Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes....

Wow! Quite a while since I updated this puppy. Lot's has been going on... No, we're still not finished with that short! The director got stuck with "real" work, so he hasn't been able to get the darn thing finished. So much for shooting for that end of August deadline. We were, however, able to get a short little 1 min. 15 sec. opening clip worked on for a showing at the Tower Theater (Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah). Supposedly it went over very well, I was unable to attend, so I gotta take people's word.

I start shooting a couple of shorts tomorrow. The first is for the DVXUser.com HallowsFest. That's all I can say. I'm not even posting to say that I'm joining, until I've got some footage shot. The second short will be another Halloween based film.

Sony has been showing off their XDCAM EX1 camera. This is going to be a sweet addition to the already well known Panasonic HVX200. Both camera's record to memory sticks, for a tapeless workflow. Google "Sony XDCAM EX" for more information.

Sony has also released v8 of the popular Vegas NLE. Now sporting a new name "Vegas Pro 8", this looks to be a pretty decent release. I've got the demo, and will provide more info once I can get around to testing it out.

Well, it's back to the grind....

...more movie making...

So we were supposed to be finished, fin, complete, done and over with at this point in time with actual shooting of this short film entitled BIRDS OF PREY. However, weather and schedules just didn't mix well together. We were going to get together last Tuesday (5/22/07) and shoot the final fight sequence. Well, things didn't work out for the director. Then it was pushed to yesterday (5/24/07) and the weather kicked up, as well as one of the lead's injured her wrist while longboarding. So, we're currently scheduled for a Tuesday, May 29, 2007 shoot day. Then the only things left, will be pick-up shots that the director can do. I've already started on moving into the VFX portion of my duties for this short. We've got some 3D elements that needed to be created, so modeling has commenced. I've also been working on different muzzle flash elements to make roto'ing them in much easier. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way things are going right now.

In other news, I've started writing a couple of stories down that have been floating through my grey matter lately. A couple of these stories would make for some wonderful animated movies. I know that one would be a feature length film, so I've thought about splitting it up into a trilogy of shorts. Who knows, maybe it'll happen. I wanna focus on getting several more short live action films out the door before committing to anything strictly animated. Animated is gonna take some time, even though I do have several people interested in helping out.

So, enjoy your weekend, I'm going to be working on VFX stuff, if I get the urge, I'll see about posting some stuff up here!

Movie making.....

So around a month ago I was trying to make a poster for my friend's short film that he was preparing to shoot. Well, for the past week, we've been in production mode. Monday was used to shoot some footage for use later on in the film. That seemed to go off without a hitch. Then starting Thursday, May 10th, 2007 we started shooting. We had 2 full days of shooting, and then we've got a break until Tuesday, May 15th.

Early poster for a friend's movie.

Update...

Okay, so I think I might have a handle on images. Don't know where I'm going to post my animations and video stuff yet.

Looks like my previous hosting solution for video/animations is now dead. The entire site is gone. Only getting a 404 now, and no one can get hold of the owner! I know he's busy, but it would have been nice to have heard what was going on. So, at least you'll be able to see my lovely images until I can get another place for big stuff.

No images

Ok, looks like something has happened to my hosting service, and images are currently down. Not sure how long they'll be gone for.

**EDIT** Just found out that it looks like the server ran out of bandwidth. Not sure how that happened, but it should be worked out soon. I hope!

Drawing and 3D...

Most people know that to get around in 3D you need to be able to draw. While this isn't entirely true, being able to draw does give you an understanding of form and function. Which then makes 3D that much easier for you.

So, I was surfing around while waiting on a render to finish, and came across this blog.

Check it out, and draw damnit, draw!!!!

Working hard....

So, I've been working hard during the first month of the year, and it wasn't on film related stuff!!!! I offered my 3D modeling services to my friend Chris, since the company he works for had him needing to model a low poly version of the Forbidden City in China. If Chris had to do this all by himself, on top of his other duties at work, low poly would have meant boxes trying to fake being buildings. While my model was almost exactly boxes trying to be buildings, there was enough shape to actually fake it more than what Chris would have been able to do (in the time alloted), and he's told me as such. So, this not only gave me an in to this company (his boss loved the model), it also saw me getting a paycheck for 3D for the first time in almost 8 years. It was fun modeling again, and I'm looking forward to doing another project for these guys.

Here's a render of the model, with no textures...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

As the old year passed, I was busy working on fixing a disc image that wasn't wanting to burn correctly, while chatting with my friends in Louisiana. My wife mentioned to me the other day that what ever you are doing when the New Year starts, is what you will be doing for the entire year... God I hope not!!! That image was a pain in the rear!!

So, the New Year starts, my one son is a year older, and I'm still trying to get off my butt and finish a project. This _WILL_ be the year it will happen. I'm planning on making at least several shorts this year and hopefully start on a feature project. The past year I did get involved in several projects, which are still being worked on. Even started a couple myself that are still ongoing. Post work can be a bitch!

So, have yourself a safe and happy New Year! Happy Birthday Cole! See you all around!