Pretty amazing how far video effects have come in recent years. Productions like the one shown here (from Boardwalk Empire) don’t have to worry so heavily anymore on building large intricate sets or spending a lot of hours on make-up; thank you to technology. Check out this breakdown of each layer made to build a digital set.
Via - Neatorama.com
The New YouTube: Find Nyan Cat Even Faster
This week, Google unleashed it’s new and improved design for the most popular video sharing site on the Internet, YouTube. The change actually took place while I was gleefully watching funny videos of cats and I suddenly wondered if I had accidentally browsed to a different site. Alas, I had not, although the new look is a little bit cleaner and less sporadic than the previous version. I like the side navigation and the subscription lists and there is also a “Trending” list of videos, which I always thought they should have. The old format always made me think “hasn’t web design transcended the craigslist look by now?” That being said, Google has their finger prints all over this new design. Links to go back to Google+ or Gmail are popping up and it just overall looks like something they would make. Not necessarily a bad thing, just interesting. Someday the Internet is going to be just one giant Google page.
Looking Ahead: New Batman!
Wait, what’s going on here? I thought Christopher Nolan’s films were supposed to be all dark and edgy. Bane and Batman look like they’re just pallin’ around Gotham, having a good time!
Well if you’re like me, you probably can’t wait for the release of the final installment of Nolan’s Batman trilogy. I never read any of the comics growing up but I did a little reading about the new villain known as Bane. Apparently, he’s a pretty bad dude and was the only character to cause Batman serious harm in the story arch. The plot of Nolan’s film is pretty tightly guarded but I’m really not too worried as his story telling skills are pretty off the wall. See more pictures on the set of Batman here!
Otis Film Festival 2011
Regent University’s red carpet film festival is quickly approaching! The annual event put on by COGS will be held December 10th, 2011 at 6pm in the main theater at Regent. Forms are now available from Suzanne Morton with the submission deadline on November 28, 2011 at 5pm. So brush up those films and get them in soon to be a part of this years Otis Film Festival!
Check out this entry from Otis 2010!
As many of you have probably already seen on the homepage of Google this morning, the famous stop motion animator, Art Clokey, who gave us “Gumby” would have turned 90 today. Something about the technique and style of stop motion animation that Clokey used always fascinated me and I can remember going to the video store as a kid and only ever wanting to rent Gumby. It’s funny going back and watching clips from some of those old shows on Youtube. It reminded me of just how cheesy and weird some of those episodes were. Clokey definitely was a visionary as seen by how Gumby has stood the test of time and is still watched by many. Still not sure what’s up with Gumby’s weirdly shaped head though.
-RG
From Neatorama.com
I have seen more covers and renditions of the Party Rock Anthem over the past few months than videos of cats on the internet. This one from Ohio University may be one of my favs though.
New Look for reelgood.TV
Hello Followers!
Over the past few days I’ve been updating and debugging the new reelgood.tv design and I am happy to say it is now up and running smoothly! Apart from updating the general design and functionality, we are also adding a few new features. First, there is a new Calendar tab to show Regent students what events are coming up as well as the current production schedule to help out your fellow classmates with their film projects. The other we are rolling out soon but will be a place for Regent students to create a “profile” of themselves and their specific film making skills. The goal is to make a place for students to go to collaborate with others in the process of making their films. So pleeeease check it out, explore and keep coming back for more updates! There are a lot of things currently in the works to make reelgood even more epic!
All About the Music
The film sharing site, Vimeo, which has pioneered a way for independent filmmakers to share their art in a more professional manner (Sorry Youtube), announced the addition of a music store that will give users access to songs and soundtrack type audio files to use in their films. Users will also be able to license their own music for others to use in their films, gaining both exposure and any royalties made on the production. Now, I’m not a filmmaker so I don’t really know how much of an impact this will really have, but studying media law this semester has really opened my eyes to the hassle producers have to go through to get permission to use a song in their film. And at about $1.99 per track for non-commercial use on Vimeo Music, seems like it would be worth the casual filmmaker’s time and effort. Cool tools for you film makin’ fools!
Zombies vs Vampires
It’s a debate as old as pirates vs ninjas. Or even bears vs sharks. Spike TV is currently airing their two part season finale of “The Deadliest Warrior” and they have pitted two iconic characters against each other; Zombies vs Vampires. Now I’m sure normally most people would be thinking, “why?!” Well seeing as more and more zombie and vampire genre movies are coming out each year, it’s clear that for some reason people are fascinated with them. But I give props to the creators of Deadliest Warrior for tapping into this interest because I’ve heard more people talking about it over the past few days than I’ve ever heard anyone talk about the show before. It’s even trending on Twitter. I wish they would do something more relevant to me though like, grad student vs school loans. Hmm… actually that might be too gruesome for most viewers.
Nefarious
Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz around the new documentary “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls.” After a little investigation I found that it’s actually the first in a trilogy of films in which Directer Benjamin Nolot takes the viewers through the harsh reality that has enslaved thousands across the globe; human trafficking. I know little about the topic and how to get involved so I was looking forward to the screening of the film taking place here at Regent University. But as most of you know, Hurricane Irene messed up a lot of plans that weekend. HOWEVER, I just found out they have rescheduled to Saturday September 24, at 3pm.
So check out the Nefarious website below for more information about the film. And also check the facebook page for more information about the Regent University screening.
-RG
Facebook: http://es-es.facebook.com/event.php?eid=243032299070261&ref=nf
Nefarious website: http://nefariousdocumentary.com/
