"No Time" By Window In Time

[sfoster]

Well I'm excited to say I threw together this second project for fun in case I can't finish "Rope The Moon" on time. I will be shooting with my favorite crew, on my RED camera. See the picture below to see what I'm talking about!
http://www.witprod.com/images/crew.jpg

AND NO this isn't a joke. I will be shooting on my camera phone with my kids. I have a good concept that I will be acting and doing some of the shooting as well as directing, myself. My wife will be the supporting actress, but she wasn't home when I took this picture. Well we're off!!!

By the way, any tips on editing cell phone footage??? I want it to be as high quality as I can get!

This challenge is to show what I can do with practically nothing so that nobody else can say they can't afford the equipment to compete! Wish me luck!


Test Grab
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24707/1211386229.jpg


Here is a new *sorta* grab that you'll have to see the film to understand.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24707/1212805433.jpg

[Blaine]

Very interesting. I'll be watching to see what you can do with nothing...:thumbsup:

[Tomas Riuka]

Cool!

[sfoster]

I've shot a little, but I can't post it because it will give it away. I'll shoot more and post a couple screen grabs of my 18 fps footage! I think that is what the "red" camera shoots at.

[sfoster]

OK well as I stated in my Rope The Moon thread, it's been crazy so I haven't done much on this film, but at least the script is done for this film, so I'll definitely be shooting and entering something! This will be an interesting workflow!

[sfoster]

WOW, so confident in my last post. Right now I'm hoping that I can get something done with this. I've shot a little more, but having nothing is really making this challenging. My crew doesn't exactly have a lot of experience. One isn't even potty trained yet! OK I said I'll get it done, so I will! Principle photography will start next week!!!

[Gary Sconce]

WOW, so confident in my last post. Right now I'm hoping that I can get something done with this. I've shot a little more, but having nothing is really making this challenging. My crew doesn't exactly have a lot of experience. One isn't even potty trained yet! OK I said I'll get it done, so I will! Principle photography will start next week!!!

I'll loan you the Hypercam if you need it for carrying that heavy set up. :grin:

[sfoster]

I made my own version of the hypercam for this incredible camera! It's built entirely out of toothpicks.

[Gary Sconce]

I made my own version of the hypercam for this incredible camera! It's built entirely out of toothpicks.

Aw, where's the challenge in toothpicks? After all, they ARE wood. I think you should challenge yourself and make it entirely out of white glue and spaghetti noodles. Go for it! :kali: :shocked:

[sfoster]

hmm spaghetti noodles, now there's a though. I'll get right on it!

[Zoidoid]

Y'know, I've actually always wanted to see someone do something very creative with a camera phone. I had a feeling it could be used for something terribly clever. Of course, I wasn't thinking that someone would shoot an entire short with it. :)

So how much footage can it hold before you have to offload it to larger storage? I'm actually kinda curious about the technical difficulties you hit into and how you get around them.

[Troy Ruff]

Thanks again for all the help. Your a great DP. :)

[Gary Sconce]

hmm spaghetti noodles, now there's a though. I'll get right on it!

Don't laugh at spaghetti noodles! I just saw a team of high school freshmen girls engineer a 3"x3" wide, 8" tall elmer's glued spaghetti cylinder that held 105lbs of cast iron.

You can dooooooo it! :)

On second thought... Bailing wire and duct tape. Yeah. :happy:

[Gary Sconce]

Thanks again for all the help. Your a great DP. :)

You ARE a great DP. I am glad to work with you. Just get your own allen wrenches, OK? :2vrolijk_08:

[sfoster]

Y'know, I've actually always wanted to see someone do something very creative with a camera phone. I had a feeling it could be used for something terribly clever. Of course, I wasn't thinking that someone would shoot an entire short with it. :)

So how much footage can it hold before you have to offload it to larger storage? I'm actually kinda curious about the technical difficulties you hit into and how you get around them.

Actually there are a ton of technical difficulties. Mostly dealing with the fact that the camera is all auto. If it gets dark, the camera opens up the iris, and if it's still dark the shutter speed slows until you have a blur for everything. SO the key so far is like shooting with an HVX. USE A LOT OF LIGHT. Shallow Depth of field cannot be used to tell the story, because of the above issue, and the lens is so wide. However the phone fits in some small places, so I might take advantage of that. ALSO Having the wide lens, any movement forward or backward is extremely exagerated. You can have a medium shot and move forward a foot and you have a closeup.

I think the hardest part is you can't choose what you focus on, so you have to pretty much frame everything center frame.

As far as storage goes, I have a 1GB mini sd card in my phone, so I can shoot quite a bit before I have to offload. It only records 18 frames per second so I'll have to do some sort of pull up to get it to 30, and it shoots a 320X240 frame, I think, so not a lot of pixels which means more shoot time, less quality.

The main reason I'm doing this is to show people that you need to get off your but and make a film with whatever you have, even if it's a cell phone! It can be done! Having said that, I guess I better finish this film.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTION ON THE UP CONVERT FROM 18 to 30??

[Gary Sconce]

Actually there are a ton of technical difficulties. Mostly dealing with the fact that the camera is all auto. If it gets dark, the camera opens up the iris, and if it's still dark the shutter speed slows until you have a blur for everything. SO the key so far is like shooting with an HVX. USE A LOT OF LIGHT. Shallow Depth of field cannot be used to tell the story, because of the above issue, and the lens is so wide. However the phone fits in some small places, so I might take advantage of that. ALSO Having the wide lens, any movement forward or backward is extremely exagerated. You can have a medium shot and move forward a foot and you have a closeup.

I think the hardest part is you can't choose what you focus on, so you have to pretty much frame everything center frame.

As far as storage goes, I have a 1GB mini sd card in my phone, so I can shoot quite a bit before I have to offload. It only records 18 frames per second so I'll have to do some sort of pull up to get it to 30, and it shoots a 320X240 frame, I think, so not a lot of pixels which means more shoot time, less quality.

The main reason I'm doing this is to show people that you need to get off your but and make a film with whatever you have, even if it's a cell phone! It can be done! Having said that, I guess I better finish this film.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTION ON THE UP CONVERT FROM 18 to 30??

H a v e a l l t h e a c t i o n m o v e r e a l l y s l o w a n d t h e n s p e e d i t l a t e r . L o L ! :grin:

[Gary Sconce]

Did you figure out the 18-30p thing? :Drogar-Kriz(DBG):

[sfoster]

Not really. I'm thinking I'll just lose a bit of resolution or frame double or something.

[Gary Sconce]

Not really. I'm thinking I'll just lose a bit of resolution or frame double or something.

Well, you'll figure it out if anyone will. :D

[jeremytuttle]

HA. I can't believe I just found this thread. I love the idea of using the "red" camera. I can't wait to see this one Shane!

[sfoster]

Thanks. I hope it works out. I plan on shooting the rest of it next week.

[sfoster]

OK Here is a test grab. I need advice on how to clean it up.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24707/1211386229.jpg

[Gary Sconce]

Shane, I would go with that... It is a gritty kind of neat image that will be ignored if the story is good. :happy:

[Gary Sconce]

What I mean is, our brains will add the rest of the detail as we become accomstomed to the image and get into the story. :Drogar-Happy(DBG):

[sfoster]

I just hope I can get it done. I have a lot to do still!

[Horncastle]

This is a project I shall follow with interest. Regarding cleaning up your video and changing the frame rate you might find the webcam astronomy communities on the internet helpful. They do tend to swap quite a lot of techy info. I may be completely wrong though - just a quick idea.

Jason

[jeremytuttle]

Why clean it up... I'd clean it down... er, dirty it up.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/19541/1211470770.jpg

Noise added, des sat a little, and crushed the blacks.

[Gary Sconce]

That's nice Jeremy. Looks gritty and interesting. :thumbsup:

[sfoster]

Sweet, I might go with that!

[sfoster]

Well after talking to Matt, I am thinking about doing all the music for my film with my mouth and a microphone! I will do all parts all with my voice! Am I insane?

[Gary Sconce]

Well after talking to Matt, I am thinking about doing all the music for my film with my mouth and a microphone! I will do all parts all with my voice! Am I insane?

YES, you are insane. 'Don't worry, be happy'-style may be strange and insane. I can help you with your score if you want. I am slightly musically talented. You should use high quality instruments for the score...like multiple harmonizing kazoos! :violent5:

I enjoyed working 'your shoot' last night. The 'Red camera' was very light and easy to fly in and out of your set. I think Troy was getting a cramp carrying it.

Well done Shane. Hehehe. :evil:

[Jeff Anderson]

This looks pretty cool Shane. Kudos to your for going with a very unconventional camera. I'm excited to see how this turns out. How are you handling dialogue? Through the cameras onboard audio or a second system.

Good luck man! And I gotta agree with the gritty look. Assuming it fits the story it looks pretty cool to me.

[Mark T. Aro]

Shane... I think I have you Noise Reduction Solution. As with many of these tools, sometimes you get some funky artifacting commonly known as sumoization... but just look how clean the rest of the image is.



http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24348/1211563480.jpg

[Mark T. Aro]

Sorry... I know I broke protocol, since Shane has been posting images... But I just couldn't help it.

[sfoster]

This looks pretty cool Shane. Kudos to your for going with a very unconventional camera. I'm excited to see how this turns out. How are you handling dialogue? Through the cameras onboard audio or a second system.

Good luck man! And I gotta agree with the gritty look. Assuming it fits the story it looks pretty cool to me.

Well audio will pretty much be overdubbed.

[sfoster]

Sorry... I know I broke protocol, since Shane has been posting images... But I just couldn't help it.

WOW Look at the depth of field in my red camera! It's amazing when Mark gets his hands on it. OH CRAP, I didn't get a release from that extra!!!

[sfoster]

YES, you are insane. 'Don't worry, be happy'-style may be strange and insane. I can help you with your score if you want. I am slightly musically talented. You should use high quality instruments for the score...like multiple harmonizing kazoos! :violent5:

I enjoyed working 'your shoot' last night. The 'Red camera' was very light and easy to fly in and out of your set. I think Troy was getting a cramp carrying it.

Well done Shane. Hehehe. :evil:


Do you know where I can get a good kazoo???

[Mark T. Aro]

Do you know where I can get a good kazoo???

Sadly enough I have a really good one sitting right next to me at my desk. I will set it next to your P2 cards so I remember to get it to you. The P2 cards are almost done so if you are cool with swinging by the station, they should be ready before noon.

[Gary Sconce]

Shane... I think I have you Noise Reduction Solution. As with many of these tools, sometimes you get some funky artifacting commonly known as sumoization... but just look how clean the rest of the image is.



http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24348/1211563480.jpg

BBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAA AAAA!:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Gary Sconce]

Do you know where I can get a good kazoo???

Put wax paper over a comb... It works! :thumbsup:

[jeremytuttle]

Well audio will pretty much be overdubbed.

Hmmm... the sumo and the overdubbed make a lot of sense, maybe you could turn your story into a kung fu flick, the action would seem crazy fast at the 18fps per second... or the other then you could do with 18 FPS you could do a silent film with title cards and everything.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/19541/1211565577.jpg

He heh, ok sorry, having too much fun CCing your images.

[sfoster]

sweet! I'll have a kazoo section. Good thing my voice has a 4 octave range!

[sfoster]

Hmmm... the sumo and the overdubbed make a lot of sense, maybe you could turn your story into a kung fu flick, the action would seem crazy fast at the 18fps per second... or the other then you could do with 18 FPS you could do a silent film with title cards and everything.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/19541/1211565577.jpg

He heh, ok sorry, having too much fun CCing your images.


I might just have to send you the final edit and let you do the cc-ing to it!!!

[sfoster]

OH Mark, I might need to borrow your watch from your film for my shot sleeping at the computer!

[Mark T. Aro]

OH Mark, I might need to borrow your watch from your film for my shot sleeping at the computer!


Certainly!

[Gary Sconce]

sweet! I'll have a kazoo section. Good thing my voice has a 4 octave range! I didn't know you had a 4 octave kazoo range. Wow!

Did you try the comb and wax paper? It works. I wrote a song for Impossible Race and would be happy to help you too if you want. I think a cheek slap drumming group and maybe an armpit squeaker would help too. I also have a slide whistle...


NO TIME - by Gary Sconce
(Reggae style - Any 1-4-5 keys)
C F
I got no time
C F
No reason or rhyme
C F
To do what I need to do.
C F
I'm workin' hard as I can
C F
Jus' tryin' to follow my plan
C G C
And makin' a movie for you.


If you want more verses, a chorus and a bridge, I'll write them. :happy:

[sfoster]

Actually I just stopped by the music store today and bought a plastic Kazoo in addition to Marks metal one for different timbres, a hum-a-zoo, and a nose whistle. The nose whistle is my favorite. I have a mini ocarina that I might try and play too.

Sorry, I wont be singing any lyrics, just humming, whistling, whining, screaming, etc. Just noises creating a harmony. I'm a huge Bobby McFerrin fan!

[sfoster]

I didn't know you had a 4 octave kazoo range. Wow!

Did you try the comb and wax paper? It works. I wrote a song for Impossible Race and would be happy to help you too if you want. I think a cheek slap drumming group and maybe an armpit squeaker would help too. I also have a slide whistle...


NO TIME - by Gary Sconce
(Reggae style - Any 1-4-5 keys)
C F
I got no time
C F
No reason or rhyme
C F
To do what I need to do.
C F
I'm workin' hard as I can
C F
Jus' tryin' to follow my plan
C G C
And makin' a movie for you.


If you want more verses, a chorus and a bridge, I'll write them. :happy:

What instruments do you play???

[sfoster]

Why clean it up... I'd clean it down... er, dirty it up.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/19541/1211470770.jpg

Noise added, des sat a little, and crushed the blacks.

Apparently you have some TuttleFu, or is it JeremyFu? Anyway, I tried to get that look in Final Cut and failed miserably. Did you use photoshop? After Effects? Color? Super Secret Settings on Final Cut???

[quicksilver8907]

Hey Shane, Good luck on your short, the "red" camera should do amazing. I have faith that you will pull it off. By the way you have been an excellent dp for the shots that I have been on.

[sfoster]

Hey Shane, Good luck on your short, the "red" camera should do amazing. I have faith that you will pull it off. By the way you have been an excellent dp for the shots that I have been on.

Thanks. It's been a blast. I'm looking forward to making it! It's been awesome working with this crew! I've been through such a dry spell that I'm just excited to get to work on something again. I'm already planning on doing a short for the next fest, but until we know the theme, I'll be shooting a few of the 14 sermonspice we have planned. Hey did Matt or Mark send you the script? I didn't have your e-mail, so I asked them to forward it, at least I think I did!

[Gary Sconce]

What instruments do you play???

Keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, and mandolin... Kazoo and nose whistle too! :2vrolijk_08:

[quicksilver8907]

No I didn't get the script. I will pm you my email address though.

[Gary Sconce]

Nose whistle duet? Yah! :laugh:

[sfoster]

I'm all for a nose whistle duet! I'm still practicing! I have to shoot my film first though! Hopefully I can do that sometime between now and next week! I'm running out of time!

[Gary Sconce]

(Water boy) "You can DOOOOO it!" :grin: A nose whistle duet with Kazoo bass and face slap drums! Yah! :thumbsup:

[sfoster]

sounds rockin'! Now if I only had a film to score!

[Gary Sconce]

sounds rockin'! Now if I only had a film to score!

That does help, doesn't it... You will do it Shane.:engel017:

[Gary Sconce]

If you need a hand on making it, don't hesitate to call me. I am good cheap labor. :laugh:

[jeremytuttle]

Apparently you have some TuttleFu, or is it JeremyFu? Anyway, I tried to get that look in Final Cut and failed miserably. Did you use photoshop? After Effects? Color? Super Secret Settings on Final Cut???


I used PhotoShop, but any program should come close. The "noise" might be the tough part, not sure how final cut does it. After Effects would probably be the closest to what PS could do. (some day, I'll be using FCP and Color)

To be honest I can't remember the precentages/settings of what I did with what, I'll try to recreate it and let you know my settings.

[Gary Sconce]

I just dug through my junk drawer and found my nose whistle! I found a duck call too... Hmmm duck call percussion? :2vrolijk_08:I also found an antique honky horn too. :cheesy:

[sfoster]

I used PhotoShop, but any program should come close. The "noise" might be the tough part, not sure how final cut does it. After Effects would probably be the closest to what PS could do. (some day, I'll be using FCP and Color)

To be honest I can't remember the precentages/settings of what I did with what, I'll try to recreate it and let you know my settings.

I got it. I just dropped it into after effects. Final cut's noise was too big. I didn't even try color. Let me know if you're up for coloring it though, IF I have time. I'm working on the story boards now!

[sfoster]

OK here's some storyboard grabs to show off my awesome drawing ability!
http://www.witprod.com/images/1.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/2.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/3.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/4.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/5.jpg

[Gary Sconce]

OK here's some storyboard grabs to show off my awesome drawing ability!
http://www.witprod.com/images/1.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/2.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/3.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/4.jpg
http://www.witprod.com/images/5.jpg

Wow, a digital you with a haircut! Nice! :thumbsup:

[sfoster]

Digital? HUH, no that is my awesome drawing skill! J/K Frameforge 3d saved my life! I even set the camera to the lens size my cell phone has! It's about 55mm

[Gary Sconce]

Digital? HUH, no that is my awesome drawing skill! J/K Frameforge 3d saved my life! I even set the camera to the lens size my cell phone has! It's about 55mm

Wow that's cool! I can draw too but my stuff looks crummy (but better than Matt's!). :grin:

[sfoster]

As long as it's better than Matts, that is all you need!:engel017:

[Gary Sconce]

Yeah Matt draws bubble headed stick people! :evil:

[Gary Sconce]

Dang, Shane... we could have been shooting with the 'Red Camera' last night and forgot! Poo. You need to shoot some 'Red' footage of the Netherborn shoot today. K? Don't forget. :engel017:

[sfoster]

Actually the way I wrote the script, I would need my kids there doing the shooting on the HVX while someone else shoots with "The RED" Camera.

[Gary Sconce]

Actually the way I wrote the script, I would need my kids there doing the shooting on the HVX while someone else shoots with "The RED" Camera.

Oh. OK. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[sfoster]

I plan on shooting it next week, so if you guys want to come help out then awesome, however I mainly need someone to operate the "RED" camera.

[Gary Sconce]

I plan on shooting it next week, so if you guys want to come help out then awesome, however I mainly need someone to operate the "RED" camera.


Sure, I'll help. I can't on Tuesday as I help out with youth group. Any other night is spiffy. Just tell me when, where, and what to bring. Need the Hypercam or the Hypershoulder Mount? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) I can bring the Hyperdock so you can rest your camera between takes. It'll be fun. :cheesy:

[sfoster]

I really just need characters to act like their acting.

[Gary Sconce]

I really just need characters to act like their acting.

Please let me know when and where. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG) You can get my number from Matt and give me a call on my cell during the day. I can help any evening except Tuesday. If'n yew dinna need me laddie, I'll be a'buildin' the Hypercrane (for less than $100!). :kali::shocked:

[sfoster]

I figure I'll shoot Thursday and Pickup shots Friday. Hopefully this will work. I still have to plan the rest of it, and get some sleep!

[Gary Sconce]

I can help Thursday. Friday I am going to Heather's Play. Found out from my wife Julie that she bought us tickets that night. Perhaps Troy can help on Friday? :happy:

[sfoster]

I don't really need a whole lot of help. Just someone to make sure the framing is ok and someone for my kids to direct. I will be shooting at my house, IF I get everything done. That is my goal today!! Finish planning!

[Gary Sconce]

I don't really need a whole lot of help. Just someone to make sure the framing is ok and someone for my kids to direct. I will be shooting at my house, IF I get everything done. That is my goal today!! Finish planning!

Matt Sconce said he would help too if you want. Give me a call... I PM'd you my cell phone. :kali:

[Gary Sconce]

Glad to hear you got some shots today. You're going to make it! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[sfoster]

well I don't know. I only got 3 shots and have 27 more to do. I don't even know if I'll make it out to troys house today, and then I have to shoot the rest on Saturday, or I probably wont make the deadline! Oh well I'll just do non compete if I don't make the deadline.

[Gary Sconce]

Your commercial shoot really cut into your time eh? Man, that's too bad. :undecided

[sfoster]

No that's without the commercial shoot. I ended up not doing the commercial. I would have had to call off the short if I did the commercial. Now I'll be shooting the rest Saturday and possibly Sunday!

[sfoster]

Here is a new *sorta* grab. You'll have to see the film to understand!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24707/1212805433.jpg

[quicksilver8907]

Was that grab taken with your phone?

[totitefilms]

Here is a new *sorta* grab. You'll have to see the film to understand!

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/24707/1212805433.jpg

Your Red camera can really produce some amazing grabs :thumbsup: I can't wait to see the movie.

[Gary Sconce]

Nice 'sorta' grab there Shane! :happy: I sorta liked it! :laugh:

[sfoster]

I wish that was a grab from the "Red" Camera!

[quicksilver8907]

Was that a grab from the HVX

[sfoster]

Yes it was from the HVX. Well I've given up on this project for Time Fest, and since it was designed for DVXuser and DVXuser alone, I wont be making it. I've got too much stuff on my plate to take the time to prove that you can compete without the best equipment. I may have to post my script so some of you can see the humor in my film. It was designed to be a family film with some comedy and time running out, well time ran out on me! Maybe next time!

[Gary Sconce]

Yes it was from the HVX. Well I've given up on this project for Time Fest, and since it was designed for DVXuser and DVXuser alone, I wont be making it. I've got too much stuff on my plate to take the time to prove that you can compete without the best equipment. I may have to post my script so some of you can see the humor in my film. It was designed to be a family film with some comedy and time running out, well time ran out on me! Maybe next time!

You have told the story to me Shane, and it is REALLY funny!!! Please share it at a later date. :bath:

[jeremytuttle]

Damn, I was really looking forward to this, no joke. I really wanted to see a creative film made with a cell phone. Next fext?

[sfoster]

yeah maybe! I've been thinking about doing it for a while, I just committed to it too late! If I had started back when I first thought of it, I would have had it ready to go a couple weeks ago, but it was just too many sleepless nights and the inevitable divorce had I made the film I was trying to avoid! I really wanted to do the story too. I'll have to send you the script, so you can laugh at the concept! I'll pm you my e-mail!