I don’t expect anyone to get me these, hence the title wish list. Here we go.

TwoneilHD Static 35mm Adapter

I own a HV20, it is a great HDV camera and I use it quiet a bit. I’d love to add some additional lenses and some depth of field to my videos. Make them that much closer to film without the price.

Drobo 4-Bays USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 Fully Automated SATA Robotic Storage Array

After loosing yet another hard drive this past week. It is time to save up and purchase a reliable back up system.

Mac Pro

The time is coming when software companies will turn their back on the PowerPC chip Macs and focus on the current Intel Chip Macs.

1080p HDTV
It doesn’t matter the size, but I want a good consumer HDTV to color correct to. A professional monitor would be great but the price is way too much and the majority of TVs will use the same color presets.

WD TV HD Media Player

I can bring an external hard drive and this device to a clients office and play right off the player. This one is more realistic as a gift for me this Xmas.

Panasonic AG-HMC150

I love the HVX200 that I have access at any time to shoot with. But I’m looking for a camera for me. This one suits me well. Once you begin to download footage instead of log and capturing, it spoils you forever. And I want to be spoiled.

Red Scarlet

Yeah! If I can’t get the Panasonic I’ll go ahead and get the Red…I might have to wait for the scarlet to hit the market like so many other filmmakers.

What is your wish list?

Tuesday, December 2nd, 7pm @ The Carousel Grand in Greensboro, NC, will be screening all the music videos that we shot for the dotmatrix project. Plus, they will be screening some of the filmmakers short films on the big screen. Such as; Corporate Assassin, Ninjas vs Pirates, The Key, Gi Ho Lo: The Legacy of Richard Long. To top off the night a screening of the documentary “Spend an Evening with Saddlecreek.”

All for $8… all the proceeds go to cover the expenses of putting the monthly dotmatrix project free live shows that feature great local artists. Come out and join us. Tickets can be purchased in advanced here. It should be a fun night, come out and join us.

Poster by Justin Reich

The Auditioner from Kate on Vimeo.

Produced by The Actor Diaries

I have much to be thankful for, but it all started with my ABC’s… Thanks Mom, Dad and Sean, I love you all.

It sounds like a healthy heart in a hospital but in actuality it is a dead hard drive. I’m so pissed, I just looked at the contents and was about to archive some DVDs I burned. I hate this. I froze it, tried another enclosure and no luck, this puppy is dead.

It was a busy week. I shot and edited 5 commercials, helped to shoot a really cool dotmatrix project show and drove to Staunton, Virginia and shot Dr. Bill Schneider speaking at the Woodrow Wilson Library’s annual luncheon.

I had some time to reflect on the busy week.

Commercials
I’m contracted filmmaker in the Greensboro area for Turnhere.com, a company that creates professional-quality, authentic, engaging online video around the world at a fraction of the cost of traditional production. My role is simple. I get the contact information about the client, I call and ask simple questions about what they are looking for. I show up with my tripod, camera and wireless lav. I sit down and interview the owner or someone that has passion for the company…sometimes the owner is not camera friendly. From the interview I gather b-roll footage and I’m done. That takes about 90 minutes. I get everyone to sign location and appearance releases and I’m off to edit and send off all the video files, releases, finished commercials and project file within 48 hours.

I really like the concept and idea that Turnhere has created. I really appreciate working with the owners of these businesses. You really get to feel the enthusiasm that they have for their business. It is also a great way to network. The owners understand that you are contracted through Turnhere but would like additional video work for their website or other events.

Dotmatrix Project
DMP, had another great show on Thursday night. Micah, Blake, Jen and I shot the show and with an audience full of appreciative music fans that filled the back bar at The Green Burro in downtown Greensboro. I arrived a few minutes late after mailing off my Turnhere videos. Got together with my filmmakers and planned a way to shoot the show and shot it. The night ended around 12:00.

Staunton, Virginia
Got to bed around 1 AM Friday morning, couldn’t fall asleep till 2 AM. Woke up at 5 AM, got ready and opened the door and saw snow on the ground. Crap! I wondered what it looked like 180 miles north of Greensboro. Picked up Blake and we were on the road. I held off on getting gas in NC because I knew it would be cheaper in VA. Sure enough, it was $1.69 a gallon compared to $1.93 in NC.

We arrived at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in historic downtown Staunton, VA around 10 AM. Set up both Cameras and ready to shoot the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library’s 2008 Annual Luncheon Address. The guest speaker, Dr. Bill Schneider was simply an amazing Presidential Historian. He spoke about US presidents and the elections as if it were his own family and really brought a new perspective about the US elections. Not only about the Presidents but how the elections were run and what each Presidential nominee were running on. It was an enjoyable and a fascinating shoot and a huge thanks goes out to Jarod for referring me for the gig.

Later that day we head back to Jarod’s and begin editing the 2 camera shoot. It is such a breeze with multiclip editor in FCP 6. I’m editing the luncheon and Blake was editing the dotmatrix project show. Meanwhile in the background Jarod invited his friends to hang out at his great house and we (Blake & I) are being geeks in the kitchen editing. Thanks for the hospitality Jarod.

The next day Blake and I rise and head back home. On the way we have a delicious breakfast at Cracker Barrel where I was two steps away from embarrassing myself when Blake chimed in, “They have two Men’s rooms.” I knew that lady walking to the sinks didn’t look like she belonged in the Men’s room. It was a long week and I needed rest. Back on my feet and ready to wear myself out again.

This is not as short as the others I post. But it is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Enjoy this during your lunch break. Thanks Rick for the tip.

There are few stories better known or more beloved that the American Origin story. Indeed, any schoolchild can recite at least a few lines from the Declaration of Independence, or tell you about Paul Revere’s infamous Midnight Ride.

Except none of it is true…

Centuries of campfire stories have spun America’s history into a fanciful tale filled with myths and half truths. MK12’s History of America is here to set the record straight. Set against the warm sin of Las Vegas and the cold vacuum of space, this is the true story behind the story — one which chronicles the epic struggle between the Astronauts and the cowboys as they fight for life, liberty and justice for all.

http://mk12.com/
http://www.historyofamerica.tv

I invite all voices to please join in on this conversation. I really need some solid evidence in order to back your opinion. Let’s discuss it like this… First and foremost, which camera should I shoot with? Next, what budget range should you shoot with the Red or 35mm film?

The Red One

or 35mm film

Tell me why you would shoot with the RED ONE or Film. The advantages and disadvantages. Take off the gloves and let me have it. I’m leaning to the Red One…more like reaching for my wallet.

This is the second episode for Corporate Assassin. I spent some time on this one, it was probably the most difficult to write and shoot. I mean how can I target a 75 year old man? I wanted to work with my dad…so if you hate me for going after this poor old sap, it was worth it. This is a moment that I will never forget and he did an awesome job. Also added to the mix was my brother and wife. I know, what a twisted family… thanks.

Corporate Assassin Episode 2: Rising Sunset from All Aces Media on Vimeo.

I have to thank all who were involved. First and foremost Jimmy, for the quick notice and allowing us to shoot at your business. Micah, helping me on set with the script and shooting it. Rick, composing the music for the kill scene. All the actors: Sean, Angela, John, TK, Rick, Lyndsey, my Dad, and of course the assassin Brian.

Episode 3 is in the editing bay right now!

I shot over 35 hours of footage and god forbid if I was to edit any of it. So I passed it along to Micah and here is how he views what happened behind the scenes on his film, Dogs of Chinatown. Jesse Knight, I haven’t passed your footage on to him yet but it will get there soon. Thanks for helping out.