headead

Just saw a nice portfolio at headead.com. I love their organic, classic look. I don’t know why, but this style is one of my favorites. Kinda reminds me of Scott Hansen’s ISO50, at least in its coloring and vibe.

Transformers trailer (#2)

If the second trailer for the new Transformers movie doesn’t get you moving, I don’t know what will. (insert Dinobot joke here).

best image ever.

I must agree with Yewknee.com, this is the best image ever.
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Project Phase I, complete

Here are a few snapshots of the backyard reformat, Phase I. The majority of the work was replacing the worn and weathered fencing, and putting in two pea-gravel patio areas. The far side is the “dining room” and there is a fire pit area, too. This project is spread over five distinct phase, but the first I expect to be the most involved and difficult.

Entire view
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Firepit
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Dining Area
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Grill (deck to come in Phase III)
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The Vader Project

Using a Darth Vader mask as a canvas, see what artists have done. Awesome, creative, Star-Warsy.

My favorites here, here, and here.

Google will take over the world.

It’s just a matter of time, but I think Google just might take over the world. Now, they introduce panoramic cameras in Google Maps (certain locations only, demo). (article)

in process.

Finally got to a computer where I can upload the project pics. We’re pouring gravel at lunch today if anyone wants in on a fun gravel project.

Mid project:
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Fence up:
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reformat.

I’ve been calling my project in the backyard a reformat. Same space, different purpose. That’s what we’re doing at the Wilson house, reinventing the spaces that already exist. I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors, enjoying the stars, the fresh air, and the firepit I just assembled.

Reformatting by backyard has be wondering what else needs a reformat. My health does. It’s time to spend more time running. I seem to have inadvertently stripped most of the TV out of my life (especially now that Heroes and Lost are on hiatus). I should divert that time to more exercise, and maybe that garage reformat I’ve been pining over for so long.

Maybe it’s time to reformat the AV Club. I love blogging. I’ve done it for a long time. I don’t feel burned out; I still enjoy it. Maybe I just need a redesign. Maybe I need to take my writing / subjects a different direction. I don’t know. What do you think? I keep going back to the design… which should follow the function of the site. Is there anything missing… anything else you’d like to see?

world mapper

World Mapper. View the world, scaled accurately with statistical data. It’s actually more interesting than I’ve described.

Example, here is the world, scaled according to population.

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this is gonna smart

I’ve been outside all day working on the new fence / backyard reformat. And yes, white boy took his shirt off. I just came it (it’s about 9:45pm), fence complete. And I’m seriously, seriously sunburned. Maybe when you’re #FFFFFF (that’s hex white, for all of you non-designers out there), you shouldn’t expose yourself to directly searing sunlight for an entire day. Or two.

For the record, I did apply SPF 15 lotion, but I think I missed some spots (like, my entire back). Well, if nothing else, maybe this will repair my terrific farmer’s tan.

Hope you all sleep well.

outdoor fun

Our web at the house has been down for a few days (boo), but it’s forced us to find other things to occupy our time (yeah!). We’re currently in a massive backyard reformatting project, under the creative vision of Mr. David Jolley. He has the ideas, we provide the labor (and my brother Jason provides a tractor).

At the end of it, we’ll have replaced the rotting fencing that existed, safely block off kid’s access to the HVAC units and other “service areas” behind the house, create two new pea-gravel style patios… adding an outdoor dining area plus a nice firepit to relax by.

This is just Phase I, and the other phases will be rolling out through out the summer. Stay tuned!

Ryan Hooks.

Ryan Hooks has an amazing reel. I really like all of the live-action media he incorporates. And the reel is the perfect length, too. Not too long, not too short.

AV influences: Motionographer

Another of my favorites, Motionographer. Originally Justin Cone’s “Tween,” this is a blog / site / feed dedicated to all things motion graphics. This site has great taste, class, and is powered by Word Press.

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A daily read… though I save it for times when I can watch some of the links, videos, reels. You don’t want to breeze through this one.

Reel Life.

We began Reel Life. Uncut. Uncensored. this past weekend. Fun series… all about finding truth in movies. For the visual elements, we pulled together our designer heads and set up a joint video / photo shoot. Using local actors from NewSpring, the images for the opener and the print piece were created. Nice tie in to connect the print and video elements.

(note, the static image you see at the very end is a grab of the print piece… you can see the connection with the video elements).

Reel Life Open (Quicktime, 1.3MB)

A few technical notes:
(1) there was no audio captured on site. Everything you hear is post produced.
(2) the main actor is my homegroup boy Lance, who also appears in the print piece.
(3) everything was shot at the AmStar Theater in Anderson. Always get permission when you shoot on location.
(4) for the “effect,” we literally taped green paper over the poster frame. Then it was lit to get it even. It was a painful keying process to get it clear. I discovered that “green screen” work isn’t as easy as they make it out to be!

boo pumpkins!

I missed it… the Pumpkins shows are sold out. Hey, at least they’re allowing people to photo and tape the shows… the bootlegs will probably make their way to the web, right?

MK12 – still there?

MK12 has been working on the History of America project for a long, long time. You can now view the second trailer. I’m still not sure what it is, but it’s cool just because it’s MK12.

iPhoto / gmail

I was trying to send pics from iPhoto (much like Picasa), but it’s a needlessly complicated. But now, with this little plugin, it’s much easier.

nice candle.

If we didn’t have electricity, I’d have these candles everywhere.

grand technology

Yeah. Ticketweb.com is the vendor for the Smashing Pumpkins concert. They aren’t selling this show via their phone number, only online. And their site isn’t working.

Technology is so cool. (insert “not” here).

(must go hit refresh again, in 15 minute intervals, as recommended by the phone rep.)

Smashing Pumpkins

Hands down, the Smashing Pumpkins are in my list of top 10 rock bands. Maybe it’s the sound, maybe it’s the fact they were huge when I was in high school and learning to play guitar. I don’t care if Billy Corgan comes off as pompous and a jerk, he wails.

And they’ll be in concert in a few weeks at The Orange Peel in Asheville. (tickets here)

I’m beside myself with glee. I missed them on the last tour when they got as close as the Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte.