I got a shipment of equipment today. Fluid head tripod, camera rig with follow focus, matte box, and quick mounts. Also got some high speed SD cards and some extra batteries. Now to get started practicing...

I've been doing more research on computers and editing software. I've decided to just start with what I have and progress from there. I will be sampling all the major players though. I'll also upgrade the memory and ability of the computers i have so I can get started. Anyone care to donate a high powered Mac??? LOL!

 

   Well, I've been working away at learning all sorts of different aspects of film making, and... It stinks! Well the part about learning all the different parts and not having the budget to pass it off to someone more competent at the individual skill. Lately I've been searching editing software as the newest Windows MovieMaker (Live) is unable to do split screen rendering. Why is this a big deal? Because in order for me to edit a 45 second clip of how the steadycam works, in split screen for comparison, I need software that will be able to do this. And... Windows MovieMaker Live can't! Older versions, no problemo'... So since I know editing my much larger project is in the future, I figured I would start looking for some quality editing software now. What a mind bender. PC or Mac? Laptop or desktop? Adobe, Sony, Avid, or Final Cut? And then will my cheap laptop be able to handle whatever I decide to use? Probably not... Editing takes lots and lots of memory, like 16 to 24 GB of RAM, and sometimes more than 1T of storage. I may not need that extreme number, but I'd like to be prepared for any modest computing needs when the time comes.
   The short and quick answer is, of course, you need more money. Time is money and I don't have a lot of time available. So... sell more stuff! Haha, it seems some garage sales, eBay, Craigslist, and maybe a "fundraiser" of sorts will be my ticket to saving time for more important things, like telling my dad's story to people through this movie. I'll keep looking for a way to split screen edit a clip of the steadycam, as it really did do a good job of making the video footage less bouncy. I am thinking Adobe Premiere, but maybe an older version. Or maybe Final Cut Pro and get myself a Mac Mini... Aaaaaarrrgh!!!

   Finished working on the steady-cam rig on Friday and ran some test footage to try it out. As soon as I can edit it into a split screen video, I'll post it here. It went well and proved to work great. I've sold off enough to start getting equipment so decided to go ahead and order some sound gear as well as camera shoulder rig and a fluid head tripod. I'll be making some short films to get some practice and will post them here also so everyone can see the progress.  I went out tonight at sunset and took some great pictures, here's an uncut video of the landscape...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt4GJyQyess&feature=youtu.be

Progress.......... I have been working on a glide track and a steady cam unit, and run a test on the glide track.    

Well, back to the drawing board for a glide track, but no big deal. The unit ended up not being smooth enough to keep vibration out of the video, even at slowest speed.

Here's the test video:

   I will be using a different design next time, something with four wheels and two tracks instead.

   On a positive note however, I am getting closer to my budget goal. Sold a go-kart frame and one of my rifles, selling an old dirt-bike on Friday so should be almost there, if not past my goal!!! I'll need it it seems since my research has opened up a lot of new information on what tools I need to make a movie. Sound is in need of more budget money it turns out, and I will need to make sure I get it taken care of. Sound is the other half of the show, the part where no one says good job, but if it's not done right makes the movie awful.
   So now to decide how to spend the budget, on what items first. It will most likely be hardware for now, and maybe some sound equipment to get practice with before I need to make it count. This movie business is hard work, all the prep work is kind of annoying, haha. I'd rather just go out and eat the soup at a restaurant rather than collect the ingredients, cut them up, and cook them..... Nawwww, just kidding, this part is half the fun.

   So today I came up with another $100 bucks by selling some car parts I had laying around. Soon I'll have the funds for a shoulder camera rig, a Tascam 4-track recorder, and an Audio Technica shotgun microphone. Possibly enough for a T4i or whatever the best used DSLR I can find on Craigslist. I've been showing items all week so maybe something else will sell too.
   I spent some time talking with another friend who offered his support. More of an organizational, research, detail guy, he had lots of input and may even try transferring the written story into a script for the project. Another friend was sent the story and asked if he'd like to try acting the part of one of the main characters. I'm hoping for some serious effort put into the parts as I want the story to be told in an entertaining but factual way.
   I got the "hotshoe mount" I ordered in the mail today, which will form the attachment of the 4-track recorder to the camera. It's only a $7 part but made me excited to start filming.

   Today I built a glide track with the help of my friend, Greg. It was made from 2 drawer slides mounted on a piece of cabinet grade plywood. With a little more work it will be motorized with threaded rod to operate it back and forth. This will give some of the opening shots I'm looking for and some of the scenes later on will use it also. I've been researching camera techniques and equipment every day, really looking forward to doing some test shots soon.

   So, things are moving forward... Baby steps, do everything with baby steps, so you don't burn out. I sold some stuff today and got the funds for one of the preliminary camera's. as a bonus it turns out the new model of the camera I had planned on getting was recently released, and the money I got from the equipment I sold was enough to cover the cost of the newer model. Sweet!
   I finally have a Canon DSLR type camera to start things off, shoots in RAW, has full manual controls, does 24p 1080HD, also shoots 240 frames per second for slo-mo's, and has a 50x zoom.... and 24mm wide angle... It will be a great way to test angles, framing, lighting, and general scene layouts. It's not the main camera but will get things started. I will be trying to shoot everything with Technicolor's CineStyle mode if I can get it for all the cameras so everything can be color corrected in post production.

   My parents came over for dinner tonight, they showed there support with a great little gag gift.. Every penny they own... and a movie schedule book. Literally every penny they owned. And the wrappers so I could turn them in at the bank. I'll take every penny I can get to fund this project. The girl at the deli I frequent suggested having a fund raiser, and since I know plenty of musicians, maybe a "Garage Band" show is in order. We'll see what happens.
   I wasn't able to get an interview recorded with my dad tonight, but I did clarify some details. I also found out there is even more to the story than I thought. If funding ever permits, I'll add that part too. Hopefully I can get the story, from his mouth, recorded before he leaves New York on the 12th for Missouri, if not then it will happen when they return in late spring of 2013.

 

    "Wow, this might actually happen" I told myself today. I mentioned the project to a few more people and got a positive response. Had a "count me and my boys in" and a couple more offers of help. Set builders, an excellent idea for location, and overall interest from everyone who here's about it. Can't wait to get the ball rolling. Hoping to do an interview with my dad this weekend to get the story from the source recorded. I might actually be looking forward to winter for the first time in my life.

   Making a story come to life is one way to share the joy of having heard it yourself. A story you heard over and over again as a child often holds a special place in your heart especially if it was true, and it happened to a close family member. Join me on my journey as I make a true story about my father and his wilderness adventures come to life on the big screen. It may be a long trip but I hope it's worth it, both for me and for you. 

   I will be financing and filming this short movie by myself and with the help of friends and family. As I proceed i will use this blog to update all that are interested in the progress, good or bad, of the project. Any one who wants to offer help, donations, or encouragement is welcome to do so. Any help is appreciated but not expected. My aim is to make an interesting, unique, and enjoyable film for all to enjoy. Just as I have enjoyed the story my father has told me time and time again.