Kinetic Typography

I about killed all my creative brain cells on the last bumper (or now I am calling them Series Roll Ins), it's the little video that plays before Pastor Steve delivers the message each Sunday. Some of you might have seen my tweets or facebook status updates that I was working on something called Kinetic Typography. I though I'd tell you a little about the process. First off you have to record the voice over, it's just easier this way. Then, once the VO is done you can start the syncing process, which is the tedious part. Basically you have to type out each word so that each word is its own layer. Once you have a sentence, or sometimes even just one word done, you make that block of text its own layer. Then one you have done this to the entire VO you can start the creative process. This is the part that can really get hard because lets face it, there is only so much you can do with text. But I figure that once I am more confident with this technique I'll be more creative. It was a lot of fun and a great challenge for me. Here is the Roll In I created for the new series titled 'How Faith Grows.'

Pastor Steve wrote the script.

Beeboppin back in...

Jamming to some older stuff..Jamiroquai. Yes sir! Good stuff, wish I had listened to it when I was younger, but what did I know then.

Anyway I am rambling. Lately I have been advocating almost ad nauseam Twitter at Stonebridge. I am sure my coworkers are tired of me spouting off even the mere mention of the word Twitter. However, the reason I have is because of how revolutionary Twitter is. I mean think about it, you send a text message from your computer to someone's cell phone! In the same way that you can tweet on your phone and a person at their computer will see it. And, better yet, you don't really even need a computer, you can tweet phone to phone, it's all simultaneous! Can you see why I am so excited about this thing called Twitter? So, what I've been doing to is setting up Twitter accounts people in our congregation can follow, so far there are four: SBChurch, Married2040, TheBridgeSB, and Gap56. We even produced a Twitter Tutorial in hopes it will clear up the confusion as to what twitter is. So, join the the revolution and sign up for Twitter.

Also, I want to invite everyone to come out to StoneBridge on April 25th, we are having our annual Spring Fling and it should be a ton of fun: games, food, and live music. Put it on you calendar!

Til next time,

You stay classy Blogspot.

Weekend, Video Stuff, and Music

This weekend I actually got to go to church and not work! I really rarely get a weekend like this so it was wonderful to just go and visit like, dare I say, a normal person? I mean, don't get me wrong I love my job and what I do, but sometimes it's just nice to relax and enjoy going to church and being able to sit next to my wife and just be there.

Anyway, there have been some new developments the world of video producing I am just itching to try. Some cool new gear, methods of editing workflows, motion graphic design, all the stuff that I just love to do. I frequent a web site that is a great resource for motion graphics and visual effects called videocopilot.net. It is the brain child of Andrew Kramer, the man is simply brilliant. He uses his years of experience to train and mold others into strong and confident makers of all things cool. In the two years I've visited the site I feel more and more confident in my abilities thanks to him. Also, I have noticed more and more people wanting to get involved and help out in the video production area of the church, and this excites me to no end! God can use anyone anywhere and this is proof of that. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work where I do, and I am always thanking God for allowing me the chance to serve Him this way.

A few months ago I was part of a band and we played at the Softball Banquet up at the church, it was a ton of fun, and I was sad when it was all over. However, it spawned a yearning in us and we all wanted to get together again and play some more so I am happy to say in May we get to again!! Stonebridge is throwing a crawfish boil in Montgomery as an outreach to attract new people to the church, and the Softball Band is playing again. Keep an eye out for a Stonebridge Tweet on when and where. We are doing a lot more songs this time round and should have a lot more rehearsals before then. I am really excited about this!

Well, till next Monday, Peace!

Fencing

Not the swashbuckling stuff, but the boards and nails stuff. When we moved in our fence in the backyard was on it's last leg, and then Hurricane Ike finished the job. So it's been belly up ever since September. Laura and I are fed up with having no fence to speak of, so today I went out in the backyard to try and do something about it, but I think I only made it worse. Now the entire back fence has fallen over, and I have no where to put it until May 9th (I just found out)! Why of all times then!! I'll be sailing the seas on our first cruise then with no way to get rid of this garbage! Uhgg. Oh well, I digress. It'll just have to remain in a pile of eye soredness till the next time I can get rid of it all. Back into the fray I go.

Sorry

I did not post on Monday like I said I would. We had death in the family. The dog I grew up with and helped my sister and I through our parents divorce went to the big dog bone in the sky. She was a great dog. Her name was Annie, and she lived 17 happy years here with us. I will miss her a lot. That's all for today.

Blogging

OK, if there is anyone that stops by to read this, or is subscribed to my blog I apologize for never blogging.  But I am wanting to start on a weekly basis.  So I have decided that every Monday I will set aside some time to blog.  I can't say about what, but mostly just stuff on my mind.  So, be ready!

Christmas, Yes Man, and the Light Show.

Well another Christmas is here and we are all scrambling trying to get everything finished.  I have almost two newscasts in the can and can't wait till I do cause I get a little nervous about getting everything done this time of year.  I also have to create two backgrounds for our Christmas Eve service.  So there is still quite a bit to do.  I also am really loving our newest series for Christmas called Signs, I had a lot of fun in After Effects creating the bumper (probably my favorite one) and I also got to purchase a new product from VideoCopilot.net called Pro Scores.  It's a lot of music and other SFX that fit together to make great tracks for your videos.

Tonight Laura and I went and saw Yes MAN, if you see nothing else this season make sure it's this movie.  It is sooo funny.  We both really needed to see something like this.  Movies like this really have a way of making you forget your troubles and let loose.  This is also classic Jim Carry, I don't think he's been this good since 'Liar Liar'.  Go see it!!  Now!!

Also, speaking of things to go see.... if you live in The Woodlands and are reading this I highly suggest going to see the Holiday Light Show at Stonebridge Church.  If you have little ones I am sure they will love it.  Also, we are going to have a special show starting Dec. 26th till Jan. 7th and the music will be....a surprise.  Just make sure you check it out.