Frame x Frame: Constructing A Scene

As I continue on with my short film series, #VideoDictionary, I come across many challenges and learn some things about being a director. For my next short film, I've come across the challenge of making a space look like something completely different; to some, this is known as set design. 

For my next short film, I require an apartment setting. The problem is that I don't have access to an actual apartment. I've asked some friends if they know of some places to keep in mind, when I was suggested that I should use my own house to create the scene. Now, I've used areas in my house for many of my previous videos, and worked with what I had, but for this particular situation, my home doesn't exactly resemble a one bedroom space. I decided that the only way to know for sure would be to experiment and do some furniture moving to try and create a believable apartment scene.

First, I moved the main couch from the shot, just to free up some space...

Then, looking at the wall, I didn't like the decor, so I removed everything within the shot.

With the empty space available, I needed to include the main focus of the scene, a laptop on a table. I also played around with the furniture again to see what would make more sense.

Noticing the moved furniture in the background, I needed to find a way to dismiss it, considering it couldn't move anywhere else. Solution: change angle of shot.

After some more changes and shooting from another angle, I think I managed to design something not perfect, but reasonable.

It wasn't easy, but I may just use my house for the apartment scene yet, but just in case my space isn't available (due to sound issues and the fact that may parents would be moving around the house), I'm still keeping my friends in mind to have an eye out for potential apartment spaces. I also considered an office-like space instead to use in the story just to have a "Plan B." I just wanted to share my video making process with you all and hopefully, I can get started with shooting soon.

-Video Vix[o]n

Production Vlog "B" - #VideoDictionary

The second prod vlog for the second installment to the #VideoDictionary series.



It was cool seeing the footage in reverse. I can't wait to produce the next one.

-Video Vix[o]n

Before After Effects; My Story of Motion Graphics

During my beginnings in video production, I've always had the urge to play around with special effects. The ideas that I would come up with in my mind for super-powered action scenes were endless. Watching special effect heavy movies didn't subside my urge any more. In college, I tried experimenting with some, but Windows Movie Maker wasn't made for special FX back then (or ever). Nonetheless, I was still determined to create something mind-blowing for my young audience. That's when I learned about the powerful special effects/motion graphics program, ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS.

At first, I thought that it would be easy just to get the program, learn how to use it and I would be flying and running at super speed in no time. But when I actually looked at the interface of the program for the first time, it was absolutely overwhelming; multiple windows, numerous buttons and a whole bunch of functions I was not familiar with. From then, I decided that it would be better to leave it to the pros to create the surreal effects that I've always dreamed of including in my videos. 

Years after, as I got more involved with making videos, I rediscovered the passion to play around with special FX/motion graphics. Though I was still avoiding After Effects, I felt that I had enough skills in my arsenal to pull off something realistic with what I had to work with. Finally, last year, after gathering some motion graphic elements from the Internet and applying my home-grown production knowledge, I made my first special FX/motion graphic video, Fast Forward. 

Though I felt like I did a good job with what I had, I knew in the back of my mind that if I really wanted to be serious about this, I would have to tackle the beast which was After Effects. After getting the program, I finally had the courage to open AE and start playing around with it. Thanks to sites such as Video CoPilot and Youtube, I was able to create a new intro sequence for my vlogs and create an idea for a new "Video Reborn" intro sequence. After watching multiple basic AE videos and taking in all the motion graphic knowledge, I once again made an idea into a reality. 

It's not long, but it's exactly what I wanted it to be. Of course, there is much more for me to learn, but I can say that I did that; I accomplished something that I never thought I would be able to all those years ago. The moral of this story is with determination and persistence, anyone can overcome a challenge that they may see as difficult. I had to learn this after the fact. 

-Video Vix[o]n

Frame x Frame: New York Creatives

Yesterday, for me, felt to be a good day to be a creative in New York City.

I linked up with a creative by the name of Dimz, who I met from a project a while ago. We also met up with an aspiring actress, Tiffany, who was interested in getting into the creative sphere. We first did some monologue reading, just to get her comfortable, then we started taking some pictures in the great weather.



Afterwards, Dimz's friend, Fresh, came through to hang out, he decided that he wanted to shoot an improv short dialogue with Tiffany and me, so I pulled out my "Denzel" and helped her release her inner actress. It was fun getting into a character and seeing her try to become dramatic and believable all at once. For me, acting doesn't have to be an over-the-top, soap opera exercise; being yourself and coming off real makes acting more authentic. It was a good day just to be outside and enjoy what the city had to offer.

Throughout the course of the day, I saw a performer flip over a group of people, met up with another creative who sells vintage clothes, accidentally bumped into another actress and her friend, and finally linked up with Joshen to record and watch an improv sketch show. It was amazing seeing and meeting all these creative people in the city I live in and hear their stories of trying to make it their respective industries. Whether you're trying to become an actress, actor, photographer, videographer, music artist or anybody who creates, the consensus is that the creative market is saturated and everyone is struggling to get by. For some, it's a deterring factor, which leaves some creatives feeling hopeless. For me, interacting with all these people gave me some hope; hope that there are people out there that want to do something dope and amazing and I want to be a part of that.

I'm not giving up on the New York scene just yet. I just have to get out there in the streets and just do it.

-Video Vix[o]n

Production Vlog "A" - #VideoDictionary

In an attempt to jump start my creativity, I started a new short film series called #VideoDictionary. All the details will be in the production vlog below.



*Sidenote: The premise of the short film was based off the NBC show "Awake," which, ironically, starts with the letter "A." 

Stay tuned to my blog to see the upcoming production vlogs as this series continues.

-Video Vix[o]n