A recent experience with "looping"

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted here! I've been incredibly pre-occupied with another blog for my movie, and haven't given this one near the love it needs (it is, after all, my first and original).

Yesterday I had the unenviable task of looping production audio - where you re-record dialogue in a studio because the audio on the shoot was unusable. Normally when I have to do this chore, it's for an actor or another speaker. But yesterday, it was all me. I had filmed myself outdoors for a new pitch video for my film's fundraising campaign.

(As a side note, I used a very cool app for the iPod Touch that turned it into a teleprompter. It actually worked pretty well, taped right underneath the lens. I have it for the iPad as well -- I'll be for sure using it quite a bit in the future.)

I had a lapel mic underneath my jacket, with some gauze to keep it separated from clothes, but the wind was too much for it. I decided I'd just go with it and loop the sound later. In the editing room, I worked with the scratch audio for the sake of editing. I knew I wouldn't be on screen the whole time, so I'd only have to match those moments; the rest of my dialogue could just be treated like good old fashioned narration.

The experience gave me some fresh insight into the looping process. I noticed for me, personally, that when I would focus on matching my words with the lip movements, I would focus so much on starting at the right time that I'd generally miss the right tone and inflections, and often would have inconsistent speeds that wouldn't match up on the timeline due to me trying to stay consistent with the video.

After about an hour of frustration, I decided to close my eyes and focus on copy-catting my audio, lip syncing be darned. I took it one sentence at a time, playing a line, then stopping the video and immediately repeating, with tone and inflection, what I'd heard. Amazingly, it matched up pretty well, much better than before. I think what did the trick for me was focusing on the content instead of worrying about pace. The pace took care of itself with the mimicry, and I captured the same energy that I had in front of the camera.

Here's how it turned out. Over all, I'm pretty happy with this pitch video, and hope it gets the response we're needing.



If/when we have to loop audio for the film, I'll be experimenting with this method.

Superman...

This scene is forever embedded into my psyche. I catch myself thinking about it at least once a month.



Something alien becomes the willing sacrifice that saves the very people wanting it killed. And then reassembles with a smile as the credits roll. You can't tell me there's not a little bit of Gospel here.

Repentance, and the law vs. His provision

This morning I was reading Hebrews, and came across this verse...

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Hebrews 10:1, ESV

I felt this touched a nerve on something in my journey I've been processing for, well, ever, so I jotted this note down beside the verse...

Neither can games of false repentance and continued sin due to some smug sense of entitlement. True repentance is the only response to the One Sacrifice. True repentance means honestly and forever turning from what we were saved from. True repentance is not for the sake of men or appearances.

I'm an expert in false repentance and smug entitlement, you see. I've struggled with many forms of sin: pornography, lust, anger, egotistical fantasy, but I think for me, it all comes down to looking for a substitute to the old law so I can both feel good about my "faith" and also have a bad attitude about the world when it ticks me off.

My old law sacrifices haven't been with the blood of animals, though. They've been with the wasted time of futile attempts at following the guidelines of others, to appease them, to gain some kind of absolution from them. You see, I still see so much fear of man within me, where the fear of God should be. (And by fear, I don't mean terror. I mean obsession, desire, need, want. I fear for being without that which I fear.)

Mind you, all this is subconscious, and when the Spirit exposes it to me once more, my skin crawls with all the scales of false religiosity that so envelop me. You see, it is the greatest of ironies: my sinful nature attempts to take on the form of my religious beliefs in order to preserve itself. It thinks it can hide from Christ's vengeance by clothing itself with its own version of piety.

As the Apostle Paul, one of my greatest heroes, asks, "Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

Fortunately, both he and I, know the Answer. My prayer is that, as he lived it, so can I. Not for his sake, for I do not fear Paul (while I do admire him greatly). Rather, for the sake of the One we both are forever indebted to.

And I can think of no one better to owe a debt of gratitude.

Lord, let that gratitude bear a greater fruit within me. Let me be truthfully, honestly, grateful. Let me no longer fear what people think, and do not let my perceived success or failure with people fuel or falsely justify my smug sense of entitlement any longer. Let me change, not for people's sake, not for my sake, not even for change's sake... but for Your sake.

I do believe this revelation is a cornerstone, a turning point, a step away from self-imposed doublethink.

True freedom is beautifully simple, and requires no secondary clause.

A Geeky Post About Editing Programs

So, I've had about a week now to play with CS5.5 (production premium) in the office, and at the same time working with Final Cut Pro X on a side job, my first real project with it after a few weeks of kicking the tires.

I really love the magnetic timeline, but, after learning After Effects (utilizing videocopilot.net), and while not caring for Premiere Pro a whole lot, I really want to use After Effects to finish every project from here on out. Titles, color corrections, etc.

Thus, no XML support is killing me. Final Cut Pro X, sadly, is at this point limited to projects where I don't really need finishing in After Effects. Which basically means testimonial videos and quick funny clips for YouTube (not films or extensive DVD projects like this).

Please, Apple, XML support!!!

Casting call for "Mark of the Veil"

MARK OF THE VEIL
A film by Brandon Freeman

Synopsis:
Young James Sheridan's frustrated life as his crippled mother's caretaker is shattered by a shadow agency called 'The Veil' that abducts her, throwing James' world upside down as he discovers and exposes a link between the The Veil and a corrupt politician, and finds a much deeper connection between the agency and himself.

Mark of the Veil will be a 100-110 minute film, shot over the course of 20 days; 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) over 4 weeks. It's an intense schedule, but it'll be quite the joyride.

Mark of the Veil is the first in a series of 3 to 4 films, taking the concept of the End Times and doing something a bit controversial with it. (No, this is not Left Behind.)

At this point, I am looking for actors interested in attaching themselves to this project. Before I can set a firm goal towards scheduling, fundraising, and getting this film off the ground, I want to get people in place, both in front and behind the camera. This will allow me to form an accurate schedule, and put faces other than my own on the project as we move forward.

The following is a list of major and minor characters for this production. If you are interested in auditioning, contact information and auditioning instructions are below.

CAST
MAIN CHARACTERS

JAMES
(already cast)

KYLIE
Woman in her early 30's, fiery, of African descent. A political activist and humanitarian.

HARPER
(already cast)
James' cousin; a fighter, a friend, and a former agent of The Veil.

WEBB
(already cast)
One of The Veil's chief field agents; a twisted, evil man with an intimidating and calculating presence.


SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

EZRA
Kylie's brother, mid 30's, mellow, cautious - the protective older brother. A web techie. Of African descent.

AVELYN
James' mother, age range 40-50. Though appearing to be crippled, she's actually in good physical condition, with formidable hand to hand combat skills.

BREE
Ezra's on-again-off-again girlfriend. Kylie might be fiery, but this girl's plain crazy. Early 30's. Athletic. Of Asian descent.

GWEN ANDERS
Very attractive, charismatic and ambitious third party gubernatorial candidate with a sharp temper and in league with The Veil because of who she seduced. Late 30's. Webb can't wait to kill her.


MINOR CHARACTERS/BIT PARTS

HOMELESS MAN
A mysterious shell of a man, with a hidden past. Whatever brains he's got left are thoroughly scrambled. He sure loves Jesus, though. Late 50's.

TALIA
A mercenary and former operative for 'The Veil'. Dark hair. Deadly, stunning, bold. Mid 30's.

BIG GUY
Literally a "big guy", he is Harper's closest ally and right hand man. Looks like he could bench press a tank. Heck, he IS a tank. Mid 30's.

LEONARD
A medic for Harper's crew. Not gonna lie, this character is unashamedly modeled (and named) after Dr. McCoy from Star Trek. 40-50. However, this doctor will kill.

INTEL GIRL
Another of Harper's crew, if intel is out there, this girl has it. Early 20's, athletic, but pale -- not enough sun.

TECHIE
Intel Girl's male counterpart, Techie also does not see the sun very often. Late 20's. Capable with a gun.

EMCEE
A former governor with an electric presence who welcomes Gwen Anders to the stage with a flattering introduction at a fundraiser banquet. Late 60's.

ALPHA LEADER
A young hotshot in his 20's, this overachiever hopes to rise the ranks of Webb's officers quickly and become a field agent for The Veil.

SECURITY CHIEF
A nervous man in his 30's, he has failed Webb before, and could lose more than his job if he fails him again.

MERCENARY
An expert in stealth, this operative is the best in the business. Quick on the draw. Athletic, lean. Late 20's. Don't mess with this guy.

JANITOR

This fellow is tasked with keeping Gwen Anders' campaign office clean as a whistle. He's a bit of a snoop, and knows of some of her indiscretions. Not interested in blackmail, just thinks it's funny. Mid 30's.

CASHIER
Out in the middle of nowhere, this fun-loving, easy-going country gas station cashier is kind of clueless. He is most likely a pothead. 20's-30's.

HOSPITAL MANAGER
An upstanding member of society, interviewed by Kylie in one of her webcasts. 40's-60's.

OLD GENERAL
Webb's direct boss, and only friend within The Veil. 60's, male.

POLITICIAN 1
Webb's number one enemy, this guy is the reason Gwen Anders is where she is. Easily played by a pretty face. 50's.

POLITICIAN 2
Every tooth is white, every smile a mask. He's towards the top of the food chain within The Veil. 50's.

GROCERY STORE MANAGER
When Homeless Man comes panhandling and preaching, this guy has the task of getting rid of him. It's the third time this week...

POP SCIENTIST
Guy on tv, has no idea that what he's talking about is real -- he's just trying to make a quick buck with his latest book.

SENILE TALK SHOW HOST
Old guy on tv, interviewing the Pop Scientist. Having a hard time staying awake.

CRAZY PREACHER
Crazy guy on tv, convinced the world is ending in six months.

NARRATOR
The voice of a national newscaster while a story plays on the tv.

LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR
The face of a local newscaster, just giving the news.


If you are interested in giving an audition a whirl, e-mail me. Please include a headshot in your e-mail, as well as a brief description of your acting experience. If there is a particular character that intrigues you, let me know, and I will include that character's scene in the reading along with any others that I think might fit you.

Once you have e-mailed me, we will set up a time to connect, and I will send you a .pdf of your scene(s) (no longer than one page each, no more than three total) to prepare with ahead of time for the audition. Showing up familiar with your scene(s) is highly encouraged.

The auditioning process will be in front of the camera, and will first involve a two minute interview to capture your natural screen presence and personality. Then, we will proceed to the scene(s) selected for you.

From there, a casting committee will give me input and feedback on the various audition clips; I will then make the final call on each role.

Early auditions start next week and are by appointment only. If you'd like to wait for an open auditioning day, I will probably hold one for roles I have trouble finding people for. But don't wait! I'm looking now. If you're interested, e-mail me!

Stay tuned for details on crew positions, props, vehicles, locations and scenes with extras!

How far?

I was waiting for my chiropractic appointment, when I looked up and saw a picture on the wall. It was a chart asking how far I wanted to take my chiropractic care.

It started at the bottom with, "Relief: I want to feel better for the least amount of my time and money."

Next was, "Correction: I want to stabilize and retrain the muscles and ligaments in my spine."

Then, "Maintenance: I want to preserve the progress I've made."

Followed by, "Prevention: I want to avoid losing my health."

And the last bit on the pyramid, the obvious goal of the chart, "Wellness: I want to be all that I can be."

I'd seen this chart numerous times before, but this time I felt Jesus sit beside me and propose a revision. He started with the question, "How far do you want to take your walk with Me?"

He took me back to the start, "Relief: I want to be saved from destruction."

Second, "Correction: I want to stabilize and retrain the way I live."

Third, "Maintenance: I want to preserve the growth God has given me."

Fourth, "Prevention: I want to avoid losing spiritual health."

And finally, the one that He showed me was really the whole point of the journey, "Wellness: I want to be all He can be within me."

I think often times I'm guilty of getting stuck on one the first four phases (relief, correction, maintenance, prevention) instead of realizing it's all for naught if my motivation is anything less than letting Him have complete control of my life. It's especially easy for me to stick to correction/maintenance, because that's me doing things. But the goal is not about me doing (or not doing) things. The goal is to come into the physician's office and let HIM continue to adjust me.

I'm still getting there. I still have fleshly pride that thinks I know what's best for me. But God has more.

All those steps are important, but we can't pursue recovery for recovery's sake, nor relief simply to be relieved. If we've truly got Christ within us, the motivation is less about being spared, and more about being spent.

At least, that's what I felt He showed me in that moment.

What's in a Name?

I've never understood the need to label those who disagree/see things differently with terms like "liberal" or "right-wing" (used in a derogative manner), or many of the other colorful terms that float by to describe religious/political/cultural/lifestyle differences that we just can't see eye to eye with. I'm all for disagreeing, and doing so with fervor and passion. Stand for what you believe in, stand against what you don't, absolutely. But I feel it is just too easy to de-humanize the 'other' by giving him/her a derogative name. And, ironically, it's the one thing that very irrationally pisses me off, no matter which side does it. Seriously. Makes my Vulcan neck pinch hand twitch.