I have a new remake on the way. The deadline I gave myself to POST this video, if you must know… was today, the end of the month, yes a whole awesome 30 days. Things kept getting delayed and I actually ended up just filming this past Wednesday. I have to work on sticking to my deadlines, I’m getting better all thanks to my dear Filofax (photos below), but my goal is to ace meeting all deadlines. I must sleep earlier therefore I can begin my day earlier. I’m such a morning person. The morning time gives me the feeling that I can achieve anything in the world.

I switched my saddle brown Cuban Filofax for a new ochre Malden Filofax. The perfect move. I love the Malden’s soft leather, the beautiful contrasting brown and the many pockets as you can see with my post-it madness.

More of my Filo photos here.

See, I’ve been using FCP X for 3 weeks now and the workflow with AVCHD footage is so much smoother than compared to FCP 7. The new magnetic timeline, quick import, video skimming, background rendering… it’s like they read my mind. Finally I feel the program can almost go the same speed as the flow of ideas in my head while editing. If only the graphic chip in my almost 4yr old Macbook Pro was a bit more up to par things would be all gravy. Now the performance of my laptop is quite impressive for its age, but if it wasn’t for the 6GB RAM upgrade I gave my laptop earlier this year, then forget even thinking of creating visual F/X. Nevertheless, the editing process is still quicker than ever before thanks to certain revolutionary new features in FCP X.

(For on-screen lyrics: be sure to enable the caption option “CC” on the video bar.)

My gorilla pod is standing on top of a TV for recording behind the scenes footage. You can also see my collapsible green screen setup brightened by two tall lamps and an extra small lamp in the background.

Main character with frohawk!

The second & third characters.

Transferring AVCHD camcorder footage to Final Cut & Iomega external hard drive overnight.

Since it was my first time filming a short film, I definitely took mental notes for next time. Such as: the tripod should be my bestie when filming, pay big attention to wardrobe changes and surrounding items in the background that either need to be removed or covered up. If I can execute that, I will save myself precious time when editing.

The actors have arrived.

Now this, people, is how your green screen should not look.
Check out the full photo set on Flickr.

*

*

And when we were done:

*

A video portrait shoot at the town center.
Music: I Gotta Have Her – Team Blackout

So we headed out to go see… Harry Potter??? Haha I guess it was the safest family movie on the list that wasn’t a cartoon. First off we got our snacks from the gas station, because we knew we were dealing with a nearly 3 hour movie here.

I see they changed the look of the movie menu. Now there are movie photos and brighter highlighted colors. Neato.

We go to the food court to get some popcorn. I’m feeling right at home lol. I couldn’t come to the theaters enough.

Overall, as a person who is not at all caught up with Harry Potter movies I think it was more of a ‘go home and watch under the blanket’ movie. I still found it to be interesting, even though I feel asleep real quick about twice. Hey I woke up to the good parts!

After the movies we went to a restaurant. The afternoon ended off with a big YUM. A plate full of baked potato with meat bbq flavored.

My pal, Naomi, filling up her gas tank before we first head to pick up her cousin, and then off to downtown.

It was my first clubbing experience. I love to dance, so to me it was a good dancing time. My only complaint is that the music was ridiculously loud. I mean WTHeck do people actually go to the club without ear plugs? Because before I even go to another I will make sure I have some ear plugs handy and if I don’t have any it ain’t happening. There’s no amount of fun worth damaging your ear drums!

Ran into a couple friends I knew from high school looking fierce for church!

And here we are, almost 3 years later, exchanging Facebook names. They are both sisters and back then we used to always rehearse dance moves for school shows we were participating in. Being in the International Festivals / Black History Programs was a major highlight of high school for me.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.855136&w=550&h=413&fv=offsite%3Dtrue%26offsite%3Dtrue%26intl_lang%3Den-us%26photo_secret%3Df91edda151%26photo_id%3D3745329786]

These photos range from three different evenings of July ’09 alone.
I get all fascinated when I see the sky with beautiful mixtures or shades of color. It’s like being in another world. A new world. Or another planet. Or being in a movie. One of those movies where something is about to happen to the place, or after it has already happened. It’s just a lot of imagination going on lol. Sky’s the limit.

My green screen stand was delivered this week.
It can adjust to almost 9 feet. I had set everything up in one of our downstairs living rooms. Once I showed my brothers they were quick to act out a good o fake fighting scene. Courtesy of playing video games all the time I’m sure . Excuse the jagged edges in the video. To complete my little setup I’ll have to buy some backlights to illuminate the green which will avoid those shadows from appearing. It’s so big, I sure as heck didn’t feel like ironing it just yet, but if this is the result of a keyed out wrinkled, semi-lit green screen, then hotdaym I can’t wait to get those backlights!

True Blood, True Blood, True Blood.
My coworkers have mentioned how HOT of a show it is. I’ve seen it on Twitter’s trending topics and you know what I needed a new show to hopefully get into. A new show to suck me in. It seems only reality shows have that ability lately. So earlier this week I decided to see what the freak the fuss is all about. Plus, i heard it’s a vampire show, therefore, I’m thinking if I’m lucky it’s going to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer-ISH! Or maybe it’ll be Twilight-ISH, which is still okay with me.

After watching the first episode of the first season of True Blood earlier this week, I was hooked. Love the wild affection and the way they link the characters. The show is only around the beginning of it’s second season right now so it’s actually possible and not tiring to catch up with. I’m nearly done with season one. Yay a new show to add to the: “go home, chillax, catch up with the latest episode” list.

In other news: Rest in peace, Michael Jackson, The King of Pop.

Music: Electric Feel – MGMT

A video I made with clips of my brother going to the bookstore to buy his SAT book. He’s really serious about scoring high so he can get into his college of choice. Awesome, he’s got that ambition. He’ll be a senior in the fall meanwhile my other brother will be a freshman at that same high school. He’s so pumped to finally be going into high school!

Included in this video are clips of things I recorded in my backyard because I was SO determined to figure out how to control the camcorders focus mode… where I can get it to be blurry one second and then BAM sharp the next. Took me a good few frustrating minutes, but I got it. Basically I have to toggle between the manual focus and instant auto focus with the mode dial. Coolness.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.839958&w=500&h=281&fv=offsite%3Dtrue%26offsite%3Dtrue%26intl_lang%3Den-us%26photo_secret%3D04f8b61905%26photo_id%3D3636038381]

The 30 second version >>
[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.839957&w=500&h=281&fv=offsite%3Dtrue%26offsite%3Dtrue%26intl_lang%3Den-us%26photo_secret%3D9aa5c45025%26photo_id%3D3636820724]

I actually got a chance to do some video editing for other people for the first time. HOLD UP! They filmed it in the parking lot and then gave me the footage to edit. It features my long time friend’s (Naomi) cousin-iB and his friend, Max Pain. They (including another guy, Osh) have a new pumped single called, “Omo Baby” and a Nigerian reunion that they’ll be performing at on June 27th.

Next up on my new movie list is: “Up“.
I don’t even recall ever seeing the trailer for this movie and so I’m not even going to try to see the trailer now (don’t wanna spoil anything ;P). I’ve seen plenty of tweets where people are saying that it might be the best movie ever and once I hear that OH you know I’m there haha. Especially my sister who said she’d see it again and she doesn’t even like seeing movies twice.

Also been hearing about how funny “The Hangover” is!

“Women – Have a life. Don’t let some man be the center of your universe. Your life should contain many interesting and fulfilling activities that have NOTHING to do with your relationship. It is not healthy or attractive to build your life around a man. Don’t be so available, have a life outside the relationship. Don’t get me wrong you should “be there” for your significant other but it is important to be a well rounded person also. You should have other things and people in your life. Men may come and go (even husbands) but the friendships you’ve built and the accomplishments you’ve made, those are the things that really matter.”

Reblogged – (via bennybing)

The day started off with us (friend-Kay and I) playing some Sponge Bob game while we waited to leave. Then off to the university where his high school graduation ceremony was held. Afterwards we (Kay, J.G., his fam and I) dined at Apple Bee’s. My first time there. Mmm. I already know what I should order next time… the chips with the yummy spinach dip! I don’t know what kind of cheese they used, but I got a taste of some and it was amazing, especially since I was already starving I bet.

I upgraded my Final Cut Express to version 4.0.
Mainly because it now allows you to import and edit AVCHD files.
I was struggling trying to get those weird named files off my camcorder the first time around, which confirmed what everyone was saying in the reviews… if you don’t have the right software then those files can be confusing to alternatively get off the camcorder. I used iMovie as an alternative, but that took too long for my likings. Can’t be struggling like that just to make a simple video you know, so I decided to get the upgrade.

Luckily FCE 4 also has other cool new things about it.
Like plenty of new effects and not all of those effects require rendering when they’re added to a clip on the timeline. That really makes it worth the upgrade. I don’t even use that many effect filters yet, but I’m all for some new ones anyway!

Music: Birthday – Jeremih

I tested out the quality of files from my Canon HD camcorder (which I got in March) by putting together this mini video about breakfast lol. I used iMovie to import the files in .MOV format, 960×540 (which is not the highest resolution size of the camcorder btw) and then edited everything in FCE.

I’m such a morning person. I realized that after I had graduated from High School. You can make breakfast the best thing ever. Cold juice is the highlight of it. The perfect morning is a dim, early, long one. Woo wee yes!

Color correction is so much easier and stressless to work with on a higher resolution. Thank goodness. Now I just need to create substantial content to edit. It’s the whole point. I’m looking forward to the help of my buddies so we can do this mayne!

Teaser trailer:

Actress Essence Atkins (the woman that was also in Smart Guy, haha can’t forget!), needs to do more comedy movies. She’s too good at that field. Daymon Wayons Jr. and her were the highlight of this film.

Next up I want to see: Terminator. I have heard how good it is. And some people who I know have seen it, even said they want to see it again. Now that’s how you know a movie is GOOD.

Since I try to watch sugar sometimes I rarely look at drinks that have too much sugar per serving without having some fiber or vitamin C, etc. in it. Fiber can help lower glucose levels *. I’d rather eat my sugar, not drink it – I read that somewhere, how true is that! But this chocolate milk right here… uhm it’s worth it!

She sang the heck out of that song.

My breaks inbetween studying turn out long though.

I’m easily distracted. Oops. I dunno time fly’s.

I’ve been doing better with my distractedness lately however. I mean… I BETTER! It’s finals! That could be the difference between even passing the dang’on class.

The Idiot Test. I messed up once and had to start all over to beat the game. Can you get through it just ONE time around? The game is not that long. But It physically hurts when ya mess up haha, because after all that thinking you lose your place. Can’t wait to see my friends reactions if and when they mess up bwahah.
Whatever you do…. just. don’t. give. UP. Because gosh! That’s no fun. ;p

Tetris! Look I beat all the levels. Nowww I need a new game to become addicted too! Hmm let’s see.

nessuuhh:

shut up. im ready.

todayslyrics:

jason mraz – gypsy mc

Yes, let it shine… literally! I’ve never seen anything like that. The integration of effects on a video page to make it look like an actual flash website. Absolutely stunning. I would love to know how they did that and to see more video pages like that.

(Photo source: soloistmovie.com)

Next up I would like to see The Soloist, starring Jamie Foxx.
My sis came back last night, sighed, and told me that it was very good. I remember the first time I saw the trailer online a few months ago, I saw Jamie strongly playing a whole different character and I heard the violins… the lovely, beautiful sound of the violins. Mmmph! It had touched me already.

I saw Obsessed on opening night, Friday. It was real good. Beyonce played the heck out of her character. The audience was laughing and applauding her performance. I believe Sasha Fierce showed up. B should’ve had her alter-ego’s “roboglove” on.

Now it’s nighttime, I’m home and have my iTunes playlist streaming through wireless speakers to ease my mind. Starting with this one song that I’m real glad to have found last week: Owl City – Hello Seattle. Maaan that’s some pretty music. So soothing. Along with, The Fray – You Found Me. Gets me even more relaxed. A couple of the same songs I was listening to before I had left for work.

I plan to get things jump-started with this new gadget once the semester ends.

I choose to make things happen.

A’s gift to us: 3 Starbucks gift card’s and 1 giant card.

Kay turns into a vampire by the end of the night and we make a run for it!

bribrix3:

lovegeneration:

rguiden:

cutewithoutthee:

(via owlsgo)

(Photo source: Y! Movies)

Obsessed opens Friday!
I don’t even care if it ends up sucking.
There are just some movies that I gotta SEE!

To me this means:

Work: Appreciate your job for the things you learn, the people you meet, not just the money.

Love: New people will come into your life, give them a chance before putting up that grudge blocking wall. That one relationship might just lead to beautiful things.

Dance: Be yourself, make time to do the positive things that get you in a good mood. The little simple things.

I’m done with my group presentation for Word Literature. I always get that super-duper relieved/relaxed feeling at the end of a presentation. And now it OFFICIALLY feels like the semester is coming to an end.

Btw, yesterday was the 21st which meant I turn 21 in 12 days.
I meant to tweet that yesterday, haha cool numbers. Um yeah.
Today is the 22nd, I turn 21 in 11 days.
Not as cool as yesterdays numbers, but stilllll. ;P

A few likable pranks I found today:
Whole Foods is now selling Organic Air in this cute little convenient bottle. The fresher, the better.

A brilliant restroom prank:
“A co-worker and I stuffed these jeans from the knees down with paper (recycled from old documents, of course). I carefully placed them on the toilet with the shoes and jammed the door shut. After a few hours, people started commenting about the person who had been in the bathroom so long. Then they started to figure it out. The ladies’ room is next!“

(source: ireport.com)

Funny office one, but if you gotta do THAT much cleaning afterwards, it’s not a prank anymore!

(source: ireport.com)

I saw this preview when we went to see “Knowing”, last week.
Looks very “I-still-know-what-you-did-last-summer-ISH”.
Every time I see “sorority” or “fraternity” somewhere, it seems like something crazy’s going on. ;P

Thursday last week was so dark and rainy out of nowhere.
I know… surprise, surprise. The weather can’t stay consistent throughout the week, much less throughout the DAY. I barely forget to carry my jacket and have my umbrella in my bag anymore, even if it’s hot as heck in the morning. Learned my lesson from these past few months.

Filed my taxes. Late ass!

Buddy Naomi, had her 21st birthday dinner at a Thai restaurant.

Went to see: Knowing starring Nicholas Cage. The kind of movie that pulls you right into it. Very enjoyable.

New on IHOP’s menu. And it comes with two buttery, delish pancakes. Forgot the name. It tasted amazing. I need to go back up there and get a to-go!

Someboooody kept playing an expensive lottery game and won how many times in a row? And then I played. Bad move.

And ofcourse, it ain’t spring break without some “working”. Because you know you ain’t getting that many off-days.

Saturday ended at Papadeux. Sunday, closing at work.
Still trying to get back into full study-mode which I failed at doing all Spring Break. And the whole point of Spring Break for me was to catch up haha. Oh life.

Thanks to my good friend, Naomi, for pushing me to finish this video up about a week ago.

I have trouble making time to do the personal hobbies I love whenever classes comes back around.

That’s sad. Life is going by each day, and even as important as school is, I just can’t let school accumulate it all. Because you never know when things will come to an end.

I gotta MAKE time. CREATE time. For extra things, even when times get busy.

Maybe some of you can share what you do to successfully multitask between your favorite hobbies and school and work. That would be awesome ;D. How do you plan out your day / prioritize?

I always wanted to make a little fake movie trailer.

This actually wasn’t primarily planned out to be a one. The footage was originally supposed to be turned into a short film. But nahhh there wasn’t enough substance for a whole short film. So I turned it into this:

Descript: This is the story of two happening chicks who decide to let the camera follow them as they embark on a journey.

What’s this journey?

HELL IF THEY KNOW!

So just sit back and enjoy the real big-brother world of Nia and Kia, surviving.

Starring: Naomi and I
Writer: Naomi
Music: Lady GaGa – Beautiful Dirty Rich

Maybe if it was about a subject I was interested in, it wouldn’t look so depressing.

Smart o me for buying a brand new (expensive ass) one at the book store. Instead of being early and buying a cheap used one online. Argh.

Anyway, class is tomorrow and I gotta try to knock out a whole chapter while still getting a decent amount of sleep. Or so I say.

My buddy, Cedes, inside the computer lab, YouTubin’.

President Obama! I love how at the end of them dancing he goes, “That’s what you call OLD SCHOOL!” He’s the best at connecting with an audience.

That video was created by Butter Films. Shot with a Nikon D90. That’s not even a camcorder, it’s a DSLR camera. Oh and I hear it’s the first DSLR camera to capture video. Funny I had never known that all mighty DSLR’s didn’t have a video mode.

Now if I want an HD cam why not get an actual camcorder? I’ve seen so many captivating, sharp videos shot with either a Canon HV20 or HV30. Inspiration man, inspiration. *sigh*
. . . . .
In other news. I really like BlogSpot. It’s got me back into the fun feeling of the blog world again, as I felt back in my active LiveJournal.com days. I’m really feeling it.

Well now it’s editing time and I get to see how I can bring about the main idea of what we filmed into light. If even possible haha. But OH I shall make it possible! Oh lawdy actually this one’s gonna be a challenge.

http://pantherswf.ibeatyou.com/flash/embed15.swf?entryID=787576&compID=84685&root=www.ibeatyou.com/index.php&mediaRoot=http://pantherswf.ibeatyou.com&chunk=1&confId=Embed15

Merry Christmas!

</a

Indeed it is time to clean my hot mess of a closet that I let get out of hand during the remaining weeks of the semester. And this is why I prefer cleaning up along the way so that I don’t have to deal with THIS later, but i’m gonna put on some prime-time TV or music and make it some fun.

I’m very very very… there aren’t enough “very’s” to tell you how excited I feel to be on vacation from school for a little while and away from work for a “whooole” WEEK! AH!

For me, this commercial is motivation at its very best. Thanks to director David Fincher for this one. Each time I play this I get that urge to fully pursue doing what I love. Like Nike says, “Just Do It”.

Happy rockin New Year people.
C r a n k . i t . u p

Glamorous
Heading to the mall (last week of 06′).
Feat: friend Naomi, her lil sis and I
*TheNextAisle production

Produced / Edited by: Me
Starring: The Movie Mob(myself, big sister, and Cedes) featuring Naomi
Directed by: All of us

Last time we, The Movie Mob, went to the movies we basically only saw one movie. One. Hmm now when does that ever happen? It doesn’t. Howev’ that’s when we had shot scenes for this video. Looking like some psycho’s out in the public. And Naomi shot her scenes about a couple months ago when she came to visit her folks.

[ New Music Video ]

. . .
[ C r e d i t s ]
Produced / Edited by: Me
Starring: The Movie Pimps(us), our siblings and the neighborhood kids
Directed by: The three of us (Myself, big sister, and Cedes)
Filmed by: Us and Cedes little sister (camera provided by Cedes)
Prop crew: All of us
. . .
[ On the Set ]

Big sister and then there goes Cedes before the making.

Pure fun & quick to shoot / edit.

Heartbreaker
Starring: sister, friend Cedes, and I.
Music: Heartbreaker – Mariah Carey