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HDRI Light Kit Pro: Make Gorgeous Graphics with a Gorilla

By Biagio on March 10, 2010

One of the things we talk about a lot on this blog is the importance of being a Hands-On Producer.

A major reason we broke into the business as quickly as we did was the fact that we produced “great tape.” Video pitches for our TV and film ideas that looked and felt like professional promos. Since we couldn’t afford to pay people to make our promos, we learned programs like Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Cinema 4D so that we could make “pretty graphics” on our own.

Want to get into 3D?

If you’re looking to improve the look of your pitch tapes, and considering a 3D program, here’s my suggestion: download the free trial of Cinema 4D and go live at Nick Campbell’s blog, GreyScaleGorilla. Nick does incredible how-to videos on Cinema 4D that are freely available on his blog, and I personally am stealing his techniques on a daily basis (thanks, Nick!)

Nick also has great tutorials on After Effects and Photoshop.

HDRI Light Kit Pro

Today, Nick released a new kit for Cinema 4D called the HDRI Light Kit Pro. The kit itself is inexpensive ($69), although to use it you need to own one of the more expensive versions of Cinema 4D. That said, I already bought the kit, and will personally be saving a lot of time lighting my 3D logos and scenes. I’m already using it to create a logo for one of our VH1 reality pilots. Can’t show you that due to NDA, but will try to post some other samples soon.

Real World Lights

One AWESOME feature of the kit is the ability to light your scenes with real-world style lighting. If you’re a cinematographer and want to light a CG scene in a real-world manner you’re familiar with, using things like soft boxes, spotlights, and ring lights, it’s super easy to do. The HDRI Light Kit Pro even comes with studio presets…just pop in your logo, 3D car, or whatever your want, and it’s instantly lit to perfection.

Right for You?

This may be more than you’re ready for, but for those of you who’ve been considering Cinema 4D, Nick Campbell, his awesome blog, and the HDRI Light Kit Pro are three more reasons to make the leap.

Here’s Nick’s intro video about the HDRI Light Kit Pro and how easy it is to get great results:

HDRI Light Kit Pro Demo Tutorial from Nick Campbell on Vimeo.

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Is Joke a Debbie Downer?

By Joke on March 9, 2010

So, I got called a “Debbie Downer” tonight by someone trying to break into our business.

She asked me some questions. I gave her some straight forward answers. (To set the record straight, I may be more of a realist than an optimist, but I’m far from a pessimist.)

She Did Not Take My Answers Well…

In case no one has told you yet, this is a hard business. We love it, we work in it, we blog about it, we want to see others succeed in it…but make no mistake: if it was easy, everyone would do it.

make no mistake: if it was easy, everyone would do it.

That’s also why I find this business so rewarding. Every success is earned. Nothing is just handed to you.

For anyone just starting out, I guess that’s the lesson to learn: it ain’t easy.

We’ve talked on this blog about the numbers game, about giving yourself an edge by being a hands-on-producer, about knowing the odds and diving in anyway. All those things are true, but here is another lesson we learned the hard way:

Talent, Passion, and Great Ideas are Not Enough

Way before our first official credit in Hollywood, but after we’d produced our own pilots, we were fortunate enough to be in a conversation with a successful TV producer. He was honestly impressed with our work, and said these were the “best tapes” he’d seen in years. (Yes, we still used VHS way back then.)

He then told us something I’ll never forget: “No matter how brilliant your idea, no matter how good your previous work, no network will hand you two a budget to just go make a show. You don’t have the resume, you don’t have the credits.”

At first I thought he was crazy…maybe even jealous! We then ran into exactly what he was talking about, as every network politely passed on working with us.

It seemed show business was a club that was impossible to break into.

A Different Perspective

Now that we’ve made it to the other side, it’s really an easy issue to understand. People have sacrificed years and years of their lives to get to where they are in Hollywood. Their jobs, families, and survival all depend on bringing in the right producers and best projects. Why the heck would they want to risk it all for you, an unknown, unproven writer, producer, or director?

It’s Different When You’re Spending Someone Else’s Money

It’s easy to spend you own money however you want to on your own projects. What happens when a studio tells you what you can and can’t spend money on? You may be able to put a project together on your own, but what about working with a team? You know how to address your own notes, but what about a those coming from the network?

Once you get to be an Executive Producer, Director, Screenwriter, or receive any position of power, things get crazy. There are issues you’ll deal with at these high levels that you can’t even imagine. Unless you’ve put in your time in the trenches, you can’t know whether or not you’ll be ready.

Real World Shark Tank

Catch that TV show Shark Tank? You know when the sharks on the show say, “It’s MY money and it’s hard earned?” Well, same goes for the producers and network executives you are approaching. It’s their money, resources, and good name they’ve had to work hard for. You are asking them to risk their word–their reputation–on you.

Respect that, know that, and work even harder.

Let That Make You Better

I’m no Debbie Downer. I’m simply telling a truth you need to hear if you want to succeed in Hollywood.

Don’t look at the hurdles mentioned above as negatives. See them as your induction into showbiz. Smash through these obstacles and people will show you an immense amount of respect…because we all know how hard it was to get here. And we all know it’s even harder to stay here.

Put on your Game Face

Get prepared, get to be the best you can be, because one day, someone WILL give you your opportunity you’re dying for.

When you get into that position, where a producer, network executive, or studio puts their neck on the line for YOU, gives YOU your chance, you should work harder than you’ve ever worked.

You should feel privileged and proud. You should feel the immense pressure threatening to crush you…and rise above it. You should be scared and do it anyway. YOU should prove you deserve to be there.

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

–Michael Jordan

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Why We Do This

By Biagio on February 21, 2010

I won’t lie…it’s 10am on a Sunday morning, and I’m tired.

We’re in post on a series and two pilots, so it’s game-time…and the ball’s in our hands. What does that mean?

My Saturday night was spent blurry-eyed in an edit bay where I made tweaks and changes to more cuts than I can count.

After a few hours sleep, I’m back, this time personally creating CG shots for Scream Queens that we don’t have the budget to outsource.

My head hurts, my back hurts, my butt hurts from this chair (and it’s not a bad chair.)

So why would anyone want to live like this? No sleep, no social life?

I’ll tell you why: because this silly little FX shot I’m pouring my heart and soul into is going to be seen by millions of people.

On a show that has our names listed as the company bringing that shot to TV sets everywhere.

It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little kid…make moving pictures for the world to see.

Earning the right to do that is hard. Actually completing the work once you get the go-ahead is exponentially more difficult.

But know this: every exhausted moment spent living your dream is a gift.

Are you chasing a big dream? I believe every sacrifice you make to achieve it will be worth it.

And now, back to my swirling windows of Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Cinema 4D…

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Join the Hyphen Nation

By Biagio on February 8, 2010

Just a quick post to let you know about our guest post over at Multi-Hyphenate.

The site is the brain child of Tyler Weaver, and is quickly becoming a power-house of great posts from filmmakers and artists working at achieving their goals and dreams.

Hope you enjoy!

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Do You Know about the Magic of Camera Mapping?

By Biagio on February 4, 2010

This is a short post I wanted to put up about a technique I’ve been fascinated with: Camera Mapping. Essentially, camera mapping allows you to take a still photograph and turn it into a 3D scene you can fly through. Here’s the best explanation I’ve found of how it works:

Here’s another great example:

I’m using this technique to replace some jib shots we can’t afford in an upcoming MTV pilot. While I’ll be using Cinema 4D, there are tutorials to do this with the FREE 3D Software BLENDER.

Here’s an example from Blender (there are some artifacts, but this is a great start)

Camera Mapping Test with Blender from Gifted Babies on Vimeo.

Here’s the link to Gifted Babies and their explanation of what they’re doing in Blender:

This will be a new technique for us. We’ll let you all know how it goes.

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Pitch Your Big Ideas with an iPad

By Biagio on January 27, 2010

Both cheering and booing masses are all-a-Twitter about the new iPad. Is it worth it? Who will use it? Will it really change our world?

I’d like to let you know how the iPad will make our Hollywood careers easier.

Pitching Big Ideas

Yesterday, Joke and I pitched a TV show to CBS.

It’s a big reality show. Easy to grasp hook.

It’s also chock full of twists and turns, bells and whistles–the kinds of things that can confuse executives who haven’t developed the show along side you for 3 months–especially in a 10 minute pitch.

So you need an easy-to-understand, clean presentation to help the room stay focused on the important parts of the show.

Enter Keynote

I’m a Mac guy, and our company runs on Apple products. Recently, we switched from Powerpoint to Keynote for pitch presentations. Keynote runs faster on my Mac than Powerpoint, presentations look more “Apple” like out of the box, and Keynote’s deadly simple to use.

In the room, I present the Keynote presentation to the executives, and both Joke and I narrate the pitch.

The Problem

You never know what room you’ll be in when pitching to an executive. Don’t know what the AV situation will be, or if you’ll be able to connect to a TV or projector. Most of the time, you can’t. So you must be prepared to pitch off of whatever device you’ve brought with you.

Yesterday, the room was tight.

At one point, I ended up kneeling on the floor pointing at my laptop. This was both uncomfortable and looked weird.

Still, given the circumstances, I wouldn’t have done anything different. The execs understood the show, asked the right questions, and were polite enough to giggle at my lame verbal sound fx.

Hello, iPad

Given the iPad’s size and the fact that it will run Keynote, this could be the solution I’ve been longing for. It seems big enough to pitch to 2 to 3 executives, while being small enough to handle.

Sure, it may take a bit of practice, but pitching a Keynote Presentation off a laptop you’re forced to place on your lap in a tiny room, as opposed to an iPad you can hold up easily…well, I’m all for the iPad.

Now, if I can just convince Joke to let my buy one…

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Is The Original iPad Now Obsolete?

By Biagio on January 27, 2010

iPadWidget.jpg

Get it while it lasts… Don’t know how long that link will work for!

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3 Secrets to Showbiz Success

By Biagio on January 24, 2010

When I was in 8th grade I started a glam rock band called “Biagio.”

We had a song called “We Are Biagio.” We rhymed “Walls of Jericho” and “Shores of Mexico” with “We are Biagio.” That such poetry never became a hit song has doubtless left a gaping hole in the glam rock landscape.

Now, perhaps you’re wondering what got me reminiscing about a 14 year-old “me” sporting a mullet and a Casio keyboard?

Caught My Ear

Ives-The-Band.jpgTwitter lead me to a young band I really like, Ives the Band. (Caution: link may launch iTunes.)

Coming up as an editor, I know first hand how the right piece of music can take a good scene and turn it into an emotional powerhouse. In listening to their album, I thought, “I want to cut to THAT.”

I reached out to the guys and they were kind enough to invite us to their show last week at the Sunset Strip’s infamous Viper Room.

How Does This Help You?

Let’s face it, there’s a lot of young bands out there who are really, really good. I’m not an expert on what’s fresh, new, and hip in the music world, but I know when something catches my ear, and Ives the Band did.

The reason I wanted to write this post is because these musicians have three ingredients needed for showbiz success–and success in general. Whether you want to be a rock star, a movie director, a reality TV producer, a novelist…these three traits are key.

3 Must-Haves for Showbiz Success

  1. Talent

    2. Clearly, the members of Ives the Band have talent. If you’re reading this blog, you are likely very talented in some respect as well.

    Harsh truth: talent is probably the least important piece of the success puzzle.

    YES–talent is a must.

    Talent’s not your ticket to the big time, just proof you should take your shot at it.

    But there are lots of talented people out there. Few translate that talent into success.

    Many assume their “talent” entitles them to fame, magazine covers and movie premiers. Talent’s not your ticket to the big time, just proof you should take your shot at it.

    Ives the Band is bursting with talent, but they’ve got more going for them than talent alone.

  2. Personality…

    3. …and by personality, I don’t mean “Rock Star” eccentricity–I mean the members of Ives the Band are nice guys. They’re not afraid to engage in intelligent conversation. They have a good sense of who they are. They don’t reek of that “neediness” rampant in so many seeking showbiz success.

    If you come off as rude, annoying, or indifferent in your quest for success, people will either forget you or avoid you.

    It’s important to know who you are as person, and be comfortable in your own skin. People want to work with people they like–people they don’t mind spending long hours with. Be that person.

  3. Work Ethic

    4. For 45 minutes, at the Viper Room, the guys called “Ives the Band” got to be rock stars.

    However, Ives the Band is not yet Coldplay. They don’t have a gaggle of roadies to carry their gear, or a gigantic tour bus to relax in.

    So, after they played their hearts out, the curtain closed, and the guys raced the clock to tear down their instruments, pack their gear, and get off the stage. Much like guerrilla filmmaking, putting on (and tearing down) the show was an all-hands-on-deck affair.

    I venture to say Ives the Band sweated through many more hours of manual labor that day, not to mention years of hard work, just to enjoy that 45 minutes in the spotlight.

    And that’s what living the dream is all about.

Surefire Success?

There’s no such thing. I don’t know if Ives the Band is going to attain super-stardom, though I’m rooting for them. (Decide for yourself…here’s the link to their album The Incredible Story of Mr. Birch.)

I do believe they have the right stuff, though. Take a page from their book. Hone your talent, let your personality shine, and have a fierce work ethic. That gives you the best shot at claiming your time in the spotlight.

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Come Be On TV! Calling Visual Designers.

By Biagio on January 16, 2010

Recently, we talked about how excited we were to have one of our pilots receive a “green light”…meaning we get to make it.

Well, here’s your chance to come be a part of it!

Casting Notice!

We are looking for very creative people with a clear point of view. Clothing designers, Production Designers, Artists, Architects, Advertising Execs–ANYONE who can not only visualize great ideas, but also physically execute their vision. Creative thinkers AND doers.

Can you create something beautiful out of nothing? Can you sell an emotion or an idea with your art?

If you or someone you know, has an incredible eye for DESIGN, is tremendously CREATIVE in its execution, and wants to share his/her talents with the world … download and fill out the application and get it to us via email or US postal service no later than February 1st, 2010.

While the concept itself is top secret, I can say we are SUPER excited about this show. If you’re the kind of person who can create beauty out of anything, and present it in a stunning manner, please come audition!

And definitely follow us on Twitter for all the juicy updates!

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Gorgeous 3D in 2D: The Third & The Seventh

By Biagio on January 9, 2010

At a time when everyone’s talking about the stereoscopic 3D in Avatar, I had to take a moment to draw your attention to this AMAZING piece of “2D 3D”…a short film called “The Third & The Seventh.”

Wow.

100% CG, this is an excellent example of the kind of photorealism that can be achieved on a computer…if someone thinks beyond software, and approaches CG from a big picture perspective.

Why it’s so Good

Clearly Alex Roman, auteur of this amazing piece, is not following a “press an automagic 3D button” workflow. He’s made sure to build a piece that has excellent composition, mimics the real-life aberrations of film cameras, and is color-graded for maximum impact. Enjoy this video, then check out the Compositing Breakdown and Making Of videos below. Really amazing.

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