Archive for June, 2008
Funny Games
June 23, 2008Tomorrow night’s film back west in the Phoenix is Funny Games. Email maurice@kerrymedianetwork.net if you’d like to join us for the drive, the Choc Ices, and to sample the charm of The Phoenix. Check out the trailer
written by Maurice O’Carroll
Good Writing… There’s No Such Thing!
June 19, 2008Well that’s according to these guys, anyway.
Stick with this video through the opening minute or so because there are some very important points to be made and it doesn’t take it itself too seriously… I wish the same could be said for most of the writing community.
written by Maurice O’Carroll
Smart People
June 18, 2008The Phoenix in Dingle was pretty much full last night. Michéal O’Sullivan gave us his usual introduction to the nights movie, the tea and coffee was plentiful, and the Choc Ices’ were so good that Jason actually ate two of them before the film credits started to roll.
The film – Smart People – is one of the best I’ve seen this year. Check it out if you get the chance.
CeltX 1.0 and Script to Screen Video
June 17, 2008
After 4 years, 1,000,000 downloads, 20 languages, 160 countries, and 250,000 active users, Celtx 1.0 has arrived. With 1.0, Celtx is now a full-featured, all-in-one media pre-production software. And, like every
other version before it, you can download Celtx 1.0 for free at www.celtx.com.
Some new features and innovations to 1.0 include:
Adapt To – a single click now converts a fully formatted script of one type into a fully formatted script of another – for example a Stageplay to a Screenplay – displaying instantly the multi-media potential of your work.
Comic Book – a new editor to write properly formatted Comic Books, and a common framework for collaboration between writer and artist.
iPhone – now view your Celtx projects from just about anywhere with a display optimized for your iPhone.
Catalogs – a new organization and searchable dashboard view of all your story’s elements and production items.
Sidebar – annotate and break down each scene with notes, media (images, audio, and video clips), and production items through an easy to manage, thoroughly upgraded new sidebar.
Project Scheduling – has been vastly upgraded to fully integrate with the script breakdown and provide a Call Sheet and a host of new shooting reports.
Storyboarding – as requested, you can now choose from a variety of ways to view and manage your images, create a storyboard outline based on your script, and add shot descriptions to each image.
written by Maurice O’Carroll
Red Video & Apple
June 16, 2008One of my remaining concerns about crossing over to HD is the Apple compatibility issues. I’m hearing that Final Cut Pro has some horrendous render times with HD content. Makes you wonder how RED One functions on a similar set-up to mine. Here’s a short video from RED promoting Apple:
Speaking of RED, be sure to keep up with all the latest from the Spiderhole movie at Pat O’Neill’s BLOG.
written by Maurice O’Carroll
Letus Extreme 35mm Adapter
June 14, 2008Pronounced “Lettuce”…. I’ll say no more; just watch the video.
written by Maurice O’Carroll
Scripped Writer
June 13, 2008There’s a nasty rumour flying about that I haven’t paid for a piece of software since 1991 but I can assure you it’s simply not true… I swear! However, I am a big fan of freebies and a great little piece of scriptwriting software that has recently been brought to my attention is Scripped Writer.
As luck would have it I’ve just started a new short screenplay (which I’m going to shoot before the year is out!) so I decided to give Scripped a test run. It’s extremely easy to use:
- To access Scripped each user must sign up for an account and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
- Once your account is created, you will be able to write scripts with the Scripped Writer and manage your scripts & drafts online from any internet connected computer.
- Scripped provides a secure and safe, fully backed-up environment for all writers to come and write their scripts without fear of compromising their intellectual property.
- Currently, by default, all Scripped User Accounts are completely private. This means that nobody else has access to your scripts.
- The Scripped Writer is perfect for beginning writers who are learning to format and create their scripts.
- Scripped Writer formats all the elements of your script for you and provides easy-to-use tools that make the writing experience seamless. There’s no experience required!
- With Scripped Import you can add a script you started writing in another program to your Scripped account by following a few simple steps.
- You can export a secure PDF version of your script and save it to your computer. Once the document is saved to your computer, you can print or email your screenplay.
- You own the copyright to your work. Scripped is not entitled to any copyright sharing or ownership of your work.
- There are no fees associated with the sale of your script and Scripped is not entitled to a percentage of any script sales that occur in the open market.
On Location Sound Master Class
June 11, 2008
With Film and TV Sound credits such as Veronica Guerin, Michael Collins and The Butcher Boy, Darling Lili and Fields of Fire, KMN were very lucky to get a man of Noel Quinn’s stature to give three evening lectures on Sound for TV and Film.
Unsure of his official title for our Blog, Noel first said Sound Recordist then Boom Op and finally settled on Sound Lecturer. Personally I think Sound Guru is the most appropriate because Wicklow native Noel who has been plying his trade since 1967 has a wealth of knowledge that only a lifetime of work could amass.
Ten local Media Heads were in attendance and this in itself was a nice way to meet the competition!
Noel was full of useful tips and tricks for different sound recording situations. Roughly speaking the first evening concentrated on various microphones and their very different sound outputs, the second evening on radio mics and the final evening on microphone placement.
Trying to pass on forty one years of knowledge in three nights is of course not going too happen but Noel through his stories and advice gave a great feel for the techniques used and role played by a sound recordist in TV and Film.
My personal highlight was the Zoom H4 audio recorder. I ordered one as soon as I could. I’m pretty sure that its going to change my life and not be just another gadget stuck in the corner, we’ll see. Google it for more info.
As for a lifetime in the Sound game Noel said the best thing he had come across was his Sound Devices 422 Field Mixer and the worst….well that’s still having to plug into to a camera. Will those sound and camera guys ever declare a cease fire – I don’t think so!
A hearty thanks to Noel for his lectures and this sound course. Following fast on the footsteps of Producer Pat O Neill’s first feature film Spiderhole and Maurice O Carroll’s KMN Website redesign / blog setup, Kerry Media Network is experiencing a real buzz and we are looking forward to our imminent trip back west to meet members of the Beehive Theatre Group.
Written By Rory Kirby
If you would like to join the KMN Blog as a contributor contact maurice@kerrymedianetwork.net
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