DigitalFilm Tree's Zed Saeed has helped create pioneering digital workflows built around FCP, custom-designed for large-scale productions. Their biggest challenge so far has come on "The Forbidden Kingdom," an epic film partnering Jackie Chan and Jet Li for the first time -- with production and post in China, Korea, Australia, and multiple locations in the US. Here's a look at how they put it all together with FCP, Xserve, XML, Color, file-based workflows...and hard, hard work. Read more...
In part 2 of our look at Windows on Mac, Creative Cow's Tim Wilson digs deeper into questions like 64-bit computing, drive formatting, and backing up your content. You'll find tips and tricks for dual-platform success, as well as answers to a few questions raised by part 1 of this series. Read more...
Sure it's possible, but why would anybody want to run Windows on a Mac? There are a bunch of great reasons for people using either OS -- and plenty more for people who have to use both. The Cow's Tim Wilson takes a look at some of the options for working with 2 --or even more-- operating systems on the same computer. Sometimes, even at the same time! Read more...
Okay, so you've taken the big plunge and started your own business. You've got the office set up, you've got the cards printed...now what? In part 3 of his series, Creative COW leader and business owner Walter Biscardi tells you what you need to know to get the word out, how to manage money...and manage clients! If you're even thinking about starting your own business, start here. Read on...
The Apple iPhone is more than just the best- and fastest-selling phone of all time. It has recently become the proving ground for the technologies that are making their way into the rest of the Apple product line...and far, far beyond that. Creative COW's Tim Wilson takes a look at Apple's recent iPhone announcement as he -- and Apple -- look at what the future might hold. Read More...
In this article, industry pioneer and technology guru
Mike Skibra (right) discusses both IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and the way that tools like Softron's
OnTheAir system delivers digital television over broadband network connections. IPTV is television content that,
instead of being delivered through traditional broadcast and cable formats, is received by the viewer through the
technologies used for computer networks. At the forefront of this new evolution in distribution, Softron OnTheAir
enables the delivery of content using these internet enabled computers to become new broadcast channels. The OnTheAir
system is Mac-based and in this article, Mike Skibra explains many of the basics you need to know for set-up and
successfully broadcasting your content.
Hollywood digital effects master and Creative COW magazine writer, Kim Segel, teaches how to get the "film look" using his shooting techniques. From the sounds of the movie, to the panning of the shot getting the right feel for your big film is more than just adding good special effects.
Kim explains what it takes to captivate the audience into each clip and turn your film into a realistic 3D world. Read more...
Nearly a year ago, Cow Magazine Associate Publisher Tim Wilson predicted that Wal-Mart would cast the deciding vote in the hi-def DVD format wars. Toshiba apparently thinks he was on to something.
Of course now that the Blu-ray consortium and its fans can claim victory, we actually have more questions from here than answers. How will Blu-ray fit into the rapidly changing media consumption landscape? When will media creation workflows improve? How will HD movie downloads fit into all this?
Oh yeah, and when's standard-def DVD going to go away?
So take a wide-ranging ride as director Michael Bay, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs weigh in on what happens now that The Big Dog has gotten off the porch, leading us to Blu-ray and beyond.
The COW isn't just the place to come for your software support needs. You'll find great resources for every aspect of production, starting with the COW's Cinematography Forum.
No matter what kind of software you edit with, no matter what kind of format you shoot, you need to SHOOT. Just a few of the topics recently covered in the Cinematography forum include:
Shooting Near Water
"I did some preliminary shooting at the location. The area is stunningly beautiful. However, the footage I got was flat and drained of color. Suggestions?"
What to do when you're finished with your CG movie"
"So when I read traditional movie making books, I see that when they are done filming they make a digital master, and from this they make all other outputs, for DVD, for TV and for cinema. How does this work for the CG film? Since there is no camera, we already are digital, so what are the steps..."
Stabilizers
"I'm comparing two models of stabilizers. One has two articulating arms, the other just one. Is double/two articluating arm better than the single ones? Does the two articulating arm model provide better stabilizaton or just a wider range of angles?"
Shooting Fireworks
"What should our camera settings be? Should we be fully iris opened? Any gain? What about shutter settings? Also, what color filter should we use for this?"
Don't see a question you need answered there? Ask one! Forum leaders have worked with everything from DV to film, winning awards from Tellys to Oscars. With over 150 years (!!!) of combined experience, if you've got a question about any aspect of shooting, you'll find what you need in the Creative COW Cinematography Forum!
One of the great newer parts of the COW that is growing quite rapidly is
our new blogs section. In it, users express themselves on everything
from technology to politics, music and art to a myriad of other things.
Recently, we've had some great stuff appear that's related to
Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut users. If you use either of these
tools, you will find the blogs a useful area of the COW.
So, you have decided to edit a
video in Premiere Pro. If you are coming from AVID or Final Cut, you may be surprised to see
some of the choices Adobe has made in their features, or lack of a few
seemingly key features. Believe me, you can get used to anything, and
once you do, it's no big deal.
So you want to work more
efficiently in Final Cut Pro? Well I have just the answer for you, Tabs!
Yeah, those things you see in the corner of every window. They can make
your life so much easier if you would only use them. Here, let me show
you how in my newest tutorial!
Mike Skibra (right) discusses both IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and the way that tools like Softron's
OnTheAir system delivers digital television over broadband network connections. IPTV is television content that,
instead of being delivered through traditional broadcast and cable formats, is received by the viewer through the
technologies used for computer networks. At the forefront of this new evolution in distribution, Softron OnTheAir
enables the delivery of content using these internet enabled computers to become new broadcast channels. The OnTheAir
system is Mac-based and in this article, Mike Skibra explains many of the basics you need to know for set-up and
successfully broadcasting your content.
So, you have decided to edit a
video in Premiere Pro. If you are coming from AVID or Final Cut, you may be surprised to see
some of the choices Adobe has made in their features, or lack of a few
seemingly key features. Believe me, you can get used to anything, and
once you do, it's no big deal.
So you want to work more
efficiently in Final Cut Pro? Well I have just the answer for you, Tabs!
Yeah, those things you see in the corner of every window. They can make
your life so much easier if you would only use them. Here, let me show
you how in my newest tutorial!
