CasablancaExpert

New Video Tutorial from MSUS on Moving BorderX Software

The following tutorial video is posted on the MacroSystemUS YouTube Channel

"This is a Video Manual for 'Moving Border X' as used on the MacroSystem Casablanca nonlinear video editor. This video covers a walk through of making animated borders around video clips. This product must use Bogart SE 2.4c or higher". (this add-on software product is not compatible with any version of the Smart Edit OS).

Length 8:16
 

Casablanca Coffee Klatsch for 9/26/11 in the Archives

A group of website members (subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com) participated this morning on-line for the Monday Meeting of the Minds.

I highlighted several of the new articles on Casablanca Expert.com as well as some from my Casablanca Expert Blog and Your Technology Tutor.

In particular I shared views & news about the announced changes at Facebook and the fact that Google Plus are open to all now. 

We had some lively conversation about the current Bogart OS version and our opinion/s about the expected upgrades and changes. 

  I shared my first animated short video and invited folks to participate in the free webinar this Wednesday (details here).

The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above and the audio recording (available as an MP3 file) from the meeting are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives

If you are a website member and would like to join us for any one of the Monday sessions - please see this web page: Casablanca Coffee Klatsch

Digital Imaging Super Show - WEVA Expo Online 2011

On October 5-6, 2011 Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) are holding their annual 2nd Digital Imaging Super Show.

This is an on-line event designed to present info where you can "Explore Wedding Filmmaking, Event Video, and Digital Photography. Hangout. Learn. Share."

Ckick the playback button below to see a short (2-minute) video that introduces the concept of a virtual Conference/Expo.

The Full-EXPO Registration in offered at a discounted $99 through October 4th and then the price raises to $159 on Oct. 5-6, 2011.

This registration fee gives you "Total Access to all EXPO SuperShow Programs, Events & Exhibits – including all Sessions (on-demand), all LIVE Video Q&A with Featured Speakers, LIVE Video Chat with other attendees worldwide for private & group-video chats." 

 

Speakers include Alan Naumann who will also has and will be presenting again at the March Get Together (set for March 5-8, 2012).  Whether this is or will be a valuable event for you depends on any experience you've had and/or how you feel about on-line interaction.  If you've attended my webinars, or more fitting if you've participated in my virtual workshops and been ok with the interaction I think you'll be fine.

It is a very different experience then being live in the room with the presenters and the opportunity to rub elbows and network with your colleagues. But then the cost savings and convenience from 'attending' in the comfort and convenience of your home or office is nothing to sneeze at.

You can find all about the event on their website www.wevaexpo.com

 

My First Animated Short - Created With On-line Tools

Just used this cool new software 'in the cloud' has to create animated videos. This is the first in a series I have created to share info about my new on-line resources for folks producing videos.

I'll have the next video posted Wednesday September 28th - come back and see how James enjoyed the webinar.

Incidentally - I will present a short video tutorial on my new website www.YourVideoExpert.net to show friends & colleagues how they can use this new animation tool for their own work. This video will be available on the new website this Saturday, October 1st, 2011.

A new on-line resource for video producers has launched!

I am thrilled to announce there is a new on-line resource for video producers at my new web site: YourVideoExpert.net.

It's an on-line coll ection of print-able video tutorials, short streaming videos and twice monthly webinars focused on helping folks produce even better videos.

Many friends and colleagues suggested I use my 17 years in the classroom (teaching video production), coupled with professional media experience (immersed in communication technologies for 30+ years), and my passion for teaching to provide a growing set of resources to help folks produce even better videos.
     
NOTE: This new web site will not take the place of CasablancaExpert.com - this community and the web resources here will continue to grow. This other new web site allows me to share even more of my knowledge that is not related to Casablanca video editors, more in the realm of what you do prior to editing (though I will also be providing instruction on other video editing tools)
 

Click here to download a 2-page PDF introduction to Your Video Expert resources

 

Members at CasablancaExpert.com receive a special bonus for those who choose to also subscribe to this new resource - review the specifics below

Website Resources
Here's a listing of the resources for you at YourVideoExpert.net
 
* Twice monthly 'Your Video Expert' webinars on a variety of interesting topics for video producers - amateurs & pros.
* Webinar lesson archives (split into separate videos by subject)
* Print-able tutorials - tips and instruction focused on the art and science of video production & digital storytelling
* Streaming video mini-lessons - short videos (2:00 to 10:00)
* The weekly 'Take 15 Live lesson' - a 15-minute webinar lesson on short topics to improve our videos
* The 'Take 15 Archives' - archived streaming videos of each week's lesson
* POTM video contest - Project of the Month videos created and shared by members, with royalty free download-able music and help/guidelines from Chet
* Featured website - other great resources of interest to videographers; with video/TV history to resources like music and stock footage.
* Sample and critiqued videos - a collection of short videos shot by pros, other members or Chet, with critique & commentary so we can all advance our video art and skill.


Website Membership
It's totally free to come over and check out the web site today -- to access the full articles and videos that are posted today and all the coming resources - you are invited to become a member at Your Video Expert.
 
But you still don't have to spend a dime to check it out!  Chet is offering a free Trial Membership - now through November 8, 2011.  This way you can join him in the live webinars, the live lessons, check out the streaming videos and the print-able tutorials.
 
At the end of your trial - you can register for the Golden Ticket or the Silver Ticket membership plans - those details are listed here
 
Again, you can register for your free trial membership - with NO obligation (doesn't even require a credit card).  Register for free right now - click here.

Members at Casablanca Expert.com receive an added bonus -- I wanted to honor and acknowledge those folks who are already supporting my business, here at Casablanca Expert.com.  For any member who chooses to subscribe to my new website as well - YourVideoExpert.net - you will receive complimentary tickets to all Your Technology Tutor webinars.  This is applicable to both Silver Ticket and Golden Ticket plans. 

Here is a list of upcoming webinars with Your Technology Tutor that you will also benefit from:

• iTunes Intensive: for Music & More - October 19, 2011
• iPhone 5: Mastering All That's New - November 2, 2011
• Photo Greetings Cards Using On-line Tools - November 16, 2011
• Skype = Free Video Calls To Family & Friends - December 7, 2011
• Digital Photo Sharing Websites - December 21, 2011
• Set Up Your Home Computer Network - January 4, 2012
• Setting Up and Using Your eBook Reader - January 18, 2012
• Using a Scanner for Photos, Documents & OCR - February 1, 2012
• Getting Organized : Web Calendars, To-do Lists & Apps - February 15, 2012

Click here to download a 2-page PDF introduction to Your Video Expert resources

I Cast My Vote for Ultima Photography & Video Productions Editing Set-up!

Casablanca Expert website member, friend and colleague Beth Klinger has entered a photo contest where folks vote for their favorite editing suite.  You can see the photo Beth entered below - if you look closely you will see three Casablanca editors!  Beth uses a Casablanca Renommee, Casablanca Solitaire and Casablanca S-6000 in her work - along with a Windows computer running additional software.  I invite you to visit this website:  Ultima Photography & Video Productions Edit Contest Photo and click on the big green 'Vote' button, casting your vote for a fellow Casablanca colleague. Votes are accepted up through September 30th, 2011.

Good luck Beth!

Totally Useless Trivia: What Does DP Stand For?

Those folks using a Casablanca video editor on the Smart Edit platform may have an add-on software product called Motion Perfect. This is a favorite of many colleagues as it produces clean, smooth motion effects.

But when  you are in the Special or Image Processing menus are scrolling through the effects list you do not see MP or Motion Perfect - instead you see 'DP' in front of the Motion Perfect effects: DP Fastmotion, DP Lengthadjust, DP Slowmotion.

If you've wondered what the DP stands for, it is DynaPel.  That's the software development company who produced Motion Perfect for Macrosystem AG for use in our Smart Edit Casablanca units.

My limited understanding (or memory) is that the company no longer exists - that's why Macrosystem worked with a different company who gave us the Twixtor motion manipulation software for the latest series of Casablanca editors (running on the Bogart OS).

 

 

YouTube Adds New Functionality to Edit Your Uploaded Videos

YouTube - the video hosting website - has just added some new options that allow us to edit our uploaded videos 'in the cloud'. A few months ago YouTube added the very cool ability to stabilize your videos (after the bought a company that provided this service as a stand-alone technology).

You'll find these options by selecting any of the Videos on your YouTube Channel and then clicking on 'Edit Video'.

And as early as two weeks ago I used the simply Trim function in the YouTube editor - which is a great, easy to use option to trim your intro or outro.  But now YouTube has added the ability to color correct your video and to add several pre-set filters.

Once in the Edit Video mode for any of the videos you had already loaded to your YouTube Channel you can now adjust Fill Light, Contrast, Saturation and Color Temperature.  If you wish to allow the software to do it for you - simply click on the I'm Feeling Lucky button.

Also added is a set of 14 pre-set effects filters. Everything from Sepia to Thermal and Neon Green. These filters actually do a good job and are pretty quick - my favorites are  Lomoish, Old-Fashioned, and Cartoon.

Now in our Casablanca editors we have a great deal more control in either Image Processing or using the effects options under 'Special' in the Edit menu but this is a great, quick easy fix for videos you may shoot out of the studio and upload directly.

And similar to our Casablanca editors effects work-flow, you can add these changes/mofidications to your YouTube videos without altering or losing the original posted video. This changed version essentially becomes a remix or copy of your original. 

I will be producing a thorough tutorial on the options available to us on our YouTube Channels later this month.

Today's Casablanca Coffee Klatsch in the Archives

Member/subscribers at CasablancaExpert.com joined the on-line gathering this morning for the Casablanca Coffee Klatsch as we chatted about all things Casablanca and technology updates & news.

After sharing a photo I took yesterday at the Marin Farmers Market with my new Sony  point and shoot camera,  I highlighted recent articles from my Casablanca Expert blog

I shared the links the September Members webinar when I highlighted the most common audio formats and methods for importing them into your Casablanca editor. The streaming video from this session is now available on my website here: Importing Common Audio Formats into your Casablanca Editor

I shared three videos for our 'Video of the Week' feature - a touching animated tribute created from a father's oral story about the 2 sons he lost in the Twin Towers on 9/11, a compilation of commercials with some cool effects (a Russian mobile phone provider) and a short 'making-of' video with highlights of some of the effects sequences from the mobile phone commercials.

The internet links (URLs) for the items mentioned above are available for Website members to review here: Coffee Klatsch Archives

Ask The Expert: How can I use alpha channel video clips like footagefirm or motionloops?

QUESTION: How can I use or add alpha channel footage from vendors like www.footagefirm.com or motionloops.com in my Casablanca editor?

ANSWER: Unfortunately we have to method in the current Casablanca to truly enjoy programmed transparency or alpha channel on motion clips.

We can, using the new options in Bogart V4 OS, use still graphics like logos, etc.

But again that does not allow for alpha channels. Some of the 3rd party effects companies produce their motion graphics with alpha channel as well as green or black video this is done to allow systems like Casablanca to use Chroma Key effects (Blue Box or Blue Box World) and make success with their effects sequences.

Article/tutorials on the above operations:

Bogart V4 Function: Importing & Placing PNG Graphics (images with transparency)

How to superimpose a Logo in my video project using Chroma Key (Blue Box) software