I recently purchased a pair of custom sneakers from NikeiD. It took a little over 3 weeks to get the sneakers from the time of order to arrival. NikeiD does not ship to Canada, so a friend in Washington State, had to personally deliver the shoes to me, which saved me on shipping.
The customer service was pretty good, and there are numerous options for customizing sneakers on the site. I can see this getting pretty addicting, when considering, you can get custom shoes, around the same price as non-customized sneakers from major retailer stores.
So glad Nike started providing this service for sneakerheads, and fans alike.
I made this quick video for fun, while doing some stop-motion testing with my camera. It turned out really nice. It's quirky, and probably the strangest film I've made to date. It may not be as good as the Fantastic Mr. Fox, but it's pretty fantastic.
I recently completed a web spot for Chad Howse Fitness. Using the Canon S95, and Panasonic HVX, we filmed this within two days, at Swangard Stadium, and a local gym. I collaborated with composer Herman Witkam to come up with original music for the promo. He previously worked on my films Vancouver in 2010, and Astoria Boxing Club.
The piece turned out quite nicely, with post-production in After Effects.
"Who's Howse?"
Promotional web spot for Chad Howse Fitness. Introducing Chad Howse, personal trainer, through an intense fitness routine aimed at building lean, athletic muscle.
Filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Canon S95, and Panasonic HVX.
This is another short film that I shot quite awhile ago, in January, and it's something that dragged on for several months in post as I tried to figure out the style of music that I wanted. Herman Witkam, whom I collaborated with previously on Vancouver in 2010, was patient enough with me to try different music compositions. In the end we settled for something that would give a feeling of epic proportions.
The folks at Astoria Boxing Club were cool enough to let me come in to observe these fighters in training. I tried my best to stay out of their way for fear I would get clocked in the face, and some how damage my camera, but luckily nothing like that happened.
running time: 01:20
'Never Quit' is a short piece on amateur boxing, which highlights dedicated fighters in training. Filmed at the Astoria Boxing Club in Vancouver, Canada, the goal was to capture the intensity and aggression of boxing.
Dir. Albert Art
Original Music by Herman Witkam
Special Thanks
Astoria Boxing Club
George Angelomatis
Dave Schuck
Jaime Ward
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Time-lapse and Hockey
Final Weekend of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Well, I finally have time to post my last few videos from the concluding weekend of the two-week Olympic celebration here in Vancouver, which came to a close last month. Bummer the party is over, but at least I was able to capture many memories from this once in a life-time event.
I did a time-lapse of Robson Square for CNN iReport Weekend Assignment. It was a typical rainy Vancouver Friday, but the Olympic vibe in Robson Square/Art Gallery was in full. The area was designated as a Media Center/BC Pavilion/Family Entertainment. Excerpts from the above time-lapse were incorporated with iReport's Time-lapse Around the Globe video feature. I shot this with my Panasonic HVX.
And speaking of CNN iReport, all my Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic videos were uploaded to the iReport community. Links below.
Girl Talk, (aka Gregg Gillis) former bio-engineer student turned DJ, performed on the LiveCity Yaletown stage. Packed with music fans, potheads, tweens, and those just curious to see the show, the mash-up dance mix style of Girl Talk had people jumpin'.
TEAM CANADA defeats USA at Men's Olympic Hockey. I took this footage with my consumer grade camcorder, right after the final goal. I watched the game at Robson Square, at a really bad angle behind a tree, and kinda far from the screen, but whatever. The fun street party of joyful fans that ensued after the win, was captured here. Can you see yourself in the crowd?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Possibilities with Panasonic AG-3DA1 Twin-Lens 3D Camera
New ways of realizing dreams...
Last year, the topic of 3D filmmaking came up during post-production on my short film, Lazy Susan. Someone suggested that I consider making the film in 3D, to give the it a more dynamic feel. I liked the idea, but as a short film, there were too many complexities, and complications involved when making an effective 3D film on a limited budget. And not to mention festival screenings, and theaters ill-equiped for 3D films, after the fact. How much would obtaining 3D glasses cost for a whole theater? It all seemed overwhelming.
Yes, I think Lazy Susan in 3D, could have been possible, if the AG-3DAI had come out in 2009.
At the time I wasn't too sure about the whole 3D production process, and being already over-budget there was no way of spending more money into making a 3D film.
Flash forward to several months later. Avatar hits theaters, and the push for more 3D in film, and homes is in full swing as a result of Jim Cameron's hard work. My short film Lazy Susan is complete but in 2D, and Panasonic reveals their Twin-Lens 3D Camera, the Panasonic AG-3DA1.
As an owner of a Panasonic HVX, I was surprised to see a 3D camera so soon, and coming from Panasonic, for the independent film community.
I love my HVX. The camera has really given me the ability to realize my vision, at great quality, and for not that much money, but the 3DAI has me rethinking about going 3D.
Panasonic Pavilion Vancouver, BC 2010 Winter Olympics
AG-3DA1 on display.
These glasses look like cartoony sci-fi.
These glasses belong in Mission Impossible.
Viewing the Full HD theater at the Panasonic Pavilion in Vancouver entertained me and many others, with 3D highlights from the Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic games, while the 3DAI camera on display, inspired me. I can now see 3D application in just about anything. From Saturday Morning cartoons, to sports, sitcoms and even adult entertainment. Even the most mundane TV shows, could be made entertaining if viewed in 3D. The 3DA1 camera has many possibilities, and Panasonic is doing a great thing by introducing it.
I can't wait to see the stuff shot with this camera, and I am really curious to learn more about it. I will keep a look out for any "Hands-on" previews of the camera.
Panasonic AG-3DA1 Twin-Lens 3D Camera Demo Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Panasonic's push for 3D filmmaking, and Home Theaters.
Panasonic AG-3DA1 PROTOTYPE was on display at the Panasonic pavilion, in the LiveCity Winter Olympic celebration in Yaletown.
The 3D twin-lens camera was on display, and demonstrated live for the public. The camera was aimed at the crowd, and the footage was hooked up to a TV, where it appeared blurred. Only when the 3D glasses were worn, would the images on screen appear in focus and in 3D.
Panasonic also featured a full 3D theater with highlights from the Olympic games in China, and from the Vancouver 2010 games, entirely in 3D. Sure, you've seen the 3D effect in movies like Avatar, but watching the opening ceremonies of both the China games, and Vancouver games, at HD quality was amazing. In addition to the spectacle of the 3D opening ceremonies, watching hockey, speed skating and numerous other sports in 3D was simply awesome.
I filmed some footage of the display with my Panasonic HVX.
I think 3D can have a long life if marketed, and implemented in the right ways to appeal to audiences. Panasonic is on the right track, by making the technology available to filmmakers, and the effect definitely adds to the entertainment value of film and television.
I would love to test this camera out, with a short film. Really curious to see what kind of settings this camera has, when creating the 3D-look.
There's something mesmerizing about watching fire glow at night. In the case of Vancouver's Olympic cauldron, that couldn't be any truer. The flames of the Games glow bright, and crowds of people gather at all times of the day, to see it.
The cauldron which was lit by Wayne Gretzky on the evening of the opening ceremonies, has been the center of controversy for it's large wire fence, keeping spectators at a distance, and making it difficult and awkward for picture taking. Recently though, Olympic organizers have altered the fence, cutting out the lower portion of the fence, and installing a plexiglass window at eye-level.
This is an improvement to the view, but still some feel it is an eyesore. Yet, for such an expensive attraction, it is understandable that the organizers feel the need to protect the cauldron, from possible vandals, and protesters. Can you imagine all the (bad) things people could do to this cauldron?
This past Sunday, I took the opportunity to film the flames. I think the new fence design gives everyone a good view, and I certainly had no problem with it. (Not seen on camera, is a bridge to the left side of the cauldron that allows sightseers to view the cauldron from above.)
Judge for yourself, by watching the video. Do you think the fence is a bad thing?
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Mikes Transformers Toy Collection 2010 Update
TRANSFORMERS
It's been several years since I first filmed Mike's collection (back in 2007), so being that it's 2010, I figured, it would be a good time to get an update from him.
My timing couldn't have been more perfect. He recently moved in to his own place, (away from his parents), finally giving him a chance to take out all those Transformers to display around his new home. While unpacking boxes and boxes of Transformers, I took the opportunity to film him with my trusty Panasonic HVX. So, much better than that crappy Powershot video I took years ago.
Mike opened up about being a collector, as well, I got some cool shots of the toys, which he estimates at being numbered over 900+ individual toy figures.
He is definitely one of the rare few who manages to continue building on his collection, and is most likely one of a few major collectors in Vancouver.
If you compare both collections from 2007, up until now, it'll give you a good idea of how many Transformers he actually has.
The original 2007 posting and videos can be viewed via the following links:
Okay, so CREEP is finally online, after a month of waiting to get it scored, and the audio mixed together, my latest web short, is now online for viewing on http://albertart.net/creep.htm and on my vimeo and youtube channels.
This was a quick production, shot while I was on xmas holiday in LA. It was a fun experience, and it was great working in Old Torrance, with a local cast. I brought along my Panasonic HVX200, and it performed nicely. I love this camera!
This film is meant to be amusing, to anyone who has encountered odd people.
