lower thirds

Moving Day

 

It's moving day. For Lower Thirds.

For years I've been blogging here; about my job, my clients, everything production and post production related. And I'm going to keep blogging...just not here. As of today, I'm officially moving my Lower Thirds blog over to Tumblr.

So please join me over there, by following me here.

So it's not goodbye, it's just, see you over there.

Thanks guys.

 

KMB

News: Larry Jordan & Associates Launches Focused Education Program with Special Pricing and Services for Universities, Film Schools, Students

I'm always pleased to showcase news of companies from our community who place a special focus on schools and students - the people with the most promise and the least funding.

Larry Jordan & Associates is the latest to offer some relief to students, film schools and universities.

 

Larry Jordan & Associates Launches Focused Education Program with Special Pricing and Services for Universities, Film Schools, Students

 

Renowned FCPX and Adobe Premiere Pro Trainer to Bring Professional Caliber Editing, Post Production Training to Students

 

 

Burbank, CA (July 10, 2014) – Larry Jordan & Associates, Inc. (http://www.larryjordan.biz) announced today that they have launched a new educational initiative designed to make it easier for schools and students to invest in, and embrace professional-caliber post production training skills with industry-renowned expert trainer, Larry Jordan. With this announcement, Larry Jordan & Associates is launching a new educators pricing program for universities, schools and students that include special discounts on industry-leading training on popular post productions applications, including Apple Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro, as well as additional educational support materials.

 

The new program comes at a time when schools are expanding their efforts to provide more advanced training for their students to better prepare them for new careers upon graduation.

 

“These are difficult times for film schools and universities; increasingly tighter budgets make it difficult for educators to best prepare their students with the latest technologies and training needed to compete in this competitive creative market,” said Larry Jordan, president and founder of Larry Jordan & Associates. “Today’s graduating students need to be well versed in all aspects of post production, so we decided the time was right to launch a focused program that made it even easier for schools and students to invest in professional level training at a price that doesn’t stress their already fragile budgets.”

 

Educator Discounts and Services

Effective immediately, qualifying schools and students are eligible to receive Apple Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro training, deeply discounted and tailored to meet the needs of individual schools. Plus, custom training programs are available providing live, online training for the classroom, quizzes, and other teacher support materials. For more information and to participate in the Educators Program, please visit http://www.larryjordan.biz or contact Debbie Price at [email protected].

 

About the Larry Jordan & Associates

Larry Jordan is an internationally-renowned consultant and Apple-Certified trainer with over 35 years experience as a television producer, director and editor with national broadcast and corporate credits. His informative and entertaining teaching style provides video and film editors around the world with unique editing techniques, methods and resources to increase productivity and enhance their skills.

 

Based in Los Angeles, he’s a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America. In addition to his online training and in-person seminars, Jordan writes and edits the FREE, ‘Larry Jordan’s Weekly Final Cut & Adobe Newsletter’ –  now in its ninth year of publishing, which provides essential news and tutorials on a variety of audio and video editing software. He is the author of hundreds of hours of online training and eight books on editing, published by Peachpit Press and Focal Press including his latest, Adobe Premiere Pro Power Tips: Secrets, Shortcuts, and Techniques.  

 

Larry Jordan is also the executive producer and host of the Digital Production BuZZ. Heard in over 182 countries around the world, the Digital Production BuZZ is the industry’s longest-running podcast covering creative content producers and tech news for media production, post-production, marketing and distribution. New episodes of the weekly Digital Production BuZZ air every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT. Episodes are available live from the website, or are available for download later on iTunes. Listeners can also sign up for the free, weekly BuZZ Newsletter and get a sneak peak of each week’s show by visiting www.digitalproductionbuzz.com.

iOgrapher Teams up with University of Arizona's Project FOCUS

 

When iOgrapher's inventor/founder Dave Basulto first approached me last spring about his new invention, I knew he had something special. My gut told me that consumers would love it; and I knew the professional production crowd would love it too (the best camera is the one you have with you, right!?).

But what I wasn't expecting was the outpouring from the educational community - not only from filmschools, but from high schools and the university leve as well. So I was really excited - and proud - when the University of Arizona reached out and told us about the amazing things they're doing with special needs students.

And I was especially proud to be involved with this announcement:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 iOgrapher® LLC and the University of Arizona Project FOCUS to Help Students with Disabilities Learn Filmmaking Techniques on the iPad Mini

 

  iOgrapher Filmmaking Case for the Apple iPad Mini Incorporates Design Ideal for Students with Disabilities; Handles Make it Easier to Hold, Shoot Video

 

San Marino, CA (October, 23 2013) – The creators of the patent-pending iOgrapher® filmmaking support case for the iPad Mini (www.iographer.com) today announced that it has been chosen by the University of Arizona’s Project FOCUS to help students with disabilities learn filmmaking and editing techniques using the Apple iPad Mini and the new iOgrapher filmmaking support case.

 

The University of Arizona’s Project FOCUS is dedicated to supporting students with intellectual and physical disabilities, and has designed innovative curricula for its students, built on technologies such as the Apple iPad, to help them overcome challenges and ultimately thrive. While Project FOCUS provides iPads to each of its students, many students struggle with grasping and balancing the iPad while shooting video. The iOgrapher, with its built-in handles and tripod mounts has been selected by the University’s Project FOCUS as the ideal solution to enhance the mobile filmmaking experience for their students.

 

Phyllis Brodsky is project coordinator for Project FOCUS, University of Arizona. While searching for tools and technologies to enhance the curriculum and overall university experience for her students with disabilities, she discovered iOgrapher.

 

“When I found the iOgrapher, my first thought was how this product could have an unexpected, yet significant impact on people with disabilities,” said Phyllis. “Project FOCUS’ primary aim is helping students with intellectual and physical disabilities better experience the University life, attend courses and just experience campus life at the University of Arizona to the fullest. A one-to-one iPad program is a big part of our program, and videography and photography are often a big part of what our students do. Some use photos or videos to communicate while others like making short video productions that they post on YouTube. We are excited to have the opportunity to use the iOgrapher with our group of students. I believe it will offer them greater physical stability, visual focus and fine motor dexterity then they've had in the past. It will also step it up a notch for them as they think about using it to record interviews and create more professional-style videos.”

 

About the iOgrapher for the iPad

The iOgrapher for the Apple iPad is the first all purpose film making case for the iPad and iPad Mini and is designed and manufactured in the United States. The iOgrapher is constructed from high quality, extremely tough polycarbonate, and its patent-pending design is for everyone from families with kids, to students, to Indies and professional filmmakers and videographers. 

 

The iOgrapher’s unique design features two handles on each side of the case, transforming the iPad mini into a hand-held ‘steadicam rig’ which eliminates shaky footage common when shooting video with mobile devices. The iOgrapher is also designed to enable consumers and filmmakers alike to easily add 37mm lenses to its lens mount area for wide angles, fisheye looks, or to capture macro or close up shots. Users can attach lighting and audio gear to its three accessory shoes on the top of the case. The bottom of the case is designed to enable mounting to any standard tripod, monopod, or portable dolly. 

 

Created by high-school media arts teacher and filmmaker, Dave Basulto, the iOgrapher was inspired by Dave’s students, who he wanted to empower with the ability to shoot and edit video, take stills and stream video live - all from an inexpensive, accessible device. 

 

Pricing and Availability

The iOgrapher for the iPad Mini is available immediately. Priced at $65.00 USD, the iOgrapher can be purchased by visiting www.iographer.com. The Company is also now accepting pre-orders for the iOgrapher for the iPad 3 and 4. Pre-orders can also be placed by visiting www.iographer.com.

 

About iOgrapher 

The iOgrapher for the Apple iPad is the first all purpose film making case for the iPad. Constructed from high grade, extremely tough moulded plastic, the iOgrapher is designed for everyone from families with kids, to students, to Indies to professional filmmakers and videographers. For more information, please visit www.iographer.com, follow us on Twitter at @iographer, or ‘Like’ us in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Iographer. 

 

iOgrapher is a Registered Trademark of iOgrapher LLC. All iOgrapher product designs are patent-pending.

 

iOgrapher Creator, Dave Basulto Shares His Inspiration with Apple Educators

iOgrapher - Apple Education Event from David Basulto on Vimeo.

 

With just about a month to go before iOgrapher begins shipping to the masses, creator Dave Basulto has already been inspiring droves of people from every corner of the market and from all over the world.

Dave's been also working closely with some key people at Apple who are focused on video production techniques for educators for an upcoming Apple Education Event. In this video, Dave talks about his inspiration for the iOgrapher and shows off just a little of what this amazing new device can do.

You can also learn more about the iOgrapher from their new web site here.

Red Giant PluralEyes 3.1: The Fast and the Furious..

Well, let's just say...fast! Really fast!

Today Red Giant released a new version of its 'blazingly fast' PluralEyes audio/video syncing software. Purchased from Singular Software over the summer, Red Giant has quickly reached some impressive milestones with this time-saving (and many filmmakers might call it, life-saving) piece of software.

Since acquiring the product line from Singular, Red Giant has released a version 3 for Mac which jacked up the sync speed by a factor of 20x over version 2; they're now coming out with 3.1 upgrade that adds MXF support and timeline sync for Avid Media Composer. This will make a lot of editors happy (happier). And a Windows version is in development - coming soon, as they say.

The press release is copied below, but you can also get more info (and purchase) here.

It's worth noting, when Red Giant launched PluralEyes 3 for Mac, they tapped into the talented and very funny (and Webby Award-winning) filmmaker, Seth Worley, to create a new short film in support of the launch called Form 17. True to Seth's sense of humor, the film follows a father/daughter team during a 'take your daughter to work' day for a school project. Thing is, the girls father works for the Bomb Squad defusing bombs!

 

Form 17 from Red Giant on Vimeo.

You can also watch the 'making of' Form 17 here. In this film, you see just how Seth takes advantage of PluralEyes to sync multiple tracks of audio and video from multiple sources, incuding an iPhone. So you get to see first hand just how this thing works, and how it fits into your workflow.

So defintely check out this amazing piece of software from Red Giant! 

 

Official Press Release:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red Giant Ships PluralEyes 3.1 with Expanded Support for Professional Workflows

PluralEyes 3.1 Adds Timeline Sync and Native MXF Support for Avid Media Composer for Mac

Portland, OR (November 27, 2012) – Red Giant today announced the release of PluralEyes® 3.1 for Mac OS X, a new upgrade to the industry’s most trusted audio/video syncing software. With PluralEyes 3.1, Red Giant adds support for Avid Media Composer for Mac, MXF support for a more professional camera workflows, and a new time-saving workflow feature called “Do It For Me.”

PluralEyes 3.1 automates audio/video synchronization in seconds, giving videographers and filmmakers edit-ready footage without clappers or timecode, and with blazing speed and accuracy. The new release of PluralEyes 3.1 now offers:

• Support for Avid Media Composer: PluralEyes 3.1 now imports and exports its synced timeline directly to Avid Media Composer on Mac, along with Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro;
• MXF Support: PluralEyes 3.1 supports more professional workflows, adding native MXF support for Media Composer and Premiere Pro;

• “Do It For Me” Workflow: A new set of features quickly imports and organizes your clips. You drag-and-drop the clips as ‘Takes,’ hit Sync, and PluralEyes figures out their relationship.

“PluralEyes joined the Red Giant product family this summer, and we are still feeling the excitement from our customers,” said Drew Little, president and co-founder of Red Giant. “This software is an innovative solution that takes a very big issue for our customers — syncing audio and video — and automates it in seconds. That alone has a tremendous impact on the time and budget of every editor and producer. And now with PluralEyes 3.1, released just two months later, we’re bringing this benefit to an even broader base of filmmakers and editors.”


About PluralEyes 3: Revolutionizing the Audio Sync
PluralEyes revolutionized the post-production pipeline for audio and video syncing, allowing editors to finish their sync in seconds, rather than hours or days. Now, PluralEyes 3.1 is blazingly fast, getting the sync done up to 20x faster than PluralEyes 2. Other features include:

Sync features all in one place. Red Giant’s integration of DualEyes features has created a standalone PluralEyes application, taking audio/video syncing out of the NLEs and into its own work environment.  

New interface with visual feedback. A brand new interface offers more confidence with a timeline and visual feedback. Users can identify sync problems and monitor the sync in real time.

Bring quality control to the edit. New “test & tweak” features offer important quality control options like Two-Up View and Snap to Sync for finished footage that’s ready for creative editing.

Pays for itself in minutes. PluralEyes pays for itself in saved time on the first project, and is backed by Red Giant’s Red Pledge guarantee, giving support for all editing applications for one price.


Pricing and Availability
PluralEyes 3.1 for Mac is available immediately and priced at $199.00 for new customers, and as a $79.00 upgrade for Plural Eyes 2 and DualEyes customers.

For added convenience, PluralEyes 3.1 also includes a copy of PluralEyes 2 and DualEyes, which provide support for Mac, Windows and all NLEs. For new customers, these tools give instant access to syncing on every platform and OS until the free PluralEyes 3.1 for Windows update is available.

PluralEyes 3.1 customers will receive a free update to the Windows version when it becomes available, along with an update for Media Composer support on the Mac.

For sales and product information, go to http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/pluraleyes. For more details about platforms and OSs, go to https://www.redgiantsoftware.com/news/featured/pluraleyes-3-faq/.

The Red Pledge
Red Pledge is Red Giant’s commitment to customer happiness, with no purchasing hassles. Learn about the Red Pledge guarantee at www.redgiantsoftware.com/redpledge/.

About Red Giant
Founded in 2002, Red Giant (www.redgiant.com) creates an ever-expanding universe of effects tools ranging from plug-in suites, applications and mobile apps to Guru Presets, free products and sharing communities. We provide software for motion design, photography and color correction that is used for everything from major motion pictures to worldwide television programming to web production. Red Giant offers the industry-leading Trapcode tools for broadcast design; Magic Bullet Suite for color correction; and over 60 products that run in After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, Avid, Vegas, Nuke, and Avid Studio. Our effects have enhanced dozens of feature films such as Angels & Demons and The Social Network, and added sparkle to networks like NBC Universal, ESPN, Disney, CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, and TNT. Join us on Facebook (RedGiantSoftware), follow us on Twitter (@RedGiantNews) and get free content at Redgiantpeople.com.

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Universities, Film Schools Nationwide Embrace Digieffects VFX Plug-Ins

digieffects - Damage V2 from digieffects on Vimeo.

 

Film schools and universities around the country are embracing Digieffects, their academic-friendly policies, and their commitment to providing extremely high quality VFX plug-ins at affordable prices. As faculties and school administrators continue to grapple with dwindling budgets themselves, they're also seeing an opportunity to also teach their students another reality of the profession - doing more, faster and with less.

"Our VFX suites and a la carte plug-ins are affordable by design," says Robert Sharp, president of Digieffects. "And for the academic community, who are traditionally shackled by small budgets, the challenge of enabling and teaching their students based on the most cutting-edge post production technology on the market today is that much greater. So we sought to change all that."

And schools nationwide are responding.

"We've seen significant growth among our academic customers, and I'm personally pleased with this trend. A big part of why I do what I do is my desire to give back and remember all those who helped me get where I am today - I am indebted. And what's professionally gratifying for me is when I look across the extensive list of film schools and universities who have integrated our software into their curriculums. And the growth in academia is not soley due to affordablity; students today are not only learning how to use Digieffects to add smoke to a shot, or glow or muzzle flashes, they're also learning the importance of workflow integration, performance and working under real-world constraints. And they'll take that valuable experience with them as they enter this competitive market."

And if you take a look at just a sub-set of the film schools and universities that have fully embraced Digieffects, you see an impressive who's who in academia. Just some of the schools that have integrated Digieffects into their post production and VFX workflow curriculums include:

Angelo State University

Arizona State University 

Auckland University

Carnegie Mellon University

Claremont Graduate University

College of William and Mary

Columbia College Hollywood

Emerson College

Full Sail University

Gainesville State College

Hicksville Public Schools

Illinois State University

Lee University

Loyola Marymount

Miami University

Mt. San Antonio College

National University

New York Chiropractic College

New York Institute of Technology

New York University

Nile C Kinnick High School

Pikesville High School

Portland State University 

Raritan Valley Community College

RMIT University

Salt Lake Community College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Skyline College

Space Telescope Science Institute

St. Michaels College

State University of New York

Strate College Designers

Temple

Texas A&M

The DAVE School

The Grady College/University of Georgia

The Juilliard School

UC Berkley

UC Irvine

UCLA

UNCW

University of Cincinnati

University of Florida

University of Glamorgan

University of Michigan 

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University of Vermont

UW Tacoma

 

Recently, Digieffects formally announced a new program exclusively for academia. The Digieffects Academic Discount Program enables individual students and teachers to purchase any of the Company’s plug-in packages or a la carte offerings at a 50% discount. The program also offers discounts up to 50%, site licenses and preferred technical support to educational institutions. For more information on the Digieffects Academic Discount Program, please visit http://digieffects.com/buy/discounts.