We have a great episode lined up for you today. My co-host Chris Fenwick shares a great tip for handling B-roll in Final Cut Pro that will save you a boatload of time. He has a great screencast showing step-by-step this technique: How To Edit B-Roll Faster. Chris and I also talk about a great little stopmotion video that the children of Chris' friend Jeff Dykhouse put together using iStopMotion, a huge Lego collection, and a firewire controlled camcorder over the course of two months. An amazing accomplishment in an attention-deficit world (video embedded at the end of this post).

Trey RatcliffToday's episode features an interesting interview with Trey Ratcliff.

Trey Ratcliff does not need any introduction to visual artists - he is the Jedi Master of HDR photography and the prolific blogger and curator of his website Stuck In Customs.

In today's episode, Trey and I talk about a wide range of topics. For filmmakers, Trey discusses his interest in how the human brain responds to high speed video. He has conducted a number of interesting experiments using low cost point-and-shoot cameras that can record video at high frame rates.

We delve briefly into the topic of HDR photography and then discuss a number of topics on the "edge" of visual arts. Trey manages to fool me into thinking he has taken up oil painting. Find out how he accomplished that!

We move on to the topic of "the decade of the artist" - how business models have changed for visual artists in the 21st century. Trey candidly talks about his business model and why he chose to go the route he did.

We share our common interest of the amazing music of Patrick O'Hearn.

Trey Ratcliff's insight into visual arts is captivating. We only scratched the surface in this episode. No doubt we can expect more exciting developments from Trey as he continues to push the edge of visual arts.

Get your audio bits here: 

Download (iTunes AAC): Digital Convergence Episode 33 - iTunes/AAC

Download (MP3 version): Digital Convergence Episode 33 - MP3 

RSS Feed: Subscribe to the 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Subscribe in iTunes here: 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Links from the podcast:

Trey Ratcliff's Stuck In Customs website: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/

Trey Ratcliff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TreyRatcliff

CinemaFXV for iPhone 4

Red Giant Software's Plastic Bullet for iPhone

Owl City / Fireflies on iTunes

Patrick O'Hearn on iTunes

Trey Ratcliff's Japan: Heartbeats of Time

Japan - Heartbeats of Time from Trey Ratcliff on Vimeo.

"I spend a lot of time thinking about the way memory and sight work together. I don't think we remember in "pictures" or long videos... but something in between. Perhaps we also sense, at times, more than 30 fps, and unexpected parts of the brain fire when we are presented with certain objects and forms." - Trey Ratcliff

Katelyn and Andrew Dykhouse's iStopMotion Video:

Lego Fireflies Owl City

In this episode Chris Fenwick and I talk with employee #1 of RED Digital Cinema: Ted Schilowitz. Ted talks with us about the Scarlet and EPIC cameras from RED.

What is variable HDR - an intriguing feature recently announced for EPIC - promising over 13 stops dynamic range? Will variable HDR be available for Scarlet? When will Scarlet ship? What is RED's position on the HDSLR video revolution? Where can HDSLR photographers learn more about shooting with RED? Why should cinematographers care about 4K? How does Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premeire Pro CS5 workflow compare for RED footage? Chris and I also share listener questions with Ted. A great episode! Ted was a fine guest and we are going to be inviting him back soon to dig into more details about EPIC and Scarlet. Just not enough time in one episode to talk about all the great things the RED team is doing.

This episode of the Digital Convergence podcast is also the first episode where I have the privilege of working with a co-host. Chris Fenwick is a post-production expert and accomplished filmmaker and photographer. With several years of experience in the industry, his opinions and insights are a welcome addition to this and future episodes of this podcast.

I apologize for the some the glitches in this episode. I'm going to invest in better gear for recording future episodes so you don't have to be distracted by chair squeaks, snorts and sniffles (gross), line hum, uneven levels and all that noise! Thanks for bearing with me on this. Good thing I have a good post production guy to collaborate with!

Get your audio bits here: 

Download (iTunes AAC): Digital Convergence Episode 32 - iTunes/AAC

Download (MP3 version): Digital Convergence Episode 32 - MP3 

RSS Feed: Subscribe to the 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Subscribe in iTunes here: 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Links from the podcast:

RED Digital Cinema: http://www.red.com/

RED User Forum: http://reduser.net/forum/index.php 

REDucation: http://www.reducation.net/ 

Leonardo Dicaprio screen test with RED ONE

This Digital Convergence episode is a little bit different from past episodes. In this edition I have three information packed segments. It's a little longer than usual, but I think you will find it worth it to give today's guests a listen.

Sean Safreed and Red Giant Software

In the first segment of the show I talk with Sean Safreed - the co-founder of Red Giant Software. He talks about Red Giant's new plugin Magic Bullet Colorista II as well as exciting new things coming from the genius developers of Red Giant Software.

Sean Safreed and Red Giant Software has a special offer for 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence listeners: Get 10% off off Magic Bullet Looks, Magic Bullet Quick Looks, Magic Bullet Mojo, Magic Bullet Grinder and Magic Bullet Colorista II. The sale runs through Monday, August 16, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST (California). To find out when the sale ends in your time zone, visit the World Clock site.

Enter Coupon Code convergence10 during checkout to redeem your discount on the page titled Review and Submit Your Order. (Note: The coupon code field appears after you have entered your credit card information and hit Continue.)

Red Giant Software is also the developer of the amazing iPhone photography app Plastic Bullet.

 Plastic Bullet

Aaron Pinto and Letus Direct

In the second segment of the show, I talk with Aaron Pinto - CEO of Letus Direct - a primary marketer and distributor of Letus products. Letus made a name for itself with it's line of 35mm adapters that allowed videographers to achieve shallow DOF and a filmic look with video cameras. Aaron talks about a new line of products developed by Letus for the DSLR filmmaker.

Robert Benson - Advertising, Commercial, and Editorial Photographer

In the last segment of the show, I talk with photographer Robert Benson from San Diego, California. He is an accomplished commercial, advertising, and editorial photographer who has recently embraced filmmaking with a Canon 5D Mark II and motion graphics. Robert talks about a new wireless monitor he has created for the Canon 5D Mark II.

Get your audio bits here:

Download (iTunes AAC): Digital Convergence Episode 31 - iTunes/AAC

Download (MP3 version): Digital Convergence Episode 31 - MP3 

RSS Feed: Subscribe to the 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Subscribe in iTunes here: 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Links from the podcast:

Red Giant Software website: http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/

Sean Safreed on Twitter: http://twitter.com/redgiantsean

LetusDirect website: http://www.letusdirect.com/

LetusDSLR website: http://letusdslr.com/

Letus manufacturer website: http://letus35.com/

Robert Benson's website: http://www.robertbenson.com/

Robert Benson's blog: http://robertbenson.com/blog/

Robert Benson's Wireless Video Monitor Demo

FIGHT from Herman Munster on Vimeo.

This is a personal project I've been working on for more than a month. I was initially inspired by the motion graphics from European designer Magnus Engfors. Most of what you see here was created in Adobe After Effects and Sony Vegas. Shot in San Francisco. Martial artists are Fred Yu and Darren Domingo; thanks guys for your talent and willingness to be a part of this.

I'm a still photographer in San Diego. See more of my work at www.robertbenson.com

Red Giant Software Getting Started with Magic Bullet Colorista II

01 - Getting Started with Magic Bullet Colorista II from Red Giant Software on Vimeo.

In this tutorial, Director Stu Maschwitz gives a general overview of Red Giant Software's Magic Bullet Colorista II, the next generation color correction tool.

Get Colorista II here: http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/magic-bullet-colorista-II/

Shane Hurlbut of Hurlbut Visuals is the general of the video DSLR revolution. He and his Elite Team sargents are conducting the HDSLR Bootcamp at Alternative Rentals Digital Cinema in Los Angeles, California, on August 28-29, 2010. Designed for video DSLR filmmakers, the course is two days of personally tailored intensive training on film production using Canon DSLRs. You will hit the ground running with hands experience with a wide range of gear. You will work with actors. You will see your epic production projected on the big screen. Shane and his Elite Team compress over 17 months of experience using Canon DSLRs for feature film production into this intense 2-day course.

16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence listeners may register for this epic event and receive a 40% discount off - a savings of $1300. Use the code 16x9cinema when you register.

Even if you are unable to attend this course, there's a lot of information in this episode that you will find interesting and informative.

SAVE 40% - USE THIS SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE WHEN YOU REGISTER: 16x9cinema

Register here: https://www.hdslrbootcamp.com/sign_up.php

Get your audio bits here:

Download (iTunes AAC): Digital Convergence Episode 30 - iTunes/AAC

Download (MP3 version): Digital Convergence Episode 30 - MP3 

RSS Feed: Subscribe to the 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Subscribe in iTunes here: 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Links from the podcast:

The HDSLR Bootcamp website: http://www.hdslrbootcamp.com/

Hurlbut Visuals website: http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/

Shane Hurlbut's blog: http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/

Follow Hurlbut Visuals on Twitter: http://twitter.com/hurlbutvisuals

In Episode 29 of the Digital Convergence Podcast by 16x9 Cinema, I talk with Washington DC-based freelance filmmaker and director of photography, Garett O'Brien. Garrett talks about his experience using the Canon DSLRs and his work as an intern with Philip Bloom on LucasFilms' feature film Red Tails. Garrett shares his thoughts on film school and education, and shares LucasFilm's Rick McCallum's helpful advice to advance Garrett's filmmaking career. Garrett is an experienced Canon 7D cinematographer and is quick to share his knowledge and experience on this episode of the  Digital Convergence podcast. His blog is also a great source of information on shooting video with a DSLR. A fun and inspiring conversation with one of the up and coming filmmakers of the 21st century.

Get your audio bits here:

Download (iTunes AAC): Digital Convergence Episode 29 - iTunes/AAC

Download (MP3 version): Digital Convergence Episode 29 - MP3 

RSS Feed: Subscribe to the 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Subscribe in iTunes here: 16x9 Cinema Digital Convergence Podcast

Links from the podcast:

Garrett O'Brien's website and blog: http://govisuals.com/

Garrett O'Brien on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GarrettOB

Cinematography Reel - 2010 from Garrett O'Brien on Vimeo.

Many thanks to all that helped to make this reel along the way.

Edited and Color Corrected by: Garrett O'Brien

Website: www.GOVisuals.com
E-mail: Garrett@GOVisuals.com
Phone: 240-687-2402