YouTube Project:Direct

http://uk.youtube.com/projectdirect

 

YouTube has a new competition where you are challenged to make a short film, between 2 and 7 minutes.

 

The only criteria are: 1 - A character facing a situation above his/her maturity level, 2 - It has to include the following line: 'I Demand an explanation for these shenanigans! What do you have to say?' and 3 - The passing of a photograph has to be included in the film.

 

First prize is a 10-day trip to a major international film festival, and a $5000 gift card!

Photo Realistic Life

35mm
Originally uploaded by nickcummins

Last night, in the Photocentre at the local supermarket, a manager comes up to me and asks why I was wearing a small bracelet thing on my wrist. She went toally ape shit on me.

Now, two things spring to mind,
1 - How the hell did she see it, as my shirt sleaves were down, and she must have the eyes of a hawk, oh, AND I KNOW she's got it in for me, as she seems to target me above all others to pick on, but then I guess some people are just like that, and...
2 - Does it really matter? I have lost count of how many people wear bangles, bracelets, chains, rings etc... on the shop floor and dont get stopped, even when the management can clearly see them.

In itself, this isnt a big deal, its just the fact that this woman has double-standards when it comes to me, she hasnt even made an attempt to like me since day 1. And to be quite honest, its getting to the point where I'm going to challenge her on how she talks to me.

Its not just me though, there are so many others who have had enough of how she speaks to people, making them feel right fools when she speaks to them like they are stupid.

Anywho, typing this entry has helped to get this off my chest, oh, and on the plus side, I got some good shots of 35mm films, before being sliced up.

FilmsByNick website revamped!

Well my brand-spanking new website is up and running like a well trained runner!

 

I have kept the old version up, so people who want to see the old one still can, from the 'In Development' section.

 

I think it all looks very professional, and its very very easy to update now, thanks to using PHP and the 'include' code, linking to .html files for the navigation and footer sections makes it super-easy to add a new page, or change what adverts appear on the site (yes, I have adverts, I'm a student, I need the money)

 

go have a gander: www.filmsbynick.com

Oh, The Waiting...

I'm sitting here, waiting, waiting and waiting for my friend to get his ass up here so we can go out filming.

 

I'd do it by myself (no jokes please) but the equipment I use is worth quite a bit, and if I'm on my own, I feel I'm more likely to get something robbed.

 

I think I'll give him a ring..............Hello?

Candle in the dark

Candle in the dark
Originally uploaded by nickcummins

I took this on my cameraphone the other night, and I'm really impressed with it, turned out much better than I thought.

I sometimes look at this, and just sit and think, when I'm in a reflective mood, that is.

Halloween Props

All the Halloween stuff went out in my supermarket last Monday, fake blood, fake scars, smoke machines etc... SO, I'm going to be stocking up on blood and scars, and maybe a few severed limbs again this year, they WILL come in useful for my upcoming films, and even if they don't get used in my main features, I'll make some cheesy Blair-Witch films or something similar.

 

You can get some good film props this time of year.

ASDA + Computers = Fun Times

Yesterday, in the local supermarket in which I work to pay my rent, A discussion came up about a display model computer that had been sold to a customer. NOW, the thing is, when we set up a computer as a display model, we password protect the account, so customers don't mess up the computer.

Anywho, this guy bought it, got it home, but no-one could remember the password used to protect the computer. So I suggested reformatting the machine, he had no data on it as he couldn't get into it anyway, so it was agreed that either asda would pay for a taxi for me to go to their house and reformat etc...

Called them, left a message, 6 hours later, they called back, they didn't take all the discs with them when they bought the computer, SO I cant reformat the computer, well, I could, but they'd have no windows vista disc to use. long and short of it is that he's bringing the machine back for a refund.

I had looked forward to meddling with yet another computer in asda, as I'm the only guy who knows ANYTHING about computers in that place, and everyone knows me as the 'computer guy'

On the up side, there's a vista disc lying around the warehouse somewhere, if I can just find it though...

New Film Ideas

Bit of a slow news week for me, just pulling some overtime at the local supermarket, getting the pennies in, along with other things you might have noticed in this blog...

 

I think I'll be going out shooting a video with one of my workmates at asda, named 'Lee'. I also have ideas for various films along the lines of self-discovery, observations etc... so some quite meaningful films coming soon, oh, and one about 'emo' people, and no.its not going to be attacking them like on YouTube, but actually explaining why emo people are the way they are - one to keep your eyes open for. Oh, and I now HATE Hotmail!

---

The next generation of Hotmail is here - Windows Live Hotmail

New look blog

I've just upgraded to the new style of Blogger - not that much difference really, just a few tweaks here and there, but it's a lot easier to add elements, such as a bar of my images from Flickr, and YouTube videos

Photos from recent music video shoot

Here are the photos I took from the recent music video shoot at Talacre Beach, North Wales:

Ethan Haas Was A Scam

The website www.ethanhaaswasright.com has come to be an ARG for the release of a table-top game 'Alpha-Omega'

 

There has been a lot of excitement over EHWR, and the date of 1st Aug 2007 has been marked in many peoples diaries as very important, maybe the start of a whole new type of ARG in a post-apocalyptic world, but no, its been a whole ARG for a table top game, nothing more.

 

I have to say, I have been drawn in to this whole Ethan Haas thing, along with the rest of them. I guess it goes to show that ARGs can be well-made, and spark a lot of interest about something, very useful tool for game companies, 14M views in 2 days - that's not bad.

 

But at the end of the day, its all come to nothing, now I turn my attention to 1-18-08, cloverfield, whatever its name will be.

Sunburn, sunburn

Well I've finished the shoot for the Ffron Male Voice Choir, at Talacre Beach, NW yesterday, the weather was brilliant for it, solid sunshine all day, and very warm too. The downside is that my arms, face, neck and fingers have all been burnt to a crisp, and are very sore right now. Got back to the office at 12:07 AM this morning. 4 hours sleep, then up again to film in the empty town centre for my 'Spider:Spiked' film.

 

Just got back in from filming the empty town centre, but it gets busy early in Wrexham. Man, I'm so tired, I don't usually take this long to type a blog entry, but my fingers are so tired, and sore. I took a load of pics which I'll be throwing up when I've caught up on some sleep.

Camaera ass on tues

I'm going to be a camera asst on Tues. 31st Aug. Its an evening shoot, and I'll be a runner for the evening. Good money though, I'll make in an evening the equivalent of a weeks wages at the local supermarket.

 

But I'm not doing it for the money, I'm doing it because I love this area of work, I might take some pics and post them here

Nine Inch Nails + Spider: Spiked film = Amazing movie!

I've been looking around the internet for good royalty free music to use in my upcoming film 'Spider: Spiked' and found a site with Nine Inch Nails music available to re-mix (all official).

 

So I was thinking 'hey - I'd love to have NIN music in my film' so I sent off an e-mail explaining what I'd like to do, and I got a reply - 'Can I use NIN music in one of my films please?' Answer: 'Yes'

 

And voila! Re-mixed music from a well-known band, all official, and totally legal! This is really a HUGE score for me, roll on editing...

Detonation Films

I don't usually do this, but, there's a website that I've only ever dreamt of... www.detonationfilms.com  - a site FULL of USEABLE SFX footage, explosions, smoke, falling debris etc...

 

I've been searching the net for ages looking for stuff like this, and now there is somewhere you can get it!

 

I don't usually plug sites that gain monetary value like this, but seeing as its the only site I know of that specialises in it, then I'm making an exception.

Ethan haas was right

www.ethanhaaswasright.com - go check it out.

 

Its linked to the 1-18-08 film, by JJ Abrahams, you need to complete 5 puzzles, to gain a password to be used on the website on 1st August 2007.

 

You need to do this, it might be the start of an ARG

1-18-08 - New Film by JJ Abrahams

So the buzz is hitting big time about JJ Abraham's new film, which doesn't officially have a name, it's only known as 'cloverfield' or '1-18-08'

 

Watch the trailer for it on apple trailers - http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/11808/

 

This looks bloody amazing - and the theories going round about it are amazing - is it a 'Lost' film? - This has been thought of, as the sounds in the film coming from whatever is making the huge fuss sounds like 'Smokey' (the black smoke monster from Lost), or is it the gods battling with aliens? Just what the hell is going on?

 

One thing is for sure, I'm going to be keeping my eyes wide open for more on this topic!

A New Computer Network Called 'Internet'

There's a new technology emerging called 'Internet', which is booming, check out this article here: http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-75-1738-11981/science_technology/internet/clip6

I am very excited about this article, and I think this 'Internet' can really take off.

Alan Johnston Released

I'm very glad to hear that Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist has been released in the early hours of July 4th, 2007.

This story brings home to me the fact that people like me, and others that I know, who like to go and get footage of events, news articles and such are not as free as they imagine.

The press and to a certain extent, amateur filmmakers should be allowed to report issues and stories without being in fear of their own lives being taken by those less than savoury elements in various societies.

I hope he recovers from his ordeal, and can return to what he loves doing again.

I, as a filmmaker often go out, and not look after my own safety when filming, so I can get 'that perfect shot', and this issue does make me think about issues around the press, and their freedom. I don't think that the press should be able to invade peoples privacy, but they should be able to report facts, and current events without being in fear of being taken hostage, being shot at, run down, or anything else.

OH well, back to dangling out of the back of a car at 40MPH, with another car in close pursuit.

My New Phone

I just went and bought a Sony Ericsson K750i phone.

Oh, and I got £32 off, about half price, whoopdydoo!

The main thing is that it has a 2.0MP Camera, MP3 player, and all those standard goodies you'd expect to find in a new phone, but I have to wait until I get home to charge her, and play with her buttons and stuff.

25th August is the Summer LAN!

On 25th August, I'm going to be going to the Summer LAN, organised by newics, the NEWI Computing Society, 40-odd people playing, 12 hours of solid gaming, sounds like my idea of fun!

God! I love working in this industry!

I've just been working at the Frozen Moon office, and we've had someone come in to demonstrate what they'd like on a DVD, He's been using a dog puppet, and it was really quite entertaining.

 

A welcome break from coding custom 404 'Page Not Found' pages, and making meta tags.

Update on things

So I'm sitting here, and just finished playing brainbattle on live messenger, and thinking, 'my god, I haven't updated my blog in a while' so here I am, updating this blog.

 

First things first - Websites, I have my 2 main websites up now, www.filmsbynick.com which is my main personal site,and www.video4bands.com which is the site of the project I'm currently working on with Frozen Moon Productions, we make music videos for unsigned bands, and established artists.

 

I have a band lined up for a video, and it seems that Mark from FM lined one up this morning as well.

 

I also need to finish filming 'Breaking Out' (which I'm seriously thinking about renaming to 'Spider' seeing as how the main character in 'Breaking Out' IS called 'Spider' so there's that issue as well.

 

I also need to get back out with a camera as well if I'm going to get those important 'everywhere's dead' shots, going to film them about 4AM in the morning, when everywheres empty, and asleep.

filmsbynick is now fully online!

Well I've been working on my new website, www.filmsbynick.com and I've finally finished the site, and its all looking good now.

 

go and see: www.filmsbynick.com

 

Moving Frozen Moon/Website Updates

We're moving the Frozen Moon office downstairs in the Innovation Centre, part of NEWI.

 

It's a bigger office, and I've already bagged a spot for my work. I'll throw up some pics when we've finished moving in.

 

On another note, the Videos4Bands site is up: www.myspace.com/videos4bands We make promotional videos for local unsigned bands, thus giving them more exposure.

 

And yet another note, I still need to update the www.myspace.com/frozenmoon site, there's not much on it at all, hasn't been since it was set up, but I'm inheriting the upkeep of that site as well as managing the videos 4 bands site.

 

I also need to update www.filmsbynick.com as well now. Its been a placeholder page for ages now, and I have the material to fill it out, I just need to set aside some time to actually do it. I've been editing video like there's no tomorrow, and probably will still be doing the same next week at the same frantic pace.

 

back to work...

New ASH Video

Ash have just made a new video for the song 'Polaris'

 

All real explosions, no CGI, and quite moving, I wont tell you any more, so I dont spoil it, link is below. Oh, and check out 30 Seconds To Mars new video for 'From Yesterday' very classy.

 

Polaris video link: http://walking-barefoot.com/news/2007/05/27/watch-the-polaris-video/

Katch gig now online

The Katch gig I have been working on has now made its way online, and has
been sent out into the world like a tiny little ship... Ok, enough of the
'off she goes' tearful release of your baby...

Maybe theres something in th aircon here, I dunno...

Back to topic. The Katch gig that was filmed in April 2007 has now been
finished in its full glory. We have a DVD of the whole gig, Individual
segments of the gig on youtube, and a version of the whole gig available to
download as a .mov file.

Oh, and the DVD artwork has been completed as well by the way.

Peace out -

_________________________________________________________________
Could you be the guest MSN Movies presenter? Click Here to Audition

http://www.lightscameraaudition.co.uk

Shiny New MacBook Pro

I just had my shiny new MacBook Pro this morning, my, she's pretty. Shiny, too.

 

I've just finished installing FinalCut Pro HD, and I'm about to start playing with all her goodies!

Katch gig in the edit

I've been working over at Frozen Moon again, editing the half-hour Katch gig, filmed at the end of the Wrexham Science Festival. Its going to be a half-hour program, but also be chopped up into the individual songs, and its looking good

Explosive New Films

I've been experimenting with black and green screened explosions, courtesy of www.detonationfilms.com and have been having great fun. I've already made some drawing boards in uni explode, and my friend's head has exploded as well. You can check them out on my YouTube page: www.youtube.com/filmsbynick

 

Right, what's next to explode?

My New Website

I took the plunge, and now have a brand spanking new website. There's nothing on it yet, but there will be very soon!

 

its at www.filmsbynick.com

Robert Murat press attention

I saw on the news last night that Robert Murat seems to be almost declared guilty by the press regarding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

 

When I turned on the TV last night, the first thing I saw was loads of people milling around, with members of the press saying how 'suspiciously' Robert has been acting. Is it not possible that this guy actually WAS trying to help out the police, and why do people get accused of something totally out of character when they try to do the right thing.

 

I need to point out that I do not know this man at all, but there's no need to jump all over him, especially as there is no solid proof he had anything to do with the little girls disappearance. It really does annoy me that the press over there have jumped all over this poor guy because they have nothing new to report, Don't hang the guy on a suspicion people!

 

I hope that girl is found safe, and lets not all jump on the bandwagon against Robert. There's every possibility that he's done nothing wrong at all.  This is why I didn't want to be a journalist.

New Music Video

I've been playing around with the idea for making a music video for 'Sleep' by MCR. I'm not giving the visuals away as of yet, but it should be good, I'll be starting work on it as soon as I have enough footage,

Later dudes....

Revised LAN date

Ok, so the last date I had for the next LAN party was wrong, its actually on the 19th May - a Saturday, and I'll be staying over at a mates house seeing as we will probably be playing until like 3AM Sunday morning.

 

On a different note, I have been doing some research about the North Wales School of Art and Design building. Turns out it used to be an infirmary, and still has a basement area. I'm trying to arrange to go down there to film part of my student survival film, might be a bit creepy, but might also look good on film

Next Lan Party

I have just been informed by one of my mates that the next LAN party is 15 May - that's a lot sooner than I originally thought, but its good that its so soon

Watched 'The Holiday' last night / Buying a MacBook Pro

So I bought 'The Holiday' at ASDA at the weekend, and watched it last night, I knew it was a romcom, but didn't know it had one of the main characters as a movie trailer maker, another as a film scorer.

 

Overall, it felt a bit too long, but I did like the way that in certain points throughout the film, there was a voiceover (like the one used on movie trailers) describing one of the women's situation in the film - this I found quite refreshing.

 

Okay, I know as a review this totally sucks, and its not really a review as such, just my ramblings.

 

On a separate note, I should be getting a MacBook Pro soon, Mark from Frozen Moon wants one, so he's going to try and get a discount when he buys 2, and then I pay him the discounted price, saving me lots of money.

10,000 views on 3 episodes of SAWPC

Well, I was planning to release the 4th episode of San Andreas Wildest Police Chases when I had reached 10,000 views together on all 3 episodes, but I've already broken that number, and have only just started to get footage for the 4th episode.

 

I have had a surge in views over the last week, so in the last 2 weeks, I've had like 3,500 views, which I really didn't expect.

 

Oh, well, at least its popular - especially the second episode!

Science Festival Edit

I'm working on the science festival edit, and Mark has chosen to let me be in sole charge of the whole edit, SO, I'll be making the trailer for next years festival, and a short film promoting the festival in general, PLUS editing the whole Katch gig footage, This is just what I wanted to do, and it speaks volumes that Mark has enough faith in me and my skills to leave me in sole charge, and represent Frozen Moon in this way.

 

Oh, and there's a possibility of working on a feature length film soon - just thought I'd tease you with a titbit of information, more to follow soon

San Andreas Wildest Police Videos Episode 4?

My 3 episodes of San Andreas Wildest Police Videos have now collectively been viewed 6,449 times, as of 15:14 on 3rd Apr, 2007.

 

Now, I have had some people asking for a fourth episode, and I'm considering it, I have footage I put to one side, and I'm sure I could make another one, but make it even better than all 3 put together.

 

I'm thinking of waiting until the 3 episodes have been viewed a total of 10,000 times, then releasing the 4th episode, which means I will have to start working on it now then... Well, after the current filming shoot I'm on.

Practice shoot for film festival final

I'm heading over to the William Aston hall tonight, where 'Katch' are setting up their equipment and making a sound check in preparation for tomorrow.

 

I'm going to be taking notes on which shots to get, where to stand so I don't get in the way of the band, and just do a general practice run for tomorrow, should be good

Wrexham Science Festival Day 7 Part 2

OK, so just after sending the last post off, I thought,'Hey, instead of talking about what I'm doing right now, I could have talked about Saturday!' so here it is...

 

Saturday was a good day, apart from the waiting around at the beginning, but then I guess its like that on any film shoot/event.

 

We started off by splitting into 2 teams, Mark and Julie filming some kind of stop-motion thing with kids, and me going off, and finding out where all the main attractions were. Turns out most of them were in the sports centre - even a Robot Wars exhibition! (which featured the real life bots called 'wheely big cheese' and some other name I cant remember now) but the point is... It was really busy.

 

For me, the highlight was filming the live birds that were on show, they were amazingly calm, and obviously used to being watched by loads of people. I got some really close detailed shots, and some golden shots of kids holding the birds while stroking them - golden they were!

 

Later on, there was a few other attractions such as a cholocatier, dino digs, and a live linkup to another building on the other side of the country, but the real fun came when we were on our way back to the main building.

 

On the way there, we saw that the birds that had previously been inside, had been taken outside, and were flying all around. at one point, I was aiming the camera at one of the birds, and it started to fly right towards me. I was thinking 'man, I wanna get this shot, its amazing!' but on the other hand, I was thinking 'man, I don't want to loose an eye' - the latter thought won out, and I ducked, just as the bird flew to the left of me, to a handler which was waiting there for it! If only I'd have known!

 

Anywhos, it was a very good day, and I got lots of good footage to use, but its not over yet, I still have tonight and tomorrow to film, and then on Wednesday, its the film festival!

Wrexham Science Festival Day 7

I'm sitting here, waiting for my fellow camera people to turn up, I came half an hour early, as its Easter, and the main uni building I study in closes early at Easter, so I went to the chippy, hoping to get a quick bite to eat before I start filming, but that was closed as well.

 

SO, in the end, I just went to the vending machine, got a bar of chocolate, and bought a bottle of water while in the middle of typing this. - Not very interesting in terms of filmmaking, but this is the Dairy of a Filmmaker - I think that's the first time I've ever used that excuse for a boring post on this blog!

Shortlist available on Scifilm website

The complete list of shortlisted films can now be found at http://www.scifilm.co.uk/films.html 

My film is called 'Spider' This also means I've had a chance to scope out the competition!

'Spider' Movie Trailer Gets Shortlisted!

I had a message from Frozen Moon last night informing me that the BBC had chosen my movie trailer as one of the final 10 shortlisted films to be screened at the Sci-film festival on 4th April.

 

I got the message at 9.47 pm last night, right before I crashed for the night, after filming the second night of the Wrexham Science Festival, which spans 7 days in a row.

 

Saturday is going to be very busy, with lots of people milling about, and lots of hands-on experiments, so I'll have to get some good kip on Friday night.

 

I'm amazed that my movie trailer has been shortlisted, and it WILL be shown at the final on Wednesday 4th April. I'm going to be filming the festival as well, as there's a local band named 'Katch' opening with a half-hour set, then plunging right into the films, should be a great night!

First day of Science festival done

Last night was the first night of the Wrexham Science Festival, and it went quite well.

 

Frozen Moon are filming all the festival, making a compilation of the whole event, and it will be put onto DVD.

 

I'm now preparing for tonight - the second night

First upload to Current TV accepted!

I uploaded my first Channel Ident to Current TV yesterday, and it's been accepted for showcasing on the website:



I hope it gets Greenlighted!

All Go for Wrexham Science Festival

Just been in a meeting with Frozen Moon, with regards to the science festival which starts tomorrow. We will be shooting a small section of as many talks and demonstrations as possible, then editing them together to make a short video of the event, which will be on the website, and could possibly be handed out on DVD as well.

 

So its all go for tomorrow - exciting!

Current TV

A new and exciting TV station, called Current, has started up in the UK, on Channel 229 on Sky, and at http://uk.current.com

 

It is effectively YouTube for TV, but without the crappy-shitty videos you often find on YouTube, this channel is made by the public, for the public, and at present has NO adverts, like the ones on ITV, CH4 etc... It's really a refreshing channel.

 

The programmes on show are in the form of 'pods' - viewer created videos, and 'VC2' pods  - all on shuffle, so you don't know whets coming next, and there's unlikely to be repeats one after another, I was watching Current yesterday, and saw a comedy sketch about Apple and Bill Gates, follows by a hard-hitting documentary about the gold mines in the poorest countries in the world, followed by an inspirational video about a street artist who draws around shadows, making street art.

 

I'm going to start off by making a promo spot for Current, then move up to making some VC2 pods

NEWI LAN 3

Went to a LAN Party on Saturday 10th, was pretty good, played CoD3, UT2004, GTA:VC multiplayer mod, RA2.

 

Must have been about 30-ish people there are one point, cant wait for the next one, oh, I hope we do a 48 hour event

Wrexham Science Festival

The Wrexham Science Festival is coming, and will span from Tuesday 27th March to Wednesday 4th April 2007, covering numerous talk, seminars, and experiments relating to the theme of science.

My part in all of this is that I am going to be part of one of the film crews filming this event, its going to be a busy week, with lots of events taking place at the same time, but that's what I like, lots of material to film. The filmed material will be edited down by Frozen Moon Productions (www.frozenmoon.co.uk) and will be shown on Propeller TV and BBC2W.

SAWPC videos are being viewed a lot

My San Andreas Wildest Police Videos, collectively, at 14:48 today, has had 2,692 views! that's just in the month or so since they've been uploaded!

 

I guess YouTube viewers have good taste!

Wrexham Science Festival

I'm hopefully going to be working in partnership with Frozen Moon Productions to film all 8 days of the Wrexham Science Festival.

There's going to be events every day, so there will need to be a few film crews active on those days.

I'll take some pictures to capture the atmosphere, and the footage will be edited down, and will be shown on Propeller TV, and on BBC2W - yet another chance to get my work shown by the media

BBC Vox Pops

BBC Vox Pops still available:

I know this is a new post about an old topic, but I thought I'd just remind people who are maybe new to this Blog that the Vox Pops films my team made are still online on the BBC website here: BBC Vox Pops
It can also be found by typing my name into the BBC search box.

Drama on the train home last night

Last night on the train home from uni, I was falling asleep when I suddenly woke up to see 3 people running down the train, through into another carriage, and then the train suddenly grinding to a halt. You can image what was going through my mind, seeing as how I had been researching acts of terrorism for my next film.

 

The next thing I hear is that 'this woman needs to get off the train' and to 'call 999'.

 

After a few minutes of random chaos, the train driver runs to the back of the train as the train going the other way on the line also grinds to a halt right next to the train I'm on. I'm thinking 'WTF!' by now.

 

The woman then jumps from the train I'm on to the other, the doors close, and we go on our way.

 

Turns out that this woman had a small child with her, and the child got off the train at the last stop we passed, but the woman didn't get off in time, so the doors closed and trapped the woman on the train, leaving the small child on their own at the station. She got on the train going back to the station, but I hope the child is ok. Anything could have happened to him/her in the 5-7 mins following the train doors closing.

 

Hope they were reunited, and all is well. There really should be some sort check to make sure that everyone who wants to get off the train can do so in time.

New BBC2 Idents

BBC Two has refreshed its on-screen identity with 14 new idents based on seven new themes, along with a new logo and colour palette which will work across linear and broadband.

For the new idents, which will be on air from Sunday 18 February 2007, the figure 2 has become a "window on the world", a portal through which the world is seen differently.

The seven different scenarios reflect the range and diversity of content on the channel.

In each ident the camera pulls back to reveal that you are looking at the world in an unexpected way - through the figure 2.

Viewers can also create their own versions - citizen idents - of the new BBC Two look by downloading the 2 template from the channel website - bbc.co.uk/bbctwo.

The template will be available from 28 February, when the transition to the new look website is complete, and the best ones will be posted on the site.

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us

This video is really quite good!

Time to make a Viral

Channel 4 in partnership with boreme.com has started a new Viral competition, go over there and check it out!

www.channel4.com/germ

thehansofoundation.org

Ok, this is mainly a not for myself, but the hanso site isnt really blocked.

if you go to www.thehansofoundation.org you will see a statement, and if you click on the second mention of 'humanity' you will get a message, but go to http://www.thehansofoundation.org/adkahdskja2897429834ahjkncawuye32782374/ and you can access the site as it was before it was blocked

NEW Lost ARG?

I've been keeping my eye on www.mittelosbioscience.org , and the site looks kind of like the hanso site looked, when it was operational, I really hope this is the start of a new ARG (alternate reality game) for Lost.

 

I'm keeping my eye (the other one) on this site as well: http://www.thetailsection.com/lost_news/new_lost_mythos_site.php#comments

Its about the mittelos site.

 

I really hope its not just a fansite

Sci-Film Festival

If you live in or near Wrexham, then you might be interested to know about the Sci-Film festival, make a short film relating to science, make it 30 secs - 10 mins, and submit it from the address on the website: www.scifilm.co.uk

 

I will be entering my 'Spider' movie trailer and maybe my 'San Andreas Wildest Police Chases' videos.

 

I'll keep posted on how I do in the festival

Youtube Channel Updated

I've been playing around with my YouTube space, and assigned myself a director setting, if you havent been over there yet to see my stuff, then go right now! www.youtube.com/filmsbynick

I also have the background video work I made for the 'Spider' trailer on there as well, as a standalone video, it looks a bit dull, but when you think about how it all fits together, I think it can be quite interesting to see how I made it

San Andreas Wildest Police Chases

Well, My San Andreas Wildest Police Chases video has been made into 3 eps, Each a complete programme, so check back here soon for a link!

worlds wildest police videos in san andreas

Yes, Very long title, I know, and yes, the 3rd post today! But you see, I need to make up for lost time!

 

I've been spending some of my time over the last 3 weeks playing GTA: SA and capturing the footage to make my version of Worlds Wildest Police Videos, but using GTA: SA gameplay footage, and its looking pretty damn good, even being made with Windows Movie Maker!

24 Online game

well after a few texts and a very weird phone call, seems like the 24 game was intended to last about 10 minutes.

 

To play the game you do have to enter your phone number, and you need the information sent to you in order to enter the prize draw

 

Cant help feeling like its a bit of an anti climax, just hope the Lost does a new online game soon

24 Online game?

if you go to www.ctuagent.com and fill in your email addy, and mob number, and use the access code D9D5JJ, you will get a phone call after like 1 minute informing you about a secret contact from Jack  from CTU, Is this the start of a huge online game, like the lost experience?

The IPhone is here!

Had this sent to me from youtube:

Quite funny, that is

CCTV

Well I counted how many CCTV cameras I get caught on while travelling into uni today, theres 22 cameras that catch me , and thats just on the one way trip, and just the cameras that arent hidden

Long time no post / Mac purchase

Wow, been about a month since my last post, apologies for not updating you on my doings for a while.

 

Thinking about buying either a macbook or an imac, I just have to think about how much I want to spend on this, and what I really want from this purchase.

 

I want something that can be portable, but must have the power to produce professional movies, and handle what I throw at it. the macbooks are portable, but have a smaller screen, but dont have the Hard Drive capacity of an imac, and is more expensive, but being portable is what I do need, although I have a laptop right now.

 

I think I'm leaning towards an imac, but just when I think I've made up my mind, I lean back towards a macbook. The imac has a bigger hard drive, and bigger screen, and is not as expensive, but I cannot drag it around with me, hard one, this!

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