Favorite twitter of Unleash

Unleash had its share of twitter fun (check out #unleash to see just how much activity there was). This twitter from Daniellesuzanne made me smile.

Its official. Im abt 2 enter a worship service on visual crack. #unleash

Unleash 2009 Video / Mograph breakout notes

If you missed our breakout (or were too busy twittering to take notes), here’s the skinny. This is a cut-n-paste directly from my Evernote file. Bonus, it even includes our talking points.

And if you want it in pretty graphical JPEG format, suitable for framing or desktop wallpapers, you can download the ZIP file of my slides.

Video and Motion Graphics breakout, Unleash 2009

1.) Be willing to sacrifice an idea
- Christmas, killed the stop motion idea after we’d built a set and bought software. ended up being Perry’s favorite open we’d done.
[P] SHOW WHITEBOARD
[V] SHOW CHRISTMAS OPEN

2.) File ideas for later
- from point 1, that idea was better utilized in our current series.

CASE STUDY
3.) Be sensitive to inspiration
- tell the story about Meg, economic crisis didn’t really hit her until someone close to her was laid off, it got personal and made her aware. Realized this had to be the crux of this piece, make it personal.
- even if no one else sees it, make sure your pieces have meaning behind them.

4.) Collaborate
- this piece began with Shua (representing communications), Adam, and I in a room
- I was steadfast on wanting a voice over piece, but fully flexible on every other single element.

5.) Dare to stretch.
- I pitched this idea in creativity. Was confident, explained it well, and said “trust me.”
- I pitched to change the series title from BAILOUT, WHERE’S MINE to “Where’s my bailout?” so the opener would read better.
- this style piece is way out of our comfort zone
- Perry liked the idea.

6.) Sweat the pre-production
- 1/2 of the piece was writing
- refined it over a few days.
- did my own “dry readings” for timing
- thumbnail sketched [P] of thumbnails
- made pre-vis animations [V] of pre-vis animation

7.) Be resourceful
- used the Dragon software we’d already purchased
- set up the stop motion studio in my office
- got $1′s from bank, asked for coin and bill wrappers for elements (free)
- used an intern to voice it
[P] SHOW SETUP

8.) Be flexible
- Justin and I changed elements on the fly (smoke, for example)

9.) Sweat the post-production
- spent about 4 hours on the audio production, sweating the details sometimes makes the piece.
- spent a lot of time tweaking the post production color treatment

10.) Tie things together
- Keep your elements consistent across all aspects of your package. Use common pieces, colors, fonts, to make it all cohesive.
- here, used the quarter rolls for the DSK. scanned $$$ into number shapes for the counter.
- Simulated the stop motion look for the counter so it felt part of the family
[V] Counter segment.

11.) Refine
- going to rerecord the audio… still don’t feel it’s quite right.
[V] Bailout Open

OTHER TIDBITS

12.) Learn to be organized.
- team whiteboard
- workflow affects more than YOU
- sketchbooks
- GTD (close the loop on tasks)
- pointless to be creative if you can’t complete the project
AMANDA

13.) Choose your battles, trust your team and your manager
ADAM

14.) Maintain proper perspective, “the work isn’t for you, it is to glorify God and to assist your pastor’s message.”

15.) Be a little weird, it’s OK (Space pen, unique, custom workspace… freedom).

16.) manage distractions
- close your door, wear headphones
- turn off phone and email to focus

17.) Watch your ego
- make sure you are not the one standing in God’s way

18.) Read inspiring meda
- Give away “backlog of inspiration, magazines”
- keep a full tank

19.) Use what you have
- Mino in Kenya
- local VO

20.) Change your work environment when you get dry
- Adam writes from home
- I compose with Evernote on my iPhone at the gym
- sit in the atrium with my notebook
- have a “brainstorm chair” in my office

21.) Surround yourself with things that inspire you
- I have a turntable and a monome in my office
- and an unnatural affinity for my Space Pen
- inspiration folder (NP board)

22.) Always push new ideas
- you want to be the guy who’s always coming up with something new, fresh
- but don’t be combative… know when to say “ok, I see…”

23.) Recognize it’s all personal preference

24.) Critique – be OK with putting up your pieces for feedback and refinement

25.) Creativity costs…
- not money, but time is often the greatest resource
- good time management
- keep priorities

26.) Remember why you do this and for whose glory

Good reading

If you were at Unleash and were wondering “hey? What blogs does Ken read regularly?” here are some suggestions:

- Motionographer
- Notcot.org
- Shape+Colour
- Smashing Magazine
- Photoshop Disasters
- YouWorkForThem Blog
- Daring Fireball for you Mac fanatics

Unleash 2009 open

The open for Unleash 2009 was designed around the idea that we’re not here to show you a process and a “how-to”. We want you to see Jesus.

Unleash 2009 opener from Ken Wilson on Vimeo.

Unleash 2009 counter soundtrack

After Unleash 2008 we got a lot of requests for a track listing of some of the music we use in our counters, openers, and general all around the office listening. I wrote this post with some suggestions which you’re free to browse.

For Unleash 2009 I figured I’d jump the gun and get the info out there as you’re leaving (thank you time-delayed WordPress posts).

First off, for these 10:00 counters I thought it fit to (1) build energy into the room, (2) show a representation of the style of tracks we play, and (3) create a cohesive mix rather that just laying some music down. All told I’ve spent about 4 hours preparing these two mixes, one per session. The tracks are cut and mixed in Soundtrack, but you could use just about any DAW including the free Audacity. It just takes dedicating the time.

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Counter session 1:
- “Wasted,” by Andy Dugid feat. Leah from DJ Tiesto’s In Search of Sunrise, Vol. 7: Asia
- “You Keep Me Hanging On (Extended Club Mix),” by Rockell
- “Booming Right At You” by Junkie XL
- “Thunder” by Prodigy

Counter 2:
- “Alice (Drop The Lime-Heavy Bass Remix)”
by Moby
- “Give it up (Kissy Sell Remix),” by Datarock
- “This Time (Klaas Remix),” by DJ Antoine from Ultra Trance 8

NewSpring Live Production examples

If you were wondering what we as a staff do to prepare the volunteer production team for a Sunday this example site will give you a good idea of what we pour into it. Thanks to DJ for putting this together.

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CYBORG BUGS

CYBORG BUGS. Lookout!

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Great job

Now that’s the type of encouragement card we should use.

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Where’s my Bailout series package

If you’re coming to Unleash this year we’re going into a little more detail on this piece and how it came about (there’s your breakout teaser). Here’s the open and a sample of the counter for NewSpring’s current series “Where’s my Bailout?”

Where’s my Bailout series open from Ken Wilson on Vimeo.

Where’s my bailout – counter sample from Ken Wilson on Vimeo.

Thanks to Riley (voice over talent), Justin (production assistant, and hand model), Adam (studio creator), and Shua (idea and creativity generation) for their help on this piece.

Benefit of Springing forward

Grumble, grumble. Early, early. Today was the day we lose an hour of sleep. One great side benefit… We get to see this as we’re walking around the building. Yes, thanks God.

Prodigy

Might I suggest the new Prodigy album for you rave-punk-aggressive fans out there. I grabbed it the other day and haven’t stopped listening to it for a few days straight. “Thunder” is the standout track in my opinion next to “Invaders Must Die,” the title track. Highly recommended.

Upcoming Film Scores: Daft Punk: Tron 2.0

Upcoming Film Scores: Daft Punk: Tron 2.0 (via Shua)

röyksopp + ruben sutherland: happy up here.

Thinks I’m loving today.

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

Don’t wanna be your Monkeywrench

Don’t wanna be your Monkeywrench

Originally uploaded by avclub

C’mon… anybody?

Snow storm | NewSpring vols

Saw this on the NewSpring Youtube page today. YouTube – Snow storm shows the NewSpring volunteer spirit

Crowd sourcing trees

I took this photo today of our beloved Bradford Pear tree that gave up and split with the recent winter storm. Now the question remains, what kind of tree should we replace it with. The main issue is that this tree (and its considerable size) blocked and shielded our bedroom window from the front of the neighborhood. I liked that.

I need something that will survive the South Carolina climate and will fill in relatively quickly. I’m game for a multi-tree’d approach. Any suggestions? Anyone out there a landscaper?

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The guide to sound effects

Mark my words when I find that day of spare time I’ll be delving into the guide to sound effects with a microphone in hand.