The award winning “Nuit Blanche” Check out the making of video below as well.
Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.
Making of the award winning “Nuit Blanche” – Green screen is amazing.
Making Of Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.
Archive for the 'How to' Category
You are a VO professional who travels light. You walk up to counters at airports and say: “Where would you like to go this weekend little lady?” to unimpressed ticketing agents everywhere. It rarely works – but when it does! Boy, did you have a good time in Oklahoma. Until Beverly (formerly Bill), introduced you as her (formerly his) – new boyfriend! Ah the trials of the jet setting VO performer. You’re suave, stylish and basically not allowed to go anywhere longer than Saturday to Sunday because you’re under contract and have to be in town all week – in case they need you to say the word “and” in that slightly different way, that only YOU can.
Yeah the good life. Golden handcuffs. You’re living the dream! But what if they need that little something on the weekend? You could stay by your phone every weekend; but where’s the fun in that? And isn’t that really a dis service to all the trans-gender ticketing agents out there? Waiting…for you? Of course it is. So you’re going! Re records be damned! But hold on. How on earth will you fund the Dom Perignon fueled lifestyle to which you have become accustomed? Well, you’ll just have to take your little travel rig and be on your way. Oh no! You are that VO professional who travels light. A netbook, usb audio adaptor and XLR mic is just too much! It’ll cramp your style! You want something that fits in your discrete man purse. Nothing says: “I have arrived”, like your murse.
I travel light. If I need something I’ll buy it when I get there. Because I can.
Well then O’ murse toting VO God I humbly offer this little How to:
Disclaimer:
I am not responsible for anything I suggest breaking your set up. You purchased it, you installed it, ergo you broke your own shit. These opinions are mine and your mileage may vary. That said…
1. Get your iPhone. You do have an iPhone don’t you? Of course you do! What was I thinking.
2. Buy Monle. It works on the iPhone or iPod touch (latest generation only) or the iPad. But remember that iPad won’t fit in your murse. If you want to bring that you’ll have to get your satchel.
3. Buy a 3.5mm to XLR adapter, I recommend this one.
4. Buy a Rode M3 microphone.
5. Get a 9V battery for the Rode M3 microphone. You can use the one you carry in your personal massager, but make sure it’s charged.
Connect the 3.5mm to XLR adapter to the iPhone. Connect the Mic to the XLR adapter. Connect your headphones to the adapter as well (you won’t be able to hear your voice while you record, but you will hear it while editing – audio monitoring while recording should be coming in future updates of Monle)
Launch Monle. Select your audio source. Record your tracks – Monle only records in WAV files currently. Edit them in a true multi track environment. Save often, crashes sometimes happen – even to you. Mix it down and Export.
Export your finished mix WAV file to your FTP site, and email the client the address to the FTP link, as Monle can’t email WAV files only FTP uploads.
Well, that’s it – the client is happy and so are you – you’re finished! Now you can sit back and relax and get back to Patrice (formerly Paul), the personal massager and that bottle of Dom - you player you!
Ok here it is. Quick and dirty. You’re an international VO of mystery. Or you just like to travel light. Either way you need a portable studio that will audition solid – and book in a pinch, FTP only mind you, unless you have source connect – but if you have that, you’re probably not reading this anyway as you have a gulfstream jet with a whole recording studio in the back in case Coca-Cola needs new takes while you’re on your way to Gstaad.
Disclaimer:
I am not responsible for anything I suggest breaking your set up. You purchased it, you installed it, ergo you broke your own shit. These opinions are mine and your mileage may vary. That said…
Equipment you’ll need:
Computer:
Netbook – we’re going for fast and light! You may want to make it a hackintosh it if you’re game - I am partial to linux – free as in beer! But then again, if you have no idea what I’m talking about you may want to get any XP or Window 7 Starter Netbook. They are all basically the same BUT the kind you’ll need for recording preferably has a SSD – or you can always buy an SSD and install it yourself.
Microphone
:
Space saving is key. This is a fast and light kit. Think James Bond (see the pic above – that’s you). So I suggest the Rode NTG-2.
Audio Interface:
Blue Icicle. Nuff said. You won’t be able to hear yourself through this set up while recording but c’mon you don’t need more than one take anyway right?
External Hard Drive:
Hey, if you’re looking for doing bookings on the go, in-between massages at the pool bar, with this set up NO external drive is needed – IF you sprung for the Netbook with an SSD – or bought your own and installed it yourself – don’t you feel cool (again that picture above). If you didn’t get one with an SSD, you’re gonna be in trouble. The little spinning HD in that cheaper Netbook won’t record fast enough. That means it won’t work for longer than 30 sec. Not cool. Get the SSD cheapskate.
Software
:
The best kind of software for this type of recording is free. Audacity – it has a simple interface, great quality and easy export – you’ll be sending off your MP3′s in no time. Works on mac and pc.
Just hook it all up – learn the program – and start auditioning from the road, or from the “swim up” pool bar, or from wherever. Listen, you’re the one with the jetset lifestyle. Gotta run. I’m meeting P-diddy for dinner @ Restaurant Chesery -what you’ve never been? Oh you must see Gstaad. Yeah douchey.
Well I had the best vacation ever at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Canada this past New Years. Check out the pictures in the Photo above, or here. It’s been busy lately and I just got to these photos now. Needless to say it was an amazing adventure, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, hiking, dog sledding, bowling the list goes on! Great food, the best elk tenderloin I’ve ever had in my life – at The Maple Leaf – it was wrapped in bacon. Everything is better wrapped in bacon… Anyway, between the food, the adventures, the views and the kind folks who work a the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – it truly was the best vacation I’ve ever had. If you’re thinking about going anywhere on vacation, see if there is a Fairmont property somewhere near it, you won’t find better service anywhere, and if you sign up for the President’s Club – it’s free! You’ll get crazy discounts, and free in room wifi. Not bad. Now if they could only wrap the free wifi in bacon…
Someone asked about this yesterday, a video someone sent me last year. Figured I’d share it here as well. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
For those of you that are interested in VO, lots of people were asking me this question all the time, so I’m posting the answer below:
Want to record auditions from home? On a budget? It can be done! To get a basic setup – perfect for email mp3 auditions, it’s easier than you might think. Read on to find out how…
Disclaimer
I am not responsible for anything I suggest breaking your set up. You purchased it, you installed it, ergo you broke your own shit. These opinions are mine and your mileage may vary. That said…
Equipment you’ll need:
Computer
You’ll need one purchased with in the last year or two. An older machine might do the job but for best results with these instructions, a Mac running OS X (10.5 or 10.6), or a PC running Windows XP (SP2 or SP3) or later will be fine. Either machine must have at least one USB and one Firewire port for additional equipment connection.
Microphone
On a budget, for auditions, you’ll want something with a microphone and audio interface combined. That way you can plug the Microphone directly into the computer. Many choices are available but right now the best on a budget (IMO) is the Samson Audio G-Track it’s a high quality mic WITH audio input monitoring, meaning you can hear your voice in your headphones while you record unlike the Blue Snowball Microphone. The G-track is my top pick right now and you can find them for about $130-$150, at Amazon, Sweetwater, and B&H. It works with Mac or PC so it doesn’t matter where you buy it.
External Hard Drive
For optimal recording, with no lost audio or broken tracks, an External Hard Drive is a must! It will save space on your computer’s hard drive; plus most audio programs work best when they record to a hard drive other than the one running the program.
There are many External Hard Drives to choose from – but for quality, reliability and price I’ve have had great success with Other World Computing drives. They are professionally built from the best components, have a great warranty + support, and are generally cheaper than those of lesser quality found at big box retailers like Best Buy. I recommend the Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad interface – many are available to fit any size or budget.
Software
The best kind of software for this type of recording is free (we are on a budget)! On the Mac, Garage Band is ok and it’s included. However, for recording, editing and exporting to MP3 – Audacity is IMO faster and easier to learn. Audacity is also free it has a simpler interface, great quality and easy export – you’ll be sending off your MP3′s in no time. On a PC Audacity is also the way to go. Download Audacity here.
Just hook it all up – learn the program – and start auditioning from home.
g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.
I’ve sent many of you this video in the past but just for kicks I’ve included it here. I’m interested in many things, not the least of which is visual performance. As I sit inside on this rainy Monday my mind drifts to visions of what would be possible mixing a live visuals set with just my hands, conducting the video feeds…sweet. Also the geek in me is filled with wonder of finally being able to visually navigate large data sets with ease.
Got yourself a Blackberry? Want to Sync your iCal with your Blackberry Calendar? Without cables like an iPhone with Mobile Me? No problem – oh, and you’ll keep that $99 a year you’d spend on Mobile Me – If you have a Blackberry it’s FREE. Google Rocks. Drinks are on you.
To get wireless Snyc from your Mac to your BB (and vice versa) you’ll need 3 things:
1. Get iCal to Google Calendar.
2. Get Google Calendar to Blackberry.
3. Enter appointments on those Calendars.
1. Get iCal to Google Calendar.
You will need a Gmail account to access your Calendar.
Simple. Sign up for Gmail here:
http://www.gmail.com
Now that you have a Gmail account go to:
http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=99358#ical
Read the instructions, download and install yada, yada.
NOTE! If you require more features than free Google iCal syncing provides – the best cheap tool is:
http://spanningsync.com/
(does contacts too! HOT!)
Now that your Google Calendar shows all your iCal goodness proceed to step…
2. Get Google Calendar to Blackberry.
Read and follow these instructions:
http://google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=82619&ctx=sibling&topic=14265
Download and install yada, yada.
3. Enter appointments on those Calendars.
Automagically they are now on your computer’s iCal when you turn it on and vice versa.
FREE.
Now where’s my drink?
First off, there are many reasons I like the idea of building my own background stand: #1 I am cheap. #2 I like to build things. #3 I am cheap. I am also well aware that you can buy a cheap background stand from BH for $100 that will work well and is sturdy. But lets face it, they are made in China by some little kid with burned hands cause he can’t afford gloves for when he tig welds with out a mask – and is going blind, but is thrilled because he can eat on that $.04 he gets for working an 18 hour day. So I choose the higher path. I go to Home Depot and support PVC manufacturers who pay a Mexican kid to get respiratory problems for cleaning out PVC vats for $.22 a day to keep the factory running! Oh-Rah! Supporting American Businesses and workers! (Note to readers in the United States, Mexico is part of America – and could possibly have a stronger economy soon – they actually make things…)
Now I’ll get to the second part. How to build a background stand (for under $70). Go to Home Depot. Or Lowes. Or where ever you get your PVC pipe. Buy this stuff:
1. 3 pipes @ 12′ (1 1/2″ diameter pipe).
2. 10 “T” joints that will fit your pipe.
3. 8 end caps that will fit your pipe.
Take it home and cut to these lengths (or use a hacksaw at the store):
1. Cut 2 pipes @ 7′, you’ll have 2 @ 5′ left over. These are your tops and sides.
2. Cut the last pipe: 8 pieces @ 11″, 6 pieces @ 4″ (1 piece @ 32″ should be left over)
Stick it all together:
The “T” joints hold it all together just like the crappy napkin sketch above shows, I was going to use elbow joints at the top like the “diagram” but they didn’t have any that day so “T” joints it was.
1. Make the bases first with the 8 pipe pieces @ 11″ and 4 of the 6 pipe pieces @ 4″ PLUS 6 “T” joints and 8 end caps.
2. Make the top with 4 “T” joints cutting a notch in 2 so that the crossbar (where the paper or backgrounds go) can be removed.
3. Affix the top to the bottom bases with the 7′ lengths.
Hang a paper or background and that’s it. Couldn’t have put this together without the help of this wonderful internet article. The pictures are better than mine and the instructions are way more detailed. Also I think he glued his – that was going to be another $3 and it sticks together just fine, just try twisting one of those pipes apart…yeah it’s good. Also it has the added advantage of being able to be dissasembled for disposal when I finaly buy one of those $100 stands that fits in a bag from BH, cause that’d be awesome for the enviorment!
The NUVJ didn’t work out – enter the WIDE world of VJ software. I don’t run Windows anything anymore. Personal choice, yours may be different, more power to ya – it’s a tool for a job end of story. So, I’ve got Macs and a few Linux machines as well. However, there isn’t much Linux VJ software out there (though some are in dev). So, Mac VJ software requirements were: clip triggering, multiple layers, midi assignable, and works with some sort of audio application (for possible sound cue triggering) plus all the usual goodies that come with video mixers, effects, speed controls, etc. After some research I found many choices. Popular choices include:
ArKos Grand VJ (Makers of NUVJ’s software) 
Venerable ArKos Grand VJ has been around for a while, and it shows. The GUI could use some updating. It’s organized well and is based around a giant clip triggering grid. It really shines with midi keyboards, triggering clips. Since my show was more theatrical I needed less ADHD speed – sensory overload – clip triggering, I passed after using the demo for a day or two. I’m not a fan of keyboards for triggering – Keyboards are freaking huge – I’m not into lugging them around but if you are, perhaps this is your thing. I prefer to travel light. Get in get out.
Modul8 
Pretty. Good looking GUI. Worked out of the box with a few tutorials. I decided to put it on the “maybe list” as it was not as intuitive as the others were for me. This is used by many a pro VJ out in the world of 6 hour sets and is loved by many however for me it just didn’t flow like the other software I tried out. Definitely worth checking out, although it did crash on me once while using the demo.
VDMX5 
VDMX5 is in a class by itself. Complex, yet intuitive. You could really get crazy designing pretty much what ever functions you wanted with this software. It differs from most of the others in it’s customizable GUI. You can use stock arrangements or build your own as complex as you want. Amazing array of effects. Quartz integration. Pretty much the kitchen sink. Amazing – everything you’d want to do with video. Even though it seems to be in perpetual BETA it’s a totally functioning version that seems to run with ease. Assignable midi was a snap for effects, and the keyboard labelled clip triggers in the main view of the demo had me jumping right in. I barley scratched the surface and VDMX5 at this point was the short list…until I saw Resolume’s demo video.
Resolume 3
The site demo video starts: “Resolume 3 plays both video and audio.” BOTH video and audio!?!? I don’t have to use Abelton to trigger audio effects for the show? I don’t have to worry about triggering both effects at just the same time with 2 different controllers running 2 different pieces of software? ONE piece of software to trigger video and audio? In a theatre environment this is EXACTLY what I’m looking for. I was sold. I was thrilled. I was ready to download. But hold on…it’s not available yet…hmmm. But will be soon. How soon? Two weeks before the show. Well I’ve used beta software before and it’s been a mixed bag. Seeing how as I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kinda guy I thought I’d give it a whirl. Bugs? Crashing randomly? Complete computer freeze requiring restart? It would probably happen. BUT IT PLAYS VIDEO AND AUDIO!?!? Downloaded it when if finally came out. Took both VDMX5 and Resolume to the tech test a week and a half before the show and interestingly Resolume was the only one that would work with the projector out of the box on auto config. It’s a sign from the Gods of VJ, I told myself…Resolume it is.
UPDATE: As Jaymis correctly pointed out in the comments: “VDMX also plays audio, if your video files have it. Resolume’s ability to combine an audio loop with a video clip is quite cool though.” I did not mean to say that VDMX5 can’t play audio, but rather as Jaymis says, it will play audio if your video clips have it. Thanks Jaymis.
In the next installment How to VJ: Software: Mac: Part Two; a detailed account of Resolume in a working environment, and the dangers of relying solely on BETA software…
