videos – protozoic

Tagline: The Boy in the Box is about a boy in a box.

Mike’s Comments: I can’t remember how exactly The Boy in the Box evolved. There wasn’t a script. I think Peter just put the box on and it sort of went from there. A lot of the reactions we got from people were natural and unplanned. As for the box itself, its from the karaoke Singing Machine and I believe (though I can be sure as it is all so long ago now) that the Singing Machine doubled in post-production as a poorman’s multi-track recorder allowing my lawyer, Paul, to do the soundtrack. Its a great soundtrack too, maybe one of my favorites.

When I edited it originally, I had some problems with the video decks, and there were mistakes (both in the visuals and sound). I’ve been able to correct a lot of these problems in FCP.

Peter’s Comments: For those worried about copyright infringement who had difficulty reading the FBI warning at the beginning of this video due to resolution issues, I’ve pieced together a transcript of the notice below to the best of my ability. Note though that both the statement it’s self and the transcript are protected under their own copyright stipulations so you’ll need to destroy any copies cached on your hard drive or elsewhere immediately after reading.

Moral: Don’t let bastards push you around if you want to buy some panties. But maybe you shouldn’t stab him in the eye either cause you could go to jail.

Last night Megan and I watched the Director’s Cut of THX 1138. For the THX 1138 Director’s Cut, Lucas rather cleverly added CG monkeys. Inspired by Lucas’s simian revisionism, I unearthed some footage from the ol’ treasure trove. I couldn’t do CG chimps, but I did do some melodica, gave the piece a title, and tried to brighten up the footage a little bit. The original was shot on Super 8 and transferred to a now decaying VHS tape. Maybe one day I’ll find the actual Super 8 footage and recopy it. No plot spoilers for the bridge. Just watch it raw and unaware, and think what I’ll be able to achieve with some CG meteors.

Jugular is the story of two friends on a hike. The discovery of a bird carcass leads to the unexpected…

It is now pushing 2 a.m., and I have to help Tim move tomorrow. For the past hour I’ve been dealing with an issue with Compressor. The problem is finally fixed, and Kettle Kittens II has been exported.

With the exception of the lead instrument, me on melodica, the song was made from stock sounds in Soundtrack Pro.

I would also note that the strobe is not an FCP effect, but a crank emergency flashlight I have.

Kettle brew those kittens.

If Backyard Wrestling was the call, then Backyard Birds is the response.

Starfallen is about the kidnapping of the Cave of Trouble’s band manager. Really. It dates from 2003 (maybe).

On an aside, I’ve been learning about color correction and I touched up the video (although I should note, I don’t have a broadcast monitor, so who knows what it would look like on a TV). I’ve put two pictures below of the before and after.1

Thom was pretty upset we did not partake in the annual holiday movie this year. In lieu of the normal video bacchanal, I made this. Much like Werner Herzog had divine inspiration to make cinema while walking in the Bavarian Mountains at age 14, I think I heard God(s) prior to filming Holiday Movie. In Herzogâ€s film, Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970), Herzog claimed to use a very special technique to get the actors to achieve their performances. The special technique would be immortalized in a Youtube viral video 27 years later, fulfilling the Herzogian prophecy that of all his films, Dwarfs would rank among the most celebrated. Thus, I likewise have employed a special technique with the actor in Holiday Movie. Unlike Herzog however, I am not at liberty to discuss my methods which are top secret.

Happy Holidays with much love, prayers of world peace, general happiness.

Sincerely,

Answering Machine is about a man, woman, robot and a phone.

When the world of disability meets the great outdoors only one thing can result…Disabled vs Wild.

Now watch the movie.