We've Been Featured!

Noah Metzger, a good friend of ours, has started a website called Christian Film Central.  If you haven't come here by that link, click on over and read his post, then stick around for news, reviews, and other Christian Filmmaking stuff!

Broadening Horizons

You may have noticed a new widget on the lower right hand side of the blog.  Jordy has decided to take the leap and (go ahead and laugh) try internet writing for profit.  Having signed up for a website called Hubpages, Jordy is attempting to write one random article a day (except on weekends).
If you want to follow him, here's a link to his profile.
Yesterday he posted the third article in a series on coffee.
Follow this link to sign up.
So if you've been wondering what we've been up to, wonder no more.  We've still got movies in the works though, so don't worry, we'll have something out soon!

Replacing Unusable Audio

     The worst has happened; your audio technician has made some mistake or maybe, like us, you don't have a large enough crew for a dedicated audio technician.  Either way the damage is done and the audio for today's filming is completely unusable.  However, rather than going for the surreal, dream-like feel to that scene, there is an alternative.
     In cases without dialogue (Such as our short film Tea and Toast, where the audio was entirely useless
due to camera directions, kitchen timers and a T.V. playing in the other room.) your problem can be easily solved.  What Jacob and I did, upon realizing that the audio needed replaced, was the old fashioned "find-something-that-sounds-like-what-you're-looking-at-and-record-it" technique used in animated films.  We were lucky that the sounds we needed were readily found be duplicating the actions in the film, this time making sure there was a functioning microphone on hand.  It did feel a little strange to be carrying toasters, spoons, glasses of water, and plastic bags into our studio, but it got the job done.

Year of the DRAGON

It was April 8, 2013 - A collective sigh of relief, followed by a cheer of excitement rang through the Internet.  Did you hear it?  RED announced that their newest upgrade to their modular "obsolescence obsolete" cameras, the DRAGON sensor was finished.

Quick Facts:

1. 6K (new Dragon sensor) is 2.2x 4K in number of pixels.
2. 6K has 45% more pixels than 5K.
3. 6K has over 10x the number of pixels than 1080P.
4. 6k (6144 x 3160) has more resolution than a Canon 5D MK III.
5. Pixels are good. Down-rezzing is good. Dynamic range is good.
6. The cleaner the sensor the more you can compress in REDCODE RAW. Dragon has less than half the noise of Mysterium-X.
7. Obsolescence Obsolete is good.
Just a few facts to chew on.

Eastwest Quantum Leap Virtual Instruments - SALE!

The software Jacob and I use to write music for our films is Eastwest Quantum Leap's Virtual Instruments, a sample library that uses prerecorded sounds of real instruments replayed in such a way as to mimic the instrument playing the notes you ask for.  We've used this software on Tea and Toast, Light Reading, and I have already done a few mock-ups of ideas for our next short.

Currently, the system is on sale, most instrument packs being 50% off, and the Complete Composers Collection is still being offered.  This second option is the one Jacob and I went with, it gave us all the instruments we needed to write our own soundtrack for $1000, and that includes the price of upgrading each instrument to the highest level of quality they offered.

If anyone wants to get this software and start writing their own music, or already has it and is thinking of expanding their collection, now is a good time with the Hollywood Brass and Hollywood Strings sets on sale as well.

2013 SAICFF Jubilee Winner!

The 2013 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is over, and the winner is...
The Dropbox!  Read more about it by following this link.

Release: Light Reading

Our latest project, Light Reading, is now finished!  It can be viewed here or on our Youtube Channel.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey A Review

Maybe the title of this post should be "An Unexpected Review".  Anyway, as I am writing this post, I'd better get down to business.

Featured Film:The Runner from Ravenshead

Today's featured film is The Runner from Ravenshead, a full-length movie made by Little Crew Studios that won Audience Choice in the 2010 SAICFF.

The film is about Sam, a young girl who is sentenced to imprisonment in Ravenshead, a high security prison.  An opportunity arises, and Sam escapes.  But the Wardens are relentless and tireless.  If Sam cannot find a refuge they will certainly catch her.
Enter the City of Refuge Guide Service, a group of people who are dedicated to helping these escapees get to the one place the Wardens can't catch them: the City of Refuge.  But there are no more trained guides left to call, only... Henry, a daydreaming janitor with a heart of gold.

Will Henry be able to convince Sam to come with him?  Will the Wardens catch her first?  Will Henry even survive being alone in the forest with his scatterbrain?

This is a family film full of laughs, adventure and just downright cuteness you'll love.

Here's a trailer: 

Ultra Short - A Sword in the Hand

When two young men discover corn syrup-based food dye and plastic cocktail swords... well, things get a little silly.

Project Update

Another Ultra Short will be coming out soon... that is, as soon as we can find time during the Christmas Season to finish editing it!  Stay tuned however, and enjoy the remaining days until Christmas!

Featured Film:Time Changer

Today's featured film is Time Changer, a full-length movie made by Rich Christiano, an independent christian filmmaker.

The film is about a man named Russell Carlisle, who has just finished writing a manuscript for a theological book. It is about to get a unanimous endorsement from the board members at Grace Bible Seminary until his colleague, Dr. Norris Anderson, has a "difficulty with something.”

Dr. Anderson believes what Carlisle has written could greatly affect future generations.  But Carlisle won't listen to reason. So, using a secret time machine, Anderson sends Carlisle over 100 years into the future, offering him a glimpse of where his beliefs will lead.

Here's a trailer: 

Links:

You can buy a DVD of Time Changer here.

Rich Christiano's website.

Ultra Short - Uninvisibility

While messing around with our green screen, Jacob produced what we thought was a pretty funny short.

Featured Film: The Widow's Might

Today's featured film is The Widow's Might, a full-length movie made by Heumoore Productions, a filmmaking company started by homeschool graduates.  This film won the Jubilee Award, a $101,000 grand prize, in the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), up against competitors such as Fireproof, and The Secrets of Johnathon Sperry.  

The film is about two aspiring filmmakers who, upon learning of the plight of a nearby widow about to lose her home through outrageous and unjust property taxes, do what they do best: make a film to help.

Through trials, public smears, and laughs, this tale will capture your heart.

Here's a trailer: 

Want a RED? Now is the time to consider a SCARLET

Most of you out there have probably heard of RED Digital Cinema, the leader in 4K and 5K video devices. As recently as within the past three weeks, RED cameras had been completely beyond the reach of anyone who didn't have $10,000 lying around (and that's just for the camera body, no lenses or any other equipment).  But on November 1st, RED announced that they were dropping their prices.

• RED SCARLET = $9,700 $7,950
• RED EPIC-X = $34,500 $19,000
• RED EPIC-M = $39,500 $24,000
• RED ONE = $25,000 $4,000

(Unfortunately, the RED ONE has sold out as of November 16th)

 So, if any of you out there have had some thousands you've been sitting on, or an older RED, now may be the time to upgrade your equipment.

Links:
No Filmschool Blog: 5 Reasons Why I Bought a RED SCARLET
No Filmschool Blog: RED Cuts EPIC Price In Half
RED Website

Cheap Film Making Ideas Episode #1 Lego Dolly

New Project Announcement

Having finished our project Tea and Toast, we have now turned our attention towards our next project.  Hold on to your hats, folks; we've discussed many different ideas, and it could be anything from a comedy set in the age of discovery to a chaotic Christmas dinner ballet!

Release: Tea and Toast

Tea and Toast is now finished and can be viewed on Youtube or here below.  Enjoy!