Making the Switch to Adobe Premiere

2011 has been a year of upgrades for Tarazod Films. Several months ago we finally took the dive into HD with the purchase of a Canon 7D camera. While it's not a perfect video solution, being a DSLR, the camera was "affordable". And we're totally excited about the stunning image results we're getting. Far superior to anything we've shot before.

On the post-production side of things, we've also been well overdue for a replacement to our 6 year old Mac tower. However, as long as we were in a position where we needed both computer and software upgrades, we decided to wait. We wanted to see what the new Apple release of the Final Cut Pro X editing software looked like before moving forward with our purchases. Now we're so glad we did.

There's a lot of interesting and potentially dynamic functions in the the new FCP, but frankly, it's not a professional program. We're tired of waiting on Apple to finally come through with the editing program that gives pros what they need. So we're not waiting anymore. We're making the switch!

Not only are we going to take advantage of Adobe's current 50% off offer on their CS5.5 Production Suite, but we're dumping Mac altogether. We're going to build our own beefy PC editing machine at a fraction of the cost that a new Mac tower would have set us back.

We have several diverse projects in the works, and we're done waiting on our equipment. It's time to get busy!

For anyone interested in learning how to build their own editing PC, visit the Videoguys.com for professional and FREE support.

Mad City Chickens Heading Back to Chicago Area

Public Screening June, 28th, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Co-sponsored by McHenry County Transition, Enviromental Defenders, and Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute - 7:00 pm McHenry County College, Conference Center, 8900 US Hwy 14.

Automatic Coop Door Opener

We thought this looked pretty cool. Video was posted by AutomaticChickenCoops.

The C-Stand

The versatile C-stand is employed on set by the grip department in a variety of rigging situations.

The name comes from the official term "century stand", which in turn comes from the earliest days of filmmaking, when the Sun was the only major source of lighting; reflectors were used to keep the light on actors. The most popular size of reflector was the 100-inch "Century"; a progenitor of today's C-stand was used to hold it up. Source: Wikipedia

The main function of the C-stand is to hold and position things like silks, gels, reflectors and flags in such a way as to modify the light source that is being used on set. The light is thus defused, tinted, bounced or blocked depending upon what is needed. The stand can also be used to hold small lights as well as anything else that might benefit from being held in place.

Videos on proper C-stand use...

Video posted by easyrevolver.

Video posted by CinemaGadgets.

Video posted by indymogal.

More details off Wikipedia...

The stand is constructed almost entirely of metal and consists of a tripod base, and a riser column with a pin or pin receiver. The legs of most stands are designed to be nested, so many stands can be stacked together in a small space. The stand itself is extendible by a number of risers which allow the stand's height to vary from 40 inches upwards. A "gobo" arm, "gobo" head, fixture or other piece of equipment gets mounted to the pin. The arm and head are easily detachable from the stand, allowing them to be used with the other stands and clamps available to the grip department. All the parts of the stand are loosened and tightened via applied torque.

One leading manufacturer of C-stands is Matthews Studio Equipment; their 1974 design introduced the adjustable parts of the C-stand, greatly increasing the stand's usefulness. Other manufacturers include American Grip, Avenger, Modern Studio Equipment, Mole-Richardson and Norms Grip.


More C-stand videos...

Video posted by toyocatt.


Video posted by ocabj.

Ben Nye and Movie Makeup

A well-known Hollywood makeup artist from the 1930s to the 1980s, Ben Nye worked on such films as Gone with the Wind, Miracle on 34th Street, The King and I, and the original Planet of the Apes. He retired in 1967 and created the Ben Nye Makeup Company, known today in the industry as one the most reputable makeup suppliers for film and theater.


Interview with Ben's son Dana Nye...

A tour of the Ben Nye Makeup Company...

Videos posted by EnKoreMakeup

Also read an article at IndieFilmLA.com introducing the basics of Building Your Actor's Makeup Kit.

MCC Buttons

Our Mad City Chickens "egghead" button went through a slight update in design awhile back. Available for purchase through our online store.

Salt Lake City Premiere of Mad City Chickens!

Mad City Chickens in Utah! Come see it on June, 20th in Salt Lake City. The Chicken Week Screening is being sponsored by the Wasatch Community Gardens. The documentary starts at 7:00 pm Salt Lake Film Society's Tower Theatre, 876 East 900 South in SLC.