Climbing Project in Andalucia

As part of 2013 I really want to share with you a little more about what makes me tick. My motivations, my drive to discover new things and my quest for happiness. This climbing project I have challenged myself to complete combines all these things and more.

As well as being a freelance designer based in Gibraltar I am passionate about climbing. The concentration involved whilst climbing is total, nothing else enters the mind. It is very calming and a great way to stay fit. To combine my passion for climbing and my love of design I have set out to create a climbing film with my good friend Ant.  Based in Andalucia the film will explore the culture, people and stunning scenery of this beautiful part of Southern Spain.

The above film is a test piece I did for the climbing project to familiarise myself with the GoPro camera. Lookout for brand new videos from the climbing project over the coming weeks.

Right now, Ant and I are working hard on editing all the footage together. It is slightly overwhelming with over 400 GB of raw footage but we are plugging away and making good progress. My aim is to finish the film by early Spring. I will be updating the blog with news, designs and videos over the coming months so stay tuned.

Stunning Examples of Student Work

The quality of student work that is being produced today is truly breath taking. Students often have the same tools available to them as the professionals and it is clear from the many examples of student work out there that they know how to use them. I have collected a few examples below but there are so many more. Enjoy.


R’ha

Stunning examples of student work

R’ha is a CGI Science Fiction extravaganza . Written, directed and animated by Kaleb Lechowski it is a truly impressive feat. The quality, attention to detail and sheer scope puts this film on par with many  professional productions. Amazing work with the sound and voice acting too.


Mac ‘n’ Cheese

stunning examples of student work

Mac ‘n’ Cheese is a short created by four students from the Netherlands. An unrelenting pace combined with great character design makes this short a lot of fun. It reminds me of an adult version of Coyote and Roadrunner. Sit back, hold on and enjoy the ride.


Khoda

stunning examples of student work

A painting everytime you pause. Created by Reza Dolatabadi, Khoda consists of over 6000 paintings which were painstakingly produced during two years to create a five minute film. A psychological thriller that is truly beautiful to look at. A few years old now, but still golden.

The 5 Best Free Media Players for PC

This list of the Best Free Media Players is short and sweet. I am not going to bombard you with a huge list, just my favorite music and video players I use on a day to day basis. The following media players all work brilliantly and they are all FREE.


Video Players

5 best video players for windowsMedia Player Classic – A light weight video player that works on almost all computer. MPC makes the list because it plays pretty much every video format that is available today. Install either the K-Lite Codec pack or the Combined Community Codec Pack and MPC will work like a dream. It loads quickly, is easy to use and is bug free.

5 best video players for PCVLC Media Player – This is my backup to Media Player Classic. Any video files that do not work in MPC should work with VLC. Its true advantage though is that it does not require additional codec packs to work. Install both players, experiment and test the features of both and decide which works best for you. You will likely never need another video player again.

5 best media players for windowsXBMC – If like me you use a laptop to play videos on your TV, this is the only media player you will ever need, guaranteed. My netbook stuggles to play HD files and YouTube is unusable. XBMC is the only player I have found that can handle smooth playback of 720p and 1080p video files on netbook. It is hugely customisable, has hundreds of plugins (e.g. YouTube and Vimeo plugins) and is very well supported. It also plays music, photos, the weather and more.


Music Players

5 best audio players for windowsFoobar 2000 – A super light weight music player that is easy to customise, has a lot of different skins to choose from and is really easy to use. Whatever features you want to use whilst listening to music Foobar will be able to provide. Any other features you do not use can simply be removed from the interface. My music player of choice.

5 best audio players for PCSongbird – This is a great iTunes alternative with all the features of iTunes and then a lot more extras as well. It loads quicker, is easier to use and is straight forward to transfer all your playlists etc from iTunes to Songbird. The add-ons give you extra features such as video playback and web browsing or you could just keep it for playing music.

How to create proxy files for Adobe Premiere with MPEG Streamclip

Introduction

In this tutorial I am going to take you through the process of using MPEG Streamclip to create proxy files for editing in Adobe Premiere. MPEG Streamclip is an amazingly powerful piece of software that is completely free. You can download it here. The one minor downside is that you need a particular version of Quicktime for it to work. Follow the instructions on the Square 5’s website and it will soon be up and running.


creating proxy files for adobe premiere

Step 1. Folder Structure

Create a new folder on your PC where you want to keep all your project video files. Call this new folder Footage.

Within this Footage folder create two more folders. These will be where you keep your original footage and your new proxy files. Name the first folder Proxies and the second folder Original.


Step 2. Populating Folders

Copy all your camera video files to the Original folder. It is important to never delete or overwrite these files. You will always want to be able to access your original high quality files.


making proxy files for adobe premiere

Step 3. MPEG Streamclip

Open MPEG Streamclip where you will be greeted with a window like the image on the right. File navigation is along the top, a big video preview window in the middle and video controls along the bottom.

To add video files so you can start exporting them to proxy files click the List menu at the top of the window and then select Batch List. Or if you are short on time and like using shortcuts simply hit CTRL + B.


Using MPEG Streamclip to make proxy files

Step 4. Importing Video Files

A new Batch List window will open. To populate the Batch List click the Add Files… button which can be found at the bottom right of the window.

A new window opens, this time navigate to your Original folder and select all the video files you want to convert to proxy files. Once all your video files are selected click Open.


how to make proxy files for premiere

Step 5. Export to DV

This is where it starts to get a little technical and a knowledge of codecs, compression, file types and formats is helpful, I will keep it light on detail.

Click the drop down menu and select Export to DV. Premiere LOVES the DV format so most computers can handle this codec. The one downside is large file size. Click OK to bring up the next window. Navigate to your Proxies folder and click OK to save them there.


proxy files for premiere CS3 CS4 CS5

Step 6. Proxy File Settings

This final window may look confusing but very little needs changing. Select DV (DV25) from the Compression drop down menu. If from Europe select PAL from the Standard drop down menu or NTSC if your American.

My original video files were filmed at 1280×960 with a GoPro so I selected 4:3 for my Aspect Ratio. If you have filmed at 1280×720 or 1920×1080 you should select 16:9 for the Aspect Ratio. If unsure a general rule is if your original video files are shaped like a letterbox select 16:9 but if shaped more like a squashed square select 4:3.

The final setting is to deselect the Interlaced Scaling box to make your proxy files progressive. This means the final output will be for a computer display such as YouTube or Vimeo.

Click To Batch to start creating your proxy files. If MPEG Streamclip does not automatically start creating your proxy files simply click Go. It is now time to wait whilst MPEG Streamclip does it’s thing and create your proxy files.


Step 7. Editing with Premiere

Open Adobe Premiere, create a new sequence and hit CTRL + I to import your video files. Navigate to your Proxies folder, select all your proxy files and click Open. The aspect ratio of the proxy files is 720×576 which will likely be much smaller than the original footage, do not worry, this is fine. The proxy files will also probably not fill the whole of the editing window, again do not worry. Time to start editing.


Step 8. Replacing Proxy Files with Original Files

Once happy with the sequence it is time to export the final video file. Before clicking Export navigate back to your original Footage folder. Simply rename the Proxies folder to Replaced and the Original folder to Proxies. Premiere will still be taking the files from the Proxies folder but they are now the original files at full resolution not the low resolution proxy files. Amazing!

6 Amazing Extreme Sports Videos

6 amazing extreme sports videos        6 amazing extreme sports videos        6 amazing extreme sports videos

6 amazing extreme sports videos        6 amazing extreme sports videos        6 amazing extreme sports videos

The Vimeo Videos tag line has gone forever. From now onward I will be using more descriptive headlines, whoop. I have not had much time to add new posts recently but expect some exciting news soon. I have big plans for this blog.

I am currently working on my own adventure climbing and travel film.  I hope to have the first episode completed soon. So I thought I would share some of the inspirational films that have motivated me to work on my own film. Enjoy these 6 amazing extreme sports videos!

Split of a Second – this film follows Wingsuit World Champion Espen Fadnes for an up close, personal look at his thoughts and motives behind flying.

Petzl RocTrip China – showcasing the world’s best climbers pushing their limits in China. Unique editing makes this a must watch for any climbing fans out there.

Into the Mind – trailer for the new ski film by the team behind All I Can. Great cinematography, world class skiers and a great sense of atmosphere.

Out of Bounds – somewhere in the Middle East is a secret wave that looks super fun. This fun edit features Chippa Wilson and Jack Freestone, surfs up.

Ultramontane No. 01 – the first in a series of awesome shorts that follows a group of local riders creating some of the best trails I have ever seen.

Quik – a skate film from Quiksilver that is a cut above the rest. Austyn Gillette has buckets of style as he cruises through LA neighborhoods.

Design in Gibraltar

Design in Gibraltar

Design in Gibraltar could be improved, particularly online. I intend to help remedy this situation. With design excellence at the heart of all I do, I can offer my expertise and commitment in a number of areas ranging from web design to marketing campaigns. My rates are also extremely competitive, ask for a quote and I can guarantee you will be impressed. The freelance design services I offer include:

Web Design
Bespoke website designs based on your requirements that are easy to update OR flawless updates to existing sites.  I work closely with clients to ensure expectations are always met.

Brand Design
Corporate identities with brand guideline documents ensuring future design work retains the same look and feel.  I excel at iconic logo design and clever marketing campaigns.

Motion Design
Do you need planning, storyboards, filming, editing or post production for your motion project.  Or do you require an animation with unique character designs and custom illustrations.

Online Marketing
Marketing campaigns that use static/animated banners, landing pages and viral videos.  Campaigns are fully researched to ensure target markets are engaged.

Graphic & Print Design
Flyers, letterheads, business cards, print ads or billboards.  Whatever you requirements I can help fulfill your needs with innovative and vibrant designs.

Creative Concepts
Need help to develop your ideas into visual designs or pitches.  I create eye catching designs that transform your initial ideas into fully realised concept designs.

Your design needs are not listed, contact me regardless, I will do my very best to help. Even if it means referring you to another designer! Lets improve design in Gibraltar together.

Vimeo Videos 05

Vimeo Videos        Vimeo Videos        Vimeo Videos

Vimeo Videos        Vimeo Videos        Vimeo Videos

Vimeo Videos is back again after two weeks (definitely bi-weekly from now on) and unsurprisingly there is an emphasis on animation this week. No particular theme, just a collection of films I have really enjoyed covering a broad range of subjects ranging from travel, music videos, and charity.

Stereolove / I Wish That – Totally epic, utterly crazy MUST WATCH music video that tells the story of a scary dictatorship that controls the people via dance and the people’s revolution.

Metamorphosis / Good Books – Awesome short promoting Good Books, an online book seller that donates ALL its profits to Oxfam to help fight injustice. Free delivery worldwide.

In South America / Vincent Urban – The first in a series of travel films shot on DSLRs. Check out In Asia for their first series, you will not regret it, amazingly shot and great storytelling.

I’m Fine Thanks / Eamonn O’Neal – Emotional student animated short that tells the tale of a young adult living with his demons. It has won a lot of awards so check it out for sure.

4seven Spaghetti Junction Ident / Man Vs Machine – Ident for Channel 4’s new channel that plays on existing themes of revealing the logo. Mad skills involved, full screen essential.

Golem / Golem – Not quite sure how to describe this one other than EPICELY IMPRESSIVE. Based on a short by Stanislaw Lem the story is told from the perspective of a military AI.

Mobile Marketing Designs

Mobile Marketing Designs

Here are some mobile marketing designs I created for a client. Mobile marketing promotions are big business and these designs are the 1st in a new form of promotion. The designs were created to appeal to a large target audience and have been deemed extremely successful.

Designing for the mobile market has its own challenges. The screen is obviously smaller so as a designer I really need to focus on the key selling points to entice the consumer.  Keeping things clear, simple and to the point with as few distractions as possible is the key to a successful mobile design.

Illustration from the Vaults

Illustration from the Vault

Following on from my previous post, I had a rummage through my PC and dug out this Flash illustration from way back. It’s never been used so I thought I would post it here on my blog.

Way back yonder when I was still learning the intricacies of Flash I created this image of a girl. To liven it up for today I brought it to Photoshop and applied some background bells and whistles. It’s a great example of an image that never made it off my PC, it finds a home today.