OWC RADiO

We think the world needs more great music! Cirina Catania, the host of OWC RADiO, joins the guys from Jam in the Van and talks with Jake Cotler, the founder of the innovative recording studio. With him today is Jack Higgins, the studio’s executive video producer & content creator.

Jam in the Van is a mobile, solar-powered recording studio that is changing the way the world discovers new bands as they travel around the country producing live music videos inside their mobile studio and making them available online. OWC is a major sponsor, and the guys attribute much of their technological successes to the equipment they use from the family of Other World Computing products.

Jake Cotler created the concept for Jam in the Van in 2011 along with partners Dave Bell and Louis Peek. Today, Jake oversees all creative aspects of the company as well as the programming and business development.

Jack Higgins rums production, directs, shoots and edits the video and photo content as well as the live streams. Jack has been with Jam in the Van since starting as a college intern in 2014.

You can check out their website: www.jaminthevan.com and Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/user/JamintheVan

Listen in and find out more about this extraordinary recording studio concept that’s changing the way new music is discovered!

Today's music features The Marcus King Band and their track, "Side Door." Thanks, Marcus. You Rock!

Write to us at [email protected] or comment below.

For more information about our amazing sponsor, Other World Computing, go to MacSales.com or OWCDigital.com, where you'll find hardware and software solutions and tutorial videos that will get you up and running in no time.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:32 - Cirina introduces Jake Cotler, started Jam in the Van in 2011. Jack Higgins runs Jam in the Van’s production.04:22 - Jake shares the story of Jam in the Van’s official launch way back in 2011.07:37 - Jake tells the story of when their old van broke down in Fort Stockton and they sold it to a police sheriff.12:23 - Jack explains how OWC products make his work more efficient and effective in terms of production.15:42 - Jack shares how SlingStudio is responsible for recording their multi-camera angle using a Camera Link Wi-Fi pack and creating a Premiere Profile ready to edit.21:04 - Jack shares each of the team’s roles: director of photography, sound and mixer engineer and camera guy. 27:00 - Jake shares advice for people in the music industry on how to build their own team to work with in order to reach success. 31:25 - Jack shares the quality equipment they use in the van provided by their sponsors; Audio-Technica, QSC, Orange Amps, and Vessel Drums.36:00 - Jake and Jack tell an interesting story of their life on how they started their journey with Jam in the Van.43:38 - Like and follow Jam in the Van on their social media accounts to keep up with all their activities and watch their amazing featured artists.

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Transcript

We're jammin’ with the guys from Jam in the Van. Times like this, I have to say I love my job. So come on in, we've got the inside story right here, right now. Jack Higgins is the executive content creator of Jam in the Van. He oversees all the aspects of production. I'm going to be asking him questions about the gear and how they do it and what they edit in. And Jake Cotler started this along with Dave Bell and Louis Peek in 2011. I think it's a great idea, you guys. Welcome aboard.

JC: Thank you. I think it's a great idea too.

Let's talk about this for a moment just so we can set it straight.

This edition of OWC RADiO comes to you during the height of the COVID-19 virus quarantines. At times like this, we are able to spend more time with family, tackle projects around the house, cook, garden, play music or sing, check social media. Many of us are reading more and one of the most popular genres is classical Western fiction.

Host, Cirina Catania, catches up with John Moore, an award-winning journalist, popular best-selling novelist, photographer, cowboy, rancher, and minister.

Although on the surface this might be considered a departure from our "regular" programming, which is normally about tech and the creativity that drives it, this interview is about courage, perseverance, and honesty. All qualities that make us better storytellers. And since that is our end goal, we share this conversation with you.

A third-generation Montana rancher and cowboy, John's work is noted for his authenticity and vivid descriptions of life in the Western United States.

John grew up on a cattle ranch but left it to pursue life on the road during the "hippie" era. What he learned and what he brought back shortly before his father died, resonates with millions of readers who want to know more about life.

He is a storyteller, who keeps history, tall tales and true stories of ranchers and cowboys alive.

Some of his most known books include The Breaking of Ezra Riley, The Land of Empty Houses and Looking for Lynne, which won the silver medal in the 2015 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Fiction.

John was recently inducted into the 2019 class of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage, a nod shared with Pulitzer Prize winner Dorothy Johnson ("A Man Called Horse"), Pulitzer Prize winner A.B. Guthrie Junior and Norman McLean ("A River Runs Through It") among others.

It's been a bumpy road with lots of trail dust, but the inspiration gets us off our straight and narrow. Who knows what will come in the future?

Listen in and get inspired by John's courage, perseverance and authenticity.

Write to us at [email protected] or comment below.

For more information about our amazing sponsor, Other World Computing, go to MacSales.com or OWCDigital.com, where you'll find hardware and software solutions and tutorial videos that will get you up and running in no time.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:57 - Cirina introduces John Moore, an award-winning journalist, popular best-selling novelist, photographer, cowboy, rancher, and minister.

06:00 - John tells a story of when he was 17 and their local newspaper offered him a job as a photographer and reporter. He ended up working there for 3 years.

11:22 - John shares how he managed to finish his novel using a Kaypro computer working with Christian publishing houses.

18:36 - John talks about his book The Breaking of Ezra Riley. He shares he felt like writing the ending was a gift to him given how close he was to the deadline.

24:23 - John shares a tough and interesting story on his journey to publishing the book, Take the Reins.

30:22 - Cirina shares the inspiration and reason behind inviting John to be her guest. 

35:54 - John talks about the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage inductee.

42:24 - John shares that having a strong sense of community is one of the reasons why he likes staying in the rural parts of Eastern Montana.

49:24 - John shares how he had his books published online and being sold on Amazon. 

56:21 - Follow John Moore’s Facebook page to check out and be inspired by his books. 

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In today's episode, OWC RADiO host Cirina Catania, talks to Slovenian journalist and film critic Damijan Vinter, who gives us his take on this year's Berlin International Film Festival (the Berlinale). Here are his must-see movies and his impressions of this year’s films in competition.

Celebrating its 70th year, the Berlin International Film Festival has once again confirmed its status as one of the world's leading film festivals: 342 festival films, 330,000 sold tickets, and 22,000 industry professionals from 133 countries.

Damijan Vinter shares his impressions of the best feature films, including the winner of the Golden Bear, “There Is No Evil,” a drama from the Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof centering on true stories of the people behind the scenes who carry out executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Rasoulof, has had many run-ins with the Iranian government since 2010, and was banned from filmmaking. He has now been sentenced to one-year in prison due to films which the Iranian authorities found to be "propaganda against the system." As of this writing, Rasoulof is refusing to turn himself in. An appeal is planned.

If you missed this year's Berlinale, or just want to learn more about the films that were in competition in 2020, listen in to Damijan's recommendations and insights.

You will find something interesting for sure!

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Write to us at [email protected] or comment below.

For more information about our amazing sponsor, Other World Computing, go to MacSales.com or OWCDigital.com, where you'll find hardware and software solutions and tutorial videos that will get you up and running in no time.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:20 – Cirina introduces Damijan Vinter, a journalist and film critic from Slovenia.1:15 – Damijan agrees that Sheytan Vojud Nadarad or There Is No Evil is the best film in the competition5:25 – The award ceremony for the Golden Bear award touched everyone at the Berlinale Palast.07:41 - Never Rarely Sometimes Always, a realistic teenage dilemma. Awarded Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize09:04 – Damijan shares a funny cat scene from the film, The Woman Who Ran.11:46 – Damijan enumerated his favorite film in the competition. His favorites were Volevo Nascondermi/Hidden Away and Bad Tales.15:10 – Cirina shares what she loves most about the Berlin International Film Festival; People talk about the movie in terms of what country they’re from.18:48 – Damijan shares how the film Gunda managed to capture a very sincere moment in life on the farm.34:01 – Damijan gives his opinion about the new management running the Berlinale.35:48 – Damijan wished for a different approach on the opening keynote for the Panorama section.

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Transcript

You've got to give me all of the inside scoop on the festival. I was really interested because you said that, for the first time in a long time this year, you were almost 100% in agreement with the jury.

Yeah.

So what was that all about?

First of all, because I saw the last competition movie. It was this Iranian film, Sheytan Vojud Nadarad to which is like There is no Evil. I just saw it yesterday, and it was the best and most beautiful film ever in the competition. And you know the feeling when you see the best movie at the end of all this traveling? I was so touched that I skipped another screening, which I have tickets for. That evening, I realized that it was the film they gave the Golden Bear to. It was the start of my happiness or satisfaction, I should say.

Host, Cirina Catania, catches up with OWC’s owner, Larry O’Connor, to get the inside, under the hood skinny on how to configure your order for a new Mac Pro from Apple.

It's an in-depth reveal of just about everything you need to know about the new Mac Pro and OWC's solutions for it.

How many cores should you order? What kind of graphics card? How much memory? Does it matter which monitor you are using? What about your SSD internal storage? So many questions, so we went straight to the source and asked Larry.

As usual, he has the answers!

For more information, go to MacSales.com. You'll find hardware and software solutions and tutorial videos that will get you up and running in no time.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:11 - Cirina introduces Larry O’Connor, CEO, and founder of Other World Computing.03:56 - Larry explains how to start choosing your machine based on the memory variant.07:31 - Larry explains how the Accelsior card works with the Mac Pro.12:03 - Larry tells the story of when they built an SSD designed for RAIDS with no need for TRIM.16:27 - Larry shares how to save money and get quality products by upgrading your Mac Pro with OWC products.20:57 - Larry recommends graphic cards based on specific working requirements and tips in buying the products.24:55 - Larry shares how they create products based on people’s challenges and pain points.29:19 - Larry shares the transition of TLC to QLC.34:54 - Larry shares the benefits of investing in high-performance flash memory.41:08 - Visit owc.com or macsales.com to check out reliable quality products.

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Transcript

Okay, we are rolling. This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio. I have Mr. OWC on the line, Larry O'Connor, the CEO, and founder of Other World Computing. We got a lot to talk about today. Don't we, Larry?

Yeah, we always do, always lots going on in the world of technology.

Yeah, there is. So I wanted to talk to you because I'm getting a lot of questions about configuring the new Mac Pro. And I know that OWC has solutions that can help us get more of what we need for less money than we can get on the Apple Store. And as much as I love Apple, I do trust OWC's memories, so I thought maybe we could take a minute and go through what a customer would need to know when they're buying the Mac Pro and how OWC can help with all that. How about that?

In the Apple Store, you're going to pay a big premium, but I would never, certainly not today, question Apple's quality. Aftermarket, there's a lot of variabilities, and I would argue a lot more risk in that department. And now, we're glad to be certainly certified with all of our products with extensive testing and actual ownership of machines to ensure ongoing quality when it comes to memory. For memory, I have to recommend anything that's upgradeable from Apple, buying the absolute minimum that you can purchase and then be able to upgrade with OWC in this particular case. It literally saves you thousands, even under the smaller memory upgrades. It's a huge saving and to get effectively the same quality of product and a warranty that is lifetime versus just a year on AppleCare extended. And the memory in the Mac Pro Apple, the set is user upgradeable. They even had instructions up, which I believe at this point, they cranked. They had a mistake in how they tell people where to put the additional memory, but that was early on and taken care of. 

Nonetheless, it is a user-supported upgrade. We tell you where to put it, and we tell you the right place, we'll show it in a video, so easy to do and then great savings.

Richard Taylor is a man of many talents, a life-long musician, video producer, editor, post-production supervisor, audio engineer, Apple-certified FCPX Trainer, 15-year podcaster, host of the Final Cut Pro Radio podcast and host of FCPX TV.

Host Cirina Catania interviews him about creating great audio for podcasting and much more on this episode of OWC RADiO.

What is a podcast? Hint: It’s not an audio file. In fact, in 2004, the first podcasts were special because they were downloaded automatically via RSS feeds. In today’s streaming world, it’s hard to imagine how revolutionary this innovation was.

Richard Taylor is a legendary podcaster who was there to witness the birth of a new medium that since has grown into a global phenomenon. 

Listen in to Richard's podcasts at www.fcpradio.com and www.fcpx.tv and follow RichardTaylorTV on Twitter, FaceBook, YouTube, Periscope and Instagram.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:12 - Cirina introduces Richard Taylor, producer, editor, and host of Final Cut Pro Radio and FCPX.TV.06:21 - Richard tells the story of when he captured a video when he moved out of his house that he built on his own.11:43 - Richard shares how Adam Curry and Dave Winer were the first people to create a podcast way back August 2004.19:16 - Cirina recalls how she enjoyed working in a radio station back in the day when she was working for AFN Radio.26:45 - Richard explains how he records interviews over Skype with the use of various equipment and software.31:30 - Richard shares how he edits his outstanding quality audios.39:24 - Richard explains why you need to pay attention to the audio quality and how it overall affects the video quality.47:04 - Richard shares how radio recording is like a trial and error, you have to test multiple times for you to get it right and make it seamless.55:09 - Cirina shares how she conveniently did mobile filmmaking in Sicily just by bringing her iPhone 11 Pro Max capturing the great scenery of the town.1:01:57 - Visit Richard Taylor’s website fcpradio.com, and follow him in his social media accounts to stay updated with his weekly shows.

Jump to Links and Resources

Transcript

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio. I have Richard Taylor with me. He is a producer, editor, post-production supervisor for eight years at the National Archives. But we know him in our community as a Final Cut expert. He's also the host of Final Cut Pro Radio and FCPX.TV. And both shows which I have been on and I love, so you need to watch those. Richard, how are you?

Hi, I'm doing well on the East Coast of the USA. I gotta always plug the East Coast because everybody is from the West Coast these days.

You guys aren't gonna believe what happened. I got up at five o'clock this morning because I moved to a new place. I'm trying to get the studio set up, and I worked for several hours unpacking and wiring, and then I went into the other room, sat down for a minute, and fell sound asleep. And Richard's message to me, it said, "I'm here," and the phone dinged and I went, "Oh." But when you're sleeping so soundly, and you don't even know where you are for a second, that's what happened. 

Yeah, absolutely.

So I'm groggy, I'm sitting here in front of my MacBook Pro where I am recording this with a cup of coffee, I got an espresso machine for Christmas. Isn't that great? 

Oh, you did? What kind?

It's Nespresso, and it's really cute. It's bright red, it sits on my counter next to the other coffee machine, and I actually go to Costco now and get Peet's Coffee. Have you ever tried the Peet's Coffee?

I order Peet's from Washington State.

Smartphones may never be the same. Alpesh H. Patel, CEO of ZmBIZI, is an award-winning global entrepreneur with yet another ground-breaking idea. Cirina Catania, the host of OWC RADiO talks to this very special guest about his new product and shares his incredible entrepreneurial story.

Alpesh Patel's latest revolutionary project (more info at www.zmbizi.com) is an Android-based smartphone that pays you when you use it and comes with its own rewards wallet and debit card. The ZmBIZI was announced at CES 2020 and will be available in April 2020.

A veteran in the telecom industry, Alpesh generated $500m for Motorola in the eighties and went on to create the first African tech hardware startup and the world’s first Afro Emoticon character brand. That business was successfully sold to a $5B South African conglomerate and helped Alpesh launch a new wave of innovation.

Alpesh specializes in market strategies, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, results-orientated sales solutions, and emotional intelligence. He has been featured in more than 50 media outlets including CNN, CNBC, BBC, Forbes, GQ and Huffington Post. He is credited as one of the first tech innovators to come out of emerging markets and has worked with industry giants such as Visa, Vodafone, Western Union, and Uber.

Alpesh is also the author of “Tested” a published narrative on the trials of entrepreneurship. The book was nominated for “The best book of the year UK, 2018” and has received critical acclaim, wide press and multiple 5-star reviews on Amazon. 

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us! We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:12 - Cirina introduces Alpesh Patel, CEO of ZmBIZI. 04:57 - Alpesh shares how he treasures his family values growing up in Indian culture where everyone in the family respects all family members, especially the elders.11:45 - Alpesh shares how he became a millionaire at the age of 24 years back in 1990.16:41 - Alpesh shares how he had a wakeup call when he moved to Africa in 1999.21:45 - Alpesh shares how he started creating the brand Mi-Fone and how it expanded quickly into Africa.25:21 - Alpesh shares how he lost his passion, causing an entrepreneur burnout, and ended up selling Mi-Fone to a large conglomerate.29:48 - Alpesh shares his goal of making his new company called ZmBIZI, a new category on smartphones' evolution.34:41 - Alpesh explains ZmBIZI’s innovative and interactive audio and video player.39:38 - How much is the ZmBIZI phone?43:28 - Visit zmbizi.com to checkout ZmBIZI, the first smartphone that pays you for your on-screen interactions. And checkout Alpesh Patel’s book, Tested on Amazon.

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Transcript

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio. I met a very interesting dynamic person when I was at CES recently, Alpesh Patel, and we call him Alpesh P. He's the founder of a company called ZmBIZI, which actually is producing phones that pay you to use them. But I want to backtrack a little bit if you'll allow me, Alpesh, and talk about you and where you come from and what took you on this amazing journey that you're on. How are you today?

I'm fine. Thank you, Cirina. And first of all, thank you for having me on your prestigious show. It was a great pleasure to meet with you in Las Vegas randomly so that we could see, and I'm really glad that a couple of weeks later we're actually chatting again, those connections are always important to foster and grow as you go along.

We talk a lot about instinct on the show and when you follow that little voice inside of yourself, and I mean, we just happened to be sitting next to each other at a counter in the restaurant at the hotel,

Oliver Peters is a successful independent editor/colorist and workflow consultant. He talks with OWC RADiO host, Cirina Catania, about his five decades working in broadcast production and post, and offers a wealth of important tips for media producers at all levels.

If you work in commercials, corporate video, feature films or themed attraction entertainment, you will want to listen in!

And he has a unique spin, as he is conversant in many aspects of technology, including Adobe's Premiere Pro and Apple's Final Cut X.

Managing a studio with several editors involves a challenging workflow, including edit sharing, networking and remote collaboration. Oliver has answers!

If you’ve ever shot a scene with multiple types of cameras, you’ve faced a very specific problem: How do you get the colors to match from the different cameras?

At worst, color inconsistencies can become super distracting. For many, color matching simply makes everything look the same. Yet, if you’re a post-production legend like Oliver Peters, you take coloring of multi-camera shoots to the level of its own art form.

One look at his reel and you’ll immediately want to find out how Oliver makes everything looks so amazing.

Get ready for a veritable post-production master class, as OWC Radio host Cirina Catania gets into the details of making editing magic.

Find out more about an award-winning editor and colorist Oliver Peters: www.oliverpeters.com. There you will also find links to his wide range of articles published in print and web publications.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us!

We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:08 - Cirina introduces Oliver Peters, a successful independent editor/colorist and workflow consultant.05:37 - Oliver shares the cameras used for the Colorist Demo Reel video.10:30 - Oliver explains how cameras have different color sciences and shares the challenges of using different cameras for certain projects.15:19 - Oliver explains why media should be handled before uploading it to an editing system, like putting a valid timecode.22:35 - Oliver shares his blog where he wrote about different areas of workflow in the industry.28:23 - Oliver shares his recommendations for monitors with the best color grading display samples.36:37 - Oliver shares the price range of good quality display to perfectly-calibrated display TVs.41:02 - Oliver shares his workplace setup for an efficient media storage solution.47:16 - Oliver shares his opinion on LTO tapes in terms of practicality production wise.53:31 - Follow Oliver Peters’ blog digitalfilms.wordpress.com to learn more from his various lessons, tips, and updates.

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Transcript

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio, and I have Oliver Peters on the line. Oliver is one of these quiet, strong, intelligent, very humble, incredibly talented people who work in so many different areas of what I call the entertainment industry. Oliver, you are an editor, you're an amazing colorist, you're a post-production workflow consultant, you run an operation with several editors working with you at any one point in time. I even noticed you had done still photography, which is beautiful. We all know you're an incredibly creative writer, both in the tech and the creative side, and I guess I would also call you although I don't know if you've used this term or not, you're definitely an industry analyst because it's such broad-based knowledge. So I'm excited and welcome to the show.

Well, thank you for the big build-up there. Thank you very much.

It's just wonderful because I know we haven't prepared this. I can pretty much ask you just about any question...

Cirina Catania, the host of OWC RADiO, talks with Michael Williams, the Godfather of Comedy!

If laughter is the best medicine, the doctor is in!

Imagine living in LA in 1985 and being an African-American fan of stand up comedy but having nowhere to go to see comedians who resonated with you!

Michael Williams had the unique idea to open a comedy club that featured all-black stand up comedians tailored to and reflecting the culture of his African American race. It had never been done before, but the results were pure magic.

This conversation is about what happens when one hard-working person has the courage to try something completely new.

It is about changing the world. It's about giving a voice in the '80s to what, at the time, was an under-represented culture. It is about creating a legacy and passing on wisdom to the next generation. And...it is about having fun, poking fun, healing wounds and finding joy.

If these themes interest you, get ready for another great episode of OWC RADiO as Cirina Catania interviews Michael Williams, the real Godfather of Comedy.

Michael was honored during a celebration of African American history, on the 4th of February, 2020, at the City Hall in Los Angeles. The world has been too quiet for too long about this selfless pioneer. We hope he will continue to get the recognition he so well deserves. The exhibit honoring Michael and several of America's most popular comedians is entitled, "Stand Up: Art and Politics in Comedy" and will remain on display for the entire month of February.

Follow whats next in 2020 here: https://www.comedyactplanet.com

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us!

We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:08 - Cirina introduces Michael Williams, the Godfather of Comedy. He opened a comedy club that featured all-black stand up comedians and was tailored to and reflecting the African American culture.04:23 - Michael shares the first time he saw TJ McGee on stage performing at the Comedy Store.07:42 - Michael shares that Robin Harris was his first host and how he was unique to everybody who knew him. 14:21 - Michael shares how he encourages people and gives them chances if they want to be a comedian.18:54 - Michael shares how he inspires comedians to have freedom of expression, allowing them to be themselves.24:21 - Michael shares the story of how he opened his third club in Atlanta, and how he had to rebuild it in less than four months. 27:18 - Michael shares the names of the comedians he helped with their careers, including Chris Rock.32:07 - Michael shares the impact on the audience and the connection to the comedian in watching live comedy.36:01 - Michael shares how some comedians perform on stage to cope up with their life struggles.39:34 - Visit Michael William’s website comedyactplanet.com to learn more and stay updated.

Jump to Links and Resources

Transcript

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio, and I'm here at CES, and I ran into Michael Williams. I'm so excited. This man, this young man is the godfather of comedy. That's your Nickname, right?

A lot of people say that.

So why CES? What are you doing here? 

When I first started my business, which was in 1985, technology like it is today, it was just not here. 

Not even close.

I didn't have a computer, I didn't have a cell phone, I didn't have a fax machine. Even though I had access to a fax machine, that was that paper that would soon fade when exposed to the sun. I forgot what it was called.

We all got stuck with thermal paper.

Yeah. Thermal paper, that's what it's called.

And if you didn't file it right, it can get away from the air.

Exactly.

Cirina Catania, OWC RADiO host, talks with Neill Barham, CEO, and the guiding vision behind FiLMiC Inc. and the primary architect behind FiLMiC Pro.

An independent filmmaker from Seattle turned serial entrepreneur, Neill studied at the Vancouver Film School before working on projects large and small in countries all over the world.

With the advent of the iPhone 4 and its ability to shoot high definition video, Neill saw a vision of the future where everyone has the tools to become an artist or storyteller. The company began working on the initial designs of the FiLMiC Pro in 2010 and has been relentlessly updating the app ever since. Under his leadership, FiLMiC Pro has become the pre-eminent high-end video app, used by filmmakers, artists, educators and journalists the world over.

You can find out more about FiLMiC PRO here.

For more about our host, filmmaker, tech maven and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival, Cirina Catania, visit cirinacatania.com.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends about us!

We love our listeners. And, if you have ideas for segments, write to [email protected]. Cirina is always up for new ideas!

In This Episode

00:08 - Cirina introduces Neill Barham, CEO pof FiLMiC Inc.04:38 - FiLMiC Pro’s new Multi-cam or DoubleTake features explained by Neill.09:15 - Neill shares his background story and talks about how he ended up going to film school.13:06 - Neill shares the advantages of today’s generation, where they have tools available to create projects without going to film school.16:35 - Neill elaborates on FiLMiC Pro’s mission to democratize media to enable artistic creativity.20:01 - Neill describes how FiLMiC Pro’s Cinematographer Kit works.25:03 - Cirina has her opinion about the LUT/not to LUT argument amongst creatives.28:06 - Neill favorite part of his year is also the most rewarding. It’s the FiLMiC Pro’s contest.35:18 - FiLMic Pro gives $25,000 cash to the grand prize winner for their next FilMiC project.40:35 - Visit www.filmicpro.com to learn more about FiLMiC Pro, view amazing projects from various artistic people, and many more.

Jump to Links and Resources

Transcript

This is Cirina Catania OWC Radio. I spoke to you guys a moment ago about Neill Barham of FiLMiC Pro and how accomplished he is and how much I love all of those apps. And now we are lucky enough to have him on the phone with me. So, Neill, how are you today? 

I'm doing great. Thank you so much for having me. 

Before we get too far down the line, I want to thank OWC for sponsoring the podcast. Without them, I wouldn't be able to be talking to you today. So thank you, Larry, and the team over there in OWC. We're grateful to you. 

Neill, I watched you on stage at the Worldwide Developer Conference, and we won't talk too much about it because I noticed the new version isn't up yet. But we affectionately call that the dub dub. You're on stage at the dub dub talking about a new multi-cam version of FiLMiC Pro. How's that coming? Can you tell us any more about what's happening with that? 

Sure. And just a quick clarification, I was in the venue and may have been seen, but it's Sean Baker and our CTO Chris Cohen, who got the luxury of being on stage. And Chris is probably the best person to articulate the technical underpinnings of what rolled out with iOS 13 on the iPhone 11 Pros that will make the next generation of FiLMiC Pro possible. So multi-cam is a revolutionary capability. Kevin Buonagurio and I were recently at CES last week, and we had a great time testing out the latest FiLMiC beta with the multi-cam on the trade show floor at CES.

I'm jealous. Now I was at CES, why didn't I see this?

And it was fantastic because that made a richer presentation and interaction. We would wander from one booth to the next after we shot an interesting clip of the Sony booth where they unveiled, I'm presuming it's an electric car I had seen on maybe...

OWC Radio Host, Cirina Catania tackles AB5 issues head on in an in-depth interview with entertainment and tech lawyer Jonathan Handel. of counsel with the law firm of TroyGould and a contributing editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Jonathan covers labor, workplace and legal matters and is a reliable and informed source when we need to know the latest on what is happening in the legal side of the entertainment and tech industries.

Do you qualify as an employee or are you a contractor? The answer isn’t so simple, and it may be even more complicated as it applies to those in the music, film, and TV industries. In California, new legislation called AB5 changed the rules effective January 1, 2020.

So how do this impact you? Listen in as we answer those questions.

Transcript

This is Cirina Catania with OWC Radio. I have Jonathan Handel on the line. He's an entertainment technology attorney at TroyGould, and also a frequent contributing editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Jonathan and I have spoken over the years about many issues involving unions and trade and things. Jonathan, you're always the go-to smart guy when I need to know the legal implications of anything that's current, that's happening in the industry. And recently, there's a lot of hullabaloo about this new AB5. So can you explain to our listeners what that is?

Sure, it's a pleasure to be back with you. AB5 changes the legal analysis, the legal criteria in California, for whether someone is considered an independent contractor or an employee when they're doing work for someone else. It's called AB5 because it was Assembly Bill 5, the state assembly, the state representatives. And it passed and was signed by the governor last month or several months ago, and it will take effect January 1st of this year and is now part of the laws of the state of California, the Labor Code. Perhaps the first thing to explain is, why do we care? What's the difference between for a worker and for an employer, the difference between someone being an employee versus being an independent contractor?

That would be awesome. Let's explain that.

Great. Okay. And it turns out that there are some pros and some cons on either side, on the one hand, employees are entitled to a variety of protections, protections regarding minimum wage, so-called Wage and Hour laws. The number of hours they can work, if they're not highly paid the number of hours, they can work before being given a rest break and a break for lunch and things of that sort. When people talk about being paid overtime, that's protection from in wage and hour laws, workers compensation and unemployment insurance when they lose their job, discrimination laws in many cases only apply if someone's an employee, not if they're an independent contractor. Social Security payments, when you're an employee, they deduct money for Social Security from your paycheck, but the employer also has to pay a share and additional share towards social security.

So those are advantages of being an employee. Now, the advantages of being an independent contractor are, first of all, that you're not tied to a single employer, whereas often an employee only has one job well, that's not necessarily the case. And the key thing is that if you make use of your home office, make use of your car, and certain other expenses, these things are deductible, for independent contractors are not deductible for employees. In fact, because of the Trump tax reforms, even something like a large expense like a commission to an agent, 10% of your wages going to an agent are not deductible for employees but are deductible if someone is an independent contractor. So I guess I think maybe the next thing to think about is, who falls into what kind of a bucket and can you simply say, "I'm an independent contractor," or "I'm an employee." Even before AB5 assumed that if you were treated as an employee if you were paid wages,