Robert’s Red Eye

I didn’t write Red Eye. Maggie, a fellow student at the Detroit Film Center, did. It’s just so … weird to work on a movie I didn’t write. It’s very different than being in a play I didn’t write. But then … I think it would be easy to be in a movie I didn’t write. Directing is a completely different animal. I’m not sure I’d completely enjoy being one of those directors who is in their own movie.

This sort of thing drives me crazy at my day job. I hate working on everyone else’s projects and never having one of my own. One of the pastors at church said, if I may remind myself, that I need to work on someone else’s vision before working on my own but … dude, that sucks.

I just feel like everyone thinks, “Oh, you’re only the director? You didn’t write it?” or “Oh, you’re only the designer? You didn’t actually create the content?” Actually, I don’t feel – I know … that’s what they say in job interviews. And my Mom says stuff like that. I didn’t plaster my name all over Madre because I feel that’s just, I don’t know, vain. And after she watched it, she said, “You’re name is nowhere on it” which made me wonder if she even believed I made it. Yeah, I could have filled the credits with my name for every crew position, put my name as producer, director, writer, but … whatever.

I should mention the writer/director of the church musical liked the editing and such I did of her show.

I’ve been very bitter and unfulfilled lately, if you can’t tell.

Perfect Neighborhood

I finally finished it and turned it into Irene at church. If you combine all the time it took, it was only a few hours and most of that was just trying to sync the audio with the video tracks. The close/mobile camera was relatively easy but the wide camera in the tech booth never zoomed in on anyone so I couldn’t really tell what I was doing until I noticed the flashes from cameras in the audience lighting up the stage and realized if I couldn’t sync the video to the audio, I could use the single frames the stage was lit up to sync the two video tracks (since I already had one video track synced to the audio). Pretty ingenious if I do say so myself.

Choosing which camera angle to use at any given moment was easy since at given moment only one had a good shot.

Now that that is done and the Wedding package stuff is almost done, I can finally start editing Red Eye. Then I’ll start on my next personal project.

Fire and Opportunity

I’m really excited about this editing for the church’s musical and doing the wedding. Both will be great portfolio pieces. I’m going to make a web site and make a DVD for the newlyweds that they and I can show people. Same thing with the musical. I’m going to make the DVD as nice as I can for both … ooh, and I should include my contact information.

Barrie, Chris and I shot some more stuff. One of the shots was … well, we’re using something new in our company that replaces something old and the video showcases the new thing. Part of the video is “new uses for the old thing” and there’s a bonfire. We went to a park, made a huge fire in one of the barbeque pit things and started throwing stuff into it (I wanted them dancing around it like pagans but …). During all this, someone said, “So, how are we going to put this fire out when we’re done?”

Yesterday, Chris spent a few hours shooting for a different project and I’ll be editing that today. When his project is done, I’ll start working with Dan for yet another video project for Vegas.  I still have to get back to Phyllis’ at some point.

And to think some days I actually believe my job has gotten less creative & fun. Some days I have such an unwarranted crappy attitude. I’m glad I’ve got friends and family and co-workers to lift me out of that pit when I stumble into it.

Audio Syncing Mysteries

Working on the footage of The Perfect Neighborhood tonight I figured out (I think) what was wrong. I thought the audio was drifting out of sync because it was imported/converted at the wrong frequency but I think the camera might have been paused, put on standby or shut off at some point for just a few seconds and I found that spot so it’s back on track. There may be more of those but at least I know what’s wrong so it’s just a matter of fixing the problem if it arises again.

The most difficult thing now will be to sync the second camera. Two were used. One for close-ups and another for wide shots from the back of the auditorium (the camera usually used for following the pastor who gets shown on two giant video screens at the sides of the stage). That one will be harder to sync because I can’t watch peoples lips … I hope at some point there’s a close up or something.

They have a big need for video stuff at church but I’ve been so busy with my silly day job and then making time for the family I haven’t been able to help. I hope that changes.

Update on all my projects

Just confirmed a shoot date for the Ren Fest grounds on August 9. Scouting the Detroit Historical Museum exhibits this afternoon. Got approval to film some stuff in the Archives & got a paper hat for the 1950’s scene, discussed costumes and props with Chris and Barrie.

Started working on the Perfect Neighborhood footage and sound for church.

Last night scouted locations for class project. Need to call managers & owners of those restaurants today.

Have a great new idea for a short. Took notes but haven’t started the script yet. Discussed with Natasha last night.

Both Natasha (teacher) and Kathleen (teacher/casting from Western High) said they’d like to work with me on future projects. Both of their feedback and encouragement really revitalized me.

Letting Josh #2 Down

I totally don’t have time to help him. He did say some of my ideas/feedback were amazing. That made me feel cool. Josh #1 is gonna help with music for Madre and Tell-Tale. Groovy. He’s one of the most talented people on the planet.

Construction Zone

I’m gonna try for a third time to do some techie/audio/light work for church. There’s this guy named Zack who hosts the kids stuff. He’s like an over-the-top kids show host. Just finished seminary. I’m excited about working with him.

Once upon a time … a long time ago… I tried helping with the kids at the Vineyard church in Ann Arbor. I didn’t like it. They were too young for lessons or anything … it was more like watching … well, toddlers. Nope, didn’t like it.

I’m hoping Zack is … a visionary. If not, I’ll just keep my mouth shut and do what they tell me.