What’s this funky image?
Just wondering who will be the first person to comment on this object and tell me specifically what it’s used for.
WE HAVE A WINNER! Read the comments below for more information.
May 9th, 2010 Filed Under Steve's Thoughts | 2 Comments »
Optical Illusions
So in our world, things may not always be as they seem. Our perception of color has very much to do with the context or surroundings. Lighting for video and film takes all of this into account to trick our eyes and cameras to let us perceive the proper colors.
March 2nd, 2010 Filed Under Steve's Thoughts | No Comments »
Mid-Atlantic BX Awards Video Segment
We had the privilege of producing 8 segments for the Mid-Atlantic BX’s 2009 Craftsmanship Awards a few months ago (OK, OK so it took me a while to get the story posted). Anyway, we shot 4 days on location to capture student interviews and produce a 7-minute highlight reel as well as shooting 4 days green screen for other craftsmen. The on-camera greenscreen shots were combined and composited with still images and other graphics to create 4-minute videos to highlight the nominees in each of 8 categories.
We also handled the awards night event with theatrical lighting, Emcee and multi-camera recording and projection. The recording was dumped to an interactive DVD for a memento to the nominees and winners.
All in all it was about a 6-month process and over in just a very short 75 minutes. What a great time we all had!
Watch the video here:
Have a look at some location photos:
Here’s what my Emcee, Buster Maxwell, had to say about the event:“Steve did an amazing job pulling together a ten-person crew of stage and video production people for the Mid-Atlantic BX (Builders Exchange) Awards at the Hilton Harrisburg for a large and enthusiastic crowd. Not only did he efficiently set up and run a tech rehearsal with precious little time, he also cooly and calmly directed the entire evening’s festivities, which included projected video and live camera shots, plus music and live performance. He and his talented staff at Final Focus also produced nine excellent award videos, which highlighted each awardee’s accomplishments in a respectful and illuminating fashion. I was honored to be the MC for the event, and I’m happy to say that Steve and I met right here – on LINKEDin.”
February 26th, 2010 Filed Under Recent work | No Comments »
8 Secrets of Success
February 26th, 2010 Filed Under Steve's Thoughts | No Comments »
Wireless Microphones, stop using 700MHz band after June 12, 2010
Certain wireless microphones have operated in frequencies that are needed for public safety. When these microphones were first designed, the frequencies they used were in between the frequencies that television stations used to broadcast television programs. With the completion of the digital television (DTV) transition on June 12, 2009, television stations no longer use the frequencies between 698 and 806 MHz (the 700 MHz Band) for broadcast. These frequencies are now being used by public safety entities (such as police, fire and emergency services) and by commercial providers of wireless services (such as wireless broadband services).
The wireless microphones that had been operating in the old TV broadcast channels can cause harmful interference to these public safety and wireless consumer services. Therefore, all users of wireless microphones (or certain low power auxiliary stations) that operate on any of the frequencies in the 700 MHz Band – including both licensed users (under Part 74) and unlicensed users – have to stop operating in this band.
The FCC is only prohibiting the use of wireless microphones that operate in the 700 MHz Band. You may continue to use wireless microphones that operate on other broadcast frequencies. Microphones with cords are not affected by the FCC’s decision. (Provided by the FCC)
More can be found on the FCC website. I know a few manufacturers are offering a trade-in discount to buy new gear.
January 30th, 2010 Filed Under Gear Notes, Video Help | No Comments »
Shollenberger & Januzzi: LawFact Campaign
We recently completed a campaign of 4 TV ads for the law firm of Shollenberger & Januzzi. While shooting the ads, we also taped what I call “candid conversations” with the partners to have them explain more about the firm and their areas of practice. Those clips can be viewed on their website as an insight to their personalities and expertise.
In this case (no pun intended) we worked directly with Shollenberger & Januzzi to write the ads and develop the concept on message delivery – we were the creative agency. The ads were shot in HD on Sony EX-1 and edited on our new 8-core MAC in the upgraded edit suite 1.
Press the play button to see the video again, or select one of the other images to see more of our work located on our Vimeo page.
January 16th, 2010 Filed Under Recent work | No Comments »
Flatulance is your friend… Jackson GI/Prebiotin
December 18th, 2009 Filed Under Recent work | 1 Comment »
Some comics to make you smile!
Here’s a few comics I’ve collected over the years that I thought might put a smile on your face. I needed a little distraction today and have been wanting to do this for some time. Enjoy!
At least the guy was honest.
From “The Far Side”
Not sure if the younger generation that grew up on LCDs will get this one!
Ya gotta speak the language the superiors will understand.
Not too far from the truth!
From millimeter magazine
This is from the mid-90s when customized inkjet mailing was catching on. They got my name wrong but inspiring none the less.
December 14th, 2009 Filed Under Steve's Thoughts | No Comments »
Works For Me
We recently worked with Suasion PR firm to create 2 TV commercials and a 7-minute video to promote a new program funded by the Department of Public Welfare. The newly-created Works For Me program assists people with disabilities to get training and obtain work WITHOUT danger of losing their health or SSA benefits.To watch the video again, simply click the play button. You can also see some of our other work by clicking the other videos images at the end.
Click the arrow below to start the slide show of some location production images.
December 10th, 2009 Filed Under Recent work | No Comments »
Cumberland Valley High School Creates ad for The Big Read
Click the arrow to start the slideshow of photos from the day.
Recently we coordinated with the Special Interest program at CVHS to host 18 students to learn about video production – the cool part was that none of them were aware of the purpose to the Mystery Trip!It started out with a friend of mine from Jump Street needing a commercial to promote their involvement with The Big Read – part of the National Endowment for the Arts. She had the idea getting students involved with the project. As our discussions went on, it turned into the Mystery Trip for CVHS students to actually create the ad.
I’m a huge advocate of job shadowing, career days, talking up classes at local schools… anything to help them make informed decisions about possible careers. Well, they arrived at 8AM and I had the typical soapbox about video and showed them some of our work. We then went to a meeting area and discussed the career options and had a few of my crew members on hand to share their educational and real-world experiences. It’s now going on 10AM and no one had a clue what was about to take place. Not to mention engaging high school kids in the morning is a feat in itself.
So it’s nearing 10AM and now I let them know what the day holds: A brainstorming session to meet the client and figure out the audience and message; then breaking into groups of 3 headed up by a team member for specific tasks of documentary, writing, editing, graphics, location production and audio. We ate lunch and went at it! The van was loaded and headed for the location for setup. Graphics started gathering information and logos. Audio searched for music. Editing studied other ads for concepts. Writers wrote and got the script approved.
Once approved, Producers headed to the location to work with talent. By 3PM everyone was back at FFP to review the footage but the school day was over. So it actually took a 2nd day for the editing. But I was really amazed what took place that day! The students really took hold of the project and made it happen.
I’m not sure if we created any Spielburgs in doing this but we had a great experience!
Read the online story here on the Cumberland Valley website.
November 23rd, 2009 Filed Under Recent work | No Comments »
