Taking That "Bigger" Step Forward

Christianfinal

As I continue to grow as a media professional, I must broaden my horizons of program use. I am skilled at Final Cut, Livetype, Garageband, etc. but, I feel as if I need more. To compete with the dangerous foes of the media world I need to be well-rounded. To start this process I have started playing around with programs like Motion, DVD Pro and After Effects. It is tough but, the feeling of achievement is so much better. Which brings to me this post. I have been working with Adobe Photoshop V.10.

I used my picture I had from the AdYouth photo shoot. Here is what I did. Tell me what you think! Also look for more work to come. 

In the Van going Live

This week we broadcasted an event at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Texas Parks and Wild Life wanted to connect a number of schools around the state of Texas to watch The Life of a Buffalo Soldier and ask their own questions. A video conference chain was established with schools that had the equipment necessary in class. After the Buffalo Soldiers told their stories students personally asked their own questions and received live answers. This was just a small portion of the full educational potential that such technology delivers. It was an amazing learning experience and everyone involved did a great job in delivering a great learning experience to hundreds of students in Texas.

In this Video Michael helps me become familiar with the equipment before the shoot.

The Game of Ninja @ SXSW

About three months ago, there were three students making short films to be entered in SXSW's Texas High School Short competition. Two of them were your very own AdYouth/Media Proteges, Christian Nelson, and myself, Peter Jiang.

Last week, I received an email regarded my short documentary film, The Game of Ninja. According to this particular email, The Game of Ninja has been selected to be screened at South-by-Southwest (SXSW) as part of the Texas High School Shorts competition! Although Christian's film, 'Paradox of the Intellect,' was unfortunately not selected for screening, this is exciting news for us since The Game of Ninja is 1 out of 19 short films by high schoolers across the state being screened at the huge festival. And I say 'us' because Christian composed an instrumental track that's featured in the short. In addition, I receive a complimentary film badge to attend and participate in film-related activities at SXSW.

The Game of Ninja is a short documentary film about a game we played at my school. Like the title states, the name of the game is "Ninja." The short covers how the students featured in the video came about Ninja, and how to play it.

If you're coming to SXSW and plan on seeing my film, you can see it with a lot of other great high school shorts (which I'm sure they are) at the Carver Museum at 5:00PM on Saturday, March 30th (http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/2201), and at the Alamo Drafthouse on Lamar at 11:30AM on Saturday, March 20th (http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/6521).

"Safety and peace, my friend."
Peter Jiang / 江嘉辉 from Austin, TX

Paradox of the Intellect Film

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christian Nelson <cnelson.nelson39@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 11:42 PM
Subject: Paradox of the Intellect Film
To: post@adyouth.mediaxperiments.com


Here is the finished film that I submitted to the SXSW Youth High School Film Festival. Unfortunately, it did not get accepted but, anyways I am still proud of it. This marks the first film I have done that I have not acted in. Why because, I wanted to see how I have grown behind the camera. I am exceptionally happy with the camera work for this film. I hope you enjoy and look for the next Paradox film, coming soon.

Please comment and leave me some feedback and Ideas for the sequel!

--
Christian Nelson
    -Chance Productions

Green Screen Workshop at AMS Pictures

Well, we're halfway through February and have completed several tours in Austin and Houston. This past week, we visited MediaTech Insititute in Houston and had a hands on video workshop with AMS Pictures in Austin, TX. Shown here are students working both in front of and behind the camera as they learn how to work with green screens. Green screens are used all of the time in video and film. Local weather reports usually feature a weather person in front of a green screen so that images and video can be placed behind them.
The movie Avatar features green screen work throughout allowing the film makers to composite special visual effects with live action shots.

Up?

So, did anyone notice how Pixar's animated movie, Up, has been nominated for best picture in this year's Oscars?
Yeah, it might not seem like much that it's been nominated for best picture, but it's kind of a big deal.
Did you know it's only the second animated movie to ever be nominated for best picture?
What's up with that?

(I've been really busy this week, so I'm hoping to finish The Longevity of Video Games: Part 2 this coming week. Sorry for the delay.)

Sturk High (Working Title)

Being the two proteges still in high school, Christian and I are still subject to the workings of a public school system. Whether or not that's a good thing is subjective but currently in our Technology Applications class, the class is working on a short film together, written by one of our classmates and selected to be filmed by the class. The script is called Sturk High and is about a girl who stays late at school, only to be hunted by a maniac killer.

Christian and I have been selected as producer and director respectively. We're currently conducting interviews for our classmates to see who could fill in each needed crew role. Soon afterwards, the screenwriter and I will sit down and make many changes to the script. While we're still in the pre-production phase of this film, I can't wait to show you the results (my favorite part of being a filmmaker!).

Anyway, that's the current update on us two, at least. Have a nice week!

"Safety and peace, my friend."
Peter Jiang / 江嘉辉 from Austin, TX

A Look Behind The Glass

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This week students at Houston’s Kipp Academy toured local Hispanic focused ad agency Lopez Negrete. In this video, students get a glimpse behind the 2 way glass used for conducting focus groups. Visit Media Xperiments to find out what free tours are available in your area.

Job Shadowing

Well, yestrday we had the pleasure of hosting a few students from Austin and San Antonio on a commercial shoot for Whataburger. Students got to interact with adverstising and film industry professionals gaining a glimpse into the production process.
Job shadowing is one of the activities available to through the Media Protege program. Media Proteges are students who have shown promise through the Industry Tour Series & Show Your Reel Portfolio Contest. Students age 15 - 19 are eligible for free tours of media facilities in greater Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, TX. Check the web site www.mediaxperiments.com for more info.

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Sent from my iPhone