The call came in on Friday. “Our client saw the 4k culinary work you did and would like you to create 5 original videos with a mix of 4k and HD formats. And we need it by next Friday. Can you do it?” It became what we called “The Impossible Project” and we were just insane enough to agree to do it
Evolution of the Creative Professional
As someone who first edited video in 1986, I have borne witness to a wholesale revolution and evolution of the creative industry. Well actually, just creativity as a whole. Amazing creative work now comes from all corners of the globe, all age groups and all skill levels.
Creative professionals used to have very defined roles. Producer, Director, Writer, Camera, Lighting, Sound, Editing, Graphics, Animation and so on. When I started at CNN in 1990 I was a video editor. That’s it. I arrived at work each day and when I left 9 hours later, the only task I did all day was to edit video. In Hollywood, New York, Georgia and other locations were major film and television project are happening, those roles still exist on set, in part mandated and governed by unions. For the rest of us, however, being a creative professional is wholly different.
Add a PanaVision look to your next Project
My friend Vashi Nedomansky has updated his fabulous Ultimate Aspect Ratio Guide which can help you add a “Panasvision Look” to any project. He was inspired by the recent 70mm release of the Hateful Eight to update his looks.
It’s not just about adding a vignette over your video to give it a “Panavision Look.” It’s about adding correct aspect ratio vignettes over your video so they “look real.” Vashi goes beyond just telling you what the aspect ratios are, he gives you 50+ FREE templates to use in the NLE of your choice from SD to 6k. You can even use them in FX software like After Effects or Fusion, you just drag them to a video layer above the one you’re working on.
Also included is a link to the Unravel_Resolution_CheatSheet for exporting to the current frame sizes for various outputs.
Vashi is an incredible artist and an all around great guy. Be sure to bookmark his site for lots of great freebies.
Norway delivers a Vertical Documentary for Mobile Video
The folks at Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) have shot their first full documentary specifically for the vertical format. They’re goal was not to make it look good on the mobile phone, it was to make it look the BEST on the mobile phone. I have to be honest and say I’m one of those who yell “Turn the phone sideways!” when I see folks shooting vertical video. But who knows, maybe they’re onto something here. Video tailored specifically to the mobile audience displayed how they like to hold the phone.
Downloading Adobe Encore for DVD Authoring
Yes, Adobe Encore is still available for those times when you have to author DVDs for clients. Don’t laugh, we recently did a run of 300 for a client and are about to do another run for another client. So yes, DVDs are still alive and well in our digital streaming age.
Adobe has never separated the Encore installer from Premiere Pro CS6 so you have to download that first.
In Creative Cloud app, under “Find Additional Apps,” click on Previous Version Drop down (next to Video) and then you’ll see in blue at the bottom of that window “View Previous Versions.” Click that ‘View Previous Versions.’
It looks like not much happens, but now you have access all the way back to CS6. Click the dropdown next to Premiere Pro. You’ll see you now have options to download the earlier versions. Download CS6 which will bring Encore with it. After it’s downloaded, you can actually Uninstall Premiere Pro CS6. That will disappear but Encore CS6 will remain.
"I'll Do The Work If You By the Tools" What?!?
There’s a trend I’ve seen developing, at least I see it here in Atlanta, whereby video editors will agree to take on a project, but ask the client to pay for the tools. I don’t mean going to work for someone else in their shop, I mean as an independent freelance editor, they will ask the client to pay for the tools because they don’t have a system big enough to do the work. And the clients do it! As in the client purchases the system, the editor edits on it, and when the project is done, the client has a video editing system they’ll never use again. When in the heck did this become acceptable?
What is the Purpose of your Video?
On the other end of the phone is a very smart, intelligent marketing leader for a corporation. “I really need a video as soon as possible.”
Me: “What’s the purpose of the video?”
Silence, and then….”Um what do you mean, ‘the purpose?’ It’s a marketing video is that what you mean?”
All videos should have a purpose just like every message a company puts out has a purpose. Read the Rest of the story in my Post on LinkedIn.
Whatever Happened to Common Courtesy?
We have more communications tools available to us than our forefathers could have ever dreamed of. Within your pocket and on your wrist is more computation power than what sent astronauts to the Moon. Yet despite the ease at which we can communicate with each other at any point on the globe, I find that Common Courtesy has declined, especially in business.
Transfer FCPX Project to Adobe Creative Cloud Apps
Whoa! The folks at Intelligent Assistance have upgraded their X to 7 app (now renamed X to CC) to allow you to transfer FCPX projects to Adobe Creative Cloud apps (like Premiere Pro and After Effects). More cross platform ease of workflow. Bravo!
5 Days. 4 Principal Locations. 127 Scenes Filmed!
Our 5 days of principal production has been completed on the Gwinnett County Water Science project featuring 3 scripts inspired by Bill Nye Science Guy! After 3 days in our main ‘studio’ location in a high school laboratory, we spent a full day at Lanier Islands Resort utilizing their PineIsle location.
Bill Nye Inspired Project Underway!
For the past 6 months we’ve been working closely with a client on a Water Science project for a local school system with the overall feel and scripting inspired by “Bill Nye, Science Guy.” The scripts were written by BCM Principal, Walter Biscardi, Jr and he’s also serving as the Director for the project. We’re finally in Production after having spent last week loading in and rehearsing.
BCM completes PSA with Victoria Stilwell for Fix Georgia Pets
June 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA; – Biscardi Creative Media (BCM) has completed post-production on two Public Service Announcements for Fix Georgia Pets featuring world-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. The PSAs remind all of us the importance of spaying and neutering our pets to help cut down on animal overpopulation. This topic is near and dear to our hearts at BCM with our own Molly the Wonder Dog being a rescue.
Mueller Systems launches MobileRDM with help from Biscardi Creative
June 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA; – Biscardi Creative Media (BCM) has completed full production on a new infographic inspired spot to launch the newly revised mobileRDM tool from Atlanta based Mueller Systems. BCM provided full script to screen services on this spot designed to very quickly demonstrate the simplicity and efficiency of mobileRDM.
Thuderbolt Bus Mapping on the new Mac Pro
Saw this posted on a Facebook User Group and it’s great information for anyone in Production who uses the new Mac Pro (trash can) models. Apparently there is a method to using the three Thunderbolt Busses on the machine to ensure good data throughput, especially from your external RAID. Very good information here from FCP Works.
Get A Life!: Cooking with Simon Majumdar. #FedWhiteAndBlue
Food Network judge and author, Simon Majumdar is traveling and eating his way across America for his new book, “Fed, White and Blue.” Just like the book, he’s invited Americans to suggest locations to visit and if you’re lucky, he’ll even come prepare a meal for you. I was fortunate enough to host Simon and his lovely wife Sybil during his stop here in the Atlanta area (Buford, GA) and what transpired was a truly fun evening of great food and conversation.