Our Tour of Anchorage

I did it. I finished the Tour of Anchorage. 25k of beautiful vistas, amazing athletes, and way too many hills. While the experience was one I’ll never forget, it’s probably not one I’ll decide to do again. We were dangerously unprepared for the course. Slow snow (normal, to be fair), steeper downhills, and way more uphills than we could have imagined. I was near the top of the pack for the team’s striders. I still struggled and nearly threw in the towel. A moose on the trail provided some much needed comedic relief. A group of us were stuck behind this snacking creature until she decided that we were boring, and moved on. On the 25k route, there were four feed stations. The BEST volunteers handing out water, sports drinks, and snacks, all while cheering us on. The last feed station also meant the last chance to bow out. None of us knew this. While I would be angry with myself if I had quit, I had no other choice but to finish.

After an already grueling 20k, the final stretch of the race was almost all uphill. Uphill on cross county skis is no joke. Uphill for a strider is brutal. I duck-walked up most hills, unable to get any glide on the soft snow. I cried. I cursed. I decided it was still better than cancer. After what seemed like a 1,000 foot climb near the middle of the course, I stopped to look at the view. Ice packs moving out of the bay towards the ocean, mountains in the distance, pure wild Alaska.

That view would help me struggle to the finish. Able bodied and healthy, I had to push on. I thought about my reasons for being there, my supporters back home, and finishing so I could have a nice cold beer.

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Final Cut Pro X – A Viable Update?

Six months after its release, there is another update for FCPX that might make users give it a second chance. Multicam support, XML, broadcast monitoring, and an app that allows you to transfer FCP7 files. It’s a big step, but is it enough?

Apple has posted the info of the update, and the internet has already begun talking about it. Check out the full post from Planet5D breaking it all down.

I have yet to edit a full project using FCPX. I feel awkward and uncomfortable, and if I want to get anything done quickly I have to go back to FCP7. I do know people who like it, and a colleague of mine absolutely loves it. This is not some chump who decided to start editing one day. He’s a USC Film School graduate, and feels that the speed and power of FCPX gives him more time to spend on other things.

However you feel about FCPX, I think this could be a step in the right direction. Many users have already made the switch to Adobe Premiere or even Avid’s workhorse Media Composer 6. Editors have options now, and I think it would behoove Apple to take notice. Their first good idea was to allow a 30 day trial for users. This took place back in September with the program’s first update. My main issue with X has been that it’s a completely different system. If I’m able to take the time and bridge the gaps, there might be some hope.

Afterthought: a few weeks ago I got around to reading a white paper from Apple explaining the differences between FCPX and FCP7. The doc is no longer online, and I’m guessing that it’s being revised to work with this new update. I’ll keep an eye out for the new doc, because I think I’m finally ready to give this program another shot.

Update! Check out this great post from Philip Bloom’s blog, with 7 pro FCPX editors explaining why they use the program.

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GoPro Is Watching Me

This is what happens when I get a new toy.

My dad got me an early birthday gift, one that I am super stoked for. I was already thinking of ordering a Hero for myself, so when I opened the package that had this little guy in it, I squealed.

I created this test video to try out the different settings. The standard setting is not 16:9, so when I converted the footage the clip was super stretched. But you can see all the other settings. I also learned how to use split screens for this test, so that was an added bonus.

We set out for our first training hike this Saturday, I’ll have the GoPro in hand.

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The Fallen

I strive to make videos that move people. As I learn I generally shoot happy moments, candid moments, and calm moments. I hope that someday I will be able to show the power and human spirit involved in shooting tough moments.

Shot in NYC on the 10th anniversary on the 9-11 attacks, Yael Shulman captured amazing imagery as men and women remember their comrades. Raw emotion and love can be seen on every face. The shots of the little girl just get to me. Grab a tissue and watch this video. I never knew two minutes could move me so much.

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288,000 Jelly Beans – A Stop Motion Bonanza

This video was shot for Kina Grannis for her single In Your Arms. The team used a shit ton of jelly beans to create the stop motion images. It took almost two years to produce, and there were no green screen shots. That’s right, Kina is laying down on a glass frame over the beans. The music video is great, and I hope they get more attention than just a passing video that spreads around the internet.

Check out this great behind the scenes video for how everything was done.

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