Archive for September, 2008

Inspiration from music and art: September 30th, 2008

I am not an avid reader/writer of blogs. I can’t help but to feel like Doogie Howser or the Sex and the City woman when I start writing. I just don’t feel comfortable writing down my thoughts for others to read. I keep thinking—does anyone care what I think? I guess blogs are good venue to share ideas or to find out what not to do. I need to make that jump into the cyber world because I now realize that it is becoming an expectation or necessary part of society, especially in the communication/media community. I had the same trepidation/disinterest regarding cell phones a few years back but now I carry one around everywhere I go and can’t imagine my life without it. So then…this blog is about sharing what works for me when I need to come up with something creative for a short video or film project.

Inspiration from music and art:
I find I can be the most creative while exploring ideas through music. One quick thought in my head needs to be worked out; I try to explore the idea/image thorough music. The images come to mind before anything else. I then try to string them together with music. Explore the possible tones and styles though the music…what would fit with the concept or scene? It’s like meditation in a sense and I don’t know where it will take me. Usually it works out. It takes about 30 minutes for me to “get in the mood” after that the ideas come more easily. I jot them down in words or sketches and rework them later. While I rework the ideas/words/sketches it helps to reference paintings, photographs, and various other arts to try and pin point the tone and style (still listening to the music of course). I then have story boards and paintings to reference the look and music to reference the tone and feeling. I can then hopefully take that to the crew or client and put it all together to make something cool or at least something I feel proud of.

Written by Brent Altomare
sample look and feel September 26th, 2008

When trying to describe something to a client, often the only to convey what we're talking about is to produce a sample.

This is a sample video for a client that wants their project to be slightly gritty, but very high quality.  Bill and Mike took the HVX200 out back to do some in-camera painting to acheive the look desired by producer/director Greg.  High shutter speed, ultra-warm white balance, handheld with a shallow depth of field all combine to create a fantastic mood.

Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
Written by Brent Altomare
On iPhones and Workflows September 20th, 2008

I know i’m coming to this a little late, but the iPhone is a game changer. Honestly, it’s not the best PHONE available, but that’s because it’s not really a phone. It is “something else.”

As I sit outside writing this post on my iPhone it hits me; The right tools can change the way you look at the world. It can change the way you work. It can change the way you live.

The RED ONE camera is another tool that has the potential to change our industry. It isn’t a video camera nor is it a film camera. It too, like the iPhone is “something else.” The RED ONE has been available for about a year now, and has gotten more mature with that time. The workflow, while still a little bit of a challenge, has been proven in professional environments all the way up to major Hollywood feature films.

Because of this,Groovy has made a commitment to purchase a RED ONE and integrate this tool into our corporate storytelling. There will be challenges, and no tool is valuable without re knowledge to use it, but the time has come for us to jump in and help change the game!

Written by Brent Altomare
The Students of Monarch Present: The Hereafter September 3rd, 2008

This summer Groovy Like a Movie worked with a group of students from San Diego’s Monarch School. This is one of the two short films produced, shot and edited by the students. Starring Joy Hillrigel and Josh McRae.
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
Written by Brent Altomare
The Students of Monarch Present: The Exchange September 3rd, 2008

This summer Groovy Like a Movie worked with a group of students from San Diego’s Monarch School. This is one of the two short films produced, shot and edited by the students. Starring Joy Hillrigel and Josh McRae.
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
Written by Brent Altomare
RIP Don LaFontaine September 2nd, 2008

Do you hear that? The world just got a little quieter.

Don LaFontaine, the king of the movie trailer voiceover has died at age 68.

For a little bit of history on The Voice, take a look at this piece:

Don had a fantastic sense of humor, which is on display on this piece for the Key Art Awards. The Key Art Awards honors movie marketing including Posters, television adversing and trailers.

All together now: “In a world…

Written by Brent Altomare