Thoughts Of The Day

I have been going over my status messages from Twitter and find it pretty interesting the highs and lows that I have gone through in the last week when it comes to technology. While all of the computers and to an extent our phones are backed up bad things happen when the phone and computer fail at the same time. I mentally struggle as I try to deal with no information. In a way it is like withdrawls and I really don't like it.

The good news is that thanks to Don at Apple I should be getting my Mac back tomorrow. What started out as a bad experience is starting to get a lot better. We just want to know as customers or clients what is going on.

Posted with LifeCast

I like this picture!

Thanks Buck!!!!!! BendFilm late night at McMenamins.

I Am CORIL

This is a piece for CORIL that we premiered at an event this afternoon.

BendFilm '08 Tech - Volume 1

Monumental undertaking or just plain fun!

This year has been an interesting year in many different ways from the tech standpoint. First we will be playing all films digitally with the exception of 35mm. No tape. No DVD. Second filmmakers are given the option of ftping their films. This is actually a big deal and in many ways represents the future of distribution. We are probably jumping ahead a couple of years, but we have seen a fairly steep adoption curve. If anything this has shown that independent cinema is adopting HD quickly. The requests have all been from filmmakers that have done there film in HD and most have been using Final Cut. The ability to deliver digitally saves money, time, and energy.

Pictures and examples to follow shortly as I want this documented.

Game changer...

Fist watch this video- HD is changing. (I have it opening in a new window or tab)

Now here is the game changer. This was shot with a DSLR. I know there are a lot of people that have known about this for a bit, but I feel this is the first video that shows the capabilities. The capabilities of craft and not technology for a price.

I have posted a few times on how GUI is the barrier between the next generation of media deployment, and for the film/video world it has been the sheer cost and tech driving this HD revolution that we are going through. Canon and also Nikon have a new line of camera in the form of a digital SLR that have broken this technology barrier and in my opinion will enable really great still photographers to be really great cinematographers.

The good still photographers in the world understand light. They understand composition. They understand how to make really good pictures. Combine these people with great story tellers and hopefully you will get really great videos. Film in its current incarnation is a dying breed.

I am excited...

More information can be found at Vincent Laforet's blog.

Battery Frustration...

Being a heavy user of my laptop I figure it should go for a while. Well that while is probably about 4 months ago. I just got off a frustrating call with Apple and was told that my battery is "consumed" their words. I just confirmed it in looking at a couple of boards. I just wish they would say it to begin with or let me know how many charge cycles I should get.

Here is something to live by according to Apple's website when operating 10.4:

Calibrate the battery in your MacBook or MacBook Pro every month or two to keep your battery functioning at its fullest capacity.

To calibrate the battery:

1. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter and fully charge the MacBook or MacBook Pro battery until the light on the MagSafe connector changes to green and the Battery icon in the menu bar indicates that the battery is fully charged.
2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer. You may use your computer during this time as long as the power adapter is plugged in.
3. Disconnect the power adapter with the computer on and start using it with battery power. When the battery's charge gets low, you’ll see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
4. Continue to keep your computer turned on until it goes to sleep. Save your work and close all applications when the battery's charge gets low and before the computer goes to sleep.
5. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
6. Reconnect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged. You may use your computer during this time.

Repeat the calibration process every two months or so to keep the battery fully functioning. If you use your MacBook or MacBook Pro infrequently, it’s best to recalibrate the battery at least once a month.

If you purchased additional batteries, repeat the calibration process with those batteries as wel

A great new mac ap...

I am not sure how many web based services you use, but I have a bunch. I recently came across Fluid and have been using it ever since. Take a look at the included screen cast of the creation of my google reader account. There is also a Flickr group that has been started to create application icons. I highly recommend it as they load quicker and reduce the tab shuffle.

This Morning on Frank Deford

So I have mentioned Frank Deford before. I enjoy his commentary on sports. This mornings cometary was on the costs of sporting events. Interesting thoughts, but what I really enjoyed is his rant about black outs in sports. The theory is black out your local coverage and you force people to come to the game. I actually believe as Frank says in today's rant that you show how much fun it is and people will flock to it.

This is the same with products. Show how much fun it can be and let people talk about it.

I have to remember this

Sometimes all we want to know is that it sucks. I only say that because when it comes to customer service we hear well we have to follow the process.

So here is how the conversation goes.

"Well what is the process?"
"Really aren't sure."
"Okay isn't it your job to know."
"Well they change the process so much that I really have stopped following."
"So I am in this crappy situation and there is really nothing you can do for me?"
"Well sir the process is beyond our control and I really think that you should just call the 800 number."

Just imagine a difference if you could make a difference.
"I am sorry sir that it really sucks. Here is what I know about the process and let me call the 800 number with you and see if I can find out more information."

May build a different feeling about your business.

Clever Marketing???

The Star Wars Geek in Me

One of the things I think I have never talked about is why I got into video. It has to do with 30 years ago. Something clicked 30 years ago with the release of Star Wars. It took a few more years, but I was fortunate enough to have a Super 8 camera that my dad had bought a few years before so my good friend John and I did "Star Wars" films while we were in middle school and started doing short silly films into high school. This evolved into me starting to do videos for promotional purposes. After spending 10 years at the local cable company producing everything from live programming to those same promotional videos. For the last four years I have been blessed to have worked with some great clients and am looking forward to the future.

So what prompted this? Go check out how others have interpreted Star Wars through art.

Joss Whedon's newest

Just go check it out. It is just fun. I admire Joss' writing. Firefly is hands down one of the best series. It should have gone for many years, but unfortunately people discovered it to late. Go have some fun and watch the videos.

2008 Cascade Cycling Classic Day 5 Highlights

Here are some video highlights from day 5 of the Cascade Cycling Classic.

2008 Cascade Cycling Classic Day 4 Highlights

Highlights from Day 4 of the 2008 Cascade Cycling Classic.

2008 Cascade Cycling Classic Day 3 Highlights

We are helping document and capture the action of this years event. This really has been fun!

Quick Update...

Working on Stage 3-4 video of the Cascade Cycling Classic right now. Should be up in about 1 hour.

Cascade Cycling Classic video update

No update tonight as it's late and criterion has just finished, look for the update of day three after tomorrows stage.

2008 Cascade Cycling Classic Day 2 Highlights

Day 2 highlights. Tomorrow will be focused a bit on the time trial, but more on the criterium in downtown Bend. Thanks to my extremely great moto driver Brad.

2008 Cascade Cycling Classic Day 1 Highlights

We are proud to be covering the 2008 Cascade Cycling Classic. This is highlights of today's stage.

Kent Couch after Landing...

So I thought I would go ahead and post this great picture of me taping Kent probably about 15 minutes after landing. Photo credit www.couchballoons.com.