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on July 20, 2011
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #13Corrected link for DS-related video
Post CommentMade a couple of cosmetic changes, which also changed the URL information. Here's the revised link: www.vimeo.com/26680440
Sorry for the unintended confusion. Enjoy :)
Rus
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on July 20, 2011
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #12The first glimpse!
Post CommentGreetings, all! Just completed a teaser video of sorts for the greater Different Skies documentary. Consider this one of the likely DVD extras on disc 2. For now, I just wanted to let all of you patient contributors get an idea of what the final product might look like, both in composition and in style.
Here's the link: www.vimeo.com/26660574
Due to its length, it exceeded the max size restriction for Facebook, so I had to upload it to a colleague's Vimeo Plus account :) Feel free to post comments and/or email me with feedback.
Rus
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on June 7, 2011
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #11Different Skies documentary update - latest news
Apologies for delays in reporting the project's progress. After waitingPost Comment
patiently for over 6 months, I finally received some crucial Team Metlay video
footage! This will play an extremely important role in the overall DS 'story',
as it shows the actual seeds of what would later become Different Skies... at
least conceptually.
Now, for the bad news :) I'm simply going to have to get more footage at this
year's event. After going through all the footage I took from DS10, I'm still
missing some necessary story ingredients. Due to hasty planning and focusing on
too few things last year, I neglected to capture any usable 'Day-in-the-life'
footage, showing what a typical day would be like for a DS participant. In fact,
what I'd like to do is have an entire DVD chapter devoted solely to this
perspective, going through the entire week including show night prep. It would
of course be edited and compressed for time, taking up only a few minutes in
totality. But I'd have fade in/out titles at the bottom of the screen to the
effect of "Day 1" or similar, covering all six days chronologically.
Plus, I want to supplement the previous 'interviews' with additional long-form
discussions. Perhaps as a group, or individually. I'll be setting up proper
lighting and backdrops this time, which will distinguish the new footage from
the old footage rather vividly :)
As far as donors are concerned, there will be no extra cost incurred for this
effort. In my opinion, it is simply a creative necessity for the project which
will only increase the resulting film's level of quality.
The upside is that I've learned so much in the relatively few months since the
last DS, with respect to composition, lighting, framing, exposure control,
effective use of filters, etc. And I would love to use this knowledge for the
betterment of the project ;)
What this means is that I will probably need to be 'in your face' with the
camera a bit more than last time. Please indulge me on this, if you would be so
kind. This is mostly for the random candid footage. From your perspective, I may
just seem like a pesky paparazzi dude. Rest assured, though... I think you'll be
pleasantly surprised how flattering the resulting footage will be :)
I've also learned a good amount of valuable information regarding color
correction, which will certainly pay off in spades for the documentary. Here's a
link to a video I put together a few weeks ago, featuring some recent attempts
at color correction:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=212431518785097Anyway, that's pretty much where things stand for now. The projected (and revised) release date for the documentary will be just prior to Different Skies 2012, which will help raise awareness and perhaps even increase artist sales. I'm looking forward to capturing more footage this year on all levels, knowing it be much better than last year ;)
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on September 10, 2010
Russell L. Foster
commented on a projectMike Just use this address at Paypal to submit contributions: paintswithsound@hotmail.com And don't forget to select the 'GIFT' option (rather than 'Purchase'), to avoid any fees or extra charges! Thanks, Rus Foster
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on September 9, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #10Almost there!
Dear Different Skies documentary supporters,
Many of you have already agreed to redirect donations directly to my Paypal account, which I both appreciate and applaud. The response has been quick and enthusiastic, with lots of folks rallying to the cause almost immediately! Again, thanks. There still remains just a few hundred dollars left to reach the revised funding goal, and I appeal to the remaining supporters to help us cross the finish line. We're close enough to warrant a final push from contributors. Let's make this Different Skies dream come true!
P.S. If you originally pledged $100 or more at the Kickstarter site, your redirected donations to my Paypal account will be the most immediately effective method of reaching this objective.
Much gratitude,
Rus Foster
Post Comment -
on September 1, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #9Paypal info
Post CommentBy the way, if you don't want to incur any Paypal charges, be sure to select the GIFT option rather than the PURCHASE option. With the Gift choice, no fees are imposed :)
Rus Foster
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on September 1, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #8Thoughts and thanks
Post CommentWell, here we are at the end of the line. So....what does this mean?
Essentially, it means that the party is over. According to Kickstarter policy, if the funding goal is not fully met (i.e. $5000.00), all funds are returned back to the contributors. This means that all bets are off and the Kickstarter project officially comes to halt, thus ending all interaction with the Kickstarter fundraising site.
If I simply accept that fate and stop there, the Different Skies documentary doesn't happen, plain and simple.
My reaction to this dilemma was to take the reins myself and devise a separate, but viable, Plan B so that the project might still be salvageable (and attainable) with the funds raised so far. This a significantly scaled-down plan, employing a relatively inexpensive HD camera with no additional frills. This is the smallest and least expensive manner in which I can imagine filming the project, while still retaining a minimal level of acceptable image quality. Again, no frills or additional professional rented gear will be possible with this budget. However, this particular camera can capture superb HD video footage, which I believe is worth all the other necessary compromises.
So far, Kickstarter contributors have pledged a little over $2100.00. This was not enough to cover expenses for the original plan of course, but it will fully cover expenses for Plan B. Now that the Kickstarter fundraising campaing is over, I simply ask existing contributors to now strongly consider directing their pledged funds to my Paypal account directly, especially if you still strongly support getting the official Different Skies documentary produced once and for all. I've already received positive responses from a handful of existing contributors, who have cheerfully agreed to the new plan. And one, in fact, has already sent a generous donation to get the ball rolling!
Simply put: your pledged contributions through the Kickstarter site are now void, and have been returned back to the donors. You can revive this project by sending those same contributions directly to me through Paypal, using this email address: paintswithsound@hotmail.com
I wish to thank each and every one of you for your support and enthusiasm for the project thus far. Let's please make this happen on our own terms now :)
Cordially,
Rus
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on September 1, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #7Possible Plan B - a follow up for clarification
Post CommentI received a very pleasant inquiry about what this Plan B means, compared to the initial Plan A. This led me to suspect that a number of other contributors may be asking the same question. Here is a simplified breakdown of the implications and related consequences:
Plan A (original fundraising goal)
This initial plan involved the use of a specialized HD video camera, the quality of which is considered standard protocol for the film and video industry. For that film 'look', a special adapter is required in order to use standard 35mm camera lenses on a digital video camera. This included professional camera accessories such as a matte box, follow focus, filters, heavy duty tripod, camera monitor, and high-end professional prime lenses. Also involved in the package was the use of specialized lighting, optimized for the purposes of interviews. In addition to that, it included the use of camera dollies and track systems, for fluid camera movement.Plan B
This is the lowest possible reduction of equipment, that is capable of a minimum level of acceptable quality. This plan involves just the Canon 7D camera, with none of the additional frills described above. This means NO specialized professional lighting systems, camera dollies, camera accessories, prime lenses or camera monitors. I would no doubt have to reign in some of my more ambitious shooting ideas and opt for a more frugal approach. But, it can still be done. This also means that a lot of the work saved in Plan A will now translate to a lot of extra editing in Plan B that is both tedious and very time-consuming. The upside is that at least I'll still have stunning footage to work with.Any other filming demands (like dolly shots) will have to be of the DIY variety, done onsite, and with whatever nearby materials I can gather. It'll be a true guerilla independent effort, with respect to technical behind-the-scenes issues :) Again, it can be done, as Robert Rodriguez demonstrated in El Mariachi with an ordinary shopping cart :)
Hope this clear things up, as the contrast between the two options is rather stark. This means that the project can still be produced and completed, using the most fundamentally basic equipment possible. This cuts almost every corner possible, with the exception of the camera itself. Well, that and a decent general purpose lens that comes bundled with the camera. All other tools and equipment will simply have to be scrounged, hand-built or hastily re-engineered onsite.
I will be posting a final message to all participants tomorrow, after the deadline is officially met. I'll share a couple of brief thoughts, and make a final appeal for adopting Plan B, as the necessary amount has now officially been met!
See you all again in about 22 hours :)
Rus
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on September 1, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #6Thoughts and thanks
For backers only
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on August 31, 2010
Russell L. Foster
Posted project update #5Possible Plan B - a follow up for clarification
For backers only
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Russell L. Foster
Mesa, AZ
I am a freelance video editor, aspiring independent filmmaker and lifelong professional musician. I embrace and explore a number of musical styles, most notably ambient electronic, using the artistic pseudonym Una Voce. For examples of my video editing work, feel free to visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/paintswithsound
I need the paypal info... can you have Bill Fox send it to me via a private facebook message?
Mike Hunter
nevermind...I see Rus on Facebook and will send a message to him directly