FAT MONSTER FILMS presents "O2" ... Every. Breath. Counts.

[Kyle Stebbins]

After severely abrading the band's corneas, I Hate Kate forced the entire crew in front of the wind machine. Fortunately, they weren't as good at throwing debris into the blades as we were. .... CLICK BELOW

http://www.archivisuals.com/TimMarkRockOut.jpg (http://www.archivisuals.com/WindStorm.mov)

THIS CLIP JUST MADE MY DAY!!!!!!!!!!! BAAAAHHHHAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!

can't wait to come see you guys reeeeal soon.

[Matty_g]

That is an interesting light. Seems like it would make the subject look flat... what was your experience with it?

It's bright as poo poo and I could NOT stop staring at it. I'm glad it wasn't in my face all day.

Seriously though, as with any light you can do lots of things with it. It's great for eye-light, used off camera as just a regular LED panel, or for the ringlight effect which is what we were going for.

[Ted Arabian]

I guess I have to do some reading on that light. It looks like it is a simple front-fill light.

I look forward to seeing the video and checking out the results.

Thanks for the reply.

[Mark Johnson]

I guess I have to do some reading on that light. It looks like it is a simple front-fill light.

I look forward to seeing the video and checking out the results.

Thanks for the reply.

Ted,

I especially liked the look that Matty and Tim got by having Justin up close with the Ring Light illumination given the overall lighting of the set (see below). It would have been difficult to get the look otherwise. The thing was quite cool and surprisingly versatile.

http://www.archivisuals.com/RingLite.jpg

[Mark Johnson]

Tim and I had some hearty laughs over this CraigsList POSTING (http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/596842076.html)(Mature Language Warning!)

[Ted Arabian]

Wow. That is nice. Very subtle.

It is a very interesting light... seems like you can "enhance" a persons age/appearance as this light, being beamed directly from the lens, alleviates many facial shadows.

And it must be great to not have to worry about the camera op casting a shadow while moving about!

[Ted Arabian]

Tim and I had some hearty laughs over this CraigsList POSTING (http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/596842076.html)(Mature Language Warning!)

LMAO! That is f'n hilarious!!! :grin:

[Charlie Anderson]

OMG!! that is hilarious!

And fly me out to LA sometime, I'll be an art director anytime

[Mark Johnson]

OMG!! that is hilarious!

And I would have Ted Arabian's baby if he could talk the Fat Monster guys into letting me Art Art direct a project.

Wow. Charlie, that's comittment!

Say, I had an amazingly drunken evening in Towson one night after taking depositions at the Black and Decker headquarters! I ended up somewhere downtown Baltimore and my blazer is still there somewhere. Maybe you can go down and look for it, huh?

[Ted Arabian]

That's us... the Art Directing Duo! :grin:

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Tim and I had some hearty laughs over this CraigsList POSTING (http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/596842076.html)(Mature Language Warning!)

ROFL. Oh man I had to download that to my desktop in case it ever gets deleted off craisglist.

[Norm Sanders]

Wow! Lol!

[Geoff_R]

Dude...Mark, come on man...I totally sent that to you in confidence...I didn't want the whole forum to know what kind of consul I seek...

[Tomas Riuka]

Hey Mark, what's up?

how are you guys doing? as usual having fun? :) jeez, i wish i lived in US!

[Ted Arabian]

Dude...Mark, come on man...I totally sent that to you in confidence...I didn't want the whole forum to know what kind of consul I seek...

:grin: :grin: :grin: nice one, Geoff! :thumbsup:

[Marlon Ladd]

Good luck, Mark and co. Man, this post has filled up fast already.

[Mark Johnson]

I was going through my iPhone pix from this past weekend and found several of Super Luis holding the slate. This is amusing in several regards:

1) Fat Monster is so damn cheap that we have to use cardboard for slates

2) These were slates for different frame rates. As most of you know, a common music video technique is to shoot the band playing in sync with a sped up version of the song. Then, when you slow the footage you have the band playing and singing in sync but the movements of everything else appear in slow motion. For this shoot we prepared several different takes of the song in progressively faster speeds. Luis was asked to make slates for each one so that we could be sure we knew precisely what sync rate to slow the footage in post. Thus, he's holding "30" for 30 fps. You'll note that he's written "estrogen shots" under it. He made other slates as follows: 36 fps "little girl"; 48 fps "chipmunks" to better define what each sounded like. By the way, it is quite amusing to watch the band attempting to play double speed.

Oh, and everyone who shoots music vids should keep a link to THIS POST (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=891871&postcount=5) by Barry bookmarked as it gives the very precise percentages you need to speed up footage to sync properly. When you have these figures you can create different versions that are perfect matches. We use AfterEffects with the "Time Stretch" function to do this.


http://www.archivisuals.com/LuisSlate.jpg

[Ted Arabian]

... As most of you know, a common music video technique is to shoot the band playing in sync with a sped up version of the song.

I actually did not know this technique. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing the results of this when the video is completed. (and I bet you have some pretty funny footage of shooting this technique!)

[Mark Harris]

Hey Mark, do you have any opinions between TimeStretch and TimeWarp? I've been using TimeWarp to slow things down. Why do you choose TimeStretch? Just curious.

[Kyle Stebbins]

very cool stuff, mark man. -- that craigslist post was AWESOME!

[Ted Arabian]

Just saw that post you added by Barry. Very interesting stuff. I wish that the dvx had adjustable frame rates. I would LOVE that feature.

One more reason to go buy an HVX!

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

You can still do the 60i or 30p down to 24 with the DVX, you can use the formulas over 30fps I guess. But I've done it without this forumula and if you just use round numbers like 50% etc you can get pretty close as long as you have something else to cut to now and again.

[Charlie Anderson]

I actually did not know this technique. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing the results of this when the video is completed. (and I bet you have some pretty funny footage of shooting this technique!)
I did this for a music video I shot in february:

Here's a link to what it looks like, 24fps to 18 fps to 48 fps:
http://www.stratatekstudios.com/movies/OBK/NormalFastSlow.mov

It's not perfectly synced up because I just literally threw it together and didn't feel like syncing it up for a quick test.

Here's another one where it's 48fps:
http://www.stratatekstudios.com/movies/OBK/SlowmoSync.mov

Again, not synced up perfectly but it's something I was going to cut in and out later.

Here's a link to the final product so you can see what it looks like with it color corrected:
http://www.stratatekstudios.com/video/the_panic.html

[Ted Arabian]

You can still do the 60i or 30p down to 24 with the DVX, you can use the formulas over 30fps I guess. But I've done it without this forumula and if you just use round numbers like 50% etc you can get pretty close as long as you have something else to cut to now and again.

Hmmmmm.... I am going to have to play with this. Thanks, Jack!

...............

Hey Charlie, just checked out those links. Nice job on the final cut! I loved the opening sequence into the music. Very nice!

[Charlie Anderson]

I loved the opening sequence into the music. Very nice!
Thanks, it was a real pain to do that shot, took me over an hour for a split second because I had to change lenses 3 times and ended up trying to bounce light in to be able to see his eye with my Macro lens. I think it turned out great though :)

[Wrathborne]

I'll have you know there isn't anything wrong with cardboard slates, as a matter of fact there isn't anything wrong with using NO slates! Provided its for a short film and you have as good a memory as I do. Hot sh1t going on there, I'm impressed.

[Ted Arabian]

I think it turned out great though :)

Damn right, it did. Really nice. I had to go back and watch it frame by frame.

You had some really nice cutting throughout that. I really liked what you did to that spin move by the guitarist in white.

I am impressed. I am looking forward to shooting me a music video.

[Charlie Anderson]

Wow. Charlie, that's comittment!

Say, I had an amazingly drunken evening in Towson one night after taking depositions at the Black and Decker headquarters! I ended up somewhere downtown Baltimore and my blazer is still there somewhere. Maybe you can go down and look for it, huh?
Wait wait wait, that was YOU? I was wondering if that guy would ever resurface again! All I rememeber was some drunken, out of conrtrol guy screaming at the top of his lungs at some invisible person arguing about how their life wasn't complete without the show ALF anymore and that his marriage was nothing without a sock puppet in bed...then he took his blazer off and lit it on fire, running away singing the theme song to "the Sound of Music". Man that was one crazy Bake Sale we had for the boy scouts.

[Charlie Anderson]

I am impressed. I am looking forward to shooting me a music video.
Hire me as a DP :D I gots me a HVX, M2, and ZEISS primes!!! :D

No but seriously, I love to travel, I'll go anywhere.

[Ted Arabian]

Tempting, tempting! I do want to move away from my realm of "one-man-productions." Having a DP on the set would be awesome. Hmmmm.....

How does a bowl of New England Clam Chowder sound???

:D

[Charlie Anderson]

Tempting, tempting! I do want to move away from my realm of "one-man-productions." Having a DP on the set would be awesome. Hmmmm.....

How does a bowl of New England Clam Chowder sound???

:D
Sold! and by "New England Clam Chowder" you mean "Hot naked women covered in jello" right? That's how I read it.

No but in all seriousness just pay for gas and I'm there! I'll even sleep in my jeep, I do enjoy cuddling up to my camera to keep myself warm at night...

[Ted Arabian]

:grin:

I'll never be able to eat clam chowder the same way again!

I'll PM you soon about the "other" subject! Don't want to distract the producers of this thread. I know what a neat house they keep!

[Charlie Anderson]

What? Threadhacking? PREPOSTEROUS!

[Tomas Riuka]

i suppose not the first time...

wonder where's Mark? prett quiet lately?

[Robbie Comeau]

I don't feel so sad any more, cause of how many posts and views this thread gets. Judging the past few pages, now I understand :)

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Mark, do you have any opinions between TimeStretch and TimeWarp? I've been using TimeWarp to slow things down. Why do you choose TimeStretch? Just curious.

The TimeWarp effect actually allows you to remap footage and create new interpolated frames similar to Twixtor. As such, if you are slowing down a video clip this is preferable to the simple TimeStretch function which does not interpolate frames.

So, for doing this kind of quick synching for music videos TimeStretch is my choice because it's not a filter and doesn't require any processing (it merely stretches or compresses the clips by adding or removing frames. ) Also, you can quickly determine your desired length by either telling it to adjust 1) running length or 2) percentage of original clip. Remember, we're just outputting audio files (usually as WAVE files to play on a CD player for playback) so we don't care about video frames anyway.

[Mark Johnson]

i suppose not the first time...

wonder where's Mark? prett quiet lately?

Hey Riuka! What's up, man?

Tim and I just got back from a big-dog lunch meeting at Maniac Mike's cafe (remember that place, Ted? Mike and his daughter both said hi). Why can't we find any naked sushi places here on the East side? Sheesh.

Man, I'm glad its Friday. I didn't think this week would ever end.

[ZFarms Productions]

It's thursday

[Arrik]

Man, I'm glad its Friday. I didn't think this week would ever end.

Friday? Are you from the future?

[Larry Rutledge]

It's Friday somewhere :grin:

[Mark Johnson]

Man, I hope I don't get that aids again.

[Tomas Riuka]

Hey Mark,

not much! have you seen what actress we got for our main role? :) check our thread, 1st page for photos:)

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Mark,

not much! have you seen what actress we got for our main role? :) check our thread, 1st page for photos:)

Sweet! Tomas, you are starting out with a bang. Love the update with the crew pictures. Boy its great to see you already starting out with preproduction meetings. Agne looks like a fabulous choice for the role. Very striking and beautiful! Bravo!

[Tomas Riuka]

Thanks for your nice comments! though i'm a bit stuck with script... our scritwriter conspiracy penguin is stuck somewhere :/

[Larry Rutledge]

Feel free to send the script/story my way if you need an extra set of eyes.

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Mark,

We've gotten our act together. Check out this pic from our production meeting last night:

http://www.archivisuals.com/VilniusCrew.jpg:)


Tomas, that's, um, quite a crew you have there. Love the photos on the wall. I guess I can see you're a big fan of the US.

[Kholi]

Rofl.

[Charlie Anderson]

http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~burrows3/roflcopter.jpg

[Tomas Riuka]

that's gross! i don't know any of them :D

though i must say nice photoshop work :D

[Mark Johnson]

Just a quick note. Last night we had the band I HATE KATE over to view the rough cut of the "Bed of Black Roses" music video. They absolutely loved it and asked Tim to upload a version to their New York label. They also gave a couple really good notes for the next edit.

Those of you who cut music videos know that its a real crap shoot dealing with these bands. As Tim has pointed out to me, almost every musician has built his or her own series of moving images inside their head long before the project starts. Even when you produce something golden the client may have an equivocal reaction simply because it doesn't match the mental image they've been carrying.

Fortunately, everyone was ecstatic about this one and Tim should be able to get a final edit finished fairly soon and we can get on to producing the followup video for their next single "Always Something."

We're hoping that the label will make good on their pledge to seriously consider Fat Monster for additional projects now that we've shown them how quickly and efficiently we can work.

By the way, we're going to be celebrating with some cocktails at the monster house tonight. If any of you L.A.-based users want to come by the bar will be open.

[Charlie Anderson]

Yes working with bands can be tough, especially ones that are primadonnas.

Since it's pretty much all I do these days is do music videos, I basically tell the band from day 1 this:
"I can't begin to do what you guys do (play music so well) and you can't begin to do what I do, so I trust you'll be able to have a professional attitude in regards to this video. Trust me when I say I know what I'm doing and I'll trust you to produce amazing music."

If they don't go for that, don't work with them, you'll just be asking for trouble.

If you get any offers out my way Mark, let me know! I'm down to help out

[Ted Arabian]

Hey Mark! Give a hello to Maniac Mike and his ladies for me the next time you are out at Cable. Man, there were some nice production meetings there. I am definitely missing that weather, too!

Great to hear that the music video is coming along nicely! Awesome.

I did talk to that guy who wants a music video and he is shooting for the summer. I'll keep you updated on that front.

Be well, Dude!

-Ted

[Charlie Anderson]

Hey Mark I think you should suggest this concept for your next video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rm_hHfNe6M

Probably the most complicated shoot EVER, all 1 take

[Mark Johnson]

That's very tight Charlie. Tim knew that video but for some reason I hadn't seen it. I'm really fascinated that they panned to show the whole dolly track and sets on both sides. Shee-it! any one of those mini-sets could be a video in itself. Thanks for that link.

However, you can definitely see the set designer borrowed a lot from this

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

[Mark Harris]

The TimeWarp effect actually allows you to remap footage and create new interpolated frames similar to Twixtor. As such, if you are slowing down a video clip this is preferable to the simple TimeStretch function which does not interpolate frames.

So, for doing this kind of quick synching for music videos TimeStretch is my choice because it's not a filter and doesn't require any processing (it merely stretches or compresses the clips by adding or removing frames. ) Also, you can quickly determine your desired length by either telling it to adjust 1) running length or 2) percentage of original clip. Remember, we're just outputting audio files (usually as WAVE files to play on a CD player for playback) so we don't care about video frames anyway.

That's cool, thanks. Yeah, the stuff I've been working on has to slow down mid clip, then speed up again. Thanks!

[Charlie Anderson]

That's very tight Charlie. Tim knew that video but for some reason I hadn't seen it. I'm really fascinated that they panned to show the whole dolly track and sets on both sides. Shee-it! any one of those mini-sets could be a video in itself. Thanks for that link.

However, you can definitely see the set designer borrowed a lot from this

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

Oh definitely!

It's kinda like what we did for our newest music video:
http://www.stratatekstudios.com/BTS_set_design.html

[Ted Arabian]

Hey Mark I think you should suggest this concept for your next video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rm_hHfNe6M

Probably the most complicated shoot EVER, all 1 take

This is amazing.

[Charlie Anderson]

This is amazing.
What's even more amazing about the fact that it's 1 take and lots of sets is the fact that the dolly moves at the same pace throughout the whole video even though there's fast motion AND slowmotion ramps throughout it. When I saw that I was blown away by it!

[Ted Arabian]

That's what I meant by, "that's amazing!" The single take aspect alone is cool but the different speeds... I just don't know how they did that. I will be watching this a few times!

I am glad that they panned that camera over the dolly tracks. Really made for an interesting shot.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Sure that's one take? Looks like there's some funny business going on in some of the pans from set to set and some 3D manipulation to piece it all together, some green screen and compositing.

Still a great video.

EDIT: Well Wiki says it was one take. Maybe I'm reacting funny business necessary to have the dolly move at a consistent speed with the ramping etc.

[Matt Sconce]

Definitely not one take. Some creative cutting though, with some green screen stuff. You're right on JDS!

[Charlie Anderson]

I might have to go pick up this DVD to see what they say in the commentary about the video:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Hits_Video_Collection

[Mark Harris]

Looks like there has to be some compositing at some point, because there are at least two places where Billy shows up from one shot to the next in a way he couldn't possibly get to in time.

But yeah, great video. Though I don't fully understand why they so blatantly reveal the dolly track at that point. I mean, why make that choice when they have such a cool effect going on.

[Charlie Anderson]

Maybe I'm reacting funny business necessary to have the dolly move at a consistent speed with the ramping etc.
The only thing I can think of to pull off what they did is to have a robotic dolly, kinda like what Aronofsky did in Requiem to get the calculations right.

[Charlie Anderson]

Looks like there has to be some compositing at some point, because there are at least two places where Billy shows up from one shot to the next in a way he couldn't possibly get to in time.

But yeah, great video. Though I don't fully understand why they so blatantly reveal the dolly track at that point. I mean, why make that choice.
The places where he does that is a slow frame rate, so you'd have extra time to get into a new location, it is possible if rehersed enough I guess.

My guess on the dolly track is someone panned the wrong way and the directors went "SH*T that was the best take! Oh well, keep it in for artistic purposes".

I'm guessing Mark doesn't mind if I hijacked his thread eh?

[Mark Johnson]

Thread Jack away. The monsters always appreciate any discussion here.

This reminded me of one of my favorite technical videos - Kylie Minogue's "Come into My World" by Michel Gondry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUueEVXw7ec

Check out this excerpt on the making of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9FAxywDJ8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqvujY49anQ)

[Kholi]

Gondry's DVD Reel is a very good watch. The man's mind is insane! I loves it.

[Mark Harris]

that is an amazing video and the godry dvd is really good.

[Charlie Anderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDHdcLwvh4

That's pretty darn impressive if I do say so myself. My buddy swears that it was all done in camera but it's not physically possible, even though I read 2 articles about how he did a lot of it:
http://www.director-file.com/gondry/stripes4.html
http://www.the-mill.com/article.php?A=397

[Ted Arabian]

... Though I don't fully understand why they so blatantly reveal the dolly track at that point. I mean, why make that choice when they have such a cool effect going on.
I was wondering the same thing. But I didn't mind that they did it! (at least from the perspective of a guy who likes to breakdown and analyze things.)

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

One way to do it woud be to have Corrigan on a treadmill and track him into the shot moving across. If corrigan and the camera are stationary while he's walking on the treadmill then you could move him through the shot.

Do we ever see people passing infront of Corrigan or just foreground pieces of scenery and frames etc.


... Though I don't fully understand why they so blatantly reveal the dolly track at that point. I mean, why make that choice when they have such a cool effect going on.
I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reasons they showed us the dolly track was to sell the illusion more. They're kind of protesting too much "Know look, it was really one take, here's the proof"

So maybe there was a dolly going by all the sets and extras, because the people in the background move at a constant speed and then billy was put in later.

This would also explain why he disappears between sets sometimes, we don't see him walk through the big panning shot that goes over the dolly track, he's already there waiting in that next set

I would expect this kind of trickery from a guy who did this:
HOW MICHAEL GONDRY FAKED SOLVING A RUBIK'S CUBE WITH HIS FEET:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaVsaWjzsds&feature=related

JACK BLACK's RESPONSE TO MICHAEL GONDRY SOLVING A RUBIK's CUBE WITH HIS FEET:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0kuXyaIhLg&feature=related

[Kholi]

^ Smarty Pants

[Mark Johnson]

Well before the dolly reveal they panned back to show the borders between sets so they obviously made a decision to "break the wall" when they shot this. Given that they could have easily designed the move to shoot around the "horn" the other way without revealing the track they intended to do this.

Taken to an even greater extreme is the video for "War of the Worlds" done by the great Sam Brown: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/86533/1592792

Interesting discussion on antville here: http://videos.antville.org/stories/1507849/

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

the girl band member does cross in front of him once, but the three of them are in the foreground

there does seem to be some ramping in the background on the porn set

Bill comes to a full stop, but I think only once does he do so mid walking, he also kind of jumps into this standing position, so that could be the one time they worked out timing the tread mill to stop so it wouldn't seem like he was on a treadmill.

Dunno, just a theory, makes sense but there are few times it seems like it would be tough to pull off this way.

... I am a smarty pants at procrastination. Any other VFX videos I can review before I actually get to work today at 3:30 in the frickin' afternoon :)

[Charlie Anderson]

I didn't find that video to be all that impressive to be honest

[Mark Johnson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGCDB9tITZ4&feature=related

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I didn't find that video to be all that impressive to be honest

I liked it. But someone made a comment on that paged that stuck with me. Would have been nice to have the guy standing in the middle of the blast when it went off.

Would have been super easy shoot him there preblast, drop him into the shot with the explosion, then roto him out with a feathered edge over the few frames before the pigment obscures everything,

[Slimothy]

I didn't find that video to be all that impressive to be honest

Which one?

Oh and Jack, it's CORGAN. Figured I'd let you know before any SP fanatics have a heart murmur.

[Charlie Anderson]

I went through the video and jotted down some times:

If it is composited at least the first 42 seconds he's actually on set as he's sitting down and then at 0:42 the set casts a shadow on his head and he walks through the set.
0:58 - slight shake on the dolly once it speeds up, probably operator error
1:27 - the camera moves to reveal the set and corgan turns towards teh camera slightly, this could be compositin
1:30 - the only cut I can see hidden in a sudden camera move
1:45 - corgan interacts with the set
1:53 - weird halo around corgan's head, suggests croma key
2:14 - shadow of corgan on D'arcy
2:49 - shadow of the set on Corgan's head
3:17 - shadow of band members on the post
3:23 - shadow of Corgan on D'arcy

Remember this video was done almost 10 years ago, so take that into consideration as well, it's pretty innovative even if it's composited!

[Charlie Anderson]

Which one?
The war of the worlds one, It's pretty colors but I just didn't understand what's going on to make it interesting other than the fact it's slow motion

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I went through the video and jotted down some times:

If it is composited at least the first 42 seconds he's actually on set as he's sitting down and then at 0:42 the set casts a shadow on his head and he walks through the set.
0:58 - slight shake on the dolly once it speeds up, probably operator error
1:27 - the camera moves to reveal the set and corgan turns towards teh camera slightly, this could be compositin
1:30 - the only cut I can see hidden in a sudden camera move
1:45 - corgan interacts with the set
1:53 - weird halo around corgan's head, suggests croma key
2:14 - shadow of corgan on D'arcyA
2:49 - shadow of the set on Corgan's head
3:17 - shadow of band members on the post
3:23 - shadow of Corgan on D'arcy

Remember this video was done almost 10 years ago, so take that into consideration as well, it's pretty innovative even if it's composited!

Yeah but the set element he "interacts with" is a column in the foreground,

And I think the three band members were shot in green screen and composited in wich would explain Cardigan's shadow on D'arcy.

Also shadows don't really mean anything thing. I can show you a clip of me getting run over by a car where, if you frame by frame it, you will see my shadow moving and following me on the ground. I can also show you a picture of me holding a RED with shadows from the flash on the wall even though I have never owned or held a Red.

The halow of light looks like an intentional power windows re-lighting in post type effect. It's kind of funny now that you point it out. When he goes behind the column, the halow of light where his face would be goes over the top of the column, lol.

I think the shadow that touches his head at the top is to mask switching between takes of the woman on the bench, she and billy go to different speeds after that, neither of them natural. So I think that shadow fascilitates cut to another take of Coreman, or her, or both.

[Mark Johnson]

The war of the worlds one, It's pretty colors but I just didn't understand what's going on to make it interesting other than the fact it's slow motion

Sam Brown is one of the absolute masters of the craft by consensus in the industry. This is getting much closer to being an art installation or a statement than a "music video." I would not be surprised if many people who are focused on the more traditional examples of the genre would not "get" this one. To me, though, it really sets him so far apart from most directors.

He's shown an incredible commitment to developing different approaches to different music:

http://www.flynnproductions.com/flynn/directors/?sam_brown/

[Charlie Anderson]

Sam Brown is one of the absolute masters of the craft by consensus in the industry. This is getting much closer to being an art installation or a statement than a "music video." I would not be surprised if many people who are focused on the more traditional examples of the genre would not "get" this one. To me, though, it really sets him so far apart from most directors.

He's shown an incredible commitment to developing different approaches to different music:

http://www.flynnproductions.com/flynn/directors/?sam_brown/
Hmmm see I'm on the edge here on this one, as I really like the Foofighters video as it's a fresh and new approach to an already overused style of shooting music videos but filming a bunch of rods that explode in slowmotion with different color dust just doesn't do anything for me. Yes it's nifty to see it all happen in superslowmotion (probably shot with a phantom) but this one just didn't really stike me in my normal artistic sense. To me it feels like a cop- out almost.

Now don't get me wrong, I love really weird sh*t and out there videos but I'm also a fan of performance videos that try something new and edgey. New and freaky videos are awesome, I just couldn't get into the War of the Worlds video.

Here's a video that I think is pretty interesting as it really relys heavy on editing with overlays and a performance by the artist. It's nothing you haven't seen before but the camerawork and editing make it really really interesting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbEwHJX95QE

This video is nothing spectacular but the way the members hold themselves is quirky and refreshing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqK1dE0FWo0

I think my favorite music video director right now is Marc Webb

[Mark Johnson]

http://www.archivisuals.com/monsterparty.jpg

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I guess it's early for the party there.
But once it's underway I expect incriminating photos and updates.

[Mark Harris]

Man, LA looks like it's so much more fun than NYC.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I think it's wherever Mark Johnson is that's more fun than wherever you happen to be. Not "you" Mark Harris, but 2nd person in general "you".

[Matty_g]

^ true that.

[Slimothy]

Yup.

We're getting Hizzammered tonight. Special Apperance by Don Dizzle.

More on him later.

[Mark Johnson]

Hey!!! Matty brought his copy of "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill." !!!!! This promises to be one insane party!

[Mark Johnson]

Where's Matty? (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Matt/Garrett?trk=ppro_find_others)

[Mark Johnson]

http://www.archivisuals.com/MattyMark .jpg

[Mark Johnson]

Sheesh. I made it until about 3 a.m. and then had to crash. Somewhere last night the decision was also made to make TONIGHT the "real" monster weekend party. Looks like quite a crew is coming down the hill and from the west side, so anybody who missed last night should plan on coming out to Fat Monster tonight. I'll do better on the bts tonight too!

[Dallas]

Anyone heard from Steven? He just went to the store for a pack of cigarettes.

[Mark Johnson]

Anyone heard from Steven? He just went to the store for a pack of cigarettes.

Hot damn! He must be on his way. Whose got the number of those hookers? And not those fat twins this time either.

[Beat Takeshi]

Yeah, here are some variations you could work with though

http://www.brianmicklethwait.com/images/uploads/Twins.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa64/gladeen/Fat.jpg

[Tomas Riuka]

Rofl :d

[Kyle Stebbins]

HA! -- awesome.

[Mark Johnson]

We're partying here at Fat Monster. TommyInLA has announced to all that his TimeFest entry is (according to him) most definitely going to place in the TOP 3. In fact, he claims that it is the best script that he's ever written and he intends to enter it into ScriptFest under a different name in the hopes of cashing in there. Blaine also claims Tommy's script is among the best he has ever read, so judge accordingly.

Tim is pouting because he wants everybody to watch Matty's "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" DVD but nobody wants to.

Dane Markinson, guitarist extraordinaire, has just arrived and is regaling us with stories from the seamy underbelly of the music industry in Hollywood.

Steve-O plays with "Fighting Chance" who is negotiating with Fat Monster to have us produce their next music video. I suspect a deal will be struck at some point later this evening when Tim gets hammered.

It's only midnight and the evening has yet to crank up. More later.

http://www.archivisuals.com/partynight.jpg

[Simon Höfer]

What's up? I guess everybody got hammered. Not only Tim :D

[Mark Johnson]

What's up? I guess everybody got hammered. Not only Tim :D

I crashed about 2:30 a.m. and things were still cranking up. I intended to shoot some more pix but lapsed into a coma instead. There's a living room full of snoring people right now and a strong smell of bacon in the kitchen leading me to believe the denizens cooked breakfast at some point last night. Did they leave me anything in the fridge? No. Its Starbucks and their overpriced pastries for me. ....

[Ted Arabian]

Morning Mark

Hey thanks for those links yesterday... they really helped.

[Mark Johnson]

Morning Mark

Hey thanks for those links yesterday... they really helped.

Cool Ted! Have you been working with your adapter? Any new test frames?

[Ted Arabian]

Yeah. I have been working with the adapter. And right now, I am reading Timur's most excellent stickies in the 35mm adapter section.

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Steve-O plays with "Fighting Chance" who is negotiating with Fat Monster to have us produce their next music video. I suspect a deal will be struck at some point later this evening when Tim gets hammered.

It's only midnight and the evening has yet to crank up. More later.

http://www.archivisuals.com/partynight.jpg

What kind of parties are you guys throwing.......? (http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2008-03-14/#2)

Yea I figured out they are different people but what the hell.... :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Mark Johnson]

What kind of parties are you guys throwing.......? (http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2008-03-14/#2)

Your basic drink-whatever-is-in-the-house-and-try-to-talk-the-waitresses-at-the-restaurant-next-door-to-come-over-when-their-shift-ends kind of parties. However, more often than not they devolve into loud arguments over music and movies by the time Blaine starts hitting people.

[Tom Marshall]

I vaguely remember Blaine trying to get me to stop playing guitar... then realizing 2 hours had passed... and I left. God bless Rum... :)

[Charlie Anderson]

Yeah but the set element he "interacts with" is a column in the foreground,

And I think the three band members were shot in green screen and composited in wich would explain Cardigan's shadow on D'arcy.

Also shadows don't really mean anything thing. I can show you a clip of me getting run over by a car where, if you frame by frame it, you will see my shadow moving and following me on the ground. I can also show you a picture of me holding a RED with shadows from the flash on the wall even though I have never owned or held a Red.

The halow of light looks like an intentional power windows re-lighting in post type effect. It's kind of funny now that you point it out. When he goes behind the column, the halow of light where his face would be goes over the top of the column, lol.

I think the shadow that touches his head at the top is to mask switching between takes of the woman on the bench, she and billy go to different speeds after that, neither of them natural. So I think that shadow fascilitates cut to another take of Coreman, or her, or both.
It's definitely 1 take, just watched the BTS video on the DVD. I'll rip it and put it online in a few

[Ted Arabian]

Cool, Charlie. I definitely look forward to seeing that.

[Geoff_R]

Arghhh...I wanted to come out and hang with you guys Saturday night but I had to work. I'm shooting during the days and being an editing vampire at night. Looks like you guys had fun. Sucks that I had to miss out.

[Charlie Anderson]

damn those copyrighted DVDs! Mpeg streamclip won't open it and I can only get the music videos in handbrake...hmmm will keep trying today

[Charlie Anderson]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/funny-pictures-rabbit-eats-thread.jpg

[Mark Johnson]

damn those copyrighted DVDs! Mpeg streamclip won't open it and I can only get the music videos in handbrake...hmmm will keep trying today

Are you on a Mac? If so, I think I have an app that will do what you need.

[Charlie Anderson]

Are you on a Mac? If so, I think I have an app that will do what you need.
Yes I'm on a Mac, haven't used my PC in a few months except to play WoW

[Mark Johnson]

Sent you a PM Charlie.

...

Note to Fat Monster crew members: the TimeFest preproduction site is now password protected and you should have access unless I forgot about you (in which case PM me).

[Charlie Anderson]

So while I'm forced to wait until I get home, I thought I'd point out some interesting facts from the DVD (watching it on my laptop right now).

They definitely speed up and slow down just like you would for having VFR in the same shot.

the first shot where D'arcy makes an appearance in is pretty interesting. She's actually standing on a dolly that's being pulled back (which is why she's taller than billy in that first shot and she's smoothly moving from side to side).

The shot where all 3 members are in the middle of the frame (where the camera pans to the right quicklly in the greenish room) and then pans, billy actually runs under the camera to hit his next mark. to be in frame.

The shoot took 11 hours to shoot...that's talent on set the entire time, not to build or light, just talent...pretty crazy. The actors actually revolted on one of the takes, just stood with arms crossed looking into the camera.

One thing I can't figure out is if the dolly is robotic or not. It's on a crane, that's for sure and I'd assume it'd be robotic but they don't talk about it at all.

Definitely cool.

[Mark Johnson]

Great stuff, Charlie! Say, I can't recall if you put up enough info so those interested could locate that DVD. Do you have an Amazon link or at least the title? (you've probably included that in the thread before but I'm a lazy ass)

[Charlie Anderson]

Great stuff, Charlie! Say, I can't recall if you put up enough info so those interested could locate that DVD. Do you have an Amazon link or at least the title? (you've probably included that in the thread before but I'm a lazy ass)
http://www.amazon.com/Smashing-Pumpkins-Greatest-Video-Collection/dp/B00005RFBA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1205776910&sr=8-1

Definitely buy it, it has 15+ videos on it with everyone of them documented with commentary on how they made them, it's amazing!

Oh and there's 1 more thing I wanted to point out. I don't know if you can see it in the youtube version but look at 1:38, you can see Corgan's reflection in the mirror in the background :)

[Brandon Rice]

I just can't keep up with you guys!

[Mark Johnson]

Yesterday Tim and I made the short drive down to San Diego to meet with the ever fascinating Barry Green at the Stu Segall studios. Barry is involved with the Marine "Wounded Warrior" transition program (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/us/03wounded.html?scp=2&sq=Wounded+Warrior&st=nyt) at the studio north of San Diego. The program is a ten week immersive experience that aims to give wounded veterans training to permit them to pursue new careers in the film industry. Barry's first class of 19 marines will be graduating next week and it looks like the endeavor is going to be a great success.

Stu Segall Studios also has a program called "hyper-realistic" training for marines in which a full scale Iraqi village set is used complete with explosives and ammunition. Here's a pretty cool article about that program (http://http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3DC7A791F0F8F0F3852572E4005FBB79?opendocument). Barry's classes are taught near the same location and he said it was at times a bit disconcerting to have shells exploding right out the window when the training was going on.

Tim and I met Barry at the "studio diner" next door and its a pretty cool place with a lot of film gear built into the decor. They have big c-stands built into each booth and there were what sure looked like a bunch of Dedolights on the ceiling.

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg
Barry and The Dude

Before we left we had the pleasure of being joined by the newly relocated John Hudson. Jeez, was it ever fun to meet this guy! Hudson is a true original and we on the West Coast are certainly glad you guys on the East Coast got tired of him and sent him back. Master Hudson has agreed to join the Fat Monster crew to help us shoot our Time Fest entry. Now, if we can get him off his butt to shoot his own .... :)

\http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryGreeenJohnHudson.jpg
Barry and Hudson

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg
Barry and The Dude

Hahah, I see even the indubitable Mr. Green is not immune to Johnson shenanigans :)



Before we left we had the pleasure of being joined by the newly relocated John Hudson ... Master Hudson has agreed to join the Fat Monster crew to help us shoot our Time Fest entry....http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryGreeenJohnHudson.jpg
Barry and Hudson
Awesome. John is a blast to be around, a great eye to have stand next to the monitor with you, and one of those guys that "runs on set". You guys should be unstoppable now!

[Ted Arabian]

Cool to actually see photos of the mythical Barry Green and John Hudson!!! Very cool.

[ZFarms Productions]

that looks like it was a great time.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Couldn't resist.
Ladies and Germs ... the original
O.G.'s
http://frenchquarterfeatures.com/BarryMarkOGSweb.jpg

[Barry_Green]

Money.

[disjecta]

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg

I didn't realize U2 was in town. That's really awesome that you got to meet The Edge, Mark....nice one.

[Zak Forsman]

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg

who took this picture? and Mark, why are you trying to hypnotize them?

[Mark Johnson]

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg

who took this picture?

A waitress took this photo with my iPhone.


and Mark, why are you trying to hypnotize them?

The waitress came home with us .... :)

[Mark Johnson]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time:

http://www.20min.ch/news/wissen/story/27957769

[Tom Marshall]

Holy shit, we've passed the 10k mark... and it's only Tuesday!

[Tomas Riuka]

Nice find Mark!

[Charlie Anderson]

this thread has been quiet all day long...SOMEBODY FAILS AT LIFE

[Jared Meyer]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time:

http://www.20min.ch/news/wissen/story/27957769

Mark, head to the cafe once in a while, we were talking about that months ago! :evil:

Just for that, I'm giving this thread 5 stars. Hate to do it to you, but...

[Mark Johnson]

Mark, head to the cafe once in a while, we were talking about that months ago! :evil:

Just for that, I'm giving this thread 5 stars. Hate to do it to you, but...

ArrrrrrrghhhhH!!! Ok, ok. I'll start hanging out at the cafe.

How about this??? This is now the coolest thing I've run across at the moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1czBcnX1Ww (NOT A RICK ROLL -- I PROMISE)

[Arrik]

Oh man, that shiz is so funny. I could kick one of those things all day...

[Charlie Anderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw&feature=related

Funniest thing I've ever seen on youTube

[artofsuntzu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw&feature=related

Funniest thing I've ever seen on youTube

Well if we're going for funny and music video, then here's my pick... AND it's all in 1 take!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2v-AkSj260


I think it got them gigs in an MTV comedy and Apatow's comedy.

[Mark Johnson]

Dr. Ken is the sh*t. He reminds me of Tim so much. ....

[artofsuntzu]

Dr. Ken is the sh*t. He reminds me of Tim so much. ....
... because of dance moves? :)

O'Connell's pick-up lines reminds me so much of me. :(

[jeremytuttle]

http://www.archivisuals.com/BarryMark.jpg


Studio Diner is pretty sweet, me and my brother eat there sometimes (we work down the road), food's pretty good, if Stu Segal fails at movies he could always start a chain of Diners.

[Ted Arabian]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time:

http://www.20min.ch/news/wissen/story/27957769

F*ck'n A! That was Awesome!!!!

[Kyle Stebbins]

I didn't realize U2 was in town. That's really awesome that you got to meet The Edge, Mark....nice one.

Right on the money there, man! All he needs is a stocking cap!

[Kyle Stebbins]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time:

http://www.20min.ch/news/wissen/story/27957769

Ah yeah, man. This is nuts! Alex showed me this a few months ago. I couldnt believe it!!

kyle

[Charlie Anderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc8tPTVBRSc

omg I was crying when I saw this

Not sure what camera but it looks like a P+S Technik adapter from the BTS pics

[Mark Johnson]

Unbelievably good. That just was spectacular. That is going to be the Fat Monster video of the month for April!!!

[Ted Arabian]

Thanks again, Mark!!! You are the Dude Extraordinaire! :thumbsup:

[Tom Marshall]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc8tPTVBRSc

omg I was crying when I saw this

Not sure what camera but it looks like a P+S Technik adapter from the BTS pics

Nice find, Charlie... :beer:

I like the part at :45 - "chafing" :Drogar-Shock(DBG):

[Kyle Stebbins]

Unbelievably good. That just was spectacular. That is going to be the Fat Monster video of the month for April!!!

Oooohhh... I don't know. Seemed a bit like a ripoff of the Flight of the Conchords.

Check it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh20qVfYeSE

[Charlie Anderson]

yeha it's close, I think this is my favorite Conchords video ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWf3iJjqYCM&NR=1

"The magical bling bling"
Classic

[Kyle Stebbins]

Hahaha. They get Greg to shoot their music video and Mel speaks elvish. HAHA

[Kyle Stebbins]

yeha it's close, I think this is my favorite Conchords video ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWf3iJjqYCM&NR=1

"The magical bling bling"
Classic

one of my faves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbB8aPD1UU&feature=related

[Mark Johnson]

Hola gents and ladies. FAT MONSTER is rolling out a new website (http://www.fatmonsterfilms.com/). We'll be adding more content soon.

Lots of good stuff on the horizon too. If you're curious or merely wish to chortle at our antics, please subscribe to our blog (http://www.fatmonsterfilms.com/fatmonsterblogger.html).

[Drew Ott]

Sweet site so far.

[artofsuntzu]

Hola gents and ladies. FAT MONSTER is rolling out a new website (http://www.fatmonsterfilms.com/). We'll be adding more content soon.

Lots of good stuff on the horizon too. If you're curious or merely wish to chortle at our antics, please subscribe to our blog (http://www.fatmonsterfilms.com/fatmonsterblogger.html).

Dude! I love the changes! You guys are ramping things up in a major way.

[Jared Meyer]

Site looks good, guys! One minor note - the browser heading says "Mushy Productions" for the contact section.

Can't remember what the old site looked like but I really dig what you've done with the fonts/colors/layout.

[Simon Höfer]

Site looks really good! I always want to click on the images of I HATE KATE to see some of your good work, but nothing happens :D I guess I have to be patient, as you said... keep up the good work!

[Mark Johnson]

Thanks for the comments Dudley and Simon ... and thanks for pointing out the page title glitch Jared!

We will post the I Hate Kate and Vienna Teng videos when their respective labels approve them for release. Additionally, we're producing several new music videos and at least one commercial in April so that we will be able to add more content to the site soon.

[n8ture]

Well, it's ok. I mean I bookmarked it and all but it's still not as cool as the friggin super uber secret site! :)

[Matty_g]

One minor note - the browser heading says "Mushy Productions" for the contact section.


MARK! Did you steal my site!?

[Mark Johnson]

MARK! Did you steal my site!?

Larceny is the most sincere form of saying f*ck you, Matty :)

[Mark Johnson]

Mark, I apologize for thinking you may have borrowed my site layout. On further reflection, I can see that your site looks MUCH better than mine and that I was foolish to accuse you of lifting any of my design. In fact, I would be honored and grateful if you did because you and Tim are so cool that I hope to raise my own quotient simply by association.


Apology accepted, Matty. You will always be a welcome part of Fat Monster.

[Matty_g]

:shocked:

[Ted Arabian]

Cool boyz. Very nice site! :thumbsup:

[Kyle Stebbins]

Definitely stole the site. =D

[Zak Forsman]

My post was deleted so I'll just say that everyone should know Matt Garrett is a close personal friend and valued collaborator. if the sarcasm behind my words wasn't obvious, forgive me for the foul-language and apparent vitriol. it was a joke.

[Mark Johnson]

Zak, you're a pussy.


Here, here boys!!! This constant quarrelling must end. It breaks my heart to see you two at each other's throats like this.

[Ted Arabian]

Hey Mark! How was the visit? Hope you had a great day today.

Kyle is talking about coming out to NH to help me shoot. You want to come, too??? I would love it.

Happy Easter to you, my friend. And to all of the Fat Monsters here!

-Ted

[Mark Johnson]

Ted, let me know when you're shooting and if there's any way I can set up a forensic shoot within a couple states of you, I'll come help too.

[Ted Arabian]

You're on! I'll be sure to let you know. :thumbsup:

[Charlie Anderson]

If I wasn't shooting that feature with Lena Headey I'd be up there in boston helpin' ya out Ted!

Definitely have to do something for the next fest in the summer

[Ted Arabian]

Lena Headey... Ted Arabian... Lena..... Ted..... Hmmmmm...... okay, whatever! :grin:

Looking forward to shooting with you one day, Charlie! :thumbsup:

[Charlie Anderson]

I'll make sure to take LOTS of pictures :)

[Ted Arabian]

Yes! Please do! What is the project?

[Mark Johnson]

Hola guys. Here's an iPhone snap. The weather today is perfection. 67 degrees now at 8:30 a.m. They're calling for a high of 85 at the beach. Why don't you all blow off the rest of the week and come out here??? We'll buy the beer.

http://www.archivisuals.com/SunnySoCal.jpg

[Ted Arabian]

Oh, Man... you are mean! :furious3:

That is a beautiful view. I MISS that view! dang...

[Charlie Anderson]

Yes! Please do! What is the project?
It's a indie horror film, it's pretty cool actually. Not a huge budget but hey it's experience :)

Shooting with 2 HPX3000s.

Mark once I honestly take a "business trip" out there I'll take you up on that! Except I'll be drinking water, I gave up alcohol for good this time around ;)

[Mark Johnson]

Mark once I honestly take a "business trip" out there I'll take you up on that! Except I'll be drinking water, I gave up alcohol for good this time around ;)

Cool. Good for you Charlie!!!! More beer for us too!

[Kholi]

It's a indie horror film, it's pretty cool actually. Not a huge budget but hey it's experience :)

Shooting with 2 HPX3000s.

Mark once I honestly take a "business trip" out there I'll take you up on that! Except I'll be drinking water, I gave up alcohol for good this time around ;)

How're the 3000's holding up? The image must be insane.

[Charlie Anderson]

I'll let you know, production starts April 2nd, prelighting and camera tests are on the 31st. I'm working as a P2 Offloader (think film loader) and I'll be running back and forth on everything, it'll be an awesome time. I'll make sure to keep a journal about it all.

The director frequents these forums every now and then, I'll ask him if he minds me sharing that info.

[Mark Johnson]

Hola guys. Been running around San Francisco and am just now boarding plane back to L.A. We finished editing a settlement doc and were uploading it only to find the upload time was going to be prohibatively long. Thus, I hopped on a plane and delivered the DVDs myself in time for the client's mediation and got to visit my 13-year old (who lives in Los Gatos with his mom). A pretty fine day in all ways as our client truly thinks we walk on water (we got this project just last week and had to really scramble to shoot it and edit it in time).

Now, back to La la land!!! (and I"ve got free drink tickets galore for the plane ride!)

[Ted Arabian]

Happy Birthday to the Dude!!!

[Mark Johnson]

Just got in and found your birthday greetings Ted!

Hard to believe I'm still only 29, huh?

Hey, where are my flying cars and wrist TV???

[Ted Arabian]

hee hee.... Where does the time go? (seriously.... where did it go? 29!? :grin:)

Young at heart, dude! Young at heart. The only way to live!

[Brandon Rice]

Happy birthday Mark!!

[Mark Johnson]

Thanks B-man!!! Appreciate the friendship from you and everyone else here!

[Mark Harris]

Happy birthday, brotha!

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

...Hey, where are my flying cars and wrist TV???

Nah, we won't get those till I'm your age ... like in another 50 or 60 years :D :birthdays:

[Mark Johnson]

Hey, by the way, I'm offering a $100 bill to any FLASH maven who can tell me how to do what I suspect is a relatively simple operation moving library assets into AfterEffects. If you want to pick up dough be the first to answer my question HERE (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=129937).

[Larry Rutledge]

(sung as a dirge)
"Happy Birthdy
O Happy Birthday
There is misery in the air
People dying everywhere
But, Happy Birthday"


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_10_8.gif

[Tomas Riuka]

Happy birthday, Mark! ;)

[Ted Arabian]

Just retiring this banner here on your thread!

http://tedarabian.com/DVX/HB_MJ.jpg

Hope it was a great one!

-Ted

[artofsuntzu]

Just retiring this banner...

Oh, man. My DVX addiction councellors recommend reading forums only once per day before 9am... but I miss the entire Birthday Party!

Sorry Dude, Happy belated!

[Matty_g]

http://gizmodo.com/372272/video-of-bigdog-beta-quadruped-robot-is-so-stupid-its-hilarious

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY MARK

[Kyle Stebbins]

Happy birthday, big guy. Another year for the baddest dude on the west coast.

--

anyone else see the web banner on the front page that advertises that the hvx is still being shipped with a free 16gb p2 card? i thought that rebate expired... it's misleading, as i'm currently pursuing the purchase of one myself.

in any case, it's time to celebrate 29 YEARS OF A GREAT MAN'S LIFE!

[smashedburrito]

Hey this link is a gift to this thread.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/03/rick-astley-kin.html

[Mark Johnson]

Thanks for that link Burrito! I showed it to a couple band members last night and one of them actually thought it was a machine until they got on the swing!

We shot the performance part of the Waiting for Decay music video this past weekend up in Victorville at the same location where we shot I Hate Kate.


http://www.archivisuals.com/SetBuilding.jpg


http://www.archivisuals.com/TimOperating.jpg

http://www.archivisuals.com/BenAaron.jpg

http://www.archivisuals.com/Setup.jpg

[Simon Höfer]

Looks great as always Mark! This explains why it is so quiet in this thread :D

[Brandon Rice]

Cool stuff! Any grabs?

[Kyle Stebbins]

Real cool. I'd like to see some grabs, too!

[Mark Johnson]

Grabs shall be coming boys! Let me get a couple things done and then I shall post some stuff for ya!

[Brandon Rice]

Yay! :)

[Matty_g]

Yeah, I wanna see Mark!

[Mark Johnson]

okee dokee .... Here's some raw frames (reduced size) from the FAT MONSTER shoot this past weekend:

http://www.archivisuals.com/WFDthumb.jpg (http://www.archivisuals.com/WFDframes.jpg)

Tim and Matty really work well together. For my part, I refined my technique of sleeping on the set (having discovered a full queen-sized bed in the loft above the performance space). In fairness, I had been up two nights straight completing a complex medical animation for a forensic case so Matty and Tim were understanding and cut me some slack. I did arise occasionally to offload P2s and run errands :)

I can also report honestly that all the shooting we've been doing has resulted in quite a bit of attention among both bands and management (it is, after all, a pretty small pond when you get down to the true working bands who have both the material and the funds to justify a decent music video.) Needless to say, they need to get the most bang for the buck possible and, for the moment at least, FAT MONSTER is hungry and willing to put in the extra effort to make the most of small budget projects.

And, at least important is the fact that we friggin' love shooting these things and we're lucky to have really great crews to make these insane weekend shoots happen. Thanks a million Matty, Ben, Ahren, Mark, Steve-O and Luis!!!!

[Matty_g]

Can't wait to CC those.
And it's AHREN not aaron :P

[Mark Johnson]

Thanks Matty. Corrected Ahren's name. Funny that all weekend he answered to "Aaron" whenever I used it though. .... :)

I might also add that before they shot, Matty and Tim did a few tests and had me pull up the footage in FCP (I brought the workstation to the shoot for the purpose) and they did some CC tests that really looked sweet. So, yeah, these raw images don't do justice for the color grading these guys shot for. ....

[Kyle Stebbins]

I can definitely dig those grabs. Great work, guys. Congrats on finding that bed, Mark man. Totally sweet.

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Kyle, I've been meaning to write you but have been way too busy. We need to caucus regarding our mutual travel plans (you to CA and me to the Midwest later this summer).

Thanks for the compliments for the grabs. It's no Corsairs, but ...

[Ted Arabian]

NICE!!! Excellent looking work, boyz!

[Brandon Rice]

Grabs look good guys!

[Kyle Stebbins]

Hey Kyle, I've been meaning to write you but have been way too busy. We need to caucus regarding our mutual travel plans (you to CA and me to the Midwest later this summer).

Thanks for the compliments for the grabs. It's no Corsairs, but ...

All is well, The Dude. I'm getting excited... I can feel the Santa Ana winds already.

kyle

[Mark Johnson]

Hey, guys, we are starting a new little fest for visual effects artists that we hope will grow into a nice little competition. I've been put in charge of administering the thing (shocking, I know) and I don't mind admitting that my ulterior motive is to build up a nice collection of talent that the filmmakers here can use for their projects. We're so blessed to have so many talented composers so why not have a similarly broad collection of VFX specialists available here?

In any event, the thing is literally in infancy and we only have four entrants for the first challenge which was to take the image below and turn it into a short winter animation. Please visit the thread HERE (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=130670)and support it by voting for your favorite entry.

AND, those of you with a few skills with AfterEffects or PhotoShop should consider entering the next one!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/10478/1207106341.jpg

[Kyle Stebbins]

That VFX challenge was GREAT. What a good idea, Mark man. I can see this really taking off.

I've got virtually NO skill in AE but I can try my hand at Photoshop.
GREAT WORK

[Mark Johnson]

Kyle,

You PhotoShop guys should really enjoy the next VFX FEST that starts Monday April 6th. The theme is Urban Destruction and focuses on transforming an urban scene into the aftermath of a catastrophe. Hope you enter as I think your skills would really come into play nicely.

[Slimothy]

Hey Guys,
I posted the rough cut of our IHK music video that we recently filmed over in the HVX Section. Check it out.

[Beat Takeshi]

I just watched it. Thought it was the same one Mark posted because of the room.
Looks good.

[Slimothy]

Thanks dude.

[Mark Johnson]

Ok, about time we had a post relevant to our entry for a change. We've locked down our main shooting location and have made substantial progress on casting, effects and makeup issues. (By the way, you crew members will be getting an update link via e-mail this weekend).

Some substantial changes in the script have been made after receiving some particularly valuable notes and we'll be sharing the new version on the private site this weekend.

Tim and I have been having prepro meetings regularly and we both feel comfortable with where we are here the first week in April. We've got a dynamite crew assembled and we're really looking forward to getting this one off the ground.

[Brandon Rice]

Mark, do you guys have some dates locked for shooting yet?

[Kyle Stebbins]

I believe their principal shoot is around May 17th.

[Mark Johnson]

Yes, indeed, our currently scheduled shoot is May 17-18 for the principal photography. We have some secondary scenes that won't require the main cast that we'll be shooting in May as well (dates not determined yet). This is going to be an ambitious project but we are confident that we're going to pull it off with the great crew we've assembled.

[Mark Johnson]

Yes, indeed, our currently scheduled shoot is May 17-18 for the principal photography. We have some secondary scenes that won't require the main cast that we'll be shooting in May as well (dates not determined yet). This is going to be an ambitious project but we are confident that we're going to pull it off with the great crew we've assembled.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE - the man turned 20 yesterday guys.

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Happy BELATED birthday Kyle.

[Kyle Stebbins]

Thanks, dudes! I had a good one!

[Beat Takeshi]

Happy Birthday to all whos just had birthdays.

[Brandon Rice]

Yes, indeed, our currently scheduled shoot is May 17-18 for the principal photography. We have some secondary scenes that won't require the main cast that we'll be shooting in May as well (dates not determined yet). This is going to be an ambitious project but we are confident that we're going to pull it off with the great crew we've assembled.

Awesome!

And happy birthday Kyle! Hope you got my facebook message as well :thumbsup:

[Mark Johnson]

For those of you interested, the brand new VFX FEST CHALLENGE 2 is starting today. Go HERE (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=131260) to check out the contest!

[Charlie Anderson]

Hey Mark looks like I might be headed out to LA pretty darn soon after this feature wraps, will let all you guys know

[Mark Johnson]

It appears we've had a change in our shoot schedule moving it from May 17-18 to the following weekend of May 24-25. We'll be getting out the confirming e-mails tomorrow. Thanks for your patience, crew members.

[ZFarms Productions]

hey mark, is it still cool to come out to visit in june? i hope so. i'm really lookin forward to it

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

hey mark, is it still cool to come out to visit in june? i hope so. i'm really lookin forward to it
:laugh:

[ZFarms Productions]

hey mark, is it still cool to come out to visit in june? i hope so. i'm really lookin forward to it
:laugh:

hahaha. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Mark Johnson]

Fat Monster is always open for DVXUSERs who want to visit. Accommodations may be a couch or sometimes even the floor, but if you can roll that way you are always welcome guys.

[ZFarms Productions]

i've slept on many a floor. looking forward to it.

[Zak Forsman]

have you guys started casting yet? if not, i'd love to offer my expertise in auditioning actors -- breaking them down, making them cry, etc. for example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGSUbEfzOCo

[philip bloom]

LOL, dudes.... problems with LADDIES? :D come to Lithuania... hottest girls in whole europe! or... i can give your access to a website with lithuanian girl :D

p.s. philip bloom was here in lithuania, he definintely know, ask him!

they were incredibly attractive...

[Arrik]

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE - the man turned 20 yesterday guys.

Hey, it was my birthday day before yesterday. Can I get some ALL CAPS love too?

Sent you an email, Mark.

[Beat Takeshi]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARRIK
He turned 18

[Drew Ott]

have you guys started casting yet? if not, i'd love to offer my expertise in auditioning actors -- breaking them down, making them cry, etc. for example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGSUbEfzOCo


This was hilarious.

I loved taking the guitar away and handing it back.

"More on the nose than saying the title? Ok..." :grin:

[Kyle Stebbins]

That audition clip was hilarious. Forsman is definitely a tough cookie.

[Arrik]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARRIK
He turned 18



ERRRR...........

[Kyle Stebbins]

What's the latest with this guy, eh?

[Blaine]

What's the latest with this guy, eh?Things are definitely moving forward on this, but I won't steal MJ's thunder...I'll let him fill in the particulars when he's ready. :thumbsup:

[Norm Sanders]

Hmmm, this thread has come to a complete halt. What happened to all the cafe banter, guys?

[Mark Harris]

I was wondering the same thing, Norm. I can only assume that they're - gasp - WORKING HARD on their film...with a beverage in hand, of course. :)

[Kyle Stebbins]

thats a pretty badass avatar, mr. harris. very sick.

[Norm Sanders]

Yeah, I dig the avatar too, MH. :)

[Mark Harris]

It's from my new film. that is not me, BTW. :)

Yay, if the fat monster guys are not around, the least the rest of us can do is fill their thread with meaningless shizzle. :)

So Norm, I saw the trailers for Berlin. When do we get to see the final movie? On DVD, I take it?

[Brandon Rice]

What's up FM guys?

[Norm Sanders]

Yeah, I just spent the last two days adding sub titles in German, French, and English for the entire thing ... now trying to figure out how to get the DVD scripting to work for what I want it to do in the audio set up side. Hoping those subtitles will help it some with submitting to some of the major, international fests.

[Geoff_R]

I feel like grilling today...juicy burgers, brats, beef hot dogs...too bad I don't have a grill or any food for that matter...starving over here!