Archive Ten
December 3,
2005 - HD Fest -
More
high-def babble to process ...
I just
spent the day at the
HD
Fest, (billed as "the world's only high-definition film
festival") saw a few films, shorts and features, as well as went to a
few panels. This HD world is a moving target, as panelists
contradicted each other. Someone would say one thing, then
another would say 'no, that changed last week', and then another
would say, 'you're both wrong, it changed again yesterday'.
Oh boy, so what, next week it's all different again? The
technology is changing so much and so quickly that from what I
envision it's probably going to take a couple years for this
nonsense to stabilize out ...
I do have
to admit that I did learn a few things, especially how good HD can
look when you have a DP who knows what they're really doing.
This point was stressed by all the filmmakers and panelists who
were there; "Don't let the technical engineers take over.
They always want lots of equipment, monitors, cabling and extra
stuff. Just hire an experienced DP, preferably who's worked
in both film & HD." ...
One of the
areas discussed was the HDV format, which seems like a hybrid of
DV & HD, and something else we all have to figure out. This
appears to be a format for filmmakers who maybe can't quite afford
true HD, but want better quality than DV. In fact, everyone
agreed that once you've acquired in HDV, move out right of it for
post and then release, especially if any kind of effects need to
be keyed. Hhhmmm, makes me wonder, is there really much of
an advantage to this format? ...
One of the
panels was about the possibilities of economical special effects
in HD. Didn't I just visit this topic recently (Nov. post)?
Anyway, I wasn't too pleased with the comments on this subject.
Everyone suggested that it's very difficult, if not impossible, to
get decent effects on a low budget. Say what? That's
not what I had been hearing form other quarters. 'Course
these panelists were mostly from the studio, big budget world, and
didn't seem too aware or sensitive to us low budget indies.
Even though that's what this panel was supposed to have been
about. Just more techno junk to weed through ...
287 days
and counting ...
J-Alden
Comments --
New Online Film Festival --
12/3
I would like to let you know about a new online
film festival that has been recently launched. Please visit
www.indiecinema.org for
more information.
Thank you,
Alexander Ruurs
Executive Producer
www.indiecinema.org
December 9,
2005 - DV Expo West -
And
even more techno gizmos to play with ...
It's
official, technology is driving the industry more than anything,
and I've become a techno-dweeb (not really). Actually I
spent part of this week at
DV Expo West, and checked out some of the latest hard & soft
gizmo toys for us all ...
One of the
big deals here was the presentation by Panasonic for its new low
cost HD camera, the
AG-HVX200. It was standing room only for their one hour
presentation, and I have to admit that I was impressed.
Apparently they had announced this back in April at
NAB2005,
but didn't actually have a shippable camera until now. And
of course, the other three players (there are probably more, but
four's enough for now) in this arena have their own low budget
HD/HDV cameras; the Canon
X1-H1, the JVC
GY-HD100U and the Sony
HVR-Z1U. Got that? If not, there's more ...
For the
higher end (and much higher cost) HD cameras, these are some of
the many choices; the
Arriflex D-20,
the
Dalsa Origin,
the
Ikegami HDK-790E/79E, the
Panavision Genesis or
VariCam, the
Sony CineAlta System, and the
Viper Filmstream. Yes, there are others, but aren't
these enough choices? If you need more specific info about
all this, there are certainly several sites out there that do
that, as that isn't the specific intent of this blog (check
HD for Indies) ...
I tell you
I'm going to be very glad to have my DP deal with all this.
Just as long as he can communicate to me what I really need to
know to tell the story. Remember? Isn't that why we're
doing all this? Or is it? If I really give in to the
techno gods and show up at
NAB2006 next
year, I know I'm cooked. If so, someone just take me out and
shoot me. Provided you can decide which camera to use ...
A final
note. I just got back my latest draft back from the script
analyst. Am I ready for more punishment? Or do I need
a couple days to catch my breath? Tune in for that next
week, as I go under the whip ...
Tidbits: Check out this is
Wired article on multiple release venues. Is the
industry cannibalizing itself, or morphing into a more accessible
version? Right in line with any morphing is this
Slate article
on handheld device video downloading. Personally, I can't
watch this type of content on such small screens. Give me
the big screen stuff any day. And finally, this is a bit
intriguing.
Digital theaters in China? ...
281 days
and counting ...
J-Alden
Comments --
Introducing
The Indy Film Co-op -- 12/10
Greetings!
The Indy Film Co-op Would like to announce the launching of its
new website and forum. Please check us out at
www.indyfilmco-op.org and sign up as a forum participant.
We encourage you to post your product needs, your festivals and
other items. We need your input.
Sincerely,
The Indy Film Co-op
December 14,
2005 - The Screenplay -
And
another so-called brainy analysis ...
Yes, I've
been attempting to carefully go over the script analyst report
from my latest draft. Attempting, being the vital concept
here. Now I pride myself on being able to find objectivity
when it's really called for, but today that path hasn't been so
clear. I read this report and I'm steaming. What the
hell am I reading?! According to this, I'm going backwards?
...
Damn it,
can't this guy understand what I'm doing? Or at least trying
to? Appears not. Or, heaven forbid, maybe I don't get
it? Gulp. Needless to say, I'm not too thrilled with
what this 'expert' script analyst is advising me.
Something's failing me here, and I'm not exactly sure what it is,
him or me. Or possibly a bit of both? ...
Appears I
need to put this project down awhile, clear myself and work on
something else. Well, I do have another script on the back
burner and that novel I've been pecking at off and on. And
the holidays are around the corner. Maybe I should call it a
year for now, and start fresh next year. Yeah, that's the
ticket. Maybe some decent flicks the next couple weeks? ...
Anyway,
I'll be back before the New Year, and wrap up where I think I am
in 'the process' ...
276 days
and counting ...
J-Alden
December 21,
2005 - The Christmas Spirit -
All
about the giving ...
Yes, I've
gotten caught up in all the whole crazy holiday madness, and am
finally done with all my shopping. But I've also had a
little time to reflect the last few days about this past year.
I sometimes wonder what it is I'm really doing, or at least trying
to do. I mean, why do I really want to make this film?
Why do any of us? What drives us (me)? I'm sure we
could go on and on about this and discover a quite a number of
different reasons, especially the more shallow ones of fame and
fortune. But in the end, for a true filmmaker, isn't it
about giving something to the world? Or at least, that's
what we should be doing. Don't you think? ...
Without
getting too schmaltzy or self-righteous about all this, I feel it
can be a high calling to fill the shoes of a true filmmaker, one
who gives of him(her)self to the world. Not one who imposes
or impresses his vision onto the world, but one who creates a
unique one and breathes life into it, and then puts it out into
the world. To be enjoyed, experienced, entertained,
educated, even enlightened, and hopefully without all the
extraneous b.s. ...
A film as
a gift, as it should be. Yes, but how about we spend less
time thinking about films for once and just enjoy each other this
season? Happy holidays to all. (Next week, my New
Year's resolutions) ...
269 days
and counting ...
J-Alden
Comments --
Live
Digital -- 12/22
Hi, I am assisting in the business development of our site,
LiveDigital. Our focus is to provide hosting and promotion of
independent film makers and producers who want to get their work
out into the open. With free hosting and membership,
LiveDigital provides an online platform and all the tools users
need to distribute their work online.
Best regards,
Team LiveDigital
www.livedigital.com
List Your
DVD -- 12/24
Now, all Premiere members have their own DVD store! All
Premiere members can list their DVDs for free - It is a part of
IndieTalk, and it is also a standalone website at
www.indiedvds.com.
You can upload a screenshot or DVD cover image. When you
enter a description, enter the URL of where it can be bought. You
will do the selling, you keep all the profits. We are just
showcasing it for you!
Happy Holidays,
The IndieTalk Team
www.indietalk.com
December 28,
2005 - Resolutions -
A new
year, a new slate ...
Ah boy,
here I am making New Year's resolutions, something I very rarely
do. Why now? Why not? Maybe, because next year
is when I plan on shooting my film, and when I hope to have
something to show for all my work up to that point. So,
these resolutions only have to do with my filmmaking efforts.
Nothing else. As far as the rest of my life is concerned,
well, it seems I'm always trying to do things to improve that.
And besides, that's personal, and none of you care about that
anyway ...
So then,
for 2006, here they are:
1) Buy a digital HD camera -- I know, I know, why the hell
buy one? Hey, they're so affordable now, plus I'm a shooter
at heart. Just another toy I can learn about (and use).
2) Buy a G5 with Final Cut Studio -- What, more buying you
say? Yep, I've done some editing in the past, and just saw
one of these babies in action. Wow! Another toy to do
some serious damage with. Besides, with these two
resolutions, I want to know what my DP and editor are doing.
A control freak? Maybe.
3) Get in shape -- Yes, I'm not in the best of condition.
So I need to get that endurance up if I'm going to not just keep
up with everyone but stay ahead of them.
4) Find the right people -- Self-explanatory. If I
plan to pull off the intention of my vision, I will definitely
need people who have the right stuff. I know you're
out there somewhere. Please come forward to the head of the
class.
5) Finish this damn script -- Also self-explanatory.
I've come a long way with it, but I've still got some distance to
travel. I will not go forward until the script is right,
even if I have to put this off another year, and another, and
another ...
I think
that's enough for now. If I have more, I'll let you know.
Be well, be prosperous, but most of all, have fun. Until
next year ...
262 days
and counting ...
J-Alden
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