NAB Report

"Adobe announced Creative Suite 5, which includes new versions of After Effects and Premiere Pro. Both and standout releases, and I extend a hearty congratulations to the product teams. The After Effects feature that has everyone flipping out is Roto Brush, which uses, presumably, some sort of alien technology discovered beneath the Great Pyramids to semi-automate complex rotoscoping tasks. Like the Content-Aware Fill technology in Photoshop CS5, it has the potential to save you tons of time, which you can repurpose for more important things like staring at your computers screen muttering “How the hell do they do that?” Read more about what’s new in After Effects CS5 at the blog of After Effects Product Manager Michael Coleman.

The CS5 tools we care about are now 64-bit applications, which means many good things, but also means that all your third-party plug-ins need to be re-engineered for compatibility. Red Giant Software’s announcement about this is here.

Redrock Micro has teased some images of new products to be announced later today, including one that apparently eats your iPhone and turns it into Pure Awesome:

microTape Range FinderiPhone/iPod Touch advanced automation

Storm

The Foundry has released details on Storm, the end-to-end filmmaking tool tool they’ve been teasing us about. As expected, fxguide has thorough coverage.

Panasonic AG-AF100Panasonic has somehow found the stash of Obvious Pills that have eluded every other video camera manufacturer who also makes the still cameras masquerading as video cameras that have captured all the attention of digital filmmakers. Yesterday they announced the AF100, a “professional” video camera based on the 4/3” sensor from the GH1. Rumored price is to be in the $6,000 range, and although the internal codec is the much-maligned (and, by definition, non-professional) AVCHD, it’s maxed-out 24mbps AVCHD, so it should do better than the GH1. It also will have uncompressed HD out (which your could capture with, say, an AJA Ki-PRO), bypassing the ACVD codec entirely. I hope it also has some buttons.

Jan Crittenden, Product Manager at Panasonic, had this to say about the camera on DVXuser: “There will not be aliasing as we actually have a clue about what causes that.” Nice.

Update by Stu

The press release is up now—Blackmagic Design announced today a software-only version of the DaVinci Resolve color grading system, starting at $995. If you think Apple’s Color is immensely powerful and nearly impossible to use, wait until you see Resolve’s user interface. Still, this is pretty much the coolest thing anyone could have imagined doing after acquiring DaVinci last year."
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You can read the Source Article at the ProLost blog.

Digital Juice - SPECIAL SALE!

Digital Juice has special pricing on 8 products this week through Thursday! Everything from Fonts and Photo Knockouts to the Compositor's Toolkit and Editor's Kits!

Click here - www.digitaljuice.com

Red Giant Software - BIG SALE!

"We want to show our appreciation to all our dedicated fans with a Big Sale. We are offering 30% off our entire online store.

The sale runs through Sunday, April 18, 2009 at 11:59 PM PST (California).

Enter Coupon Code NAB2010 during checkout to redeem your discount on the page titled Review and Submit Your Order. (Note: The coupon code field appears after you have entered your credit card information and hit Continue.)"

www.redgiantsoftware.com

"Letters to God" - In Theatres TODAY!

"A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.  

Tyler Doherty  (TANNER MAGUIRE) is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy.  Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace.  To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher and the ultimate pen pal—Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis.

The letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels (JEFFREY S.S. JOHNSON), a beleaguered postman standing at a crossroads in his life.  At first, he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters.  Overtime he begins to form a friendship with the Doherty family – getting to know not just Tyler but his tough, tender yet overwhelmed mom (ROBYN LIVELY), stalwart grandmother (MAREE CHEATHAM) and teen brother Ben (MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BOLTEN) -- who are each trying to stand strong against the doubts that come with the chaotic turn their lives have taken. 

Moved by Tyler’s courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his newfound friends and community –in an exhilarating act of testament to the contagious effect of one boy’s unwavering faith against the odds. 

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community."

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Go with your family! Go with your friends! Go with a group!

Don’t miss the opening of Letters to God today!

 

The Dove Foundation awards Letters to God 5 Doves, their highest honor. The Parents Television Council gives the film their seal of approval. And Movieguide gives Letters to God 4 stars!

Movie Website: www.letterstogodthemovie.com

"Home Beyond the Sun" - MY REVIEW

Synopsis

Jenna is a foreign country where teaching Christianity is illegal. Brought there by the promise of a resume building job Jenna is suddenly captivated by a young Chinese girl, Chui Lee.

Chui, abandoned at birth after the murder of her mother, is raised in a licensed orphanage for castaway girls. Being overlooked at every adoption opportunity because of her older age, Chui Lee searches for an answer to why she was ever born. Each morning as the sun comes up she is hoping against all odds that this would be the day she would have parents who would love her and take her away from the orphanage.

As Jenna seeks to find parents in the US willing to adopt Chui Lee, she is faced with unexpected difficulties from the Chinese government that becomes a race against time and evil. The journey will test her courage and faith in God's promises.

Website: www.pureflix.com/homebeyondthesun

My Review

I was slightly doubtful about this film when I first popped it into my computer but I figured I would give it a chance. Despite the rather low-budget feel of the "documentary-ish intro" and the following "suspense scene" I was quite surprised to find the movie as a whole to be a rather well produced independent Christian film. The acting, though not perfect, held up quite well, and I was especially impressed with the consistency of the audio and also the ingenuity of locations in the movie.

The main weak points are the music and editing. They seemed to only have 5 tracks of music to use, I mean the theme is pretty it just got a bit old after a while. Many of the scene transitions were either a fade-to-black (fortunately they didn't use this technique too often) or shots that looked like "stock footage of China." Neither of these hurt the film in an unbearable way, but it was noticeable.

Overall I enjoyed the movie, and the fact that the story is inspired by true events was even more intriguing!

View the Trailer Here! - Movie Website!

I received this DVD free from PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT as part of their marketing program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Film Editing 101: Eye-Blinks

"We’ve been going through my notes from my Editing 1 class that I took in Film School from Professor Gerstein.  Today, I’ll share an extremely practical tip about eye-blinks.

When someone’s eye blinks, the window to his soul is closed.  It distances you from the person.  Avoid closed eyes and lazy eyes on the cut.  It has a subconscious effect on the viewer.  Cutting on an eye blink is not wrong but it must only be used intentionally and carefully.

I make it a habit to go back through my edit when I’m finished with a scene and skip from cut to cut checking the actors’ eyes for blinks.

About a month ago, I went to see Scorsese’s Shutter Island.  This movie is full of “bad” cuts.  But they are in there on purpose.  If you’ve seen the movie, you know why.  The plot/story drove all the decisions – including the edits.  Like the movie or not, that’s pretty cool.  You gotta love Scorsese.  I’m looking forward to seeing the film again when it comes out on DVD so I can look at the cuts more closely – including the eye blinks." ~ by Jeremiah

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Source Article

36-Hour Contest - April 2010

On April 23-25, 2010 filmmakers around the world will produce a three-minute story on video. 36-hours later they will upload their video to YouTube. Judges will score entries on Story, Cinematography, Sound, Performance and Editing. First Place: $700; Second Place: $300. Hulu may feature the winning video(s).

Our goals for this contest are to have fun and showcase the stories Christians are telling today.

Click Here for more info!

NOT A FAN - Director's Journal 5

Does watching paint dry sound like your idea of a good time? If so, you'll love this latest behind-the-scenes look at the editing process of NOT A FAN. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the vibe of the day as we assemble this six-episode jigsaw puzzle - but it sure is exciting to see it come together! 

Ace Wonder - Internship Opportunity

HeuMoore productions began six years ago as two eager students with a palm camera and a lot of hope. Today, we're a team of earnest and sincere students with a little production experience and even more hope; but the production experience of 'The Widow's Might' in 2008 gave us as much knowledge in six weeks of production than we had gained in the prior four years.

The whole time we were filming with professionals like James Burgess, we were thinking of other guys just like us, trying to figure out how to get them on set with us. Since that production, our ability to learn was compounded, as we had the lens of real-world production experience as a context, through which we could understand the principles of story and art, that much more.

Many film professors will admit that a week on set is worth a year in film school. It's true, the intensity of a set creates a perfect environment for learning massive amounts of practical information very quickly. We want to capitalize on this, and make the set available to anyone who wants to participate.

This year, with the production of Ace Wonder, HeuMoore Productions will be inviting nine interns to join us through the production. Your food, lodging, and travel expenses will all be covered by the production company. Our goal is to see you leave the set prepared to produce or direct a film with biblical discernment and technical excellence. You will bring a great attitude and a solid work ethic. Production is April 26th through June 5th, in Eastern Tennessee and in North Texas.

If you would like further details, please visit www.acewondermovie.com
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Excerpted from the full info here.

Roundup: iPad Previews Around the Web

Here is an overview of all the lucky bums that were on Uncle Steve’s “good list” this year.

New York Times

David Pogue of the New York Times wrote his review from two angles: one for the Techie crowd, one for everyone else. Even if you feel you belong firmly in one camp or the other, it will be worth your time to read both parts of the article.

“For most people, manipulating these digital materials directly by touching them is a completely new experience — and a deeply satisfying one.”

Dislikes: The onscreen keyboard is a “horrible experience” and “barely usable” (Note: not everyone hates the onscreen keyboard).

Chicago Sun-Times

Andy Ihnatko covers technology for the Chicago Sun-Times. One interesting bit from the end of his article is that he chose to cover tech instead of movies almost exactly 10 years ago. He says the iPad proves he chose the more interesting topic. Andy also revealed his iPad live on TWiT and has also posted an unboxing video to YouTube.

“In fact, after a week with the iPad, I’m suddenly wondering if any other company is as committed to invention as Apple.”

Dislikes: The iPad is “not a replacement” for a computer.

Wall Street Journal

Walt Mossberg wrote his review for the Wall Street Journal and focused a bit of time discussing if the iPad could replace a laptop.

“It’s qualitatively different, a whole new type of computer that, through a simple interface, can run more-sophisticated, PC-like software than a phone does, and whose large screen allows much more functionality when compared with a phone’s.”

Dislikes: Limited email and web browser apps.

Houston Chronicle

Bob ” Dr. Mac” LeVitus writes for the Houston Chronicle and generally gushes over how great the iPad is.

“Speaking of my wife, prior to our iPad’s arrival she said she didn’t understand why anyone would want or need an iPad. Now she just keeps saying, ‘No, you can’t have it back.’”

Dislikes: Not much negative in the article, but he dislikes how he can’t get it back from his wife.

Time Magazine

Stephen Fry wrote the cover feature for Time Magazine, an interview with Steve Jobs about the iPad and Apple. While the article holds back from criticizing anything Apple, I did find the quotes from Jobs and designer Jonathan Ives worth the read.

“When I switch [the iPad] on, a little sigh escapes me as the screen lights up. Ten minutes later I am rolling on the floor, snarling and biting, trying to wrestle it from the hands of an Apple press representative”

Dislikes: Hard to find anything, but here’s a stretch — “…with the release of the iPad, Apple is an overdog for the first time. The smell of backlash is in the air.”

BoingBoing

Xeni Jardin wrote a “first look” piece for BoingBoing that gives us some details on “The Elements” app that was pre-installed on all the review units. There is some good advice about JQuery performance on the iPad too.

“The Elements on iPad is not a game, not an app, not a TV show. It’s a book. But it’s Harry Potter’s book. This is the version you check out from the Hogwarts library. Everything in it is alive in some way.”

Dislikes: Can’t imagine doing lots of heavy text input on the iPad

PC Mag

Tim Gideon wrote a lengthy review for PC Mag. There’s lot of good details in here and some light testing with Exchange and other features that some will be interested to read.

“The built-in speaker surprised me—not with its excellent quality, but with its ability to get fairly loud and not sound horrifyingly awful.”

Dislikes: The iPad is an extra device that is not a full-fledged laptop.

USA Today

Edward C. Baig got a chance to write down his impressions for USA Today. His view is mostly favorable and the article covers the basics.

“Apple expects more than 1,000 iPad-specific apps to be available at launch.”

Dislikes: The video controls are buried in settings.

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Source Article