Week 8 EOC: Importance of a Producer

      The movie producer is responsible for all the business arrangements of film production. From the budget to the hiring of the actors, director and crew and acquiring or providing the financing to complete the project, the producer is the general overseer of a movie from conception to completion. The producer is also responsible for lining up distribution and submitting the film to festivals.  A producer is generally the most important person when it comes to getting a film made and released. This is why the Oscar for Best Picture is always given to a film's producer, not the director. The director, while being artistically indispensable, is a hired hand of the producer. Often times, especially among independent filmmakers, the director and the producer can be the same person.  A producer can be one person or team of people. Other types of producers are the executive producer, the line producer and the associate producer. An executive producer is generally well-heeled, well-known and less involved in the day-to-day production. A line producer is often the busiest person on a film set, making sure what happens each day falls within the budget. An associate producer is a more wide-ranging position: an assistant to the producer. The associate producer might also be the production coordinator, making sure that everyone on staff is where they need to be and being paid what they need to be paid.


Law: Producers, like other employees, will be protected by federal and state labor laws.  However, the producer may be treated as an independent contractor if she is working through her won company, such as a loan-out company.    pg.180- Th Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers

Generally speaking, a producer who contracts with another independent producer or independent production company will obtain a better position with respect to issues such as intellectual property rights, creative approval, net profit definitions, credit, and so forth than she would receive if she were to contract with a larger film studio or network. Of course, the downside of working outside the studio system is that the film  may have a harder time finding financing in the beginning or finding distribution when it is complete. pg. 172 Th Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers

Week 7 Photo Challenge: Screenplay Cover

     This picture was taking of me at Teller's Birthday party about 5 years ago.  I got invited to Teller's birthday one year when I first moved here.  They had the entire guest meet at this house in the middle of the desert.  I don't remember for sure where.  There were about fifteen of us and two makeup artists from Los Angeles.  Teller wasn't there yet.  The makeup artist painted us as zombies and we went out to this old cemetery and waited for Teller.  Out of nowhere a helicopter flew off to us.  We all started walking like zombies and when the helicopter dropped Teller off we all walked up to him and started grabbing him.  We went back to the house and they got him all painted up and then we ate.  After lunch we went and road four wheelers in the sand dunes.  Teller feel off his once.  After that, we went and had a scavenger hunt in a junk yard.  I had lots of fun. I met Teller through my lawyer in Cincinnati.  He is a huge Teller fan and he would send Teller gifts he thought were neat for no reason.  And every time he came to Vegas he would go see Penn & Teller.  After the show Teller would invite him to visit back in there greeting room called "The Monkey Room” It was called that because they had monkey's everywhere scattered throughout the room. When I moved out here, Bob (Lawyer) set me up to meet Teller.  We've been friends ever since . . .

Week 7 EOC: My Opinion on Optimal Resume

     I believe the Optimal Resume is a very handy tool.  It guides you through the process of creating a professional resume.  It helps you to place the right information about yourself and leave out the undesirable stuff.  What I don't like about it is, it waste a lot of usable space.  You want to keep your resume a page long.  Because of the space between sections, it makes it hard to squeeze all your info on a single page.  Having a resume is very important when seeking for a job.  With the help of Optimal Resume, it helps your chances of landing that job.

Week 6 Photo Challenge: Special Effects

I created this a couple a quarters ago with Mr. Carter.  He showed the class all the new equipment we got in the video room.  I didn't want to waste the opportunity to use all this great equipment so I came up with an idea, flames in my hand.  To create this effect I had to use my skills I developed in Mr. Baker’s class, matchmoving.  I didn't use matchmoving, instead I used camera matching.  I first setup all my lights to shoot on the green screen.  This was easy, all I had to do was turn on the pre-installed lights.  Then I set-up up my camera angle.  I was working all by myself so being the camera man and the actor wasn't that easy.  After I set-up the camera, I measured the height of the camera.  Then I took an apple box and measured all sides.  I placed the apple box on the end of an arm to a c-stand at a 9o degree angle.  I placed it right in front of the camera where I would be standing.  I then measured the height of the apple box and the length of it away from the lens of the camera.  All these measurements are very important know to create your virtual camera within Maya.  It takes the guess work away.  After I got all my measurements, I started rehearsing my actions.  I decided to walk into frame from the right side, hold my hand out, and open my hand at the same time looking at it, with my hand open I would twist with my waist making sure not to move my arm.  I knew it would make my work easier if I didn't move my arm as I twist.  Then I extended my hand out to the camera to show the audience the flame, and then I looked up to the camera, gave a grin, and then blew the flame and quickly walked out of frame.  After I got done recording, I checked out my work on the computer.  The system is really cool because as you record on these studio cameras, it records directly in Final Cut which is in the studio.  In Maya, I setup some bones that followed my arm action and I created a fire effect and parented to the end of my rig.  After rendering it out I brought it into After Effects.  I used a video clip of flame bursting out as I blew it.  I also took out the green background and replaced it with an image I found on the web.

Week 6: How do I see my role starting in the industry?

     I have been in the Video Production industry here in Vegas for over 2 years.  I started as a grip working for Jeremy Settles who is the owner of Got Films.  I have worked on a Feature Film "The Gambler" which is a Hungarian Production as a "Grip".  From there I have worked as a Grip/ Utility for Got Films on productions from Spike TV, Bravo, and Showtime.  I proven my skills to Jeremy as a camera operator on a Got Films Pilot and Spike TV reality show "UFC Ultimate".  From their I've been hired as a Camera Operator by Got Films to shoot on American Restoration and Vegas Casino.  I see myself continuing working for Got Films on feature projects and shows for whatever job.  Continuing to build my resume.  As I'm working on production, I will continue developing my 3D/ post-production skills to become a diverse player in the industry.  

Week 5 Photo Challenge: In the Director's Chair

     It was around midnight on Tuesday when I started this project.  I got caught up with the whole valentine thing with my wife, so I had to started it later then I wanted to.  I constructed this by first setting up my camera angle.  I had to be sure of showing the director along with the camera operator and the actors.  After I established my angle I setup up the left side of the green screen and the lighting.  I then took my first shoot without me in it to create half of my background.  Without moving my camera, I jumped into the director's chair and set my pose as if I was shouting out "ACTION!".  My next shot was the camera operator.  I set my camera to be on a ten second timer.  It took me one take.  After I got the director and cam operator out of the way, I had to set up the right side of the room.  I moved my green screen over on the other side which was held up by a C-Stand and a Baby Stand.  When moving your set, I knew not to move my lighting or else things won't match up.  I took a few takes on my action shots.  I wanted to make sure the ball was in the air and I had to look like I was going to catch the ball.  I decided to use my Redskins clothing to create continuity and for an appealing shot.  I then brought all images into photoshop and setup my layers.  I started first with my background then the actors, cam op, and at last the director.  I cut everything out using "Masking".  As I was using the same technique to cut-out the Director, I thought to myself that their must be an easier way.  I googled "how to cutout background Photoshop".  I found a video tutorial on youtube using the "erase background" which is found under the erase tool.  I didn't fully understand how to use the erase background tool.  I kept on trying and trying and couldn't figure it out.  I then crossed my legs under my desk and my foot hit the head plug, my entire computer shut down.  Luckly, I had saved my project and only had to re-due one part.  I ended up learning how to use the tool, it is quit easy.  It ended up saving me a lot of time.  I recommend learning it.  I finished up around 3 in the morning.  I knew I had to wake up at 7 so I decided to write this first thing in the morning in-class.  

Week 5 EOC: Progress towards my Four Professional Contacts and Progress on Networking

Week 5 EOC: Progress towards my Four Professional Contacts and Progress on Networking

My first objective was to find all my professional contacts which had the minimum driving distance using Google search.  Once I found them, I mapped out my route.  I started with my bank.  I went to Bank of America and found a small business/ mortgage specialist right away.  I didn’t even have to ask to see someone or ask for a card.  All their cards were out for the taking on the greeting desk.  Once I got my bank card, I head for my Attorney card, their office is on West Tropicana between 215 and Durango.  When I pulled in, I noticed there were a lot of small offices.  In this one location I found all my contacts.  I didn’t talk to talk to any of them.  All I did was walk in and ask for their business cards and they handed me one.  It was that easy.  Because of this one location saved me gas and mileage.

My progress on Networking is a constant effort.  I showed up at Blue Agency were Rusty Myers (local Actor) hold a get together for film makers every month on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00.  Last time his students perform a few short skits.   Unfortunately he has moved to on Wednesday and I wasn’t told.  I will be going to the Dam Short Film Festival this weekend Feb 9-11 in Boulder City.  I never was to one before so I am looking forward to it.

Week 4 Photo Challenge: Original Movie Poster

       Kirk Cob (Tom Cruz) controls the entire area of Death Valley with his supped-up Lamborghini Murcielago.  A year ago his daughter was brutally raped and killed by a motorcycle gang who traffics drugs from Mexico to Las Vegas. Filled with anger, he stops for nothing to revenge his daughter.  His goal is to kill all drug smugglers and motorcycle gangs who dare to cross his plains.  He is equipped with a 44 Magnum and a Spyderco knife.  Police have been finding bodies all over the desert, including the Devils Hole.  Throughout his travels, he picks up a gorgeous young woman (Megan Fox) hitch hiking.   Kirk discovers that the gorgeous young lady is part of the motorcycle gang that killed his daughter.  He decides to go undercover as a potential gang member.  The lady introduces him to his boyfriend who is the leader of the gang.  Kirk believes he might have involvement in killing his daughter.  Kirk becomes friends with Tim.  He discovers that Tim is the actual killer. But this story doesn't have a happy ending.  Watch to find out what happens along that dirty lonely road in the middle of nowhere called "Death Valley"!

Week 4 EOC: Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Self Image Production

Self Image Production is a new 3D Studio that specializes in realistic 3D Modeling, Animation, Match Moving, Visual Effects, and Compositing. Our 3D Models quality is focused on the reflection of the original object.  Object range from people to hard surface items such as a car or plane.  These models could be uses for film, Television, games, or advertisement.  Match Moving is a Visual Effect that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the photographed objects in the shot.  Match Moving is used when a production budget couldn’t produce the real thing.  It saves the production time and money or, if it’s just not possible to do.  Our Match Moving Package include; Match Moving, 3D Modeling, 3D Animation, 3D Effects, Camera Tracking, Camera Matching, and Compositing.  Our goal is to constantly deliver engaging and compelling digital effects. 

Our services also provide Video Production.  Our services include; Camera Operator, Gaffer, Grip, Utility, and PA.  We have partnership with “Got films?” for 2 years which provide Full-service film and video productions services and equipment rental.  Self Image Production is an expansion of Got Films which is the Art Department.