Feed: Bam Video Productions - AggScore: 50.0

Feed Back

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Okay viewers I would like to see what you the followers want to learn about... filmmaking wise. Put your questions in the comment bar or email me and I will do a post and/or a video on what you want to see in up coming blog/vlog posts. Follow! Like! Subscribe!

Trailer of film I've been working on recent...

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ntSXv5KSDg&feature=channel_video_title

Back from the break

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Its been awhile since I've posted anything but I thought I would return to my blogging and video tutorials. I've certainly learned a lot over the long period of time I haven't been blogging through experience of my first film with some of my friends. Doing special effects is a long process and is definitely important not to over look. I've been keeping up with film riot on youtube and a few other nice resources to further my education on the media arts. I also was accepted to the Art Institute of Philadelphia for visual effects and motion graphics, which I begin in October. I will try my best to continue posting things I learn over the course of my 3 years there. I am very excited to move on to a art college that will help me learn what I am truly in love with. Visual effects!

Pre roll film advice...

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First and foremost, as a director or anyone for that matter is to make sure everyone knows exactly what they are doing before you start filming at all... It might sound basic but you would be surprised how much longer it takes when people don't know what to do. Make sure your location is safe from accidents, and not just the actual safety of the crew or actors but the safety of the camera's and your time. I mean background sound, lighting, people that aren't suppose to be their. These accidents can waste precious time and sometimes money (in the case of you paying for a location to film). Lighting is very important to be watchful of, cameras need lighting to work properly no matter what camera you have... If you know it is going to be dark bring some lights! If you know its going to be noisy bring some mics! Being prepared is half the battle for shooting, because as an indie film maker you don't have the resources to stop the world for your scene. Next blog I'll continue on how to get a hold of cheap equipment for mics and lighting, and how to set it up for a maximum potential.

Into a 3-D world

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After a long time I finally figured out how to work with basic 3-D in my after effects project... And the embarrassing part was it was in front of me the whole time... PHOTOSHOP CAN WORK IN 3-D!!! And what work better with adobe then adobe? Oh course it isn't complex or in depth 3-D animation.. but its 3-D animation! After learning I feel as though a whole new world into after effects has opened up. A 3-D world, and it will be my first! Of course as I get better when I will transition into programs like cinema 4-D and/or maya but for now photoshop and after effects will help me grasp the basics. I have run into a bit of a problem however... My graphics card is not up-to-date enough for photoshop 3-D... BUT I have found a solution! I beautiful new computer rig for me to build, but again there is a problem and that is with the all powerful dollar...  Either way I am going to continue my learning for 3-D animation whether I have the proper hardware or not. My next course of action is to find out if auto cadd can work with photoshop directly without any special plug-ins. I know maya can work with after effects, and 3ds max can work with a special plug in but I only know CAD for the moment. CAD to photoshop in 3-D... hmmmmm.. this will be interesting...

Money, money, money...

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Financing is one of the most difficult parts of film making. ESPECIALLY  when your an independent film maker... Professional movies don't just get billions of dollars to blow on a movie, a lot of times they have to find ways to gain money. But they can get their cash in a variety of ways, government grants, tax schemes, debt finance, equity finance, private equity, and hedge funds. For those who aren't business majors, basically they find whatever money they can get whether it be from the government, or they put themselves in a debt kind of state until they reap the benefits of their hard work... But that isn't as important to us indie film makers because we most likely won't get those same hand outs... But don't worry where they have money... we have clever intuition, dedication, and THE INTERNET! Yes the internet is one of the greatest resources for financing the movie. There forums, youtube channels, and sites dedicated to make movie like elements cheap for you. Given you will have to pay a few dollars either way, BUT not thousands of dollars on props and such... The best way to save money on your film is creativity... and utilizing at special effects. A lot of times Hollywood will make elaborate sets, and props to make their film authentic, but if your clever enough and know your way around after effects or whatever you use to edit you can pull off similar effects. Never under estimate the powers of the green screen either... Locations can really kill you bank fast especially if they charge rent. A green screen and some indie style lighting however is a one time buy and reusable. A green screen can honestly be as easy as a bright green cloth hung up. I'll add some links to this blog and hopefully you'll be less discouraged to equip yourselves properly. POWER TO THE INDIE FILM MAKERS. Making props and clever camera tricks! Wish list for amatuer lighting and green screen!

THE BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS!

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Okay, discussion time. I want you to post a comment on THE GREATEST SPECIAL EFFECT YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. Whether it be from a movie, youtube video, or anything film wise... Post your comments and let me hear the argument for why it is the best visual effect you have ever seen. Post the special effect with a description and tell where it came from, and if you can find a url attach it to the comment!

Free editing software for those who can't afford the expensive stuff!

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Its isn't about what you have to work with whether its as simple as windows movie maker or imovie. Its about making that film to the best of your ability! But for those who want a step up from windows movie maker or imove can use Jaycut as an online editor for free!
http://jaycut.com/

After Effects Tutorial - 1 - Introduction

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The development!

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 One of the major differences between the videos of stupidity and the videos actually worth watching is the development stage. The process of finding a story, thinking about how it will be done, begin mapping out scenes in your head, and getting those scenes down on paper. Professionals will create a 25-30 page pre script called a treatment. The treatment includes moods, tones, character descriptions, brief stages directions, and dialogue. This is for getting your ideas down on paper before writing the screenplay. THE SCREEN PLAY, the ultimate director's hand guide to what the actors say, and do, what the camera should do, scene descriptions, dialogue, as well as what they need to add in during the post production stage. Think of the screen play as the older brother to the script... The script is the actors version of the screen play, meaning its missing a lot of the content so the actor gets the core of his/her actions without having to read the things that doesn't concern her/him. Now mind you this is Hollywood style film making, they get billions of dollars to produce movies. Who has the time to spend 6 months on a screen play right? Though it doesn't hurt to have a very detailed script to stay on track, but it isn't always necessary to have a perfect screenplay of your master piece with you. In my opinion, its much more important to have it worked out in your head especially for us indie film makers. That being said I do think some of it should be written at least in a rough sketch so you don't forget something or so you can move faster through production. So as a recap! REAL indie movies, feature films, and Hollywood will get a story, make a treatment (rough sketch of the movie), create a much more elaborate version called the screen play full of all details. But short films isn’t always necessary to go through that much paper and time to make an excellent production!

Whats the point?

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In any and every film you will ever do, you need a point, a reason to to make what you are making whether its to educate, inform, entertainment, OR just to do something stupid with your friends. But I guarantee you, you can tell the difference between those videos on youtube with those people who hurt themselves or do something "slap stick" funny to get attention, and the films that are actually planned out with well thought plot and themes... Don't get me wrong watching those "accidental" youtube moment videos can be amusing but you must understand those only have so long under the spotlight before people move on. As apposed to developed, meaningful videos that actually make you think and might even come to change the way you see a topic. Whether the video changes it all depends on the topic and the professionalism... but its much more likely to then most other unplanned videos.

Coming soon

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Within the next few weeks I will be going over the the aspects of pre-production, production, and post production of how movies can be and should be shot. Anyone willing to input their information will be credited on any of the aspects. Sending information in can be submitted through the link to my email, commented on the page, or sending a private message through my blogger site, tumblr site, or my youtube channel. Any correction in information would be greatly appreciated, I am not perfect and I am still learning like many of you and if you have more accurate info or a link to help, it would be welcomed. I will be pulling references off external sites, videos, and you the audience! Please put your input and lets make a good guide to filming.

The quest for 3D simulation...

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I've recently been looking for ways to improve upon my skills in movie making and visual effects. I've come to the conclusion that I am in need of ways to create artificial 3D objects into my compositions. Though I have been trained in auto cadd, I cannot find any forums on how to place those type of 3D designs into an after effects composition... Programs such as Maya, Cinema 4D, and blender have caught my attention. The researching phase of my 3D quest is going in many different ways, I am learning a lot about animation. However I have not been able to make a decision on which 3D program to incorperate into my tools. If anyone happens to know links, sites, forums, etc. or happens to have done 3D animation personally, I would be very interested to learn about it. I currently have a macbook running adobe cs5, but I am not picky to anyone side of the computer spectrum.  I respect avid users as well as final cut enthusiasts. I have a mac simply because it is good for the media arts... But coming back to the subject if anyone would be willing so post links or send me a message either to my email or the messaging service provided via blogger, it would be very much appreciated... 

Welcome

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Hello, welcome to my first blog site. I am going to be posting links to videos I've made, as well as links to other people's work I think deserves to be viewed. I will be posting cool title sequences, clips and tutorials I have made personally. I would dearly appreciate constructive criticism and any feedback you, my fellow bloggers and critics are willing to provide. Any questions can be sent to me through the email address I have connected to this site. I am not sure how often I will be blogging or how well I will be writing. Any advice and tips would also be appreciated. Please pass on this site to your friends and colleagues and enjoy yourself.