. Rental is probably in the region of $500-$1000 a day, don't ask the selling price!
This would make a good camera for well funded shorts or features where speed and hand held maneovorability are at a premium. Just to counterbalance one piece of high-end, expensive digital kit, with a piece of high-end, expensive film kit, check out this new ... more -
the RED camera
No, this isn't a camera designed specifically for the most profitable sector of the film industry, but a new 4K (roughly four times the resolution of HD) camera created by the entrepreneur behind Oakley's sunglasses.
What is exceptional about Jim Jannard's ambitious project is his aim to bring a 35mm sized senor and resolution down to prices most of us can afford. Ok, at $30,000 for the complete kit, its not exactly time to break open the piggy bank, but rental rates should be extremely affordable for those of us wanting to produce the highest quality images possible.
Stephen Sodenbergh is now shooting his Che Guevera biopic 'Guerilla' on one of the first production models.
Personally, I'm a bit of a film purist, but this is really interesting stuff nevertheless. No, this isn't a camera designed specifically for the most profitable sector of the film industry, but a new 4K (roughly four times th... more -
Anthony's recommendations for basic equipment kit
Straight from the preditor's mouth!
BASIC:
Panasonic GS 250 $500 ebay (3 chip)
Radio Shack lav $ 25
Paper Chinese lantern $5, 200 watt bulb with dimmer $20
Tri pod with quick release $40
FROM THERE:
Small flex fill $40
Good sound sennheiser 1/8 shot gun for small camera $250
Wireless ( "borrowed" from large production house)
OK wireless Sony $100
All fits in an inconspicuous shoulder Bag (H&M $20)
Straight from the preditor's mouth! BASIC: Panasonic GS 250 $500 ebay (3 chip) Radio Shack lav $ 25 ... more -
A Chance at Slamdance 2008
Think you missed the deadline for A Chance at Slamdance 2008? Think again! We've decided to extend the deadline to DECEMBER 1st at 7pm PST! Don't know about the partnership? Well read on!
To kick off Slamdance 2008, we want you to make and upload a short film about something that is relevant to you, your community or the world. The Slamdance programming committee - in conjunction with Current TVs Creative Executive team - will be curating five films into a theatrical screening at Slamdance, taking place during this years Slamdance Film Festival (January 17th to the 25th, 2008 in Park City, Utah).
FOR MORE DETAIL AND THE LICENSE TERMS VISIT THE WEBSITE:
http://www.current.tv/slamdance < http://www.current.tv/slamdance>
THE MISSION:
Make a short documentary that is fresh, relevant, authentic and inspired.
THE PAYOFF:
The chance to be part of a shorts program screening at Slamdance 2008, one festival pass to Slamdance 2008, and the opportunity to pitch your ideas to Current TV.
CONTENT GUIDELINES:
- Films must be about current events or new trends
- Films must be between 4 and 10 minutes long
- Films must be in documentary format Think you missed the deadline for A Chance at Slamdance 2008? Think again! We've decided to extend the deadline to DECEMBER 1st at 7pm... more -
YouTube launches remixing video functionality
This iMovie-like interface on YouTube lets you remix videos you've already uploaded to YouTube-- the video preview looks amazing but when I tried it didn't work. Is it working for anyone else? This iMovie-like interface on YouTube lets you remix videos you've already uploaded to YouTube-- the video preview looks amazing but w... more
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