New Year, Same Blog?

Who blogs anymore?

The answer is not me.

Since 2008, I've been blogging on this site and there have only been so much things that I have shared with my audience. I have stated before that my blog was more popular back in the day than it is now. These days, it's sparingly the main "hub" for everything "Video Vix[o]n". As the new year rolls in, I don't want to make that annual promise of "blogging more" because I feel I would be lying to myself. Each year, I look at the number of posts I've done and it gets lower and lower. Soon, I'll be posting a post per month and that is not what I want. Some restructuring is in order.

Honestly, it's not that there's something wrong with this blog, it's just all over the place. I barely post about anything video-related and it more personal; not even a healthy balance. So I look at Blogger and I see the "delete blog" button and a decision must be made; delete three years of blogging to start a new or build on this sinking ship and attempt to regain a healthy audience?

I'm always a fan of doing new things for the new year. Call me cheesy, but I think it's human condition to wait for a period of beginning to start something fresh; like the start of a new year or the beginning of a season. To me, the key to a successful blog is consistency and engagement. I have failed to do both and for me to try and regain these key components on top of old content just seems sloppy.

I think another thing is I am more prone to grab a camera and talk about what is happening than write about it. Could be due to laziness or not reading as much as I use to? I'm not sure what it is, but I'm sure that some change is definitely in order. I need some time to contemplate my decision, but no matter what I do, "vdeovxn.com" will still remain (considering I bought the domain) and I will make sure to make a good decision for the sake of getting back into the groove of things. Like every good show on television these days, stay tuned to see if this blog will be cancelled or up for another season. In the meanwhile, watch my latest vlog about having an "UP" attitude.

-Video Vix[o]n

I'm Thankful For...

-Having a job (even though it's seasonal part-time and it only lasts for one more month).

-My birthday coming up soon. I'm turning another year old in this crazy world. 

-My family, who supports me and makes sure that I don't struggle or nothing bad happens to me.

-My close friends, who make me happy and help to steer me in the right direction of success in my life, professionally and personally. 

-My cameras (Flip and Canon), which I have used to make some of my best videos on Youtube.

-My brother, who I can talk to and helps me stay sane when my own thoughts make me feel crazy. 

-My music that acts as a soundtrack to my life and uplifts my spirit, or helps me relax. 

-Delicious food that I eat which inspires me to cook more. 

-My mom, who makes me laugh even when I feel at my worst. 

-My girlfriend, who supports me and is by my side at each step.

-Youtube, which has become my stage to share my thoughts and ideas visually to the largest audience in the world. 

-My cousin, Hank, who makes me feel like the coolest dude on the block. 

-Another Thanksgiving past; another reason to spend time with family and loved ones. 

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

-Video Vix[o]n

D-I-Y before you BUY

During this content drought that Ive been suffering (mainly due to time restraints), Ive been thinking of ways to improve my equipment for whenever I do make a video again, as well as in the future. Sometimes, I slip into the immature mentality of getting better equipment, which I think would make my videos better, but it's never how good the tool is; it's the wielder that uses it. In the meanwhile, I figure that a good wielder should build their arsenal to be prepared for any situation. This lead to me deciding to do it on my own. Ive always been a little hesitant when it came to DIY projects because I always thought I wouldnt be able to get the right supplies or I wasn't that handy, but after watching a few videos like this one from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX, I think I got this down packed.



It's a shame I didnt discover BFX earlier considering they recently stopped the series. Their series finale was a homage to the amazing advice they were able to give to their audience for the past couple of years with making cheap and useful video equipment and props for amateur filmmakers to utilize. The amazing thing is, even though the series is over, thanks to them, I have a free library of cheap film techniques at my exposure to explore and learn.

I think the concept of DIY was popularized by crafty people who didnt have the financial means to afford the high end versions to the products they desired. Becoming a DIY noobie would be a good experience for me to become more independent in my filmmaking ventures, as well as save some pennies, which I need to do tremendously. I also think that creating something on your own is one of the most fulfilling feelings anyone can experience, on top of putting ones personal touch on their creations. Of course, I will keep you all up to speed with my DIY endeavors, along with the trial and errors, and soon have something to show off and use in upcoming videos. Cheers to self creation; the fuel to innovation.

-Video Vix[o]n

"(Magic) Lantern's Light!" - Firmware Upgrade

"With great power comes great responsibility!"
-Uncle Ben; "Spiderman"/Magic Lantern Firmware Wiki

A couple of months ago, Joshen let me know about a mystical firmware upgrade for most DSLR cameras that would add more features and functionality to the cameras we have now. In the first couple of seconds in the video above, you can see some of the firmware's main features that improves the functionality of any DSLR camera the program is installed on. After watching the video and seeing how extremely easy it is, I've decided that I will recline from performing this update to my camera.

To go through some of the features of Magic Lantern a little more in depth;

-The firmware allows you to control your audio output better, which is amazing considering the camera audio on the Canon T3i could be better (this goes for most internal camera audio, unless you have a high-end camera).

-Live Zebra, Waveforms and Histograms help to measure the intensity of light and color balance is in the picture when recording.

-Recording longer than 12 minutes is great for recording videos or any other project without having the camera automatically stop.

Basically, this firmware turns your camera into a high end DSLR device in moments. But with every major improvement comes with major risk. On the Wiki page, there is an obvious disclaimer which states "THIS IS DANGEROUS AND MIGHT DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA." Reading those words didn't put a good feeling into my mind, especially as an opener. When Joshen showed me the features in person from his camera, I was impressed. His camera was capable of doing things that we wished our cameras were capable of doing for a while before I discovered what M.L. was all about. The only thing is it took Joshen 8 months to decide to download this firmware, considering its risks; EIGHT MONTHS. Clearly this powerful firmware can make or break one's dreams quickly.

I've been warned that I shouldn't attempt this upgrade because if I do, I may break my camera and become forever distraught. That chance is extremely possible, but I ultimately decided not to go about this procedure for another reason. To this date, I feel that I haven't learned fully what my camera is capable of. I'm still in the beginning phases of a young cinematographer and there are a lot of things to learn to get the craft down of shooting and recording professionally. Granted, attempting the Magic Lantern upgrade may work and I would have a 2.0 version of my camera, but what would be the use of having new features when I don't fully understand the standard ones. They say its not about the tool, but the welder who uses it. I need to understand how to use my sword before I start sharpening it for greater battle. My goal is to do just that, minus the "magic" for now (probably one day, but not soon).

-Video Vix[o]n

Video Music Monday - "Thriller"

I think it is only fitting that on Halloween, this video is the only one worth reviewing.

In 1982, Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) produced one of the most epic music video/mini-films of all time. Though I wasn't born anywhere close to the time this video premiered, this first time, I saw it, I definitely didn't expect M.J. to do anything like it. After watching "Bad" and "Billy Jean" (my favorite M.J. track, by the way), "Thriller" was a complete change of concept and idea. I don't think anyone at the time though M.J. would come up with something like this from his head. It was edgy, scary and genius all at once. The dance sequence at 8:29 is probably one of the best ever in music video history. I remember trying to do the same shuffle in the mirror when I was younger, but I could never pull off the whole routine, for some reason (I wonder why). This video has affected pop culture so much that even Party City has made a homage for their Halloween commercials.



There's no doubt that Michael Jackson, "Thriller" and zombies will forever live in infamy. Happy Halloween to everyone and I hope all of you big kids out there got to dress up this weekend and have fun.

*This Halloween, I'll be "dressed" as a UPS seasonal driver helper because that's my job. Not exactly creative, but real.

-Video Vix[o]n