For most of you that know me from recent life, or from reading this blog, you probably think of me more of a still-photo-type-guy as apposed to video. This is somewhat ironic, as I was very heavily involved in video production some time ago . . . TV news cameraman, production studio manager, freelancer, and the like.
Technology left me behind . . . . during my video heyday I was spinning little knobs and punching the edit in and out points, and the edit was performed by physically moving and syncing tape. I had heard of computerized "non-linear" editing, but never laid hands on the system. (The cost of the NL editor-like Avid-made it inaccessible to anyone outside of a large commercial production house.)
So then computers get faster and faster, and hard drive capacity increases exponentially, and NL systems start to appear in the consumer computer market. I had missed video production . . . but I knew it would be nothing more than a hobby, so I knew that I had to be conservative on cost when purchasing a video editing system.
Macintosh came out with a "Performa" computer that was supposed to be a real whiz-bang system, just like the big studios. I bought one - if nothing else I was due for a new computer anyway. It was a big disappointment . . . . locked up frequently (not a often as a Windows system, mind you) and I could not really figure out how to export the edited video to tape . . . . . thus kinda making the edited video useless. (This, of course, was long before the days of email, youtube, dvd, mpeg technology.
About a decade later I ran into some grant money to buy a media PC at MOSI. I had dreams of keeping the video that looped in the IMAX lobby up-to-date with coming attractions, or even daily "news" reports that would welcome special guests, promote opportunities through the museum or even advertise a daily special at the concession stand. I scripted and shot (in hi-8) a custom "behind the scenes" IMAX technology video or a period of about two months. When my assistant and I tried to edit it I learned that technology STILL was not there . . . . I was extremely disappointed. I had the finished product in my head (and it was good!) but just could not get it on tape.
Fast forward (ha!) to the present . . . . . my high 8 camera (now quite obsolete) ceased to function (the rubber parts of it, the buttons, and drive units have actually broken down with age and started to liquefy) and while cruising Woot.com once day I see an HD camera, with wide screen aspect ratio on the cheap. I ordered it . . . . surely technology in this epoch will now allow me to edit tapes to my satisfaction. I had 30 minutes of spare time to mess around with Window Movie Maker . . . . I finally think technology is there!
So anywho . . . I shot some test footage . . . and played around with it for a bit this weekend . . . so be looking for some videos in the future!
The following is just some test footage . . nothing real exciting . . . there was just some specific things I wanted to try. I was also curious how my truck sounds OUTSIDE of the cab.
Oh, and P.S. - after I resigned from MOSI my assistant got with Bay News 9, took my storyboard and script, and produced my behind the scenes video, almost word for word and shot for shot as I conceived it. It is now showing in the IMAX lobby - VO'ed by Jen Holloway . . . It is EXACTLY what I envisioned. Nice to have a legacy, you know?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tis the season
It is nice to have my wonderfully tacky ties accepted, nay even embraced.
December is a nice month.
December is a nice month.
Poker! Save the Date
I am hosting a charity poker tournament in January - come one, come all!
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
To Benefit Tampa Bay Search and Rescue, Inc.
January 12, 2007
Hosted by: Switchback Offroad and Xtreme Jeep Sales
14228 N. Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33613
6:00 Poker Clinic and Instruction Class
7:30 Tournament Begins
Main Tournament: Suggested donation for play is $10. Top 3 winners will receive material prizes (TBA.)
"High Rollers" Tournament: Suggested donation for play is $50. VERY special prizes will be awarded to top players
There may be a super high roller table also . . . .
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
To Benefit Tampa Bay Search and Rescue, Inc.
January 12, 2007
Hosted by: Switchback Offroad and Xtreme Jeep Sales
14228 N. Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33613
6:00 Poker Clinic and Instruction Class
7:30 Tournament Begins
Main Tournament: Suggested donation for play is $10. Top 3 winners will receive material prizes (TBA.)
"High Rollers" Tournament: Suggested donation for play is $50. VERY special prizes will be awarded to top players
There may be a super high roller table also . . . .
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
In Today's News
This is a great organization that needs your support!
TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online
The Carrollwood News & Tribune
Center Suffers A Bad Break
By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 12, 2007
FOREST HILLS - Ronna Metcalf, director of the Life Enrichment Center, and her assistant, Dell Baker, went for a drive Nov. 27 to find additional locations for the nonprofit organization's programs for adults.
"When we got in my car, Dell said 'You know, I think this is going to be a good year,' " Metcalf said. "She said, 'After all, what else could happen.' "
Immediately after, Metcalf got a call from the center's development director, Jocelyn Dickman, saying that a car just crashed into the 27-year-old building at 9704 N. Boulevard.
"I could've sworn it was the sound of glass breaking," Dickman said. "I said, 'Oh, my God, a painting fell.' "
The driver, a student at the center, lost control of her car while trying to exit the parking lot. The car hit an old fireplace on the building's southwest corner, creating an oval fracture and likely affecting the building's load-bearing capacity.
Metcalf said no charges were brought against the student.
"I know what everyone thinks," Metcalf said. "We have older adults who come here, and some old person drove into the wall that shouldn't be driving anymore. It's absolutely not the case. This was a very astute woman in her early-70s who is going for a degree at USF."
Dickman said the driver was shaken but was comforted by fellow students.
A tow truck pulled the car out of the building. Metcalf estimated the damage to the building at $15,000, but long cracks and bowing of an adjoining wall suggests the structural integrity was compromised - possibly costing several thousands more.
"We used to call it the fireplace room," Metcalf said. "But we've renamed it the wreck room."
The room, which was used for language and computer classes, is useless. Classes must be canceled, adding to what Metcalf said is an already tenuous financial situation.
The center receives grant money from the county, but this year that was cut by $8,000 to $10,000, with more cuts possible. Metcalf said if the center has to close from lack of money, it will be a shame because "people need people."
People at the center are "a wonderful informal support network because they make friends, and that gets harder and harder as you get older," Metcalf said.
She said folks utilizing the center come from throughout the county, and her mailing list exceeds 20,000.
Last year, the center was burglarized twice in one week. Before that, a leaky roof and poor air conditioning were major problems. After a newspaper article on the problems appeared, Stay Dry Roofing and Nuccio Heating & Air Conditioning donated their services to the center, Metcalf said.
"I've seen this place go through a lot of positive changes," said Bob Gibbons, a nine-year art teacher at the center. "Then, all of the sudden, 'smash!' "
The center, which offers classes in Tai Chi, art, memoir writing and foreign language, among others, holds sessions at the Forest Hills United Methodist Church and the Museum Of Science & Industry.
With such a small building to call home damaged, Metcalf said the center especially needs more locations.
Metcalf may be reached at (813) 932-0241 or through the center's Web site, www.lifeenrichmenttampa.org.
Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.
TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online
The Carrollwood News & Tribune
Center Suffers A Bad Break
By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 12, 2007
FOREST HILLS - Ronna Metcalf, director of the Life Enrichment Center, and her assistant, Dell Baker, went for a drive Nov. 27 to find additional locations for the nonprofit organization's programs for adults.
"When we got in my car, Dell said 'You know, I think this is going to be a good year,' " Metcalf said. "She said, 'After all, what else could happen.' "
Immediately after, Metcalf got a call from the center's development director, Jocelyn Dickman, saying that a car just crashed into the 27-year-old building at 9704 N. Boulevard.
"I could've sworn it was the sound of glass breaking," Dickman said. "I said, 'Oh, my God, a painting fell.' "
The driver, a student at the center, lost control of her car while trying to exit the parking lot. The car hit an old fireplace on the building's southwest corner, creating an oval fracture and likely affecting the building's load-bearing capacity.
Metcalf said no charges were brought against the student.
"I know what everyone thinks," Metcalf said. "We have older adults who come here, and some old person drove into the wall that shouldn't be driving anymore. It's absolutely not the case. This was a very astute woman in her early-70s who is going for a degree at USF."
Dickman said the driver was shaken but was comforted by fellow students.
A tow truck pulled the car out of the building. Metcalf estimated the damage to the building at $15,000, but long cracks and bowing of an adjoining wall suggests the structural integrity was compromised - possibly costing several thousands more.
"We used to call it the fireplace room," Metcalf said. "But we've renamed it the wreck room."
The room, which was used for language and computer classes, is useless. Classes must be canceled, adding to what Metcalf said is an already tenuous financial situation.
The center receives grant money from the county, but this year that was cut by $8,000 to $10,000, with more cuts possible. Metcalf said if the center has to close from lack of money, it will be a shame because "people need people."
People at the center are "a wonderful informal support network because they make friends, and that gets harder and harder as you get older," Metcalf said.
She said folks utilizing the center come from throughout the county, and her mailing list exceeds 20,000.
Last year, the center was burglarized twice in one week. Before that, a leaky roof and poor air conditioning were major problems. After a newspaper article on the problems appeared, Stay Dry Roofing and Nuccio Heating & Air Conditioning donated their services to the center, Metcalf said.
"I've seen this place go through a lot of positive changes," said Bob Gibbons, a nine-year art teacher at the center. "Then, all of the sudden, 'smash!' "
The center, which offers classes in Tai Chi, art, memoir writing and foreign language, among others, holds sessions at the Forest Hills United Methodist Church and the Museum Of Science & Industry.
With such a small building to call home damaged, Metcalf said the center especially needs more locations.
Metcalf may be reached at (813) 932-0241 or through the center's Web site, www.lifeenrichmenttampa.org.
Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Get in the back!
The mighty (and Christmasy) Deuce and a Half will be rolling the streets as part of the illuminated Jeep night ride and bonfire.
If you would like to enlist in the Christmas Commandos be at my house no later than 20:00 hours, 14 December 2007.
_out_
If you would like to enlist in the Christmas Commandos be at my house no later than 20:00 hours, 14 December 2007.
_out_
Monday, December 10, 2007
In today's inbox.
i Love the random; use Of punctuation[ in the Carefully~penned email, from an obviously Skilled Fund manager'
From: "Mr Anthony Bolton" [mailto:info07@ec21.com]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 6:21 PM
To: info07@ec21.com
Subject: Is Urgent
My Dear,
Compliment of the season, how are you today?
I am Mr. Anthony Bolton, Fund Manager of Fidelity Investment International. The World Largest Funds Management Company with over $1.2 Trillion Capital Investment Funds
Nevertheless, as Fidelity Fund Manager, I handle all our Investor's Direct Capital Funds and secretly extract 1.2% Excess Maximum Return Capital Profit (EMRCP) per annum on each of the Investor's Magellan Capital Funds As an Expert, I have made over(32.4M) Thirty Two Million Four Hundred Thousand British Pounds, from the Investor's EMRCP and hereby looking for someone to trust who will stand as an Investor to receive the funds as Annual Investment Proceeds from Fidelity Magellan Capital Funds. All conformable Documents to back up the claims will be made available to you prior to your Acceptance.
Meanwhile I have worked out the strategies and technicalities whereby the funds can be claimed in any of our 6 clearing Houses without any Hinchinches. Our sharing ratio will be negotiable 5% will be for expenses during the process of the transaction should in case you are interested, Please email me your Direct Telephone Number for discussion of the transaction in further details.
Direct From Fidelity Investment Company UK,
Address: Oakhill House
130 tonbridge Rd
Hildenborough Tonbridge
Kent TN11 9DZ
Web Site: www.fidelity.co.uk
www.fidelity-international.com
Best Regards,
ANTHONY BOLTON
FUNDS MANAGER
From: "Mr Anthony Bolton" [mailto:info07@ec21.com]
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 6:21 PM
To: info07@ec21.com
Subject: Is Urgent
My Dear,
Compliment of the season, how are you today?
I am Mr. Anthony Bolton, Fund Manager of Fidelity Investment International. The World Largest Funds Management Company with over $1.2 Trillion Capital Investment Funds
Nevertheless, as Fidelity Fund Manager, I handle all our Investor's Direct Capital Funds and secretly extract 1.2% Excess Maximum Return Capital Profit (EMRCP) per annum on each of the Investor's Magellan Capital Funds As an Expert, I have made over(32.4M) Thirty Two Million Four Hundred Thousand British Pounds, from the Investor's EMRCP and hereby looking for someone to trust who will stand as an Investor to receive the funds as Annual Investment Proceeds from Fidelity Magellan Capital Funds. All conformable Documents to back up the claims will be made available to you prior to your Acceptance.
Meanwhile I have worked out the strategies and technicalities whereby the funds can be claimed in any of our 6 clearing Houses without any Hinchinches. Our sharing ratio will be negotiable 5% will be for expenses during the process of the transaction should in case you are interested, Please email me your Direct Telephone Number for discussion of the transaction in further details.
Direct From Fidelity Investment Company UK,
Address: Oakhill House
130 tonbridge Rd
Hildenborough Tonbridge
Kent TN11 9DZ
Web Site: www.fidelity.co.uk
www.fidelity-international.com
Best Regards,
ANTHONY BOLTON
FUNDS MANAGER
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
One of my co-workers son passed away.
Corey Allen May
MAY, Corey Allen, 31, of Tampa, passed away December 5, 2007, due to an accident. Corey was preceded in death by his maternal grand-parents, Wondell and Wendolin Besch, owners of Safety Land Kindergarten. In Corey' s brief life, he blessed the world with a beautiful daughter, Casey May, the love of his life. He is also survived by his loving parents, Will and Kathy May; his devoted sister, Tracey Pearson, and husband, Charlie; nephews, C.J. and Wyatt; his aunt, Kim; uncle, Bob; Trey, Kailey, Kelsie and Colin Killian; Casey' s mother, Cindy Chalk; and many other relatives and friends that loved him. The family is grateful to Father Philip Scott for his divine intervention, allowing the family to find peace. Pallbearers will be Charlie Pearson, Bob and Trey Killian, Wayne and Mitch Garrison, Greg Eckley, Rick Cacciatore and Buddy Besch. The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. Sunday, December 9, at Blount and Curry Funeral Home, Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, December 10, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 15520 N. Boulevard. Immediately following the Mass, Corey will be laid to rest next to his grandparents at Sunset Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa. Words of comfort can be expressed at www.blountcurry.com
Thursday, December 06, 2007
I am quite pleased with myself
It would seem that my 9 year old nephew still believes in the tooth fairy.
The reason for this, of course, is that the stakes have increased from the $0.25 per tooth that we enjoyed as we grew up to now ENTIRE LEGO sets.
Unbelievable. I am thinking about starting to believe again in hopes of getting some Craftsman hand tools.
In his most recent tooth-deposit letter he also asked some specific questions of the fairy . . . . last name, location, etc.
He should be receiving the following response soon:
The reason for this, of course, is that the stakes have increased from the $0.25 per tooth that we enjoyed as we grew up to now ENTIRE LEGO sets.
Unbelievable. I am thinking about starting to believe again in hopes of getting some Craftsman hand tools.
In his most recent tooth-deposit letter he also asked some specific questions of the fairy . . . . last name, location, etc.
He should be receiving the following response soon:
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Army Extraction Services
On Saturday I was called to the scene on two stuck vehicles.
One being a $30,000 2007 JK 4D Jeep, the other being a 2001, $120,000 H1 Hummer.
Both, as you will see, were quite stuck. Neither driver had been off-road before (at least in these particular vehicles.
The high level of water shorted out the alarm system on the Hummer . . . so the video has that annoying background noise.
But what will you see in the video is me pulling the JK out with a strap, followed by an attempt to winch the Hummer out (it instead was dragging my 8 ton truck into the mud,) followed by me switching around to the back on the Hummer and pulling him out backwards.
The Jeep drove home, the Hummer had to be towed. Both the engine and transmission are toast.
The lesson: know how deep the water is before you try walk across it. Unless you are Jesus Christ.
One being a $30,000 2007 JK 4D Jeep, the other being a 2001, $120,000 H1 Hummer.
Both, as you will see, were quite stuck. Neither driver had been off-road before (at least in these particular vehicles.
The high level of water shorted out the alarm system on the Hummer . . . so the video has that annoying background noise.
But what will you see in the video is me pulling the JK out with a strap, followed by an attempt to winch the Hummer out (it instead was dragging my 8 ton truck into the mud,) followed by me switching around to the back on the Hummer and pulling him out backwards.
The Jeep drove home, the Hummer had to be towed. Both the engine and transmission are toast.
The lesson: know how deep the water is before you try walk across it. Unless you are Jesus Christ.
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About Me
- tjcouch
- Former gigs: Animatronic creature tech for film and live action, production studio manager for USF, film production consultant, cameraman for WTVT, IMAX Theatre director, museum director, harbor cruise ship captain. Current gigs: loan officer, commercial property manager, Vice Chairman of The Life Enrichment Center, Trustee of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Director of the University Area Community Development Center, Director of a private grant-making foundation.