http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com A weekly audio journal of a video student. Rants, interviews, painful introspection and stuff about learning production video. en 2007 videostudentguy@gmail.com Liberated Syndication - libsyn.com podcasts@libsyn.com (Liberated Syndication) Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:32:00 GMT 180 A weekly audio journal of a video student. Rants, interviews, painful introspection and stuff about learning production video. Once a week I report on the lessons learned as a student in the Digital Filmmaking program at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts (CDIA) at Boston University. I review my classes, talk about relevant technology news and emerging trends in the motion graphics field. If I have time Iâll include Interviews with students, instructors, professional filmmakers and creators of the technology we know and love. Production Video, Motion Graphics, Education Paul Lyzun videostudentguy@gmail.com Paul Lyzun http://libsyn.com/podcasts/videostudentguy/images/VSG_Logo2.jpg http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=355420# There's no time to rest though, until I finish my film my stomach is going to be churning and adrenaline is going to be pumping.

This final class is shoe horning in two ideas, DVD Authoring and Color Correction. We're using Apple's DVD Studio Pro for the authoring and we're looking at color correction in Avid, which has superior tools for the job over Final Cut Pro. Not so Color, Apples newest tool in the Final Cut Suite. I address them all in this show, including reasons why Color, which is the deepest and richest of the three tools for professional color correction, should not be the first thing you reach for when you correct color. Take a look at the T L Cooper Eclipse, an expensive sophisticated keyboard/input device that allows you maximize the color correction workflow. There's a great review of using this tool at Ken Stone's site. In the show I refer to Pitch Black, Titanic and the Lord of the Rings series are good examples of using color throughout a film to evoke place, mood and time.

Macaela Vandermost is the instructor for this module. She introduced the idea of color correction at the beginning of the class, because we're going to be spending a full day on Saturday, the last day of the class, learning about color correcting in Avid. A lot of people in class felt they should get an overview of color correction in FCP and she kindly obliged. Color Correction is a difficult concept to grasp and it's even harder to do well, so getting an introduction at the beginning of the class and then more in depth instruction at the end should make it easier to get it.

We spent the entire class Tuesday looking at color correction and Thursday we did a quick run through of using DVD Studio Pro 4 to author a  DVD. Classes for the remaining module will go into depth on the critical aspects of authoring, such as compression, creating menu navigation and menu graphics and developing an efficient workflow.
]]> DVD Authoring Thu, 3 Jul 2008 17:32:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=355420# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:16:31 color correction, FCP, Color, Avid, Eclipse, macaela vandermost, DVD Authoring Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=354918# Podcamp Boston 3 takes place July 19th and 20th. You can get directions and other information, including a list of sessions that will take place through the links I've provided here.

I attended this event last year, and I talked about it in episode #56. The conference founders, Chris Penn and Chris Brogan, both attended Podcasters Across Borders last weekend and I was fortunate enough to interview Chris Brogan and asked him to weight the advantages of each.

I was fortunate  enough to interview Chris Brogan for a few minutes between sessions at Podcasters Across Borders and asked him to comment on the two events.

I hope you get a better sense of both events through my comments and Chris' interview. There was only a few minutes to chat between some sessions, so our conversation was rushed. I think you'll find if you attend Podcamp Boston 3 that there will more time and space for conversations and meeting new people.

I want to say thanks to Chris for talking with me. I know he's going to be at Podcamp and I hope you'll be there too.
]]> Event Wed, 2 Jul 2008 02:10:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=354918# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:17:54 Podcamp Boston 3, PAB, Chris Brogan, Chris Penn Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=353521#
Since I took off the last days of this class I got an F. But, but once I hand in the assignments it will be turned into a pass. If I do a really good I may get a high pass, or, gulp, a very high pass. Lots of motivation there.

There's 4 weeks left to the end of class. I'm going to miss it once it's gone. I am looking forward to finishing my film without the distraction of class attendance and assignments. I guess you could say I've already checked out.

Once again I'm talking about Podcasters Across Borders without providing any clips from the interviews I recorded. Coming up, I promise. Check out and sign up for Podcamp Boston 3 if you're in the area. Take a look at the sessions being offered. It's just a good, only different.

Speaking of good conversation in a hallway, I end the show with some perspective I got from Federico about the whole point of this filmmaking program, which is getting a job being a filmmaker.

This was a familiar message, but I saw something new that I hadn't before. I got it that I don't need to treat this like the last film I will ever make. It won't be if I end up using it to get a job making the next film. People are going to recognize, regardless how much time and attention I lavish on this project, the essential value I add to the filmmaking process. If they are professional they'll filter out the flaws and see the potential. Its hard to have that much faith in yourself, or other people.

But I don't want to leave you on a downer man. Right now I'm excited about editing my film and I'll probably be at school as often as I have been, so I can concentrate - and knowledgeable people will be available to help me see a clear path to the finish. Just like in production, you don't make a film with just one person.




]]> Post Production Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:13:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=353521# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:15:08 pab, podcamp, filmmaking, editing Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=353279# Podcamp Boston 3 is in a few weeks. I was caught completely off guard. Last year it took place at the end of December, so barely 6 months has passed. During PAB, I was fortunate enough to interview Chris Brogan, one of the cofounders of Podcamp and a key organizer of Podcamp Boston. Look for the interview in an upcoming show and seriously consider attending the event on July 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday).

Catching up with past classes, this week is the 2nd week of the Post Audio module. With a little help from instructor Doug Plante, I finally understand the process of spotting and scoring.

Spotting is the process of identifying the location of music along the timeline that would help support or anticipate the mood you want a scene or action to convey.

Scoring is using the spot marks and comments to place music along the timeline that fits the moods you want to support.

I'm surprised how my view of the edit of the film I used changed as I went through this process of spotting. Looking at the film, which I had created in a previous module, I was surprised to discover the moods it presented were not what I had originally intended. It's an interesting way to look at familiar footage with more objective eyes.

Of course, you don't make changes once someone begins scoring a film. You score a film, that is it's locked down, editing is completed, so that the editor won't make changes that would require the music director to completely rewrite the score. After all, the score is tied directly to the timeline.. Change the film - change the music.

Oh well.]]> Post Production Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:02:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=353279# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:02:38 pab, Podcamp Boston 3, scoring, spotting Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=352958# PAB, expected to have posted this and the next show before I left. No time, as usual.

This episode and the next was in the can and waiting for post before I left for Canada last week. I thought about post dating these episodes, but that seems a little dishonest.

Podcaster's Across Borders was a great event, met a bunch of people and got a lot of ideas to chew on. It wasn't a technical conference, it was more about networking and idea sharing. I've never been to the Portable Media Expo, now called New Media Expo, which will be out in California later this summer, August 14, but I have been to Podcamp in Boston.

All three events are different in how they approach social media and there's something valuable to be learned from attending all of them. Podcamp and PAB are within driving distance, but California is too far for me to travel this year. I would say that PAB was the most informal. The schedule was packed though and most conversations I had were short and had to be followed up at the end of the day's sessions.

Give me a few days and I'll have a post up for that, along with some brief interviews I recorded.

Talking about whining. What do you want from me? Well, that's the question this time around.

I would like to know how real I should be reporting the student experience; it's not just the subject matter in class. I believe that how you cope with the demands of school will tell you how you will deal with the pressures of production work in the real world. Just another undocumented learning opportunity in the curriculum of life.

I've reached the point where I have enough material to begin editing and begin shaping the story of my film. I've got a lot of work ahead of me with almost 300 gigs of video, about 12 hours of footage. Organizing this much footage is going to be critical in order to meet the September deadline for the final cut.

Over the past week I had the following shoots and classes:

• Two days shooting a Raku firing
• Shooting B-roll at Sturbridge Village
• Interviewing Dot Burnworth at Sawmill Pottery

• The class this week was the beginning of Post Production Audio
•     We're going to score music for a film we've already created
•     Using sound effects and foley on a commercial
•     Using the audio tools in Avid and FCP
•     Outputting the audio form a film to OMF for editing in a dedicated audio application, like Pro Tools.
•     The physics of audio, including the inverse square law

• Last day of the week I met with and interviewed Ron Sbardella, a veteran potter of 25 years.

]]> Project Delivery Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:33:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=352958# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:12:11 pottery, filmmaking, podcasting, post audio, inverse square Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=350470# Podcasters Across Borders in Kingston, Ontario Canada this weekend. There's going to be lots of interesting people to meet and things to hear and learn. There's not much else in this show except my expectations.

I created this episode so that I could pare it down to under 3 minutes and submit it to the PAB site as a teaser for this show. They're taking audio submissions from attendees that represent their own show. I figured I would just use the opportunity to talk about my expectations of the event, how I feel about the potential of new media and tie in what my show is about.

It is an interesting experience cutting down something to meet a another purpose - sort of like creating a trailer of a movie.

Take a look at the teaser page and listen to my audio and compare it to this show. And listen to the other shows, there's a lot of great entertainment and information represented on that page.

I'll give you updates when I get back next week and hopefully include some interviews.
]]> Special Topic Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:58:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=350470# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:06:27 CDIA, filmmaking, Kingston, new media, pab, podcast Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=347987#
A Raku firing class with Susan Gerr of Birch Mountain Pottery, Old Sturbridge Village, a recreation of a New England village in Sturbridge MA and another potter, Dot Burnworth at Sawmill Pottery. This puts me over the hump as far as enough video to begin editing.

Check out the Digital Production Buzz episode for May 22 and listen to the first interview of Norman Hollyn, an editor and teacher at USC, he has a lot of interesting comments on learning how to edit. At 11:50 or so into the podcast he makes a comment that strikes me as both simple and profound when it comes to summing up the message of a film when you begin editing.]]> Film Production Mon, 9 Jun 2008 17:13:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=347987# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:09:31 editing, osv, pottery, production video, raku Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343942#
Lots of shoots this week, follow the links below to see who I've been talking to.

Huntington Theater

Cornwall Bridge Pottery - Todd Piker

Paradise CIty Art Festival

Debbie Miller Designs

JAK Designs - Jennifer Armstrong / Tanya Alsberg at Paradise City

Kelly O'Briant at Paradise City

Linda Huey

Birch Mountain Pottery - Susan Gerr

]]> Documentary Production Tue, 27 May 2008 15:40:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343942# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:05:44 craft show, interviews, location shooting, handmade Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343937#
List of links to subjects mentioned in this show:

South Shore Natural Science Center

Huntington Theater - She Loves Me
]]> Documentary Production Wed, 21 May 2008 12:24:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343937# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:04:58 color correction, Huntington, SSNSC Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343783#
Birch Mountain Pottery - Mug Day

Old Sturbridge Village

Fort Point Art Walk

South Shore Natural Science Center

Huntington Theater

Huntington Theater - She Loves Me

Gabrielle Schaffner

Linda Huey

Avid ScriptSync

]]> Interview Sun, 18 May 2008 22:05:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=343783# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:18:28 collaboration, communication, coverage, pottery, interviews, handmade Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=338102# Blogger site. It's just a duplicate of the Libsyn site and that seems to have the most traffic. I'll leave a note with a link to the Libsyn site.

I lost data because of a damaged drive, which I hadn't backed up. Don't do this at home okay?

At the same time I was digesting this trauma I was conflicted over which camera I should use which CDIA loans out. You can try to follow my various colliding trains of thought that led to the ultimate decision. I did decide, but the real issue isn't the camera, so much as it is trying to grasp the phantom of security when it comes to assuring I will always have a camera to shoot with when I need it.

It appears that getting comfortable with insecurity is the lesson of the week.

Just to make sure I learned my lesson I had to shoot an open house at Birch Mountain Pottery and I hoped to interview some of the customers. It makes my stomach ache to have to ask complete strangers to sign a release form and talk to me on camera. I managed to walk through that fire, thanks to Susan, her family and everyone who attended. I don't see the fizzy feeling is going to go away over time. Man up, right?
]]> Video Editing Sun, 11 May 2008 15:59:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=338102# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:15:24 Panasonic HVX, Canon XH-A1, interviewing, independent film, filmmaking school, drive crash, backup, pottery, craft, handmade Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=335990# The Price of Sugar and has a lot of experience editing in both FCP and Avid.

I spent this week trying to nail down my workflow with Avid Media Composer and P2 media There was a problem bring in the media. It comes down to a very specific workflow.

I also had technical problems working with Avid due to the presence of the unsupported versions of QuickTime and the Mac OS. She provided me with a table that contains all the versions of Avid, Quicktime and the OS and what works with what.

When you're working on a production system don't update iTunes, it automatically loads the most current version of Quicktime.

You can find information on the Avid forums at Avid, Creative COW and the LA Final Cut Pro User Group

I'm behind on defining a narrative arc. Nikki gave me some suggestions such as creating little scenes or stories within your story. I mentioned that in a recent episode. She encouraged me to imagine and write down what they might be before I arrive at a location.

I took a day off of everything and joined my wife in seeing a knitting superstar speak at the Calvin Theater in Northahmpton MA. Her name is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, otherwise known at the Yarn Harlot. She was very funny and uplifting. Do a search for her name and Northampton and you'll find dozens of blogs that documented the experience.
]]> Video Editing Mon, 5 May 2008 10:30:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=335990# v 00:14:12 knitting, Yarn Harlot, Avid, Media Composer, documentary Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=335214#
During a recent night shoot I got some ideas about budgeting time on the set. You need to respect the needs of other people, set a stop time and stick to it and be prepared to stop even when you're not ready. You can't push people to work beyond their limits and not pay a higher price later on.]]> Film Production Fri, 2 May 2008 18:02:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=335214# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:12:04 assistant director, budgeting, producing, directing Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=331387#
Thursday was the last day of the exhibition and I chose to look at prosumer cameras from JVC, Canon, Panasonic and Sony in order to see what the state of the art is for filmmakers such as myself and what the future might hold.

There's also been an interesting back and forth between myself and Mike Jones in the comments section of episode # 84 about new codecs and cameras and the larger picture of how to evaluate and choose the right camera for you needs. You'll see a counterpoint on this subject between Mike and a reader on his blog.

I have to confess that after an entire day looking and handling cameras from the above mentioned 4 manufacturers the most important thing I leaned is that I barely have a clue as to what the determining factors of an effective video camera. The debate rages on without a clear winner and I'm just beginning to realize I what it is I need to know.
]]> NAB Las Vegas Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:05:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=331387# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:14:35 prosumer, cameras, video, NAB, Flash, Adobe Media Player, filmmaking Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=329380#
Sunday Classes
    Keyframing in Avid
    Understanding Podcast Metrics
    Long Form editing in Avid (Documentary Production)
    Main Title Design for Film and Video (in After Effects)
    Mastering Media Management for Avid Editors

Monday Classes
    Emerging Web 2.0  Technologies
    (walked the show, saw Panasonic)
    Broadcast Worfkow on Avid (Documentary Production again)

Tuesday Classes
    In Depth PS CS3 for Video
    In Depth Color Correction in Avid
    Looked at XD Cam at Sony
    Blender at Lowell - blenderlights.com

Color Correction and Avid Production. Lots of on lighting in earlier classes

I'm just giving a quick overview of my state of mind and the classes and show booths I've seen. I've included a superficial comparison between Sony's XD CAM and Panasonics HVX200 and newer HPX 170 (arriving sometime in the summer) Also info about the new AVC Panasonic.

Please excuse the pops, I chose not to rerecord so I could get this out quickly.
]]> NAB Las Vegas Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:04:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=329380# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:10:14 lights, Blender, Panasonic, Sony, P2, Avid, color correction, documentary, post production, NAB, training Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=328484#
I began my film project by shooting two interviews, one at the Wesleyan Potters, a craft coop and the other of a professional potter at Birch Mountain Pottery.

Both shoots gave me trouble with the lighting, but overall I got a lot of good footage and excellent sound bites.

I also dedicated my weekend to handling the lighting on a classmates film, John.
]]> Location Shooting Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:17:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=328484# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:08:39 production, video, lighting, pottery, craft, documentary Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=328476#
Here are the sessions I sat in on, check out the full schedule

Friday Seminars
  Fast Start with Apple Color
  Digital Video Production: Lighting

Saturday Seminars
  Practical Triming for FCP
  How to build a blog to support your podcast
  Making a living off of your podcast
  Under Podcast Metrics
  Effective Documentary Production
]]> NAB Las Vegas Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:52:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=328476# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:14:25 nab, video, training, podcasting Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=327879# Special Topic Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:27:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=327879# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:15:12 Vegas, NAB, video, training Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=327824#
In this show I run down the film project status of each person in class. I also managed to get in two days of shooting for my own film and I try to describe the lighting work I did over the weekend for John's film.
]]> Film Production Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=327824# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:16:31 film, CDIA, lighting, crewing, pottery, directing Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=326124#
A classmate, John is in the lead with his film project. He has a shoot on the weekend and I'm handling the lights.
    We've done a lot of planning, but due to unknown space restrictions, and a lot of unknown unknowns, we're going to have to play it by ear as far as framing and lighting are concerned. There's going to be lots of communication back and forth between the DP and lighting

Tuesday we discussed our shooting schedules in class. I'm scheduled to shoot Thursday and Friday. What a relief to have something to shoot before I go to Las Vegas.

One week left, let me know what you would like me to report about NAB]]> PreProduction Mon, 7 Apr 2008 16:59:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=326124# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:04:40 fillmmaking, video, nab, documentary, lighting, storyboard, Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=324102#
Somehow I've become the lighting guy. I did a significant light role in our last class project, the Killer, I obsessed about the lighting for the Directions promotional interviews and the video I just shot at the event. That's only because I felt it was a really weak facet of my skill set. Now I think I'd like to work with the camera.

I'll have time to work with the camera on my own project. I'm anxious about getting some footage shot before leaving for Las Vegas. NAB is putting a huge who in my schedule as far as shooting is concerned. I'd feel better taking off the time knowing that I've begun. With all the distractions and obligations it's difficult to get started, but it's harder on my stomach if I don't.

NAB is beginning next week. The exhibition begins Monday April 14 and the seminars start the Friday before. Let me know if you want me to check out specific vendors and you're interested in learning more about a particular technology.
]]> PreProduction Wed, 2 Apr 2008 14:51:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=324102# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:18:39 lighting, production, preproduction, CDIA, NAB Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=321918# Canon FTb. Tough as a tank; I loved that camera.

It's just that I believe that it's easier to create when the tools being used are transparent, that is, they're so familiar that they're effortless to use, acting as an extension of your body. At this point I can't say this is true for any video camera I've used, but the Panasonic is the closest. In the show I give a little detail on the advantages it has over the Canon.

One of them is the ability to shoot in true slow motion. I've put some examples on my YouTube page of slow motion and accelerated motion footage and as well as a video demonstrating rack focus.

We've spent a lot of time in class reviewing the data forms we need to fill out to create our production book. The book, which is a collection of forms signed, lists of names and shots, drawings, sketches and other information that represents the roadmap to our final destination, the finished film. It's a work in progress, but we do have to something to show before the end of the module.

Don't forget to send me questions you want answered while I'm at NAB, the National Association of Broadcasters conference, coming up in mid April. I'm available for meetups if you're in Las Vegas at the same time.]]> PreProduction Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:21:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=321918# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:17:53 Canon XH-A1, FTb, hd, HDV, nab, overcrank, Panasonic HVX200, undercrank Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=317672#
I forgot to mention a conversation we had during class about the documentary - narrative continuum, so let me talk about it now.. We looked a a variety of documentaries that range from straight talking head to what appears to be a narrative feature.

Errol Morris has long used the technique of dramatizing reality in order to advance his narrative arc. It's very different from something like the History channel where they dramatize a scene within a documentary. And of course there are a lot of feature films that try very hard to represent an event as meticulously and accurately as possible, not only in the look and feel, but also in staying very close to documented record. Zodiac is a good example of that. Certainly there are fictional elements, but the story revolves around the written record of the events as they happened. As a result it has more of a fictionalized documentary feel to it

There is a divisive sentiment in filmmaking, as there seems to be in all things where people get passionate, of choosing sides over either/or - better/worse. Either you are a narrative sell out feature filmmaker, or a libertarian socially conscious documentarian.

Of course there is a middle ground, and it isn't a separated from either extreme . There are documentaries that have strong narrative arcs and there are narrative films that have a cinema verità character.

The reality is that there is no best, truest form of filmmaking; you choose to do what you like. Cinematic storytelling is a continuum. How you tell a story, either through fiction or documentary is a matter of degree. Each has components of the other and the polar opposites are just in a different location along the same path.

To me, that means I can at least mentally escape the label of being one kind of filmmaker and be free to tell a story in the way that best suits it.

]]> Writing Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:26:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=317672# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:09:06 zodiac, cinema verite, documentary, proposal, pitch Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=316883# Grim Reader podcast (be aware that this link will open iTunes) for quick, but insightful advice about preparing your script.

Here a link once more to some video that I produced on my company's website.

Some of the topics this week are about creating a proposal; a written document that describes the film's goals and outlines production responsibilities. Others topics are more personal, illuminative. Such as,

You, the client and the film - always choose the film first. There's always going to be conflict, and the client is going to think they can add just one more thing, or they'll insist you act on a really bad idea. Instead of coming back with what you, IYHO as a "professional" would do and further alienate the relationship, take the middle ground. Come in on the side of the film. When you advocate what's best for the film, you demonstrate that you care about the product. That gains you a lot of respect and keeps the focus off what individuals want.

I've included some ideas about interviewing people. Lots of places on the web give advice about interviewing people. I like to listen to podcasts on the subject, they give me insight into different approaches and as well as something to compare my own skills against.

Relax and ask a lot of questions. Listen to the person and instead of running down a bullet list of unrelated questions. Tie each answer to the following question, or ask them a question that expands what they're saying. Find subtle ways to direct the speaker along paths you want to explore, so it feels as though they are a part of the conversation.

It continues to surprise me how willing people can be to talk if you demonstrate you're interested.

A brief note about the minimum for producing video for the web. Don't go too bare bones in production or post if it's going to reflect poorly on the client.

Finally, I'm going to NAB. It's a great training conference and a chance to see the latest and greatest hardware and software for digital film and video. I'd love to meet up, if anyone listening is going to be there. If you're not, you can send in requests for information I can report on. Let me know either way.

I posted a couple shows last year, #21 and #22. I plan on posting a show each day this year.
]]> Writing Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:44:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=316883# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:25:38 IDC, scriptwriting, proposal, NAB, interviewing Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=316070#
I just got a Zoom H4 and I have few things to say about it. I'm using it for the next few episodes, so you can expect me to update my impressions.

We've learned some important details about the requirements for our final project. More importantly the class is given a couple of writing exercises that, for me at least, releases me from writer's block. It all comes down to collecting ideas and then refining them until they're in sharp focus.

Grammar Girl has a great episode on writing tips and dealing with writer's block. Check out episode 56. I like this show because it's interesting and practical. I learn a lot about writing clearly and it's pretty painless.

I also heard on a recent episode of Digital Production Buzz a link to an HD Production Workflow Tips. This is a great show to listen to if you want to know what other people are doing in digital video production right now. I haven't had a chance to review the tips yet, but the guy who produced it sounded experienced and knowledgeable.
]]> Writing Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:43:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=316070# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:28:58 Zoom, H4, Grammar, storytelling, writing, HD, post, production Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=310915# Strapped onto a log, riding the sluice of learning

Check out the links to some interviews and B-roll I produced for a conference put on by the company I work for. It may not look like a lot, but I did it all on my own and it represents most of my life during January. It feels so good when it stops.

I recorded this episode in pieces at different times. Once I met the deadline for my day job I was freed up to complete The Killer edit. At the end of the show I talk about the critique and the different ways other people in the class approached their edit of the story.

I wanted to recommend student screenings to anyone interested in learning more about filmmaking. Your response to the weaknesses of the film provides good insight into what you already know about filmmaking. They're a good source of insight into potential errors and oversights when producing your own film. A cautionary resource, particularly for a student filmmaker like you and I.

The entire experience of producing The Killers has given me a lot of thoughts about getting the coverage you need to tell a story. The fastest path to success is planning through preproduction. Pre-visualization tools like storyboards and shot lists are valuable tools as well. It doesn't matter how you do it, what matters is that you create the edit before you begin shooting.
]]> Video Editing Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=310915# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:25:38 coverage, editing, idc, preproduction, previz, sluice Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=308586#
I've made some comments about HDV again. Thanks to Mike Jones at Digital Basin for his comments, posted in the show notes of VSG #68 about the viability of editing HDV native in FCP.

I'm realizing the importance of pre prod and especially previz in preparing for shoots. Getting enough coverage is increasingly a concern. We just never seem to get enough. It's not the quantity, but the quality, the number of different types and the exact type. FrameForge 3D is a previz tool that I have and I need to get to know it better.

Take a look at the book, In the Blink of an Eye, by Walter Murch. It's a great read and a good introduction to editing. ]]> Editing Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:34:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=308586# v 00:14:29 walter, murch, HDV, editing, previz, paper edit Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=306970# Avid is in Tewksbury Massachussets. He is also, according to Howard Phillips, the programs associate director, a FCP god.

This week Doug spoke about the fine points of the rough cut and fine cut

He was all business and was there to see we got to the fine cut done. There's not going to be a lot of instruction in this class. It's all going to come as he works with us individually as we massage our edits.

I had a heck of a time working with Avid, lost a whole class before I moved on to FCP 6. Now I have a problem where I upgraded to 6.02 and the school is at 6.0. and guess what, the file types are not compatible. Can you believe it?

I know, Avid files created between a long list of revisions in that software don't cause a hiccup for Avid users, but FCP apparently is very touchy. But a x.0.2 release? It's enough to make you a hater.

But I don't hate FCP, I just feel I would benefit from continuing using Avid. I know FCP well enough to learn the rest on my own. But Avid, I'm surrounded by Avid gurus and I want to take advantage of that knowledge.


I know I tend to treat this like a dog with a sock monkey, but I once again discuss the archival problems with P2 footage. You can't keep it on the card, it's too expensive. And the life of the solid state card is unknown for long term storage. Drives are a problem for long term storage. What are we going to do once we have to give up tape forever?]]> Video Editing Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:24:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=306970# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:14:41 achive, avid, fcp, P2 Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=306313# Communication depends on preproduction likes and dislikes regarding lighting and sound recording on set and a little problem we had with the talent

There is a very odd relationship between the crew and the talent on set. I have  a few words to say about actors in general and the difficult but critical role the Assistant Director plays.


]]> Location Shooting Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:47:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=306313# videostudentguy@gmail.com production, location, actors film, video, preproduction Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=305502#
I'd like to thank Mike Jones from Digital Basin for leaving a comment in show #68. Check out his thoughts there and on his site. Also Brian from Galway left a comment in show #69. Thanks for the encouraging words Brian. I'll be around for a while. Let me know what you're doing and interested in doing.

Check out the song on Coverville.com - Itchycoo Park, covered in show #393. It was one of the first two podcasts I subscribed to and continues to be in my top 5.

After a brief rundown of my adventures over two weeks of shooting on location I update you on the type of work that's starting to come to me at my day job. It may be a small dream, but it's my dream all the same to become the video go-to guy at my day job. That's the point of going to school in the first place.

Right now I'm working on a project for both web and tape delivery using video I shot here in Massachusetts and footage shot in other places in the world where the standard broadcast TV format is PAL. Quite an adventure figuring the conversion process for that. Thank God for the internet eh?]]> Location Shooting Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:30:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=305502# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:20:47 coverville, HD, actors, PAL, NTSC, lighting, sound, location, video, filmmaking, CDIA Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=303050# I'm kinda busy Sat, 2 Feb 2008 21:52:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=303050# videostudentguy@blogspot.com 00:00:35 disclaimer, hiatus, busy sorry, soon Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=299957#
I've got some comments to pass along about how to work with the talent, especially if you're crew. We've also made our lives more difficult by not having put more time into preproduction. Everything is connected, from Producer to production assistant. Things go all bass ackward if you don't communicate .


We're going to be using a Panasonic HVX200, which is an HD camera that has many benefits over the camera we've been using up to now, the Panasonic DVX100.

The first thing is that the menu controls and switches on the outside are mostly the same, so the learning curve is limited to working with the media. The HVX can record to tape, but only standard definition. To record high definition you record to solid state memory cards, called P2 cards. Here are a few reasons on why HD is a better format:

• Images are 2 to 4 times the size of standard definition
• There is more color in the video
• It captures real slow motion and accelerated motion
• The format is easy to transfer to drive, and easy to edit

Disadvantages include:

• You can't capture to both tape and P2 card at the same time
• There is no archival medium in HD, you wipe the card and reuse it after you transfer it to your drive
• The P2 card is expensive
• The life of a P2 card is unknown
• HD footage takes up 2 to 3 times more disk space

In this episode I take a shot at explaining the difference between HD format and HDV format and frankly I don't think I made anything clear. It's useful to know, but not critical, so I'm going to lay it out here. If you need to know more, do some research on your own, otherwise, skip the next three paragraphs.

HD and HDV are capture formats. They're good formats for compressing data so you can fit as much data as possible on what ever medium they require, HD requires P2 cards, HDV can use MiniDV tapes, same as for standard definition. Both HD and HDV record the same resolution, and for all I've been told, the same 4.2.2 color space. Standard definition video records in 4.1.1 color. What qualifies as  high end digital video, approaching film quality, is 4.4.4 color. I don't need to explain how it works, it's enough to understand that the capacity to capture all the available color is limited as you move from film, to HD, to SD. By the way, film is a poor second to the color capture capability of our own eyes.

HDV cameras are less expensive than HD cameras for the reasons already mentioned in the advantage list above, real slow motion, etc. HD is easier to edit immediately after capture compared to HDV due to the different compression formats they each use. HDV captures footage in groups of 15 frames, called GOP - Group Of Pictures. The first frame contains all the picture information inside the frame, then each frame following that contains only those pixels that have changed. Take a picture of a wall with HDV and the first frame contains all the info, each of the following frames have no new information and so have no additional data. That keeps the file size down so it will fit on the the tape. If a person or even a fly moves through the frame every frame that records changed information has to record it, because it's not on the first frame. But only the pixels that changed need to be recorded.

And thats fine until you need to edit the video. Then you find you can't cut inside the GOP sections, they're like a single unit. To get past this problem you need to convert the digital video to an intermediate codec that reconstitutes each frame, completely restoring the data to each frame. This of course makes the files larger, but that's the price you pay for editing this format on a digital nonlinear editor like Avid or Final Cut Pro.

Next week we shoot the bar scene Saturday and Sunday.

]]> PreProduction Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:19:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=299957# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:19:05 4.2.2., HD, HDV, directing, actors, film, video, GOP, SD, codec, P2, Panasonic, HVX200, preproduction Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=296488#
Once we determined our roles, we broke into two groups. The technical people: cinematographer, sound and lighting worked together while the producer and director spent their time setting the location, set design and casting.

The cinematographer or director of photography took the lead by creating a shot list or storyboard which came from conversations with the director. Once that was done, sound and light could be configured.

We stumbled a few times, lost some momentum because we didn't really know our jobs well (that's where the learning came in), but we regained our footing and finished the week with some preliminary storyboards, a look at one of the locations and our first casting call.
]]> Film Production Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:55:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=296488# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:09:45 filmmaking, CDIA, production, production video Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=292390# Practicum is a unique part of the CDIA learning experience  which takes place at the end of each student's course of study.

The Practicum is an opportunity to take part in the production  of promotional material in each student's field of study for the benefit of local non profit organizations. This could include a film documenting the services of a refugee support center, complete business websites for organizations or creating a mulitmedia documentary for an innovative after school program using digital photography and recorded music. The 3D program recently created a short for the Dana Farber Institute that explains Cancer to children. Every Practicum offers students the chance to work on a project for a real world client. It's as real as it gets.

Aimee Corrigan is an accomplished photographer and filmmaker. Her photography has been published by BBC Online and Wired Magazine. Her film credits include the recent award winning documentary, "This is Nollywood", and the  just completed film "After the Storm",  about the the hurricanes of 2005 that ravaged Houston, New Orleans and their impact on the lives of the children in Mississippi.
]]> Interview Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:28:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=292390# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:26:14 CDIA, Aimee, Corrigan, Practicum, nonprofit, social conscience, ZUMIX Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=291569#
Despite it's static nature, dialog doesn't have to be a lead weight that kills the momentum of your story. If you shoot it properly, you can actually propel the viewer through multiple layers of information about the characters and the plot without any additional effort required on the part of the audience.

This isn't merely an academic pursuit. In the Killers, our next film project, most of the "action" takes place in a diner where the characters spend most of their time sitting or lying down. Also, we have to show the evolution of the character of Nick, a seemingly minor character, with few lines in the first half of the story, but who becomes the central character by the end.

We review some films, focusing on how to shoot dialog in a static location and keep it interesting. These included clips from Se7en, Jurassic Park, Gladiator, Cape Fear, The Incredibles and American Beauty. All these films involved clever use of camera motion to keep the story moving ahead during a lengthy exposition.

During the last class each person gave a brief explanation of how they would use lights and camera to best present the story in their final project film. In the process I got some valuable feedback about how to set up for different types of interviews, a question I've been looking to answer for a long time.]]> Video Lighting Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:26:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=291569# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:25:59 blocking, cinematography, dialog, editing, Hemingway, production Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=290532#
The list of things on my plate are
    â    increased demand for video in my day job, a big development
    â    a class project shooting and editing scenes from the Hemingway script, The Killers
    â    independent, paying projects, outside of school and work, such as the promotional videos Laura and I shoot for the Huntington Theatre - there may be another one I'll be involved in coming in January with another classmate
    â    and of course my final film project which is a documentary about the life of a professional craftsperson, a potter.

I'll have more to say about my final project in the next show. In this show I continue to talk about using light to control the feeling or mood of a scene that helps to advance the film's story.

Let me know what you think.
]]> Video Lighting Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:50:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=290532# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:11:44 mood, CTB, CTO, cinematography, production, editing, Hemingway Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=288209#
I hope the explanation of Key/Film ratio is understandable. Simply put, the key is the brightest light shining on the person, at about 45 degrees to one side of the front, and the fill is positioned on the opposite side of the key also at 45 degrees. Both lights are above eye level.

The key creates a shadow on the far side of someone's face and body and the fill, which is not as bright, lightens the shadow enough to show detail, but not to remove the shadow. You play with how dark you want the shadow to be to create an effect or mood.

I want to note an error I made when I listed F-stops, I listed 1.2, which is an error, it should be 1.4. These are important details.]]> Filmmaking Techniques Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:18:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=288209# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:22:01 #63 Wk45 Cinematography Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=286370#

1. You need to surrender control of parts of the film project or your finished product will be deficient.
2. Filmmaking is a business. Completing a film is not the definition of success, making money on the film is success.
3. Plan everything until your fingers bleed, before beginning to film
4. Know what everyone does so you can delegate work properly
5. Identify your market

On the last point I spend some time talking about a turning point during the last class where, through an open discussion about the status of our final projects, I finally understand who I'm making my film for. This one little piece of information sets me free to explore the possibilities of my subject and at the same time anchors me so that I don't dissipate my energies on too many ideas that go nowhere.

Like I said, a great class.

]]> PreProduction Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:51:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=286370# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:16:34 preproduction, demographic, potter, handmade Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283802# Interview Mon, 3 Dec 2007 02:39:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283802# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:23:06 filmmaking, fcp, avid, CDIA, community, teaching, Howard, Phillips Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283208#
In this show you'll hear him talk about his own experiences learning production filmmaking techniques as well as some interesting tangents he's followed that gives him a unique approach to teaching. You'll also hear him explain the ideas and goals behind the curriculum.

I'll post the 2nd half in a few days. In that episode he'll talk about the present state of filmmaking, the role technology plays in the process of realizing your vision and the possibilities that lay in the future.]]> Interview Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:36:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=283208# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:23:39 art, CDIA, craft, director, filmmaking, Howard, instructor, Phillips, production, teaching Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=280888# The Killers. We analyzed the characters, locations, figured out props, camera and lighting locations. In a future module we're supposed to shoot this script.

I think I've covered this ground already, so I'm passing on those details and keeping this show  shorter. I've included some information on how to cast for actors and also explain how everyone communicates with each other, in both preproduction and once the film goes into production.

We're on break over Thanksgiving week, so there won't be journal entry, but I plan to post an interview with Howard Phillips, the Associate Director of the Film program at CDIA. It's pretty long, so I may break it up into two pieces a few days apart.

Things are good with me, how's it with you?
]]> PreProduction Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:54:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=280888# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:09:11 casting, preproduction, filmmaking, J.P. Ouellette, Howard Phillips Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=278744# This is the first week of the PreProduction Module. This is the class where we learn how things work, how to really make a film. I know I sound kind of bummed out by all the details raining down on us, but that was me speaking from the gut level. After so many weeks of practical classes, the change to straight classroom instruction was a shock, and the depth of the information was overwhelming. This stuff is dense and deep, but also greatly appreciated.

J.P. Ouellette is our instructor, a director, producer and a great storyteller. His knowledge of the planning process that goes into preparing and shooting a film is outstanding. This is the first time
in the program that we've gotten any amount of this kind of information. At first it seemed formidable, but we're starting to ease into a comfortable learning position. It makes us realize how big a responsibility it is to make a movie. It also makes the process more real and attainable.

PreProduction - What is it? It's all the planning that goes into a movie before you shout action. Budgeting, casting, scheduling, contracts, rentals, location scouting, storyboarding, shot lists and more. It's a lot to get through in 3 weeks, but at our current rate, we'll hear it all.

In episode #41, I listed a number of Screenplay sites Here's two more links with lists of additional sites, TopTenLinks and Lew Hunter. You can learn a lot about scriptwriting by reading scripts. Remember that every type of production, TV, movie and so on, has their own preferred format for scripts, and those are always evolving. It's a good idea, if you write, to check up on blogs that talk about scriptwriting.

Copyright issues are really important and because I'm way out of my depth in this area, I only mention it in passing. You will find a lot of interesting info in David Battino's podcast on public domain music in episode #16 of his podcast at O'Reilly.com. Anyone involved in producing a movie should take the time to learn more about copyright restrictions so you don't end up losing time or money in court.

Production Note - In the beginning I spoke about the audio settings for this and last episode. I also boosted the amplitude to raise the volume of the quieter parts. Thanks to Dennis for helping me understand the compression process. I know it was a struggle, but I did get a lot of what you were saying.]]> PreProduction Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:35:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=278744# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:15:06 battino, copyright, david, JP, o'reilly, oulette, preproduction, script, scriptwriting Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=276814#
Capturing to Avid was a lot of trouble, and this wasn't the first time. You need to pay close attention when you capture to your computer, if you want to share your media and project files with other people.

Despite the fact that this was a great opportunity to look at filmmaking beyond the technical issues, there was barely enough time to take it all in. Some issues remain, such as how a director works with the crew. Everyone felt there wasn't enough time to work with the actors as well, or for discussing our experience in general, during class.

I've tred to explain the reasons I think we're often cramped for time and feel we're not getting all the information we need. The most important reason is that there isn't enough class time in relation to the stuff we have to learn. Even with homework and whatever we can find time to do on our own between classes, there's just not enough time.


This is really a bootcamp. There are a lot of ways you could slice the curriculum to get more time at the expense of other classes, but then where would be be? Think of what you would be missing. As it is, there's a ton of topics we're merely touching on. I'm sure people in 2 and 4 year DAY programs feel as though they're not getting everything they want.

There may be tweaks that can be made to the content of this program, but you have to recognize that how you're learning is tied to the structure of the curriculum. As long as the end goal is to train people who have no experience in filmmaking to get a job in the field in 9 or 18 months, we're going to continue to careen through the material at breakneck speed.

This is what I signed up for and I wouldn't change a thing that would affect the final outcome. All the same, it feels good to complain, once in a while.
]]> Directing Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:22:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=276814# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:16:07 directing actors curriculum, fillmmaking, avid, capture Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=275925# Podcamp Boston last Sunday October 28. This is my first time attending a podcamp and I was really looking forward to it. Over all, it was a good experience. I'm sorry I couldn't have attended the previous day, I was in class There were a number of sessions specifically on video casting that I know would have been interesting. To top it off I was really tired, it was a busy busy week on all fronts. I never would have made it through the weekend if I attended both days. Next year I'll be done with school and I'll have a lot more time for user events like this.

By the way, just after I posted this I found this link to a video recorded during lunch, Sunday I guess, from the sound of it. Fool that I am I went to the cafeteria and ate lunch! Anyway, its an ad hoc discussion about the value of the conference as the nature of new media and new media producers matures. I feel very strongly that those of us who are about to launch our careers in video should be up to our armpits in new media. This is our wave. Thanks to Bob Goyetche for recording and posting this video.

On a side note there is a podcasting meetup that takes place monthly in the Boston area. CC Chapman is the contact person for this. It was on hiatus during the summer, but I spoke to him at end of the day Sunday and he said there will be something coming up soon. Like all meetups, its open to anyone, not just people producing podcasts. I hear about them mostly from Mark and Bob on the Canadian Podcast Buffet show, but I don't doubt they're friendly, congenial get-togethers no matter where they occur.

One note about the show, I start out with a rant about the venue, the Boston Convention Center. I've got some pictures I need to put up on Flikr. Obviously it had a significant impact on me, but it doesn't in any significant way detract from the quality of the event, I just tend to notice UI issues and the convention center definitely has a UI problem. If you're not interested in listening to me go on and on about it, just move ahead to 4:18, thats when my review of the sessions I attended begins.

I understand attendance was smaller Sunday than Saturday, and it felt somewhat subdued, so I didn't get a chance to meet a lot of people, but everyone I spoke with was happy to talk and share their ideas and knowledge.

Guido Stein - it's a Purl, man - knitting podcast
Jane Quigley - Digital Grit - exchanged cards, though I don have a card yet
Ben Ortega - Phive Tacos - another card
Faye Anderson - Anderson@Large - Citizen Jouralist - local politics, we had a nice conversation about the role of podcasting in political action
C.C. Chapman - Managing the Gray, Accident Hash - go to guy on the local meetups
Chris Penn - FinancialAid Podcast - cofounder of Podcamp
Chris Brogan - cofounder of Podcamp
Neil Gorman - Broken Toasters, Will Shatner and Podcaster Burnout - here's a link to a similar presentation he made at Podcaster's Across Borders
Beth Lawrence - Grow See This - we had a nice conversation at lunch
Gary Marriott Grow See This videographer - creativegeniuscollective.com Lead programmer at cyberwalker.com - he indulged my questions on videocasting production techniques

Sessions Attended

Recording Remote Interviews - Dan York
Software for recording Skype conversations:
Mac:

• Audio Hijak
• Wiretap Studio
  
• Conference Recorder 2
• Call Recorder

Windows:

• Hot Recorder
• Pamela 2.0
• Call Burner
• MX Skype Recorder
• SkyLook
• PowerGramo

Both:

• Levelator

Social Media for Business - Isabel Hilborn
Social Networking 101 - Chris Penn
Creating a Great Podcast Listening Experience - Jared Spool
-check out Chris Penn's site to see what I'm talking about.]]> Event Thu, 8 Nov 2007 13:54:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=275925# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:23:00 Boston, brogan, chris, hilborn, jared, penn, podcamp, recorder, skype, spool, york Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=275212# Podcamp 2 show coming up. Got me to thinking about how to make each show easier for someone to get into if they're listening for the first time.

Actors in the scene we directed and shot are Hannah Barth and Ed Hoopman.

Laura, John and I created a short film based on a scene from The Blue room. The class is about directing actors and I was the director, Laura the DP and John handled the sound. These soft skills are very different feeling from all the technology skills we've been learning. Its spinning around like a child in clockwise fashion, then reversing suddenly to a counter clockwise spin. You feel totally different, dizzy and yes nauseous.

I had a great experience in this new role, but to be honest, I had a lot of problems figuring out exactly what the responsibilities of a director are and how he/she relates to the production crew.

As always, there's never enough time, but in this module it seems everyone was frustrated by the compressed production schedule.]]> Directing Tue, 6 Nov 2007 15:34:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=275212# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:19:33 actor, barth, blue, boston2, director, ed, hannah, hoopman, podcamp, room Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=270370#
The first week of the Directing Actor module. Our instructor, Steven Maler, Creative Director of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company led us through several exercises that put us in the position of the actor, so we could see first hand what an actor needs from a director to deliver a great performance.

I'm not ready to channel Stanislavski, but I get the point of method acting. Reading scripts in front of the class and improvising dialogs between characters shifted our focus radically from the technical aspects of production and editing. It wasn't that difficult and I think the teacher gets a lot of the credit.

Another new idea we learned was the concept of the beat. Check out the link, I don't know how well I explain it. It's pretty important, both for the actor and director. The point is to know what good directing can accomplish.

The last part of the show I get kind of moody and cow eyed wondering why I bother and what's the use in trying. Somehow, when I think of Jeff Daniels, I feel all better. Let me know what you think

Finally, I'll be joining the seething throng at Podcamp Boston 2 at the Boston Exhibition Center this coming Sunday October 28. I'll be the guy with the Canadian flag bandanna. I hope you check it out.]]> Directing Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:32:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=270370# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:14:55 acting, Boston, Daniels, directing, Jeff, maler, method, podcamp, shakespeare, Stanislavski, steven Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=267079#
Here are a few podcast recommendations in the show:

• Canadian Podcast Buffet
• Coverville
• Macbreak Weekly

Podcamp Boston 2 is taking place Oct 26-28 at Boston Convention Center. Registration is free and there's a lot of seminars presented by regular people who have their own podcasts. During the sessions there's a lot of give and take between the audience and presenter, so everyone has the opportunity to contribute their experiences. I plan to be there on Sunday.

The Avid Edit Lab module finishes this week and I've got the highlights. I also have some comments to make about editing and the rocky road Avid has led me on.

We spent about 4 hours in our Saturday class critiquing the films we handed in. Nothing is ever finished, you just pick a point in time and stop. The critique was great, lots of useful comments and everyone was engaged. Two Film projects and eight people, so there was a lot of variations on how the same problems were solved.]]> Editing Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:18:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=267079# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:12:41 avid, Boston, coverville, critique, macbreak, podcamp, podcast Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=264292# Washington, directing the fall program at the new CDIA campus. Good luck everyone. Filling in for Howard is Chris Bowan.

Chris is an Avid editor and has a lot of tips for accelerating the editing workflow. He showed me a lot useful thing using key commands for editing. It can be awkward to use at first, but it makes a big difference in how quickly and smoothly you get things done. Eventually you can work entirely through the keyboard, with your right hand and the mouse in your left hand. Or vice versa, if you're a lefty.

Between learning Avid and editing a dialog centered movie I have a feeling, shared by a few people in class, that this project is much harder. Rather than trying to create a completely finished final cut, I'm spending my time playing with different types of edits. Trying to keep the story moving ahead smoothly. I'm relying on straight cuts, no transitions and looking for shots that lead well into each other. The dialog is controlling what I choose to keep in and out and if it deviates from the script, I'll take that chance.

So I'm not thinking about the finished film, but how I take care of individual aspects of the film. Hopefully that will lead to a good, finished feeling cut. Same results either way, but different methods. I'm hoping that I'll learn more by taking the long road.

I need to investigate storyboarding, it would help me visualize the film better before I begin shooting. It's very easy to overlook crucial takes at certain angles and frames. I believe it would have helped identify how one shot would lead into another. I'm discovering that at certain points in my cut I need a specific view, or angle of one character to help lead into another character's dialog. I can see that what I want isn't there. I would like to know what that would be while I still have the opportunity to shoot it.

I include a brief description of how to prepare still images for use in video. Despite years of trying to understand it, I still get confused when I talk about it. If you take anything useful away from my comments, let it be to do research for your own understanding. here are some links about different types of TV screen resolutions, NTSC (what we use in North America and western South America) PAL and SECAM. You have to be careful of the pixel dimensions of your still image because TV uses rectangular pixels, unlike square pixels that are used for computer displays. Find a good book on Avid too, like the one we use as a manual class.

Show notes are in the lyrics section of the mp3. Drop me a line at videostudentguy.gmail.com.
]]> Editing Mon, 8 Oct 2007 12:21:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=264292# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:15:24 SECAM, PAL, NTSC, rectangular, pixels, trim, editing Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=263135#
The film we shot for the Huntington Theatre demonstrated to me how awkward the color correction tools in FCP 5 are. I know, they're way better in the next upgrade of the Suite. Apple's Color app is a great deal, amazing deal, but I don't have it yet. I asked Howard, our instructor to show Laura and I how to use the color tools in Avid. Cool, powerful and intuitive, at least to someone who's been color correcting digital photographs for years. You use curves, not levels, not unlike Photoshop, only different. Of course I'm used to thinking in CMYK, from years of prepress work, so I'm sure it will be bumpy ride to the top.

Scouring the web for new podcasts I discovered one on wood fired pottery. Oten Maxwell's podcast, The Firing Log about using a woodfired Anagama kiln, was very entertaining for the long drives home from school and it got me to thinking about the divided lives professional crafts people create for themselves due to their livelihood. They produce one of a kind objects in a mass production world, they use 15th century tools in the 21st century and they work outside the mainstream workplace. How do you live when your focus is high touch in a high tech world. I got to wondering how it looks from their perspective.

Our final project is a 10 minute film, give or take, narrative or documentary, subject of our choosing. It's still early, but I'm going to investigate this a little further, so don't be surprised if you read some comments about frits, fluxes and fettling knives.]]> Editing Thu, 4 Oct 2007 22:23:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=263135# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:12:45 anagama, avid xpress, bins, cmyk, color, correction, curves, fcp, firing, huntington, log, subclips Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=262736# Digital Manifesto that Mike Jones posted on his blog, Digital Basin. That was earlier this summer and I try my best to explain why it's taken me long to post 5 podcasts.

Throughout the series I've been using his ideas in the Manifesto as a guage to determine how current the curriculum at my school, the CDIA is. It did very well - 9 out of 13. Here are the issues, numbered according to the Manifesto followed by the episode they were reviewed in.

Passed

• 03 Compositing #35
  
• 04 Distribution w/o hierarchy #37
• 05 Owning the entire filmmaking process #37
• 06 Software agnosticisim #37
• 08 Screen Studies integrated into Production #39
• 09 Succeeding despite obstacles #39
• 10 Promoting the story ahead of production values #39
• 12 Collaborative Learning #44
13 Teacher as Facilitator #44

Not Passed

• 01 Composing Space #35
• 02 Virtual Camera #35
• 07 Immersive Sound #39
• 11 Personal Stories #44

These episodes were different from what I usually post, they involved big ideas and how they fit into the world of filmmaking. Keeping the idea threads connected from one episode to another, particularly when a lot of time passed between was difficult. Time to think and understand seems to be a constant problem for me.

For all the effort, I enjoyed exploring ideas and that took me to unfamiliar territory
Bear in mind, these aren't my ideas, I'm just having fun poking at them.

I thought of a couple of things to add to the manifesto:

1. Get Teachers and students to better interact  between related/linked fields, such as audio, 3D and fx, even web design. I don't think the fringes of our filmmaking experience should be familiar territory.
2. Get more exposure to the supportive technology used for digital distribution.

Collaborative learning tools, such as blogs and wikis have a lot of potential that I hope to explore for sharing ideas and information and for promoting my work.

Towards the end of the episode I talk a little about how all this technology is pushing against the boundaries of a stifling culture of intellectual protectionism. If I sound a little harsh, it's only because I've only recently come to recognize how limiting it is to withhold access to resources that, if they were more available, would result in a great deal more creativity to the benefit of everyone. I'm sure once I get used to it I'll return to lamblike complacency.
]]> Filmmaking Manifesto Wed, 3 Oct 2007 21:02:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=262736# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:20:25 mike, jones, digital, basin, filmmaking, manifesto, wiki, collaboration, copyright, prodsumer Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=262350# 39 Steps, a comedy based on the Alfred Hitchcock spy thriller. It was a lot work in a short time, but I, along with classmate Laura got it in on time and made the client happy, so it was good all round.

This is the end of the Module on the introduction to Avid, but there's another 3 weeks of Avid that follows where we edit our own film. I'm going to spread my comments about Avid over the next few weeks. This week I'll give you a general overview of the program and talk specifically about the user interface and how important it is to organize your files properly in Avid, as opposed to to Final Cut Pro.

We edited the 39 Steps promo in FCP, but it's really difficult to use one program on a job while you're learning a different one in class. There's a lot of lessons we learned, like how difficult it can be for two people to edit one film, dividing up production tasks and working remotely.

I thought you would be interested in the process of setting up for the shoot, so I included that as well as described the equipment we used and why. Towards the end of the podcast I've included a list of things I would do differently, or pay more attention to if we have a chance to do this again, which I believe we will.

Some of the highlights of the post production process was doing color correction, creating and working with a soundtrack and setting the compression values to optimize file quality for posting on Youtube.]]> Production Techniques Tue, 2 Oct 2007 21:55:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=262350# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:27:27 color, correction, youtube, huntington, theatre, avid, fcp, film, production video, LAFCPUG, arri, field, kit, rifa Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=260119# Mbox2 mixer and my condenser mic. I hope you've noticed an improvement in the audio quality. I'm still working on production quality, but I got a helping hand from Erica at CDIA, who helps maintain the audio and classroom maintenance for the Recording arts program at school. She demonstrated that my problems were due to my incompetence and not the equipment manufacturers. She also gave me a quick but thorough tour of Pro Tools. Sometime soon I'll take a few trips into Pro Tools country to record a few episodes.

Another problem I had was the absence of a mic stand and so I made one out of coat hanger and I used the leftover wire to create a pop filter which keeps the mic clean and softens annoying plosives.

This weeks classes continues the module on learning Avid. Since we have already covered Final Cut Pro earlier in the program everyone was wondering how you work the two together in a single workflow. Avid and Apple don't make it easy, but thanks to software plug-ins from Automatic Duck, and a bunch of money, you can make them friends.

I continue the saga of a filmmaking project I'm involved in with classmate Laura creating a promotional video for the Huntington Theater in Boston. We're shooting audience reactions following a performance of the play 39 Steps.

Finally the class gets to attend a screening of the documentary This is Nollywood, produced by some of CDIA's own, Franco Sacchi, Aimee Corrigan as well as renowned National Geographic photographer Robert Caputo. You may not see it in a theater near you, but you'll find it as a DVD online. If you're curious about the exciting filmmaking scene that is developing in West Africa you should check it out.]]> Video Editing Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:47:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=260119# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:13:43 automatic, caputo, corrigan, duck, mbox2, mic audio, mxl, nollywood, plosive, popscreen, practicum, sacchi Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=258520# podcasts Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:07:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=258520# videostudentguy@gmail.com regret, dissapointment, busy, life, video school, tragic, tapped, skint, Paul Lyzun No http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=254946# Avid Xpress Pro, in preparation for editing the footage we shoot a few weeks ago. Avid doesn't have the mind share among would be filmmakers as Final Cut Pro does, so I spend a little time talking about it's place in the filmmaking world.

It is the premier NLE and there's always talk about how it measures up against FCP, so I've included 1, 2, 3 different articles comparing the two. A very significant difference is that the companies that produce these programs have very different missions. Apple is all about bringing the professional media experience to the consumer, Avid is focused on the production needs of professional media makers thru it's own post production systems and the many companies it has acquired, like M-box, Digidesign and Softimage.

I've got some details about a project I'm involved in along with Laura, who I've worked with in the past on the genetic fingerprint documentary. We're going to shoot audience reaction to the play, The 39 Steps, that will be running at the Huntington Theater during September and October. It's a lot of work in a short time, so it should make for some interesting experiences.]]> Video Editing Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:08:00 GMT http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=254946# videostudentguy@gmail.com 00:11:01 39, avid, bu, cida, digidesign, fcp, filmmaking, huntington, is, m-box, nle, nollywood, production video, softimage, steps Paul Lyzun Clean http://videostudentguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=250794#
We don't have anything more we plan to shoot right now, but we may. This week we reviewed o