And they’re not interns anymore, they’re our new Producers and Staff!!!

Congratulations: 

Taylor Chan
David Freitas
Monica Lee
Amber Glancy
Nick Goto
Brittany Schnebly
Linda Poggemeyer
Kathleen Trear
Jairett Epperson
Alex Zhu
Erina Alejo
Stephanie Monroy
Annie Griffin

Every quarter we get a new class of interns, and every quarter they ROCK IT HARDCORE!!! Winter 2012 was no exception – they blew me away with their dedication and the creativity and originality of their projects, and they rocked it with a great attitude the whole way through!! Don’t believe me? Why don’t you see for yourself:

Taylor Chan – Out of Time

David Freitas – 7-10 Split

Monica Lee – Dreamcatcher

Nick Goto – Saturday is the Loneliest Night

Amber Glancy – Going Through the Motions

Continue reading →

Its 10th week and I’m trying to do anything but study! I was reading my blogs looking to keep see what is the latest Hollywood news, more information on the Canon 5D Mark III and their mysterious EOS 4K Camera, what’s the deal with “The New IPAD”, and I found this gem of video.

If you aren’t familiar with TED, it is a company that has conferences where they invite people to share ideas and information.  You can attend these conferences in person or watch the videos that they post online.  This video is about Andrew Stanton who wrote Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Wall-E and the current live action movie John Carter which he also directed [along with A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and Wall-E].  He talks about his experiences with Pixar, his inspirations, and how he crafts his films.

Its a wonderful video which shares insight on how we share stories and how stories are important in our lives.  I’ve been kinda hooked on writing since I’m taking a playwriting course this quarter and another playwriting plus a screenwriting class next quarter as well.

I believe the bigest take away would be that you need to make the audience care by telling great stories.  You make a promise to them in the beginning and you have to follow through.  To tell great stories you need to give them wonder, suspense, mystery, and fun.  However, you can only write what you know.

I loved the quote -

“Frankly, there isn’t anybody you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story”. – Unknown Social Worker

We all love stories, just tell us an interesting one. Best way to write or tell interesting stories? Lead an interesting life. Do crazy and wild things! Learn new things and travel.  As a filmmaker we’re in the business of story telling only ours is a visual medium.

Executive Producer – Johnathan Nguyen

Credit – Go in the Story

Wow, what an incredible journey. I don’t know where to begin. The incredible friends, the amazing adventures, the uphill battles, the incredible videos, the learning, the experiences, Triton Television has truly made me who I am today. Without it, I would not have realized my true passion: film. When I founded Triton Television and it’s intern program, I wanted to create a community of dynamic filmmakers, who could grow together while perfecting their craft. A community that would solve problems together. At it’s inception, I could barely dream of how large, influential, diverse, and incredible Triton Television would become. Very few know of the tireless sacrifices that went into TTV’s creation and what it has taken to get it to where it is today. I must stress how lucky we all are that something like this exists at UCSD.

Sadly, as my graduation quickly approaches, I must begin my next journey. In my hasty preparation for this upcoming adventure these last two quarters, I neglected that which I held so dear. However, this process revealed something to me that sets me at ease. TTV is truly on its feet and running. Fast. Throughout it’s creation I was worried: what would happen when I left (for many of the newer members who barely know me this may sound silly)? But, as founder of this organization, it brings me great joy to see that its ideals, rules, and success are upheld in my absence and even when I challenge them myself (sorry for giving you EP’s and SM’s such a hard time!). Hopefully my mischief hasn’t caused too much trouble!

To those who supported me, inspired me, and made TTV your home even before we had rhyme or reason I thank you. To everyone, my greatest wish and hope is that Triton Television will affect you, inspire you, help you become an incredible filmmaker, storyteller, and person. I hope I made a positive impact on your life.

You will always be in my heart,

Thomas Dadourian
TTV Founder

Joseph Kony is held up someplace in the jungles of The Congo, Sudan, or wherever he’s camped out these days.  He’s not very “public.”  The witch doctor turned religious zealot, rumored to be keeping time with upwards up sixty wives, first showed up on the radar during the late eighties at the helm of the United Holy Salvation Army, a resistance group that sprung up out of the Ugandan Bush War.  Several attempts have been made to relieve him of his power, however his insurgencies seem to keep coming back bigger and stronger.  His calling card?  An army of little kids, assault rifles and all.

Since the typical family isn’t too keen on sending their bundles of joy off to battle, Kony had to go about recruitment the old fashioned way with the children frequently required to kill their parents in the process.  In 2005, the International Criminal Court indicted him on 12 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes including rape, murder, pillaging, and sexual enslavement.  He’s earned himself a spot on Forbes’ The World’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list and in October of last year, President Obama sent over a team of 100 combat-equipped troops to offer technological assistance to local armed services in their efforts to capture Kony.

He’s still on the loose and reportedly is aware that Uncle Sam is now after him.  It’s critical that his capture be swift and the political machine will lose interest quickly unless the public-at-large steps up and starts making noise.

The folks over at Invisible Children have been working diligently for the better part of the last decade to bring light to this situation and were the driving force behind the lobbying efforts which resulted in Obama’s involvement in the matter.  It is their mission to see that Kony is brought into custody by the close of this year.

Their plan is to elevate this man to celebrity status through an massive propaganda campaign which will force Kony into the public eye.  And I think it just might work.  They’ve got all the usual shirts and stickers and buttons and trinkets, but the tour de force will occur on the evening of 20 April 2012.  United through an aggressive internet movement, nonpartisan activists around the world will hit the streets and and blast their cities with posters and flyers in support of the Kony ’12 campaign.  They even made a snappy video:

So share the story, buy the swag, and help get this bastard plastered on the cover of Newsweek.  Let’s relish the power of contemporary media outlets to to knock down one of the world’s most foul residents.   Plus, why not celebrate your 4/20 with a little global humanitarian love?

Cheers,

Timbo

There is no argument that the iPhone was a game changer. It revolutionized the smart phone industry and skyrocketed Apple into on of the most valued company in the world. Today, people from every different walks of life own and use this tiny but powerful machine.  Combined with its App Store, the iPhone has thousands of capabilities meaning you can use it for anything and everything.

Which brings me to today’s post. I recently got an iPhone for Christmas and I’ve been on an app downloading frenzy. I found that not only can the iPhone be a great tool in increasing my productively and communication, there are several applications that can be used in the film world.

Below are listed some of the iPhone apps that I’ve found by snooping around the internet, reading blogs, and some suggested by a few friends of mine. These apps are helpful to have on set.

AJA DataCalc
Price: Free
iTunes

This applications is very useful when you’re worried about data storage. The app calculates storage requirements based on frame-rate, compression, resolution and other options. Its compatible with many popular formats. Since I’m always running and gunning know how much room I have left on my cards and how much space it’ll take on my external HD is extremely useful.

LVRUSA
Price: Free
iTunes

Whenever I buy something new I always lose the manual. Its a really bad habit of mine. What I like about this apps is that it gathers all the manuals of popular digital cameras and stores it in one handy location. This app has a huge library of information ranging from the Canon EOS 7D to Sony HVR to the RED ONE.  Other useful information include how much time can be recorded on popular media types as well as the estimates on how long different batteries will hold a charge. There is even a color temperature chart.

Although, I don’t own most of the cameras and equipment that this application provides, its useful to have. I’ve been on shoots with various people who use different equipments and being able to look up some basic information always help. No one wants to be that guy who doesn’t know “what that button does” on a shoot.

Gobo (Filmmakers Dictionary)
Price: $0.99
iTunes

There is a funny story regarding another member of Triton TV.  This unnamed person was on film shoot one day and was told to grab some “stinger”.  He quickly replied said “Yes” and went to grab the stinger.  At this point, he realized that he didn’t know what a stinger was searching all over for it.  The director soon realized that he had no idea what he was looking for and explained that a “stinger” is an extension cord.  The rest of the crew laughed and went on with production.  Later, the same person was asked to grab some C-47 and C-stands.  Again, he had no idea what was going on and asked around for some “C-4″ and “Sea Sands”.

Moral of the story is that unless you’ve been on film sets, you might not be accustomed to some of the production slang and terminology.  This is where Gobo comes in.  The applications is a Filmmakers Dictionary. It references a ton of information including color temperature, video formats, ect.

Clinometer
Price: $0.99
iTunes

Most tripods these days have bubble levels on them.  However, when you’re running and gunning some times its hard to balance your camera properly. This applications is a pure clinometer. It calibrates seamlessly, launches quickly and works effectively.

DSLR Slate
Price: $9.99
iTunes

I’ll admit that I’m pretty bad at logging information during production and in post.  Some recent shoots have made me aware that I need to start slating and logging my shots.  Since I own a Canon EOS 7D this was the perfect slate for me to use.  Triton TV’s workflow is mostly DSLRs so this is just makes since.  You can load all the camera info into the slate.  Color temp, shutter speed, ISO, ect.

iTouch4 Flashlight
Price: Free
iTunes

The app is a portable sun gun. Sometimes especially when you’re film a really dark area i.e. night clubs and parties – its hard to get your exposure right.  I own an LED light which I use but I don’t always have it around.  When I need an extra light to just light a scene or increase my exposure this app is there to save the day.  It also helps when there is a blackout, trust me I’ve been there.

Flickerfree Calculator
Price: Free
iTunes

This application can calculate any frame rate and match it with a shutter speed so you don’t get any flicker or any awkward movement in your footage. I was taking the VIS176 – 16mm Film class earlier this year and I wish I had this application back then.  Punch in your  settings and find the perfect settings, it helps with slow motion and fast motion.

Sunrise & Sunset Lite
Price: Free
iTunes

I don’t own too much lighting equipment so I rely a lot on ambient light.  This application lets me know when I can expect the sun to go up or down.  Knowing when golden hour will happen is a godsend for video and photography.  The applications looks at your GPS location uses it to calculate all the info.  Its simple, effective, and clean.

Cinemagram
Price: $1.99
iTunes

Most people are familiar with Instagram but haven’t heard of Cinemagram. This application is very simliar in that it’ll take a picture and you can overlay it with effects just like Instagram, however what makes it different is that it creates moving images. Yes, Instagram but for short animations.  Its fun, you can make short artsy videos, and share them with the rest of the world.

Action Movie FX
Price: Free
iTunes

This is a really fun app and Pratik demonstrated it during one of our General Body Meetings.  Pretty much you record a video using your iPhone’s camera and then you add pre-made special effects.  It comes with two free effects and you can go to the store to buy more.  The effects range from a tornado, missile explosion, a dropped boulder, and many more.  The app is made by Bad Robot the company owned by J. J. Abrams so you know you its a quality product.

Johnathan Nguyen – Executive Producer

Credit -
The Black and Blue
Hurlburt Visuals 

10. A Pack of Attack Hounds

9. A 1968 Volkswagen Van

8. A Vibrating Heart-Shaped Bed

7. A 5D Mark 3 made of Legos

6. A Projector Screen made of iPads

5. A Wookie (They make great ADs!)

4. A V-Neck Shirt Making Machine

3. A Life-Sized Chocolate Replica of Martin Scorsese

2. A SD Card Tracking Device

1. Fully Functional Acting Robots

-Joseph

Sooo, the Trend Magazine Launch Party back in 2011 was an event that I was really excited to cover because I looooooove fashion. Part of me was really nervous at first because it was my first solo project and I didn’t want to mess up. But it nevertheless was a great experience and I got a chance to interview the vendors that provided all the clothes, accessories, and make-up for the issue. But once I uploaded the footage to start editing I was in for a huge surprise! First, there were a couple of very cool shots that I wanted to use but it turned out that they weren’t in focus! I was soooo mortified because I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough footage to make a long enough video. Second, there was an interesting interview that I had with Nina jewelry that I wanted to include in the video, but it turned out that the boomer was not turned on. But, when I was interviewing her for the second time, my camera ran out of battery! Just my luck…and it was getting late. Despite a couple of other bumps in the road I think it turned out pretty well for a first project. I got to really experiment with various video transitions and having the overall flow of the video match the background music.

-Jocelyn