For the ladies

Check out this video form the Tenacious D website, quite funny:

Stop Piracy

Stop piracy!

The 'LOL' thing

Ever typed 'LOL' in a messege? Of course you have, but have you really laughed out loud? I bet not:

Glowing comment on YouTube

OK, so I know this post is just bigging myself up, but if I dont, who else will? - Well another YouTube user, thats who.

 

Posted on 6th Dec 2006:

There are just so many "music videos" on youtube that just suck, there stupid fast things and are just dumb. Like 80% of people who have a youtube account in my opinion should not have one, but then theres people like you who actually spend time and make something worth watching. So like I said good job and if you don't have anymore music videos, you should. :)

New film about the 'Big Brother' state

I'm now planning to make a new film about my everyday journey into uni, and just how many CCTV cameras I get caught on, even while just walking past a cheapo shop.

 

I can understand the ones at the ATM machines, and I am thankful that they are there, but I cant help feeling like 1984 is coming up fast for us all

Halo 3 vs AvA

Ok, so I've finally signed for to YouTube, at www.youtube.com/user/filmsbynick

 

anyways, I've been watching other users videos, and I've found this one: Its Halo 3 footage set to Angels and Airwaves music, its a bit long, but its still good, and it gives a bit of a spoiler to the plot of Halo 3:

Second day of shoot done

Well my second morning of shooting for my film has finished, didn't all go to plan though, with so called 'officials' who don't even talk to the head of the building, (who I did have permission from) and claim superiority over everyone!

 

I did get almost everything I needed from this shoot though

The Sims Movies

Well EA Games has started The Sims movie competition, where you make a movie using in-game footage from The Sims 2.

The website address is www.simsshorts.com and has all the information you need.

Bear in mind that the closing date is 10th December 2006, so get working!

Time to bring in another animator

Well I think I'll have to bring in another animator  for yet another CGI sequence in 'Breaking Out', I have one animator in the  states creating the CGI of my computer virus, but I need another scene of a  brain inside it's skull being effected by the way the computer virus attacks  people. I'm still not letting anything slip about the plot yet, so you'll just  have to wait until I release the film to see it!

 

I'm going in the local paper!

I got in touch with my old college, WCOH, in North Wales, just to let them know how I'm doing now I've left there, and how I've got my Degree in Digital Media, and they'd like to feature me in the local paper, mainly to help promote the college, but its more exposure for me! Wooo!

First Day of Soot Over

Well I've just finished the first day of shooting for my film: Breaking Out, the opening scene went quite well, and the natural light worked well for us today.

 

Roll on the next day of shooting, which will require more organisation, as I will have more actors on set

LAN Party on Saturday

I'm going to a LAN Party on saturday, my  first, and I guess it helps that its on my uni's main campus, so its easy to get  to. I'll be taking my mates Xbox, and probably playing halo or halo 2 with system linkups.

At last, playing a multiplayer game where the other  team cant see your screen.

Filming Schedule

Just a short one for now;

 

Time to organise my filming schedule for 'Breaking Out' the first of a 2-part film.

 

It uses various locations in and around wrexham, but wrexham is not hinted at in the first film, it is in the second though.

Christmas Comin At Yer!

What is it about almost every business cramming Christmas down your neck? I mean come on, sure it's an exciting time for kids, seeing as all they can seem to think about is what new toys they'll be getting, or how soon they can play on their xbox 360, but where has the meaning of Christmas gone? And why oh why is it being crammed down our necks like silly?

 

Where I work, they 'officially' turned the Christmas lights on around the store - all one string of them, with a clumsy inflatable Christmas tree out front. Ahhh, time to get the festive CDs out then...

 

I do seem to be ranting a lot recently, dont I? I'll try to make the next post less rant-like....Promise!

Short bit in an animated film for me!

I have been asked to make a short cut for an animated film by one of my animator student friends. The general theme for this is that the animation suddenly stops, the screen cuts to the animator resting, after quickly sketching the frames of the animation. His boss shouts abuse at him, and throws things at him to make him carry on making the cartoon, like a slave driver.

 

Sounds fun, no?

Codex85 Saves My Film

One of my internet buddies has every so kindly offered to produce some of the CGI sequences I need to use in my film 'Breaking Out'. Lets hear it for Trans-atlantic partnerships!

 

He really seems to be very good at the CGIing, and is studying animation as well. I would post a mockup of the final sequence here for you all to see, but you will just have to wait until I release the film properly in 2007.

 

Thanks again Codex85!

HDTV = Half Definition TV

It amazes me to think of the difference between HD and TRUE HD screens, and how manufacturers can get away with only slightly higher tvs being branded as 'HD'. True, that they are highER than normal tv screens, but they are noe the TRUE HD resolutions.

 

True HD is 1080 lines on the tv screen, but some tvs have just 720 lines, and can be classed as HD, but stick a 28" HD tv of 720 lines and a 28" HD tv with 1080 lines, and you will see the differnce, if you have enough money to do that, of course.

 

---Second Rant of the Day over.

Damn Stupid Ringtones!

What is is about stuid ringtones that sound like hamsters on speed! Oh god, why oh why do people feel the need to have such annoying tones set so damn loud on their phones?

 

I have a standard beep for my ringtone, and that grabs my attention just fine, I dont feel the need to annoy everyone around me whenever my phones goes off. what is to be accomplished by having a drugged up hamster shouting at you when someone phones you?

 

Is it meant to impress people, so they think 'wow, that person is really, really cool, because they have a hamster on speed on their phone!'?

 

Come on people, use sensible ringtones, just think how stupid things like 'Crazy Frog' is....

 

--Rant Over Now.

Lost Sri Lanka Video

The full Sri Lanka video can be found here:

http://members.aol.com/stophanso/sri_lanka_video.avi

It is the video made by rachel blake about the dharma initiative and the hanso foundation

Pre-vis Wireframe Done

I have had some assistance from a animator here at NWSAD, part of NEWI in making a wireframe representation of what a virus/spider looks like, and its looking pretty sweet, I will be using it in the finished version of 'Breaking Out'

Dissertation Research

AGGGHHHH!

Trying to research the differences in morality between films and tv is hard, but I'm carrying on, As I have to research some dodgy subjects, I guess the tech guys will have a suprise soon, when they read the logs!

The Return

Having watched a european film called 'The Return' I think that more and more european cinema is getting more artistic, and to some extent more creative then hollywood, or enen british films. I guess it depends on your taste, although it did make me a bit sad to see on the extras section of the DVD that one of the kid actors died shortly after maing the film. :(

YouTube Madness?

In a recent article in the Daily Mail, (Sat 7th Oct) I read about the darker areas of YouTube, a fairly new video sharing internet site.

 

I was shocked to read of some of the material listed in the article. And whats worse is that you dont even need to register to view material, only to post, yet still, does this really excuse the types of videos readily available to view.

 

The types of material inclused things like biting the head off a live mouse, Bare-Fisted fighting, Happy-Slapping, not to mention Neo-Nazis, and Extremists using YouTube to distribute recuiting videos.

 

I have to say that I have not seen any videos of this nature myself, but any child can easily view this stuff, and not have to enter any age information. My fear is that watching videos imitating the likes of Viva La Bam (A spin off from MTV's Jackass program) or Dirty Sanchez, will lead to more and more youg people doing stupid and immature things that will harm themselves, and others in the process.

 

In GTA: Libery City Stories, there is a radio advert preaching about the evils of the internet, (this is done in a comical way, seeing as this is GTA we're talking about) but I cant help feeling that this is becoming all too true.

 

We seem to be coming to a point where the internet is becoming a free-for-all, and the issues about policing it are becoming more and more frequent. Is this the start of the end for free-speech, or is it just the beginning of things to come?

Copyright This!

Just been having a conversation with my friend about copyright issues. Its really a minefield out there, what with all the different types of copyright out there.

 

Gaz, a 2nd Year animation student here at NWSAD, part of NEWI had this to say: 'I guess it depends what it is, it depends on the cororation using it, If a corporation uses it to protect themselves, I Think its kinda ok to slightly break it. when it comes down to a personal level, then i dont think that breaking copyright is good. If a company emplys someone to make a piece of material for them, and the company owns it outright, then making copies of the material is only going to rip off the company. when it comes down to a personal level, and where the copyright issues directly effect a person, then I have an issue with it.'

 

the whole copyright issue is still up in the air, with a few more court cases between major labels and brands (you know the ones) to be settled, I guess its really a metter of Watch This Space!

Film Proposal

Have you had a chance to go and check out the Lost Experience yet? Thought not...

Well I've just got my film proposal typed up and finished, now I have to waint until the middle of next week to pitch it at my tutors, Damn the waiting!

The Lost Files

Just been exploring the phenomenon that is the Lost experience, utilising YouTube,

The tv show Lost really has taken off from just being a tv show, to being a whole conspiracy that you are able to unravel yourself.

The way multimedia is shown on the internet has really changed. Its not just entertainment on TV now, it really is spreading out onto the net.

 

Look for video blogs from Rachel Blake, daughter of Mr Hanso, director of Hanso Foundation.

 

Its really hard to convey just how much this LOST phenomenon is taking off, a list of sites for this whole thing is here:

 

www.channel4.com/lost

www.thehansofoundation.org - click on 'humanity' in the 3rd paragraph

www.hansoexposed.com this site requires lots of user research, to find all the clips hidden accross the web from Rachel Blake about the Dharma Intitiative, and the Hanso Foundation.

 

look for video blogs from thelostfiles on youtube to find out more, but watch them in order

and there will be more to follow

Morality in Films

For my dissertation this year, I am writing about how morality differs between tv and films.

You can get away with pretty much anything in films, apart from the obvious illegal stuff, you know the stuff... but anyway, films are such a specialised thing that they can address things tv programmes just could not deal with, even with 20-odd parts to it. a 1 1/2 hour film can change the way you think about the world we live in, where tv can all to easily be disposable, where you watch something, and 1/2 an hour later, its gone out of your head. Films are far more memorable, whever its due to the whole cinema experience, or due to the direction/editing of the piece.

Thats what I'm doing for my dissertation now, thought I'd share it with the world. -  There you go.

Film pitch Time

I have to pitch my films to a panel for approval early next week, I have all the information ready for the first film 'Breaking Out', and I've been working on 'Spider' for almost a year now, If all goes to plan, the films should go together like strawberries and cream (if you like that stuff).

 

I should get the go-ahead, and I'll let those of you who read this know how it goes

Back after a long hot summer

Well I'm back now, after a long hot summer, and I'm ready to get started on the prequel to 'Spider'.

The prequel film will be called 'Breaking Out' and is going to kick ass!

Watch this space!

End of Year Show comes to a close

The NWSAD End of Year Show 'Cream of 06' has now come to an end, and has been packed up, It has been quite popular this year, especially opening night, where you couldn't get a foot in the door of the animation screening room.

My work has been shown on a dedicated TV screen, with the Digital Media and Moving Image courses, and I have been able to Hijack the animation screening room to show my guests my video work. My 'Spider' movie trailer looked really good on the huge 6 by 4 foot screen, almost like a mini cinema.

You can see photos from the setting up of the show in the first year studio room by following the link below:
End of Year Show

I would say it has been a good show this year, but I do hope to better it next year.

dilemma dilemma!

In a recent conversation with someone in industry, I was informed that Yale College is having an End of Year Show, right after my college, NEWI, has fniished it's own show. The head of media at Yale wishes to have a film made of the show.

 

This would mean 'playing for the opposition' I suppose, as NEWI has been my home for the last 2 years, and will be for another year to come.

 

Will I be able to use Yale's facilities (G5s, XL cameras and such), or will I have to use NEWI's facilities for the opposition? Tricky issue.

Spider Movie Trailer Online

My Movie Trailer, of a cyberpunk genre is now online for the world to see. It's probably the most technically challenging films I have made in the last 2 years, due to having to get the busy computer room empty, and get actors to dye on screen. You can view it at the link below:

http://media.putfile.com/Spider-Attack

And the outakes:

http://media.putfile.com/Spider-Outtakes

Vox Pops #3 Now Online

The 3rd Vox Pops film for the BBC is now online at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/camera.shtml
Film 3 is about peoples views on Wrexham. Go have a look

BBC Vox Pops Now Growing Bigger

The BBC Vox Pops project I have been working on is now growing bigger, as the second of 4 films has been completed last week, and is now online at the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/views.shtml

Head over there and have a look at my master work!

BBC Vox Pops Now Online

The first of four Vox Pops films for the BBC has now been finished, handed over to the BBC, and is now online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham_town/pages/views.shtml#lap

 

It's great to have my name on the BBC website

Shot First Vox Pop for BBC Wrexham Website

We finished shooting for the first of four Vox Pops for the BBC yesterday, it took most of the day to film, and we had a bit of trouble getting people to come in and talk about the current issue.

The current issue is about a Lap Dancing club opening in wrexham, and how the general public feel about it opening, how they feel it will drag the area down or not, and if they themselves would be interested in going to the club.

Had Feedback for 'There Is' Music Video

I've just had a feedback session from Stewart Edwards, Moving Image tutor here at NWSAD, Wrexham.

He says I have more strengths than weaknesses in the film, and that it works as a music video, telling a story, and as a short film in general. He gave me some pointers on the kinds of edits used, and how I could improve them.

So to sum up, quite a good feedback session, even though I was quite nervous when my piece was playing out loud.

 

When I have a version online, I'll post a link to it.

BBC Work to Commence This Week

I've been in touch with Nick Bourne from the BBC's Wrexham centre, and we are going to start work on the streamed video pieces which are to be hosted on the BBC Wrexham website this week. Meeting with the BBC this coming thursday (27th April) to discuss it all.

New Date for Hospital Shoot

Well after loads of attempts to get things sorted, we finally have a new date for the hospital shoot at St Aseph. We will be shooting there on Saturday 18th May this year, it's a full day shoot, so it's gonna be busy, but that's the type of thing I like

Filming Complete for 'There is'

The filming is now complete for my film 'There is', and I've been going into my college over the easter break to get all the editing done, the finished piece looks quite good now, I'll have to have an edit wrap party now...

BBC give go-ahead to commence work after Easter

I've just had a meeting with Nick Bourne, the producer of the BBC's Wrexham
website, he wants 3 students from NEWI to make a few 3-minute films about
current issues in and around Wrexham, He wants to get the views of art
students from the North Wales School of Art and Design.

The project will be running for about a month, requiring at least 1 and a
half days commitment from myself and two others, and should be really good
experience at getting finished sequences out for a deadline.

The project will be starting 24th April, leaving my team enough time to
fine-tune our recording methods, and sort out lighting and camera angles for
the location.

Best of all, our final pieces will be shown on the BBC Wrexham website,
along with credits for myself and my team. If the piece of finished video
falls under an appropriate subject that is being broadcast on the BBC's
regional news program, it might just be shown on TV as well.

Hoping for new filming date

Well now that the snow has gone, I'm hoping to get a new date for filming my
'There Is' music video the end of next week, just hope nothing else goes
wrong, wish me luck!

firefox competition

I found this link http://www.firefoxflicks.com/adcontest/ on Ourmedia.org
It's for a 30-second video ad for the firefox browser, using any technique -
animation, live action, anything.
I think I will be entering it, but I wont be giving out any of my ideas
here, coz' let's face it, you might steal my ideas!
LOL

New cyberpunk film gets made into movie trailer

The film I was planning, a cyberpunk film about a rogue spider that hacks
computer systems, and kills people, has had to be made shorter, into a movie
trailer, to be exact, due to my timescale between now and the end of my
second year here at NWSAD (North Wales School of Art and Design).

It's a bit dissapointing, as I'd love to make the whole film, but a lack of
sufficient time, means I'll have to just make the trailer instead.

BBC Work

I just got word from on of my course tutors here at NEWI that the BBC are
coming in on Thursday 23rd March to talk to us about the possability of us
doing work for them, which will be streamed on the internet.
Quite promising, and quite exciting.

Hospital filming delayed due to finances

Well I've just had word from the guy creating the shoot, Gaius, that he's
had to postpone the shoot at the St Aseph hospital due to the funds not
having been transferred over to him. the hospital have had months to
transfer the funds required to make the film over, but have just sat on it.

Really not professional, but I guess that's the NHS for you!

Shooting at a hosptal

I'll be shooting a film as part of a filming team this sunday (19th) at St
Aseph hospital in North Wales, UK. It's a 6-hour shoot and we are taking a
hell of a lot of equipment out with us, if I remember correctly, it's
something like 8 lighting rigs, 3 cameras, 3 tripods, 3 dollys, shedloads of
minidv tape, 2 boom mics, and 5 members of the crew.

Just imagine it! filming in tiny consulting rooms, crap lighting due to
those awful flourescent tubes, and getting really hot and sticky! Great Fun!

Hacking and research

Been doing research on hacking for my latest film about a rogue web spider that attacks and kills humans. I have to research hacking, and I think that my college might be thinking that I'm gonna hack their website. I wont be doing that (well, any time soon at least) LOL!

Also working in partnership with a friend in the US who is doing the technospeak for my film. Jolly Good Stuff!

Well I'm back now from London, and I had a really good time there, I'll post some more info when I've had a rest...

Filming delayed due to bad weather

Well I was gonna go out and film my stuff today for my new film, but we have
been hit by very bad snow, 2" everywhere, roads are hazardous, and it's
almost impossible to walk anywhere safely, so it's gonna have to be some
other time now. At least a week's delay, as I'm in London next week.

Ah well... The hazards of being a filmaker!

E-mail blogging

I'm just setting up my blog account, and this is a test for e-mail blogging

just an e-amil blog test

London Trip March 2006

Just had a meeting about my trip to London on 6th March this year. Departing on monday 6th, and arriving back home in North Wales on 10th March.

Places I will be seeing are:
Molinare
Golden Square Post Production LTD
Oasis Television
The Moving Picture Company

hopefully more will be confirmed as time passes

sounds like it should be good experience for me, an up-and-coming filmaker in North Wales.

first post

this is my first blog post here