MediaMarv Knows Media

2011-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

I Hate Flash video!

And so did Steve Jobs. Here's an article he wrote last year explaining why Flash is not on iPhones, iPods nor iPads:

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

2011-08-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

Very Informative Article About Content

Read here

Social media does have some rules, tho it may not appear so. Search Engine Optimization is not the end game... real content is.

Cookie Monster Covers Tom Waits (VIDEO)

2011-08-17T18:21:00.001-07:00

You just can't go wrong with a Tom Waits song, regardless of who lip syncs it!

Well done, whoever did it!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2011-08-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Facebook and Advertising

Interesting reading, I recommend it, especially if, like me, you have been sceptical of their rating methods in the past.

I think the popularity of social media of all types means that advertisers will seek and find new ways to reach a younger demographic shopping audience. I know I get plenty of ads on my iPhone when I visit certain sites, like that AOL wasteland. I know, I shouldn't go there if I don't like the ads and believe me, it's only when I don't have a choice

2011-07-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe is alive and well in Chicago!!

And I have a photo to prove it. MIne is the before, unveiled image. Taken with my Panasonic Lumix camera, an invaluable tool for the traveling photographer, like me who hates to carry a lot of gear any more.
The other is by Photo AP Photo / Charles Rex Arbogast

2011-06-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone talks about Social Media Marketing

Not everyone gets it right. I found this video from Splash Media to be very informative. It's a plug for the compony, sure, but it contains useful info.
http://youtu.be/SesiMIZtO40

2011-05-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

Gas Price Fraud Exposed

I'm following this story closely.. I've known about this for a long time, but the Main stream media keeps avoiding it... too much money being made from oil co advertisers, I guess
http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/feds-charge-five-oil-speculators-mani

2011-05-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Flip Cameras to be discontinued!!

What nonsense. I just used my Flip on a trip to Florida to show the Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive. It's a great little camera for grabbing video to put on your Youtube channel which can then be linked to your blog and Facebook page. Makes no sense to discontinue it. It does have the drawback of not having an audio input and the mic is crap but taking all that into consideration, it still produces 720p video which looks great on the Internet.
Cisco is the villain. Hope something terrible happens to them.

Democrat wins special election in heavily Republican New Hampshire state legislature district

2011-05-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Democrat wins special election in heavily Republican New Hampshire state legislature district

...And in Other News

2011-04-28T13:00:00.001-07:00

I'm with you, Mr. Rather.

Journalism is dead. Silliness sells soap.

As a Media Trainer, I tell my clients that in this new media environment, it's never been easier to lead an interview and get their messages out. Neophytes abound, cause news orgs. don't want to pay for pros.... so take advantage of their cheapness and indifference to journalistic standards.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Bacon Cologne By Fargginay: 'Scent By The Gods' (PHOTO, VIDEO)

2011-04-06T10:47:00.001-07:00

Goes well with my lard-based shaving cream.....
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2011-02-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Lynn Ferrin Returns as Mother Plucker, by Public Demand

Friends of Lynn Ferrin, currently in hospice care in San Francisco, have indicated that viewing my "What the Cluck" film, which stars Lynn, is a fun way to appreciate her, her sense of adventure and her enviable chicken wrangling skills.
So, once again, we present:

2011-01-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

Trusty Sony PD100A Goes to the Fair!!
Yep. at the Gravenstein Apple Fair I used this DV-CAM format camera to record Twang Ditty's 45 minute set of music!! With help from my audio expert, Lee Lusted, we took a wireless feed off the stage mixing console into a mixer for two channel stereo, then fed the camera via the external audio mini-jack connector. Sounded good and the band was thrilled with the result. I shot in the 16x9 format, which unfortunately is not as good as the HD version, but as long as the image is kept to 320ppi, fine for web use, it works ok. Would have used my Flip HD Mino camera, but as is well known, it has no audio in.
Notice the tripod and earphones: necessities for pro video standards.

2011-01-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

Recent reviews by marv p.

What's this?

2011-01-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Enjoying New iPhone4

Here's an example of what the HD video looks like on an iPhone4. If it had a tripod connection I could have used my Bogen to steady the image. Taken at a gift shop in Hayes Valley, San Francisco, just after eating at the Hayes Valley Grill on Christmas Eve.

2011-01-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Good Journalism Looks Like This:

http://www.alternet.org/story/149150/leaked_memo_sheds_light_on_mysterious_bee_die-offs_and_who%27s_to_blame/?page=entire

2010-12-13T16:40:00.000-08:00

Needs Updating for the Holidays!

Yep, now that the Season is upon us, it's about time to have this site reflect some of the good things happening.
Yesterday was sparkling tasting at Gloria Ferrer, lunch at Hop Monk in Sonoma and shopping around the Plaza, with a stop at Basque Boulangerie cafe and bakery for a pick me up.

Fox News Boss Ordered Staffers To Echo GOP Talking Point About Public Option In Health Care Coverage

2010-12-09T15:38:00.001-08:00

I rest my case.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Lesser-Known Beer Cultures of the World

2010-11-22T09:15:00.001-08:00

We have 90 minute IPA for a short while (it always goes fast!) here in Sonoma county, and the Pumpkin came and went already. Glad to see Dogfish getting the recognition it deserves but it will mean earlier sell-outs of the ales, I fear.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-11-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Word for the Day: Fudge

photo © 2009 Josh Blacker | more info(via: Wylio)

2010-11-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Mother Plucker Returns!!

In honor of a dear friend who is recovering from surgery and undergoing some additional treatments, I am posting her one and only starring role in a major film... well, major for the participants anyway, titled "What the Cluck." This is an honest to goodness film, shot on 16mm film and edited on a flatbed. Ah, the good ol' days. Later transferred to video tape and now digitized.
Depending upon the interest, I will post the back story on how this film came to be (and why there were chickens in a San Francisco back yard). It's quite a tale (as Chris Smith can attest) and a shining example of Lynn's "go for it" spirit.
I don't know how long I can keep it posted since I don't have music rights to two of the songs included in the film, but, what the hell, I'll keep it up until I get a cease and desist order.

Enjoy, and if you have way to show it to Lynn at Coventry Park, please do so. I can play it for her on my iPhone on Thursday, Nov 4, but someone with a laptop would make for a better viewing experience. Thanks.

2010-09-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

Fun Sculpture in Sebastopol, by artist Patrick Amiot:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5142768&l=e548ccc738&id=668098694

Taken with my Nikon D70, using a Tiffen Polarizing filter to increase color saturation.

2010-09-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

Wacko Fox News Activist Really Blows It This Time:

This is what conservative media thinks is journalism. and we all know that Fux, uh, Fox, is the champion of sleaze and lies, as well as being the Head Cheerleader for the Right Lunatic Tea Baggers:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/9/29/906291/-James-OKeefe-nabbed-trying-to-make-conservative-porn?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailykos%2Findex+%28Daily+Kos%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

2010-09-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

Shallow Focus Works When Appropriate

I have seen way too many photos using a Photoshop plugin to create the illusion of a shallow depth of field. Especially overused in food photography, this trendy apparition calls attention to itself and distracts from the picture's content, in my opinion.
Some times it is really necessary, even essential, when stressing a certain portion of an object. I recently did this to accentuate the face of a thermometer which is rather small. I didn't need to use a filter or digital FX, just plain ol good technique made it possible. I used my Nikon D70, the usual 80-200 lens greatly zoomed in, a Bogen tripod and, the real secret, a fast shutter speed and a wide open aperture, which gives you the shallow depth. Mere physics!!
Here's the result:

Facebook DOWN: Users Report Problems With Facebook.com

2010-09-26T11:42:00.001-07:00

Yeah, and I'm now thinking the same about HuffPo.. I spend way too much time here, waiting for the stories to be updated, and of course, they aren't.
About Facebook
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Facebook DOWN: Users Report Problems With Facebook.com

2010-09-26T11:41:00.001-07:00

Somehow the expression, "too big to fail" comes to mind.

Apparently it's not true at all!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

San Bruno Explosion: Photos Of The Fire's Aftermath

2010-09-12T22:01:00.001-07:00

For my CA expats in other states, many from the Bay Area, this collection of photos shows the neighborhood and damage quite well.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Heading back to California from Portland

Tuesday and we're heading home from the reunion.
Lots of old embarrassing photos were on display like this one of me taken at Shu Lin Kou Air Force Base, in 1964.

Toyota Prius Gets 'Electronic Humming Device' To Protect Pedestrians

2010-08-24T08:50:00.001-07:00

I find this good news. I was nearly run over in the Sebastopol Whole Foods lot once because I never heard the car (and if you've ever seen a Whole Foods Store's parking lot, you know it looks like a Prius dealership!).
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

How To DISABLE Facebook Places

2010-08-20T13:36:00.001-07:00

I'm opting out so I'm passing these intructions along my friends who use the FB mobile app.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-08-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Great Time Editing Twang Ditty Music Videos

Here's one of the videos, after many compression tests, on Youtube. Shot on my Sony PD-100
a in 16x9 mode, which I do not recommend. DVCAM is great, but it is not HD.

The band's performance more than makes up for the less than ideal video quality, in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouysfLOaKFc

2010-08-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Interesting little film world background

And a chance to see a very young Scarlet Johannson

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=393561765678

'Inception' Ending Extended (VIDEO)

2010-07-30T12:41:00.001-07:00

For my fellow Inception fans, this film clip helps explain the experience of the ending.... after you watch it, you'll know what I mean, and if you haven't seen the film, not to worry, it won't make any sense at all to you.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-07-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Some Useful Info for Wannabe Videographers
I've been a shooter (film and video) for over 30 years professionally. Occasionally I get a chance to pass along some tips for grabbing the best images under all sorts of circumstances, which usually means advising people to use a tripod.
Times are changing, you may have noticed, and some of the "rules of thumb" for good camerawork are changing. I found this article to be very useful and worth considering.

http://www.onlinevideo.net/2010/07/shooting-for-the-small-screen-do-the-old-rules-apply/

2010-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

RIAA Hypocrisy

Remember the stories about College students et al, being sued for downloading copies of favorite songs? Totally costing the music industry millions, according to record company flacks... supported by the RIAA thugs. Well, wonder how this story fits in:

"July 26 (Bloomberg) -- Univision Radio Inc., a Spanish- language broadcaster, will pay $1 million to settle claims it secretly accepted payment from a record label for playing songs on the air, the Federal Communications Commission said.

“Payola -- the idea of pay-for-play -- misleads the listening public,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said today in a statement. The agency is committed “to ensuring that broadcasters play it straight with the public,” he said.

The broadcaster, which owns or operates 70 stations in 16 U.S. markets, also entered a plea in a related criminal case filed by the Justice Department at federal court in Los Angeles, the FCC said.

The case “relates to a payola scheme by an isolated group of employees” at Univision Music Group from 2003 to 2006, Univision said in an e-mailed statement. New York-based Univision reported the misconduct to federal prosecutors, and the music group was sold in 2008, the statement said. Universal Music Group bought the unit, according to a company statement."

OK to spend money to get stations to play the song, which gets the artist and label exposure, but the sky falls when someone passes along a song to a friend via computer. Over the air is free, over the Net robs the label.... amazingly stupid thought processes.

Enhance Your iPhone Camera With Latest Photo Apps

2010-07-25T22:30:00.001-07:00

As an iPhone 3G user, almost an antique now, there is some good information in this post. I recommend it.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-07-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Candy Making Video

If you are going to make a candy making demo video, this is a good example, it's just busting out with excitement. Host's name is Becky Wunder ( I assume it's real) and is in the news today. I'll let you find out why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBFJwdXiqqs&feature=related

Ryanair Passenger Escorted Off Plane For Calling Food 'Rubbery'

2010-07-22T12:06:00.001-07:00

Based upon my experience, I think she was being complementary!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-07-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

Shirley Sherrod is owed an apology by Breitbart and Fox, and now the NYT

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/61037

BP's Photoshopped Command Center Just The Latest In A Pattern Of Deception

2010-07-20T11:28:00.001-07:00

This is an amazing PR fail and what does it say about the company's comprehension of how new media renders all the old tricks obsolete?

I am gob-smacked!! (Sp??)
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Chile Approves Net Neutrality

2010-07-15T15:46:00.001-07:00

Exactly what's needed here.

Anyone who watches streamed movies, i.e., Netflix, should be alarmed by the big media conglomerates meeting behind closed doors with the FCC commissioners (illegal?) to try and destroy the Net as we know it.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-07-13T18:47:00.001-07:00

MediaMarv now on Tumblr

Yep, just when you thought the whole social media thing might be waning, here comes another site to play with: Tumblr.
Setting up the blog now, so there is not much to see as of yet... but it's a good way to get an additional link going back to this page, and Google loves links!!

www.mediamarv.tumblr.com

2010-07-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

My Site of the Day:
http://www.bprepublicans.com/page/content/bprepublicans
Notice that this site contains Facebook and Twitter links. That's a sure way to get your message out these days, plus, all the links coming from diverse sources increases the chances that it will rise to the top of a Google search page.

If you have any sort of public interest web site, for or non profit, this is an excellent example of how to maximize your exposure.

And your site could contain video, possibly from a Flip camera.

2010-07-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

Size Does Matter... in Photography!

In response to recent questions, I'd like to demonstrate why shooting stills at your camera's highest quality settings (and not necessarily raw) enables you to do very useful things.
In this example, a friend used her Canon Rebel EOS on an outing we made to Matanzas Creek winery to enjoy the lavender before it was all harvested. A passing stranger was willing to shoot a foursome of us, so we got this badly composed but very large image: 8.9mbs. So, I liked the way Kay and I looked, cropped it radically to make a photo appropriate for a mailing label, but even so, the finished image was nearly 400 kbs, a very usable size. Here are the images so you can see for yourself.

Original

Cropped:

2010-07-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

New Business Card Released

Reflecting the changing world of an experienced cinematographer like myself, just calling your self a photographer, videographer et al, seems old school. So now I have created a new business card that more accurately reflects what's happening in the image collecting business. Using the new cameras, like the Flip Mino, the Canon T2i or even my Sony DVCAM (which still uses Mini-DV tape) require a wider range of abilities and fortunately my 30+ years in the business has helped me make the transition.

John Oliver Blows A Vuvuzela In The Face Of World Cup Organizer (VIDEO)

2010-06-28T11:05:00.001-07:00

For those non-fans of the vuvuzela, here's a funny segment from the Daily Show... genius by my estimation:
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-06-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Flip Video Camera Makes Spying on Birds Much Easier
Took my Flip HD camera on a Bogen light stand and a ladder to the bluebird house on the arbor over our driveway, where at least 2 young BBs are being cared for by their parents. By leaving the Flip on a light stand, I could move away and not scare the birds. Got a lot of footage but this segment shows something special: feeding the kiddies by the male, and removing a fecal sac. Many people don't realize that this is how they keep the nests clean. The sac will be dropped some distance from the house location, at one time in and around our swimming pool when some phoebes were nesting nearby.
Love the HD quality of this video and because the camera was fairly close, the sound is good too.I have modified the footage in Quicktime to compress it so the file won't be so large.
Enjoy!

Alvin Greene, South Carolina Senate Candidate, Challenged By Government Watchdog Group

2010-06-14T12:41:00.001-07:00

Greenegate! You heard it here first!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

We Web Content Providers Gotta Stick Together!

To that end, here's a very intesting article I found this morning on my Mediabistro feed:

http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/education/the_ten_myths_of_creating_web_content_163962.asp

2010-06-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

Never Underestimate the Need For A Resume

You never know when someone will want to see it, and not always via email. So I am posting a copy here in PDF, just as requested. Anyone notice that most of my posts seem to include some product for which I can use tags to optimize my posts for Google crawls (known as SEO). There is a reason for it sense my blog has Google Adsense ads on it. Hey, those $.05 per click thru add up eventually.

Please feel free to read the below with enthusiasm and interest:

2010-05-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

NO on 16

Just mailed off my absentee ballot and took great pleasure in voting NO on 16. Especially since PGE has spent so much ratepayers' money to try to get this idiotic proposition passed. Over $14 million so far and counting.

If I could vote early and often as Pogo used to say, I'd vote NO on 16 again!!!

2010-05-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

Lighting Demo Video

This is an example of a basic, two light set up, very common for tv type interviews.
Using Lowel lights, Omni for the key and a Arri back light.
The commentary will explain the rest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7ojjZy6QbU

2010-05-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

Canon T2i Footage Shows It Deserves It's Reputation Among Professionals:

Richard Berkvam of BerkvamProductions.com has joined the users of this amazing camera, the Canon T2i, for video production. Yep, I said video production. Using the huge array of Canon lenses available to still photographers, this camera can duplicate image quality in its video capture. Results are astounding; more and more commercials are being shot this way.
Here's a short test clip we did recently, to evaluate exposure modes. We couldn't afford any real talent so we made do....
Now, of course, we don't use the audio from the camera... we use an external audio recorder, in most cases a Tascam digital recorder, with built in mixer, and the sound is re-linked to the video footage in post production. We use Final Cut Pro Studio for most of our work.

Sarah Palin's New Low: Funeral Crasher

2010-05-18T16:01:00.001-07:00

Well written and a joy to read. Imagine what Ms Moore could do on a national level.

Somehow, I think "just a girl from Homer" is a serious understatement!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-05-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

For Gwen to use up on receiving her camera:
Try this:
panasonic lumix dmcfx07-multi

Chris Oynes, MMS Official, To Step Down In Wake Of Gulf Oil Spill

2010-05-17T13:03:00.001-07:00

'the agency's then-director promoted Mr. Oynes in 2007 to associate director for the offshore program."

Who was the then-director and who put him/her in that post? Why is that info missing in this story?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Million-Dollar Ad Blitz to Kill Net Neutrality

2010-05-15T13:49:00.001-07:00

People who enjoy all the freedom to visit any site they want, watch on-line movies at will and even add photos and stuff to Facebook should be watching this issue very carefully. If the media conglomerates get their way, the new internet will be like a cable subscription.. you will have to pay extra for anything other than "basic cable."

It's all about the money and it drives ATT and Comcast crazy that they can't charge more then they do now... and you can just bet that improved customer service is NOT part of their plan.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-05-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Nikon D70 in the Garden

Here's a photo taken yesterday with my D70. Some tweaking on the highlights in iPhoto but the camera did most of the work. I am considering getting a D40 to use cause of its smaller size. The D70 is rather large. And I do miss a swing out LCD screen.

You can see the image on my Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4015356&l=fae925d85b&id=668098694

Adding a photo to one's website helps with Google crawlers too! So, enjoy the photo and consider getting out and shooting some roses of your own!!

Lisa Murkowski BLOCKS Bill To Raise Oil Spill Liability Cap (VIDEO)

2010-05-14T09:29:00.001-07:00

You can always count on a Repub to come thru.... for the big oil, big banks, big market traders, for whom the GOP who:re themselves.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Erick Erickson Equally Hard On Republicans, 'Draws Ire From All Sides': NYT

2010-05-11T17:09:00.001-07:00

He is only hard ( a relative term) on Reps who fail to challenge Dems enough, so his whole slant is anti-Democratic party.... wonder why the whizkid at the NYT missed that?

He is a token GOPer put on CNN to try and quiet the right wing noise machine... he was not put there for his intellectual ability, which I think he has demonstrated quite nicely. IMHO.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Entire 'Star Wars' Trilogy Told In 2 Minutes...With Legos! (VIDEO)

2010-05-07T16:27:00.001-07:00

Best Star Wars deconstruction I've ever seen (not that there are all that many nor that I spend that much time looking, uh, oh, back to..) so I'm alerting my fellow SW fans to watch this one.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-05-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

MSM Needs Good Journalists More Than Ever!!

If for no other reason than to avoid embarrassing moments like this (from CrooksandLiars.com):

Stories on mainstream sites that begin with "sources tell..." but do not name those sources usually end badly. This one is no exception. Because OMG, can you believe this? Faisal Shahzad has been on a Homeland Security List since 1999!!! CBS News says it, so it must be true, right? As usual, the answer is yes, and no.

The Department of Homeland Security and concept of 'no-fly' lists were not born until 2002 -- November 25, 2002-- to be exact, when President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act. Here's a handy timeline.

CBS News Investigates, in their own words:

Sources tell CBS News that would-be Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad appeared on a Department of Homeland Security travel lookout list - Traveler Enforcement Compliance System (TECS) - between 1999 and 2008 because he brought approximately $80,000 cash or cash instruments into the United States.

Well, that doesn't really square with the large headline saying he was "ON A LIST", does it? Sometime between 1999 and 2008 is not "since 1999", no matter how you spin it.

Information Terrorists Hijack Our Airwaves

2010-05-05T22:42:00.001-07:00

Well written and thought out. I want a lot of people to read this, and send to Congress.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

CNN Most Trusted News Source: Vanity Fair/60 Minutes Poll

2010-05-05T14:49:00.001-07:00

Nonsense. Comedy Channel with Stewart and Colbert win hands down!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Mary Landrieu: 'I Am Not A Handmaiden To The Oil Industry'

2010-05-05T14:40:00.001-07:00

Which means she is a handmaiden to the oil industry.

By merely saying the words, she will forever be linked (h/t Google and others) to those words... and since perception is reality in the political world, she is now certainly a "hand maiden to the oil industry" in her own words.

My rule #1 to clients in Media Training seminars is "never repeat the negative" nor say anything you would not want to see as a headline somewhere. Her handlers must have forgotten that.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Wall Street Journal Staff Renews Pursuit Of Pulitzers

2010-05-04T10:12:00.001-07:00

What an ugly front page. WSJ has become a USA wannabee as far as ugly graphic design goes.

But then, ol Rupert is known for sleaze, not aesthetic judgement.

Fail!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Emma Watson Shows Off Her Legs (PHOTOS)

2010-05-03T21:17:00.001-07:00

Pretty remarkable... she has two of them. Stop the presses!!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Brian Williams Anchors From Gulf Region (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

2010-05-03T21:10:00.001-07:00

To my Facebook friends, I had intended the previous post to go to my blog... too many buttons and distractions on these HuffPo pages these days. Way too cluttererd.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2010-04-12T16:13:00.001-07:00

http://bit.ly/deS2yy is the new shortened version of my blog address.

However, there is nothing new so far today on my blog... but I'm working on it!!

2010-03-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Flip video footage.

Here's an early attempt, taken in Rome, GA last week or so... using the Flip requires a steady hand, if not a tri-pod. Image quality is good, sound not. Won't replace a good Panasonic or Sony HD camera anytime soon.

2010-03-01T16:27:00.000-08:00

My First Use of the P2 Card for Video Production

Just completed a two day shoot for AAA using the Panasonic HVX200 and instead of tape, we used the flash memory cards made by Panasonic, the P2. Then to begin the editing process in Final Cut Pro, I just downloaded from the camera to my Iomega Red 500 MB portable drive, brought it home and began editing. No more tape digitizing!!! I may never use tape again!

Here's a photo of the camera. A little dated now, it came out in 2005 but still a very useful HD camera (tho we shot in SD for this project):

2010-02-13T14:39:00.000-08:00

Those exciting videos below were for a meeting that took place last week in SF. Using my blog as a repository for clips which clients can see quickly. I will be using vimeo in the future so as not to contaminate the purity of this "video how-to" information stream.

2010-02-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

Amalfi entry way.

2010-02-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

Amalfi back of room.

2010-02-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

Amalfi room from front of room looking at entrance doors.

2010-01-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

Un-Solicited Testimonial (No, Really)

Client Dale Biron (dalebiron.com) took a minute out from our latest poetry video taping to offer some comments about the elements he considers important when choosing a new media producer such as I.
Video's location is also the subject of a brief tutorial that I am posting shortly.

2010-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

First Flip Video

Hardly earth shattering but a good practice run to see what this camera (a Christmas present to Kay from work) could do. I am aware of its audio limitations and auto exposure issues, but these things take amazingly good HD images.. so here goes:

2010-01-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

Flip HD makes an appearance.

A new Flip camera demanded that I go out and try it... so I made a quick little video to test it and to see what issues I will face trying to work it into my regular workflow, if possible.

It's currently on my Facebook page (search Marv Parker) since Flip Share makes it easy to upload a rather large file... it's an m4v (m4p?) and I am not sure yet about how much compression takes place. Once I work out the work flow, I will post it here.
Great images, lousy sound capabilities, sacrificed for convenience I guess.

2009-12-22T15:23:00.000-08:00

Video Lighting Example.
Another two light setup. Background is too close and shows up the wrinkles more than I really wanted. Could have put a light on it, but at that distance it would have been really obvious and too bright. I'll soon be putting up a new Dale Biron example, different set and backdrop to show the difference.
Key light is a Chimera softbox and a Pepper Light for the hair light. Camera is a Sony PD-100A DVCAM, a collectable these days and a wonderful camera. Uses 3 CCDs and no CMOS sensors.
I so regret not smiling more....

2009-12-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

New Changes Here on the Blog and New Video Productions in the Can!!

Due to some intense demands on my services, I'm turning my attention more to demonstrating how non-professionals can get the quality, eye-catching videos they want and need in the highly competitive world of Web video. As an example:

Dale Biron, consultant, speaker and poet has begun the next series of videos for his website, dalebiron.com. We used two locations and different lighting techniques, seen below in some production stills taken by Video Editor Richard Berkvan on his Canon G7 digital still camera.

Couple tools that make a significant difference in quality are a trusted light meter and a good monitor, visible at the bottom of the frame.
I'll explain why in a later post since I want to get this story up quickly.

Locations can be varied, as in the case of these two production sets; one in a garage with backdrop and the other in a spare room in Dale's home.

Having a good Lowell lighting kit makes it easy to get broadcast quality lighting and video, but not absolutely necessary, as I will demonstrate in an upcoming segment.

2009-12-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

New Promo Video for MediaMarv Communications
Comments from a client following a successful project:

You can see Dale do his own work at dalebiron.com.

2009-12-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

My Favorite Quote of the Day:

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his West Wing office Friday that the Republican Party's approval rating is "only slightly above the national drinking age."

More fun for the holidays - enjoying the great colors in the trees near us:

2009-12-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

This is NOT an Abandoned Blog!!

Despite several snarky comments (you know who you are) this site is alive and well.
Occasionally I have to earn a living, usually by producing new media for web distribution. Such has been the case recently. I can now say that my client, AAA of Northern CA, Nevada and Utah is happy with the final product, the video clips are running on their internal communication system and the DVD I made will be soon entertaining new employees. Now, time to sit back, have a brew or three and wait for the invoices to produce their desired results, which will allow me to do my small part for economic recovery.

In the spirit of the season, here's a sunflower to grace your comuter screens:

2009-11-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

So I Go Shopping and Discover That...

I have bought only things in my 3 major food groups:

Paula Deen HIT In The FACE With A Ham (VIDEO)

2009-11-23T12:02:00.001-08:00

Another episode of Swine Flew!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-11-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

Favorite Time of the Year.

Yep, I like this time of year and not just for all the food and pies!! I also use this time to listen to old KFAT radio shows that I recorded back in the fall and winter of 1981 when the station was about to go off the air, due to being sold. KFAT was located in Gilroy, the Garlic Capitol of the world. I have nearly 120 hours of "outlaw country" and eclectic music that only KFAT's djs could produce. I'm currently converting them to CDs on mu MacBook since it's getting harder to find working cassette decks and the tapes are failing. I have Christmas Eve shows and the very last show of all.
Anyone interested in copies can contact me and we can work something out. KPIG in San Francisco is the latest incarnation of that format. Even has a few old KFAT djs working there.
I even have an unused bumper sticker. Wonder what that would be worth on eBay?

The 26 Percent Solution

2009-11-20T09:59:00.001-08:00

"Because as if you ever needed proof that 26 percent of America -- that would be one out of every four people you see walking down the street, plus someone else's right ankle -- is totally bat-guano out-of-their-freakin'-minds crazy, check out this new poll just out:"

That pretty much sums it up for me!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Suzanne Sena, Former Fox News Anchor, Now On Onion News Network (VIDEO)

2009-11-19T12:36:00.001-08:00

This is funny. She is certainly qualified to do phony stories, tho now with a punchline.

Good for her.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The CFTC and Department of Energy Snore Away While the Oil Patch Makes Hay

2009-11-18T11:36:00.001-08:00

How many times have I heard this (oil prices have nothing to do with supply and demand) and when will some action to remedy the situation be taken??
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-11-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

Winter Is Moving In Here In Wine Country

Getting rain (our version of winter) instead of the light frost for the past couple mornings, here in Sonoma County. All the grapes have been harvested, tho way too many were left hanging on the vines due to overproduction. Now it's brandy and fireplace weather. Fortunately I live less than 20 miles from Korbel, so getting the brandy is no chore. Cutting firewood is, and I have finished with the maple tree we cut down last year. Going up in smoke as I type.
For anyone not familiar with the scenery during the fall and winter, here's a photo that clearly illustrates what the vineyards ( and my neighborhood) looks like these days:

2009-11-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

My Pal Dale Has New Video on YouTube

One of the videos I produced for Dale is now up and viewable. Dale's "take" on poetry is like no one else I have ever heard.
For techies, this was shot on a Sony DVCam camera, edited on Final Cut Pro and converted to a h.264 Quicktime mov, then uploaded to Youtube. I am not in love with their compression and the video looks darker than it should, but you can still appreciated Dale's performance, which was done without a teleprompter, many a speaker's crutch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UE53EF0uOg

Tobacco Companies Using Loophole To Avoid Hundreds Of Millions In Taxes

2009-11-17T12:22:00.001-08:00

Tobacco companies never quit!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-11-10T18:00:00.000-08:00

Kitchen Becomes Studio!

Literally, not in a real estate sense.

Working with Dale Biron to produce some new video for his Public Speaking and Poetry As Change Agent seminars, I decided to make use of the space we had (our kitchen) for the set. I'm sure Dale could find a poem that would give voice to that effort of "making do and doing right."

Used a conventional two light set up, with muslin backdrop. Fortunately, the dogs remained quiet while the tape was rolling... one down side of not having a studio, location sound can be tricky with unexpected party crashers.

Dale just completed a wildly successful series of classes at Dominican College in San Rafael is eager to start a new series next Spring. Check out his website for more info and maybe eventually a glimpse at the videos we made.

http://www.dalebiron.com/speaking_workshops.php

2009-11-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

American Idiot in Berkeley: The Raves Are Justified!!

Kay and I say American Idiot at the Berkeley Rep yesterday (actually we ushered to get free tix) and were just knocked out. Not familiar with Green Day's music, but it didn't really matter. From an Audio Visual perspective, I have never seen so much multi-media happening at once! TV screens, projected images, live band on stage, a dancing duet on wires, lights, lights and more lights! Ear plugs are available and some will definitely want to use them. Great, young, talented and energetic cast! I was tired just watching them Hands sore from clapping so much. I highly encourage you to see this play, it's head for New York soon.. like several other Berkeley Rep plays in recent years.
Some pix taken from Green Day's Web site:http://www.greenday.com/site/american_idiot.php

Chevron Corporate Espionage Campaign Backfires; Makes The Insider Look Like Peter Pan

2009-10-31T12:03:00.001-07:00

Good. Chevron just raised my gas card (a GE Financial product) interest rate to 27%. Repeat: 27%

That's greed, price gouging, usury all wrapped up in one bundle. Of course, I pay off the balance (if there is one) every month so I don't pay them any interest.

This after another year of record profits!!! The credit card industry is totally out of control and the whores in congress are doing nothing!!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-10-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Another Randy Republican Surfaces in SC

Here we go again (h/t CrooksandLiars.com)

Let's talk about that. Just last week, I asked this question, what's up with South Carolina Republicans? Beginning with Mark Sanford, the famously wayward governor, why can't they seem to be staying out of trouble these days? There's Governor Sanford, there's Congressman Joe "Big Scream You Lie" Wilson. We just had two county chairmen who essentially said juices are good with money.

And as if on cue now, we have Roland Corning. Who is Roland Corning, you ask? He's a former state legislator, and as of now, his latest performance, former assistant attorney general. Why?

Get this -- a police report obtained by the "Associated Press" is saying that Corning was questioned by an officer after speeding away from a cemetery with a stripper in his car, and with a bag of sex toys. And with some Viagra, Corning, I should tell you, is 66 years old. According to the police: the stripper, 18 years old. She works, by the way, at an establishment known as the Platinum Gentleman's Club.

According to the report, Assistant Attorney General Corning and the 18-year-old stripper gave conflicting accounts as to exactly what they were doing on Corning's lunch hour? In a cemetery? It states that Corning carried the sex toys, just in case.

Neither Corning nor the stripper was charged with anything. But after word reached his boss, Corning was stripped -- pardon the pun -- of the job he'd had since 2000. I mean assistant attorney general, stripper, sex toys, Viagra, cemetery, don't look good. South Carolina -- again?

Eric Schmidt: Web Will Be 'Dominated By Chinese Language, Social Media'

2009-10-27T18:36:00.001-07:00

I already speak Mandarin.. have for years. Bring it on!! Job security.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-10-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

One of California's More Egregious Pharma Whores in Congress

Read up on who contributed to Issa's campaigns over the years. Note that he took $100k from pharma companies. Guess which side of the health care issue he is on.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/darrell-issas-campaign-contributors

Grayson Calls Linda Robertson A "K Street Whore"

2009-10-27T14:23:00.001-07:00

I like this guy!! He should be running the Senate instead of being in the House.

I'll contribute to his presidential run!!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2009-10-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

This Week's Unexpected Analyst's Failures

Every week brings results that were totally unexpected by our Country's sterling analysts.
In other words, week after week, issue after issue, experts and pundits are always wrong. It's not wonder our financial situation is in such disarray.

Here's just one example so far this week (and it's only Tuesday):

CHICAGO – Consumer's confidence about the U.S. economy fell unexpectedly in October as job prospects remained bleak, a private research group said Tuesday, fueling speculation that an already gloomy holiday shopping forecast could worsen.

The Consumer Confidence Index, released by The Conference Board, sank unexpectedly to 47.7 in October — its second-lowest recording since May.

Wall Street analysts predicted a reading of 53.1.*

A reading above 90 means the economy is on solid footing. Above 100 signals strong growth.

*See that part about Wall Street analysts? Wrong again? And we bailed these fools out?