“The day the earth stood still” 1951 & 2008- Full screen- video editing

Our research into flash video manipulation, on the face of it may appear to be purely for entertainment purposes, however, when you consider a criteria was set from initial tests and the resulting proof has been achieved without the need for expensive softwares such as ‘photoshop’ or ‘after effects’, this may be actually a remarkable discovery.

A brief description of how this can be achieved is as follows.    Flash is recorded in layers, one layer overlays another, just as icons on your monitor desktop, when you open an application it appears on a layer above the icon.

In flash applications, one can call up a base layer, such as a video skin,  then float another layer, (the actual video footage), on top of the base layer.    Further layers of flash animations may be added for effect.

The latest development of our study has enabled us to stretch the video footage rather like shaping putty, and record as a separate file, then  load it  into the flash layers.

Initial trials, (as shown in the video below),  are not 100% as yet but improvement is expected as we hope to provide an alternative method of video presentation.

The task I was presented with was to to upload a raw wide screen video to our online flash workshop.   The video was selected from YouTube (see picture), then to create an entirely new presentation by adding a background skin with textural overlay titles.

The day the earth stood still 2008

The chosen video is a compilation of trailers on “The day the earth stood still” ~ 195, the original movie was set in full screen cinemascope ~ the 2008 version and is quite clearly in wide screen format as most new movie trailers are presented.    By careful expanding of the new trailer’s flash file, I was able to move the layer over the background skin and record the sequence using simple screen capture software, therefore creating a continuous viewing flow.

To my knowledge, after a wide internet search, there have been many experimental studies in flash manipulation but by utilizing intricate softwares.    This I believe is the first attempt to stretch video footage using simple online tools that anyone can master.

Further tests shall be carried out before revealing the sources of this simple method.

Halo 300- VIDEO SKINS – CREATE EXCITING VIDEOS FREE! #3

• Here I shall explain in bullets, how to utilize freely available software to produce exciting new versions of videos, without annoying logos.

The video “Halo 300″ was an excellent production, deserving of extra dynamic presentation and multilingual sub titles.

Contact with the original producer has been made to gain permission.

The process of reproduction is as follows.

Alternative software solutions; in brackets.

• Log into free flash website builder.
• Upload selected jpeg image for background surround.
• Import the video.
• Resize image to surround the video.
• Record video in new surround (Camtasia) (Debut video capture ‘free’).
• Add text to original images. (photoimpression) (Any free image editor).
• Edit on timeline, (Camtasia) (Movie maker) (Mac imovie) (online editor).
• Record extra audio using Microsoft speech and free Audacity audio recorder.
• Type character speeches into word document.
• Use online translator for multilingual translations (Google) (Babylon) (Etcetera).
• Add captions to timeline & adjust to speech (local hard drive editor) (Tubecaption online).
• Make final adjustments & render video.
• Upload to multiple video hosting sites in one go (Stompernet) (tubemogul ‘free’).
• Let everyone enjoy.

Below is the story line translated into Spanish – Espanola.

We Spartans descended from Hercules himself.

Taught never to retreat

Never to surrender.

To the death on the battlefield

Is the greatest glory

He can achieve in his life.

Spartans – the finest soldiers

The world has ever known.

It’s quiet now

They came through the blackness.

Be afraid – Sparta will burn to the ground.

A thousand nations of the Persian Empire

descend upon you.

I must have came good to free this world.

Instead ask yourself

What should a free man do?

You threaten my people with slavery and death.

This is madness

Madness – this is Sparta!

We will stand and fight.

A new age has begun.

An age – of freedom.

And all will know

That 300 Spartans

Give their last breath

To defend it.

Spartans – tonight we die in hell!

Give up nothing

But take from them.

Everything.

We’re in for one wild night!

What the hell.

Estamos espartanos descendientes de Hércules a sí mismo.
Enseñado nunca a retiro
Nunca a la entrega.
Con la muerte en el campo de batalla
Es la mayor gloria
Él puede lograr en su vida.
Espartanos – los mejores soldados
El mundo ha conocido jamás.
Es tranquilo ahora
Ellos vinieron a través de la oscuridad.
Tener miedo – Esparta se quemarán al suelo.
Un millar de naciones del Imperio Persa
descienda sobre vosotros.
Debo tener buen vino a este mundo libre.
En lugar de preguntarse
¿Cuál debe ser un hombre libre?
Usted amenazan a mi pueblo con la esclavitud y la muerte.
Esto es una locura
Locura – se trata de Esparta!
Estaremos de pie y lucha.
Una nueva era ha comenzado.
Una edad – de la libertad.
Y todos saben
Que 300 espartanos
Dar su último aliento

VIDEO SKINS – CREATE EXCITING VIDEOS FREE! #2

Before revealing the technological advancements that have taken place since my own (crude) experiments way back in 2007, I should at least portray the developments I achieved.

The statement (way back in 2007) appears to be derogatory to state, since it spans a mere 12 months, but it shows how fast technology is evolving today.

The concept of creating what I referred to ‘internal visual surrounds’ within the structure of streaming videos, became an obsession. Millions of videos uploaded to hosting sites, all have one thing in common ~ they are presented in boring black squares!

Although being restricted in funding, as I was merely experimenting as an open source theory, I managed to make certain strides in my efforts.

Old cinema style surround.

My initial experiments were centered on creating an old style cinema surround, using curtains as a backdrop.

After taking j peg snapshots of the “Metro” cinema sides, and online news scroller software, I uploaded them to my online workshop (hidden page) on one of my websites.

Careful manipulation of the images, cropping to size ~ 320 wide x 240 pixels high, I was able to create the first internal visual surround and used it to create movie trailer surrounds. This was also reproduced in the color blue.

Choosing a what proved to be a popular movie trailer, I recorded the footage and placed it within the folds of the surrounds.

Realizing the multilingual needs of different languages, I translated the movie trailer synopsis in many languages incorporated within the news scroller.

This proved to be popular amongst viewers from countries other than English speaking, simply because they could now understand the storyline.

Admittedly the Indiana Jones experiment was not as popular as my recording of ‘Fools gold’ which attracted over 90.000 views, possibly because it was an unknown entity and was not a perfect job, but it was a beginning and proved worthwhile.

How to edit a video-part4-(timelines).

Video editing – Camtasia timeline.

All good video editing suites incorporate time lines within  the software.    There are many suites to chose from, I personally use Camtasia  4.5, but  even free suites  are  available and easy to use.

Please bear with me if you are already proficient with video editing.    This article is intended, not just for complete beginners,  but also to improve  your own skills.

Time lines are an excellent tool for cutting out the um’s and ah’s in visual presentations, that is a subject on its own.    What I would like to discuss here is using time lines in stock footage.

Providing you own or have the permission to use photos, a montage can be created by importing and placing them onto the story board in preferred order and transitioned to effect – more on this another time.

Moving footage – let us say – a series of movie trailers, can be imported and placed on the time line for editing.    Unwanted scenes can be cut out, and more desirable scenes, spliced into the  video construction, simply by  moving the  pointer  across the  time slot  and hitting the scissors.    Practice, practice, practice, is the key to mastering every art, and just like painting on a canvas, if you are unhappy with the cut, you can simply remove the section from the time line and re-import the footage.

As I am currently writing a book on the art, I cannot explain much further here, however, the video I have chosen to accompany this article, shows how a montage and moving footage can be spliced together.

Sometimes the words of a beautiful song can inspire you to create a nice video.    Nathan Walters, is a wonderful singer and the words in ‘Quiet of the night’, moved me to create scenes depicting the sacrifice, our lord, Jesus Christ, made for us.     The video begins with a photo montage, borrowed from a pre-made video.    On watching, the viewer, is satisfied that this is a montage, but at the point after the message -       I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  John 10:11, the video transitions into moving footage of the movie – The passion of Christ.    immediately,  the  song  and the visuals , transpire the video into  a notable presentation  that will always be remembered.

How to edit a video-part3-(vulgarity).

Violent, Painful & Controversial – please note – the above video should not be viewed by minors or anyone with  nervous disposition’s.

Continuing in the vein of most popular videos, we have noticed that on many video forum sites, such as vewgle, the most viewed category has been in the Violent, Painful & Controversial section.    Being music and movie buffs, we find it hard to understand – why?

Maybe there are enough music and movie vids on Youtube to satisfy most needs, then people turn to the forums to view the controversial vids, as an escape.

We created the above video as a test.    Disgusting  vomiting  scenes from Monty Python’s  -   Mr Creosote – the brain slicing scene from Silence of the lambs and Travis throwing food around a dinner table in their song – ‘Sing’, were spliced together and dished up for controversy.    It has been suggested that the video could be used as a dietary aid, as after viewing, no normal person would consider eating a meal.

If you wish to view this video, please consider it as an example of what is a popular viewing vehicle.    We do not condone this type of video ourselves – view it with a sense of humor, in the understanding of popular genre.

How to edit a video-Part 2- (viewing types).

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to edit any video, we should look into viewing popularity. Unfortunately (being a proud father), I have to admit, that ‘SEX’ on the internet is highly viral – excuse the pun.

As we covered in ‘The definitive video jockeys guide’ available freely on the digitalblue2u profile on Youtube. Whilst not delving into pornography – sexy videos, allied to a little humor is very popular, even with the ladies, because it is harmless fun.

Major brewing manufacturers have realized this factor, which has resulted in the advertisements, collated in the video we compiled in December 2007. Complete adsence primed websites, dedicated to funny commercials are flourishing today.

This fact alone – just by adding one or two fun vids onto a website, can keep your visitor amused enough to remain and continue viewing your pages.

How to edit a video-Part1(Soundtracks).

watch?v=CciX45ny_zI

As Street Kings (the movie), has hit TV & satellite advertising, the boys in the smoke filled room, dug up a twisted teaser that I made a while back. Questions were asked on what music did I use for the soundtrack. This is an embarrassment to me as – quite simply, I cannot recall the tunes. I was off my head at the time of creating – cut the track from an open source DJ mix, loved it and used it on the Street Kings trailer and also on an interpretation of – The real American gangster.

First up, my apologies must go to Fox Searchlight for messing about with their original soundtrack on the photo section of the video. However, being a video jockey, the need to create something different from the original, is paramount to a VJ production.

Once you have mastered the basics of video editing, what separates you from the amateurs is the ability to VISUALIZE. Take any sequence of any movie or TV show – walk away from it, then in your subconscious mind, imagine what soundtrack would compliment the visuals. This is the process of visualization, and when you master that, you shall achieve.

Web 2.0 technology – Mefeedia?

The hastily made video above from Breakthroughmarketinggroup, highlights  internet marketing analysis methods.    In other words, how, by utilizing video presentation, within a campaign, can spiral search engine results.

Our own research has evolved from the actual presentation and delivery of  videos, and we shall continue to strive for further improvement.

Congratulations of the day, must go to Mefeedia though.     Through further funding, they have now made it possible to search 15.000 hosting sites for any particular footage you desire to find.     This is a sure fire indication that web 2.0 technology development  is expanding by leaps and bounds.

Web marketing-clever hoax?

Lessons can be learned from the promo guys in the movie and games industry.    The hype building up to the new Batman movie has resulted in journalists and reviewers, receiving free mobile phones – implanted into iced cakes.    On breaking into the cakes and discovering the phone – switching on, they are instructed to rendezvous at a secret meeting place, where they were to be given instructions  and transport to a trailer premier.

Of course the journalists and reviewers loved this ploy and promptly relayed their thoughts to their listeners.    Excellent promos like that are worth far more than expensive affairs.

Recently, our spy’s uncovered an elaborate hoax set in the style of a games to movie trailer by IGN.   We went along with the April fools day hoax and reproduced the trailer of The legend of Zelda in the German language (as above).     View the trailer and observe the release date at the end.

We do hope you learn from this lesson folks. 

 

Web marketing-Global distribution?

Movie producers are the finest example of distributing their product worldwide. They create a buzz on new productions by releasing teasers, in the form of trailers. Press releases and sneak peeks of posters and photos are timed to lead up to the actual movie release. The same buzz tactics are employed by game makers and record distributors.

Whilst remaining on the multilingual theme, we must ask ourselves – are they doing enough to whet the appetites of their expected worldwide audience? Fox Searchlight has actually produced a website to promote the new Street Kings movie, due to be released April 11th. All credit must go to Fox for creating the amazing intro that we have reproduced with German scroll subtitles.

This reproduction maybe repeated in other languages if permission is granted.