Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Cracked
A REALLY short and sweet little animation I put together, experimenting with composites, Maxon Cinema 4D, Adobe After Effects and various filters in Final Cut Express. Hopefully I'll work it into my next showreel. Inspiration taken in part from Euro RSCG's fantastic Jaguar advertisements and the title calligraphy from Berlin Calling.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
2011 Showreel
It's finally here!
Featuring clips from...
Shallow Water Blackout, Mark Coote series, Waitrose AGM, Lundy, Development Films, The Mercurys 2010, Team Insight, Churchdown School - Aim Higher, Red 10, Elite Swimming Academy, Hee-Hee and She-She and the Blue Sky Event & Media Showreel.
Featuring clips from...
Shallow Water Blackout, Mark Coote series, Waitrose AGM, Lundy, Development Films, The Mercurys 2010, Team Insight, Churchdown School - Aim Higher, Red 10, Elite Swimming Academy, Hee-Hee and She-She and the Blue Sky Event & Media Showreel.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Thoughts on the Zoom H1
As a university graduate, it's pretty much a given that once you leave uni you're going to be skint for a while. What's not generally assumed is that you're going to emerge from higher education into a financial recession. Jobs are hard to find, budgets are tight, and Student Loans are always watching over your shoulder, so it can be hard to convince yourself to splash out for basic filming equipment.
Today I'm going to look at a sound recording setup that won't break the bank (no matter how small), and it comes in the form of the Zoom H1 and an Audio Technica ATR3350 lapel mic.
Originally uploaded by charlesdyer
I'll start off by reiterating what so many other people have said, in that the Zoom H1 is a pretty awesome piece of kit for the money (£79 on Amazon). It's small, it's easy to use, and the sound quality is vibrant and clear. The solid-state memory (the included 2GB Micro SDHC card is more than adequate enough for most purposes) is a huge plus in my books (I've previously used MiniDisc recorders, which would have to be held away from the microphone in order to avoid the noise of the mechanism), and the built in stereo mics are really quite excellent.
The on board microphones do, however, suffer from two major weaknesses - wind noise and unit vibrations. Vibrations running through the unit can be illuminated with a still hand (although that does mean that you can't adjust levels during recording), but to get rid of the wind noise, you're going to need some kind of wind jammer.
Fortunately, Zoom sells a wind jammer as part of their accessory pack. Additionally, you'll get a mini tripod (got several of these things now), a mini-USB cable and a zip-up case. One thing that gets me about the accessory pack, however, is that the case isn't large enough to accommodate the supplied wind-jammer. Sad fact of the matter is that without anywhere to put it, it's likely that you'll lose the wind-jammer before long and need to buy another.
The major gripe that everyone seems to have about the Zoom H1 is the build quality and it must be said that its plastic body does feel quite astonishingly cheap. Buttons are quite spongey and the chassis creaky, but it should be remembered that this doesn't affect the functionality of the unit.
Slide the power switch on the side, and the H1 comes to life, the clear LCD greeting you with a simple 'Hi' and an orange glow. There's little to be classified as a menu system on the H1 - the few settings available are adjusted through dedicated buttons and switches, and this is a control layout that will likely appeal to professionals who are easily frustrated by layers and layers of menus. Switching from MP3 to WAV format comes down to just the flick of a switch, enabling you to be speedy and precise when you need to be. The operating manual makes for a decidedly short read, and yet covers all the bases, which just goes to show how simple this unit is to use.
Thanks to a socket on the device, it's possible to plug in an auxiliary microphone or alternative sound source - for instance a lapel mic. It's rare for me to admit this about my own purchases, but I've got to say that I was more than a little disappointed by the combination of the H1 with the Audio Technica ATR3350. The H1 has no way to choose whether to use line or mic input levels, so you really need to get your talent to speak loudly if they're to be picked up at a reasonable level, without having to face the wrath of some intrusive hum.
The ATR3350 is powered by a watch battery (one fortunately comes in the box), but, as many others have pointed out, it would've been nice if Audio Technica had incorporated a LED into the device. Without any kind of clear indication as to whether the device is actually on (aside from the minute power-switch), it's easy to accidentally leave it on and drain the battery when it's not in use. That said, I've left it on overnight and there was still enough charge in the battery for me to use it the next morning.
The sound quality of the ATR3350 comes across as quite muffled and bass-heavy, which is instantly obvious when you compare it to the H1's on-board microphones. The generous amount of lead is both a blessing and a curse, because if it becomes knotted (and it will, unless you're particularly well-disciplined with your wire ties), it will likely take you quite a while to straighten out. Other users have recommended buying a cable-tidy, which wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
That said, the ATR3350 costs a meagre £25 on Amazon, and if nothing else it is functional. Fiddling with equaliser settings should allow you to squeeze some extra quality out of the unit, but if you were to ask my opinion, I'd put that £25 towards a better mic.
*** Quick Update ***
Having used the ATR3350 with a Sony PCM-50, I'd like to retract my original statement that it delivers a muffled sound - it's actually very usable - just not with the Zoom H1, apparently.
*** End ***
If you can look past the cheap build quality, the Zoom H1 will make a fantastic addition to anyone's setup, and is definitely worth considering if you're shooting with a DSLR or Handycam.
Today I'm going to look at a sound recording setup that won't break the bank (no matter how small), and it comes in the form of the Zoom H1 and an Audio Technica ATR3350 lapel mic.
Originally uploaded by charlesdyer
I'll start off by reiterating what so many other people have said, in that the Zoom H1 is a pretty awesome piece of kit for the money (£79 on Amazon). It's small, it's easy to use, and the sound quality is vibrant and clear. The solid-state memory (the included 2GB Micro SDHC card is more than adequate enough for most purposes) is a huge plus in my books (I've previously used MiniDisc recorders, which would have to be held away from the microphone in order to avoid the noise of the mechanism), and the built in stereo mics are really quite excellent.
The on board microphones do, however, suffer from two major weaknesses - wind noise and unit vibrations. Vibrations running through the unit can be illuminated with a still hand (although that does mean that you can't adjust levels during recording), but to get rid of the wind noise, you're going to need some kind of wind jammer.
Fortunately, Zoom sells a wind jammer as part of their accessory pack. Additionally, you'll get a mini tripod (got several of these things now), a mini-USB cable and a zip-up case. One thing that gets me about the accessory pack, however, is that the case isn't large enough to accommodate the supplied wind-jammer. Sad fact of the matter is that without anywhere to put it, it's likely that you'll lose the wind-jammer before long and need to buy another.
The major gripe that everyone seems to have about the Zoom H1 is the build quality and it must be said that its plastic body does feel quite astonishingly cheap. Buttons are quite spongey and the chassis creaky, but it should be remembered that this doesn't affect the functionality of the unit.
Slide the power switch on the side, and the H1 comes to life, the clear LCD greeting you with a simple 'Hi' and an orange glow. There's little to be classified as a menu system on the H1 - the few settings available are adjusted through dedicated buttons and switches, and this is a control layout that will likely appeal to professionals who are easily frustrated by layers and layers of menus. Switching from MP3 to WAV format comes down to just the flick of a switch, enabling you to be speedy and precise when you need to be. The operating manual makes for a decidedly short read, and yet covers all the bases, which just goes to show how simple this unit is to use.
Thanks to a socket on the device, it's possible to plug in an auxiliary microphone or alternative sound source - for instance a lapel mic. It's rare for me to admit this about my own purchases, but I've got to say that I was more than a little disappointed by the combination of the H1 with the Audio Technica ATR3350. The H1 has no way to choose whether to use line or mic input levels, so you really need to get your talent to speak loudly if they're to be picked up at a reasonable level, without having to face the wrath of some intrusive hum.
The ATR3350 is powered by a watch battery (one fortunately comes in the box), but, as many others have pointed out, it would've been nice if Audio Technica had incorporated a LED into the device. Without any kind of clear indication as to whether the device is actually on (aside from the minute power-switch), it's easy to accidentally leave it on and drain the battery when it's not in use. That said, I've left it on overnight and there was still enough charge in the battery for me to use it the next morning.
The sound quality of the ATR3350 comes across as quite muffled and bass-heavy, which is instantly obvious when you compare it to the H1's on-board microphones. The generous amount of lead is both a blessing and a curse, because if it becomes knotted (and it will, unless you're particularly well-disciplined with your wire ties), it will likely take you quite a while to straighten out. Other users have recommended buying a cable-tidy, which wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
That said, the ATR3350 costs a meagre £25 on Amazon, and if nothing else it is functional. Fiddling with equaliser settings should allow you to squeeze some extra quality out of the unit, but if you were to ask my opinion, I'd put that £25 towards a better mic.
*** Quick Update ***
Having used the ATR3350 with a Sony PCM-50, I'd like to retract my original statement that it delivers a muffled sound - it's actually very usable - just not with the Zoom H1, apparently.
*** End ***
If you can look past the cheap build quality, the Zoom H1 will make a fantastic addition to anyone's setup, and is definitely worth considering if you're shooting with a DSLR or Handycam.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Chris and Laura's Wedding
Thanks to my friends Chris and Laura Tomkins, who invited me to attend their incredible wedding in February this year.
Follow this link to see some of my photos from the event on Flickr.
Follow this link to see some of my photos from the event on Flickr.
As of late...
Hello world!
It's been a while since my last update, so it's probably time to dust off the blogging cobwebs and explain what I've been up to;
A large portion the beginning of my 2011 was taken up with preparations for this year's ITCA 2011 in Nice, where professionals from the on-board service industry demonstrated their latest and greatest product innovations for use in air, rail and sea travel. These ranged from Asiana Airlines' smile-inducing child hospitality programme, to DHL's technologically advanced asset tracking system. One of the key attractions of ITCA is The Mercurys; an awards ceremony that celebrates the work of the best and most pro-active companies in the industry. Fledgling and well-established companies compete against each-other for one of what is regarded as the most prestigious awards in travel catering.
This year marked the election of a new Mercury Chairman, and with that, a re-branding of the awards ceremony. After much reserach, several different concepts and some failed experiments, I settled upon the design that you see above - an animation that uses a combination of Maxon's Cinema 4D and composite effects in Apple's Final Cut Pro.
In addition to this brand identity, each category required its own introduction and video of contestants. None of the entrants were allowed to know who they were competing with until the show itself, although the video slideshow of entrants that rolled continuously over the three days prior to the big event demonstrated the wide range of entrants.
Another project of mine was a glamorous PowerPoint presentation, produced for Renegade Media's seeding proposal to BMW Mini, for their distribution of online content, comprising of a series of graphical explanations of their methods and key offerings. Renegade were so impressed by format of the presentation, that I was then asked to create a series of templates and slide masters so that they could easily replicate the presentation, adjusting the content to suit the circumstances of different clients, whilst still maintaining the animation-rich content.
Whilst I've never sold myself as a PowerPoint programmer, I'm extremely familiar with the software, and have now prepared (and operated) many presentations with Blue Sky Event and Media for such clients as Astra Tech, DEFRA and ITCA.
It's been a while since my last update, so it's probably time to dust off the blogging cobwebs and explain what I've been up to;
A large portion the beginning of my 2011 was taken up with preparations for this year's ITCA 2011 in Nice, where professionals from the on-board service industry demonstrated their latest and greatest product innovations for use in air, rail and sea travel. These ranged from Asiana Airlines' smile-inducing child hospitality programme, to DHL's technologically advanced asset tracking system. One of the key attractions of ITCA is The Mercurys; an awards ceremony that celebrates the work of the best and most pro-active companies in the industry. Fledgling and well-established companies compete against each-other for one of what is regarded as the most prestigious awards in travel catering.
This year marked the election of a new Mercury Chairman, and with that, a re-branding of the awards ceremony. After much reserach, several different concepts and some failed experiments, I settled upon the design that you see above - an animation that uses a combination of Maxon's Cinema 4D and composite effects in Apple's Final Cut Pro.
In addition to this brand identity, each category required its own introduction and video of contestants. None of the entrants were allowed to know who they were competing with until the show itself, although the video slideshow of entrants that rolled continuously over the three days prior to the big event demonstrated the wide range of entrants.
Another project of mine was a glamorous PowerPoint presentation, produced for Renegade Media's seeding proposal to BMW Mini, for their distribution of online content, comprising of a series of graphical explanations of their methods and key offerings. Renegade were so impressed by format of the presentation, that I was then asked to create a series of templates and slide masters so that they could easily replicate the presentation, adjusting the content to suit the circumstances of different clients, whilst still maintaining the animation-rich content.
Whilst I've never sold myself as a PowerPoint programmer, I'm extremely familiar with the software, and have now prepared (and operated) many presentations with Blue Sky Event and Media for such clients as Astra Tech, DEFRA and ITCA.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Blue Sky Event & Media Post-Production Showreel
Something that I've been cooking up for a while, finally unleashed onto the Internet.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Surface
A little excerpt from the Team Insight video that I recently completed at Blue Sky Event & Media.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Development Films
For the past few weeks, most of my time has been dedicated to twelve training programmes for Development Films. It's been a long while since I filmed or edited something based on a narrative script (the vast majority of projects that I undertake at Blue Sky are shot and assembled using the same documentary methods that a news and current affairs programme might use), and it's made a welcome change.
What makes this project particularly special to me is that I not only performed the role of second camera and editor (shooting on a Sony PMW-EX3 and editing on a Mac Pro with Final Cut Studio 2, but I also took on quite a bit of producing work, finding suitable locations and cast according to the guidelines set by the client.
The video presented below is currently being shown at exhibitions across the country (Adrian, Kay and Richard will be at the NEC in London tomorrow).
The first series of Development Films is due to go on sale this Autumn, available as a DVD or digital download from The Development Company.
What makes this project particularly special to me is that I not only performed the role of second camera and editor (shooting on a Sony PMW-EX3 and editing on a Mac Pro with Final Cut Studio 2, but I also took on quite a bit of producing work, finding suitable locations and cast according to the guidelines set by the client.
The video presented below is currently being shown at exhibitions across the country (Adrian, Kay and Richard will be at the NEC in London tomorrow).
The first series of Development Films is due to go on sale this Autumn, available as a DVD or digital download from The Development Company.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Somewhere Beyond the Sea...
Uncannily, it's a double bill of yet MORE watery-themed projects to talk about today.
I'll kick things off by first introducing this clip from Team Insight's video, charting their run up to their epic rowing voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. That's right - rowing 2935 miles, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to Antigua! And all in aid of charity!
I have to say, this has been one of my favourite projects to edit together, partly because it provided me with an opportunity to experiment with a few fancy effects, such as compositing and a bit of Apple Motion, but also because the guys had a really good sense of humour - something that I capitalised upon.
Their eventful trip was also blessed with some pretty decent footage. Three cameras were on-board the boat throughout the journey, two of which were fully waterproof and able to capture the action below the waves, as well as above.
You can find out more about Team Insight and their incredible feat at theirwebsite.
From one favourite, to the next. Students at Churchdown School recently participated in a project that melded together dance and illustrative art into a theatrical performance. Pupils were encouraged to explore new forms of expression in response to natural and man-made architectural forms in and around Gloucester. Gloucester being a city that grew up around docks, this mostly involves a lot of water.
When I was actually filming the performance, I had this underlying fear that I would never be able to recreate the dance in a flattering light. Stage performances do not always transfer themselves seamlessly onto film - the camera almost bottlenecks the performance and (for lack of better words) seems to suck the soul out of it, so this was my attempt to compensate for that loss. Rather than merely documenting the performance, it's an extension of it. Cue a load more compositing, filters, masks and colour-correction.
Enough talk and philosophising! Watch and enjoy!
I'll kick things off by first introducing this clip from Team Insight's video, charting their run up to their epic rowing voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. That's right - rowing 2935 miles, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to Antigua! And all in aid of charity!
I have to say, this has been one of my favourite projects to edit together, partly because it provided me with an opportunity to experiment with a few fancy effects, such as compositing and a bit of Apple Motion, but also because the guys had a really good sense of humour - something that I capitalised upon.
Their eventful trip was also blessed with some pretty decent footage. Three cameras were on-board the boat throughout the journey, two of which were fully waterproof and able to capture the action below the waves, as well as above.
You can find out more about Team Insight and their incredible feat at their
From one favourite, to the next. Students at Churchdown School recently participated in a project that melded together dance and illustrative art into a theatrical performance. Pupils were encouraged to explore new forms of expression in response to natural and man-made architectural forms in and around Gloucester. Gloucester being a city that grew up around docks, this mostly involves a lot of water.
When I was actually filming the performance, I had this underlying fear that I would never be able to recreate the dance in a flattering light. Stage performances do not always transfer themselves seamlessly onto film - the camera almost bottlenecks the performance and (for lack of better words) seems to suck the soul out of it, so this was my attempt to compensate for that loss. Rather than merely documenting the performance, it's an extension of it. Cue a load more compositing, filters, masks and colour-correction.
Enough talk and philosophising! Watch and enjoy!
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