SEQUENTIAL Pictures

[ntbullock]

De-Nomination, my religious docu, is coming along. I've been creating titles for the opening sequence the past few nights using After Effects. I've done some preliminary editing, whittling down the footage, and after I get the last interview I'll start putting it all together. It may end up being about an hour. Some consider this feature length - some don't. I haven't released too much information because it's taken me so long to make progress on the project.

[ntbullock]

The above post was my first post about the project. I moved it to this newly created space that is more fitting.

I had my last interview loosely scheduled for this past Saturday [040304], but I was unable to contact him. I've since spoken with him and again I'm loosely scheduled for this coming Saturday. I also decided this weekend to interview a scholar to aid in closing the piece. I am in the process of contacting someone to help me with the project and lend their time. I actively began De-Nomination in the middle of December and had notions of finishing much earlier, but I am at the mercy of my participants. I will work on the opening sequence while I am waiting.

[ntbullock]

I've been busy working on the opening sequence. These two minutes or so will set up about an hour's worth of information, so I want it to be impactful. I've also started laying down some of the music I recorded. I asked the largest church in town if I could record some organ. They agreed. So, then I got myself an hour to "key around." Do I play the organ, you ask? No, I just "key around." Did I know how to turn the rig on before I got there? No, but it sure sounded awesome when those Leslie speakers wound up. It was an experience. I played for about an hour. I recorded about 11 minutes. I'll use about 1 minute of it for the intro and outro.

I've also finally gotten to edit in my aerial footage. That's a whole other story. I was up 430 feet in this open-air "flying contraption." It was great.

I plan on tweaking the opening tonight and working on the music and sound effects. I may need to record some choral vocals, too.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Well, the interview for Saturday fell through again. I may have to search for someone else. Scheduling all of this has been somewhat rediculous. Tenacity is key. I'm still working on the opening and having to re-render some graphics.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've been busy with another smaller project. I have an interview with a college professor coming up soon, and I'm still searching for my last interview. Still taking longer than I ever imagined.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I got the interview with the college professor last Saturday and it went splendid. I got some good footage. I'm currently still trying to flag down a Methodist clergyman in the immediate area. After I get that interview I'll be done with principle photography. Until then I plan on working on the opening sequence and promo trailer.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I finally got my last interview the other day, and I've started laying everything down on the line. I guesstimate that this feature will be about an hour long. There's still a lot of work to do and I imagine, due to the length, that it'll be at least 5 days until I have a decent rough cut.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've cropped everything to widescreen, and re-rendered my DeNom logo. I've also started producing the promotional trailer, which will be on the site within the next couple of weeks. At this point, I'm making minor edits to the content, and I'll start working on the credits soon. Next up will more than likely be completing the music for the opening and closing segments. Coming along as expected...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to work on DeNom. Hopefully, within the next couple of days I will resume.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I actually was able to get a little work done this evening on the project. I have been freelancing so much that I've had to turn my attention towards more financial avenues, but I've had DeNom in the back of my head the whole time. It was nice to work on it again. I'm still excited about this project even after almost half a year of working on it.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've actually gotten a decent amount done on DeNom the past couple of days. I finished the music and integrated it. I created the credits. I exported all the dialogue from the interviews into ProTools and tweaked it. One clip is giving me a bit of trouble as far as room noise, but I'm sure I'll be able to dampen it. From here it's trial and error for a bit, then I'll color correct a few of the shots and start finishing it off. Shortly after that I look forward to creating the DVD.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Today I've been color correcting the interviews. I decided to color correct the whole thing. I desaturated the interviews a tad, crushed the blacks a little, and boosted the contrast by a few points. They look a little better.

I've got to re-render an opening shot, but past that there will be little left to do. I think by week's end I'll have a 99% complete version. I'm also going to try and kick out the promotional trailer this week, as well. I suspect it will be a minute or less.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Well, I finished the Promo Trailer. I'm pleased with it. I've been doing last minute tweaks to the movie. It's down to nitpicky items at this point. Am I 100% content with it. No, but I never am. There are things that I would do differently, and there have been many things I've learned through the process that I wish I could retroactively apply, but overall I have a complete piece. I don't regret doing it, and I am proud of it. Within the next couple of days it will be ready to grace DVD. From there I'd imagine the DVD will be ready within a week unless my freelance kicks up again with a vengence.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've done some last minute alterations to the music, and I'm just going over it with scrutinizing eyes. I've also been working out the DVD menus and cover design in my mind the past few days. Soon, soon, soon...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've spent the last day designing the DVD insert and making last minute color corrections. Up next I'm going to start building the actual DVD. I just purchased a DVD duplicator, so this will obviously aid in mass producing it. The disc will sell for $20 through the site. I'm anxious for a response from the general public.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've started compressing the movie for DVD. It took 4 1/2 hours to compress the video down to around 3 gigs. Then I created a 30 second background for the menus and that rendered for a few hours. So, a lot of what I'm doing now is waiting on the computer. It's coming along, though. I also decided to record a production commentary for the movie. It may not be as long as the movie, but it should be insightful.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I recorded the commentary, which is about 45 minutes suprisingly, and I'm having to go back and re-render a few things. I'm also going to have to re-compress the movie for DVD. I found a couple things that need changing. Getting there slowly...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I have finished the DVD menus and incorporated the commentary. I'm viewing it one more time to make sure of things. I also had to go back and re-render, yet again, some of the opening text effects. They aren't as crisp as I'd like, but I've learned from this. Moving on...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I have finished the DVD and starting "mass" producing the disc. I bought a DVD/CD Duplicator and have been praising it here lately. My printer, on the other hand, gives me fits, but it'll get the job done. After I make an adequate amount I'll start updating the site.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Well, I have finally finished making the first batch of DVDs and I've started promoting the movie. Feels good to complete it.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've put up flyers around town, made a 30 second spot for television that I'm going to get aired, trying to get the movie shown on a local channel, scheduled a viewing at the local library, and gotten an article in the paper. Hopefully, this will raise awareness in the area and will spread. I've done more promoting for this than I have anything else. We'll see...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I'm in the middle of getting ready to re-edit De-Nomination. I would be taking out the Mormon and replacing him with a black minister. I'd be killing two birds with one stone.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I'm still waiting on finding a black minister. I truly never thought this project would take this long, and it seems to continue on.

I realized I didn't log the reason I'm re-editing. The hard-line Christians in my area don't believe Mormon to be Christian. Therefore it has stunted the growth and popularity of the movie locally, which is where I expected to make the most sales. I still have yet to recoup my expenses on the movie. Hopefully, the re-edit, or "version 2", will be more user friendly.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Still waiting to find a black minister. I'm in the middle of a couple of other projects, so hopefully it'll work out in time.
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

You know what? I think I'll give this one up, eh? I tried. On to bigger and better...
_________________

[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]