There is no debate. The word epic has been abused beyond the point of return. But I find it most appropriate to describe this video:

Have you ever ask a question on a forum and got a response containing a link and the comment “Google is your friend”

There is so much truth in that statement.

My good friend JJ Kim of Orange Wedding Films just shared this video about film education in a school. I really enjoyed it and thought I would share a few thoughts I had.

I myself was very close to going to Columbia College here in Chicago for a film degree. I am so glad I didn’t. I ended up getting on a couple sets and spending my nights on Google, forums, and websites like this one (except they were run by real pros). Here are a couple things I got out of the experience that I otherwise would have missed out on:

• Learning to learn - It is a powerful skill to not know something, but know how to obtain that knowledge.
• Responsibility – When you wake up in the morning with no professor asking for a project, no class schedule, and no lab to go to its all on you to make it happen.
• Discipline – I wasn’t learning lighting in a class. I was learning it next to a gaffer on set. Learning in real environments like that instilled a serious level of discipline.

That all said there are some major benefits to film school. But IMO those things aren’t worth the price tag and time associated with it.

What are your thoughts on the subject of self education? Join the discussion in the comments below.

I had the opportunity to see Act of Valor last night at a prescreening (shout out to Christopher Kou for the invite).

You all should definitely check the film out. It was shot almost completely with the 5D, and 7D. It was interesting seeing the evolution of Shane Hurlbuts use of DSLRs in the film. There are a couple scenes where it looks like it was shot at 30FPS and twixtored down the 23.97. Especially in one night scene early in the film where a male and female are walking down the street you can see the lights in the background doing crazy things.

The film is loaded with COD style first person shots which really worked. Most of the time I couldn’t believe they used HDSLRs. The film as a whole is beautiful. And of course the story is incredible. Huge props to Bandito Brothers and the Hurbut Visual team for delivering such a fantastic film.

Check out the making of video, and the trailer:

I am sure you have seen a few of these “Sh*t People Say” meme videos floating around the past few days and I had to share these two.

Which sayings are you guilty of?

Remember that interview I did with Director Ken Simpson and DP Alex Dacev? Well, they have recently finished their feature film HEADCASE. You can watch the trailer here. Ken has put together a great series that debuts today. This series gives viewers a look into how these filmmakers made such an ambitious film for only $50,000. Every monday they will be releasing a new episode.

They also set up an IndiGoGo page to raise money for marketing and distributing the film. Definitely take a look and give them a hand in getting this film out.

Watch all the episodes as they come out here.

You can also get more updates on the Facebook page.

I know a lot of the time I fret much too much about what I will use to film something, or how I will go about filming something and I completely miss the point. Filming the darn thing. Well, its a new year so I will have the opportunity to reform my filmmaking behavior.

All that said here are a couple videos from a group of incredibly creative guys that just went out there created something. Sure their backgrounds aren’t to greatest, but they didn’t let anything stop them:

Just stumbled across this brilliant project by Frederic Brodbeck. He has been working on a way to visually give films a finger print and has come up with a clever way to do so.

Check it out the video below and the project home page.

I have always admired Tom Lowe and his work. Here is his most recent trailer for the upcoming film TIMESCAPES. You can preorder the film here.

I Have corresponded a little with Andy Newman online in the past few months. He has done some really cool projects and recently he shot this BTS for the FStoppers contest. I really enjoyed watching how the photographer Nick Fancher accomplished these shots.

Video Description:

ABOUT NICK
Nick Fancher is an experienced photographer of fashion, weddings, and men’s and women’s lifestyle. In 2007, he founded Shutter-Think Photography, specializing in portrait and fine art photography. 

His work has been featured in the international publications Photo District News (PDN) and JPG magazines as well as locally in C Magazine and Columbus Alive. His wedding work has received awards from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) as well as Bride Magazine and PDN. His art has been featured in ROYGBIV and BoMA galleries.

nickfancher.com
twitter.com/nickfancher

ABOUT ANDY
Andy Newman is a freelance video producer, camera operator, and editor specializing in commercial, short form documentary, fashion and modeling videography. His video work has been featured by the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets, The Hockey News, Yahoo! Sports, OnScene Productions, JackThreads, and Camelot Cellars.

madebyandy.com
twitter.com/andynewman

CREDITS
Nick Fancher, Photographer
Andy Newman, Videographer & Editor
Meredith Miller, Stylist
Lauren Buckley, Stylist
Ryan Steele, Model
Ross Monat, Model
Nick Maikut, Model
Alex Franko, Model

Brands featured include Penguin, Levi’s, Andrew Marc, Reebok, Palladium, and Lab Co.

Music: DJ Shadow – “Giving Up The Ghost”

Official entry for FStoppers 2011 Behind the Scenes Contest. Find more info on the contest here:fstoppers.com/2011contest

Time-lapse photography is a popular thing. They look cool but there are thousands of them out there. Most just show space, the sun, and cities busling along. But I recently stumbled across this gem of a video and loved how it used time-lapse photography to create a narrative. Check it out: