Unleash 2011 media

Here’s a little opener and scripture intro from this year’s Unleash conference. Fun stuff.

Unleash 2010 opener

Here’s the opener for Unleash 2010.

Trying something a little different, a lot fun.

Unleash pre service music

I’d received this question the other day and somehow lost the email. I dare not say I deleted it, because that would be the unpardonable sin of gmail, but it did get buried. The question, “can you give me the pre-service playlist at Unleash?” The answer is no, only because I don’t make that playlist. It comes from our front-of-house (and everything else) director Joel. But I did get a screen shot of this Sunday’s playlist to hopefully guide you on your way (thanks Jared Raffini-who-doesn’t-blog).

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Full size

NewSpring Gearlist, Unleash 2009

Thanks Ben for compiling this typographically lovely NewSpring Gear list. If you were at Unleash 2009 this year and wondered “hey, what kind of camera do those guys use?” or “I’m sure I saw some After Effects usage on that screen” this document should answer your questions.

Unleash question: what are you reading?

In an ongoing series of posts I’ll be answering questions raised from Unleash (or linking you to answers). Today’s question: “Wanted to get some info on research and resources from video production team. Websites, magazines, etc…”

First answer, as for websites, here is a post with some recommendations. Would you faithful avclub readers will be kind enough to fill in some more suggestions in the comment?

As for magazines, we’re crazy about reading ‘em. What do we subscribe to?
Digit
Computer Arts
Stash (a DVD magazine, highly recommended)
Wired
How
Esquire (at least Will loves this one)
ID
Readymade

Books? We don’t normally read a ton of them for video / design ideas primarily because the web and magazines seem to be a little more timely. However, there are a few on my shelf in front of them you might enjoy.

1,000 Type Treatments
Creative Sparks
Type in Motion 2 (No. 2)
Creating motion graphics – anything in this series
Motion Blur: Graphic Moving Imagemakers
Neubau Welt 01
Neubau Modul 02

How this helps. Be sure to read anything else here tagged “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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