> >I'm a huge fan of doing it on the cheap. I love your reflectors! I'm
> >using two shoplight fluorescent fixtures mounted vertically on ABS
> >tripods I made. I did buy a new greenscreen on eBay, but my bluescreen
> >I found at a thrift store. My main lights are those quartz halogen
> >worklights, three 500W. It'd be four, but one of the heads is worn
> >out. I'm going to try converting them over to some fluorescent
> >security lights from Costco, so they'll be cooler.
>
> Do you have any photos of your setup?  How large is your
greenscreen, and
> how large is your bluescreen?  Do you have a room or space dedicated
to your
> studio, or do you set things up only when you need them?

So many questions... I might have some pictures of when I had it set
up at Rustycon for the Greenscreen Demo. If so, they are on my
portable HD with the laptop and I'll have to get them out later.

Our living room was a sci fi collectibles store for a few years, I'm
finally changing it into a photo/video studio (and custom fabric
printing, Tshirts, signs). So it will have a dedicated spot, but isn't
done yet. I have a 10 foot piece of plastic pipe hung to hold the fabric.

The greenscreen is 9x12. The blue is somewhat smaller, like 6x9, found
at a thrift store.

> >What software are you using?
>
> Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects (standard -- no prodution
bundle) --
> how about you?

Magix Movie Edit Pro 10 Plus, UK version. I'm going to try Wax 2.0 for
some of the effects like keyframing masks.

I uploaded to YouTube.com. Klingon Academy Recruiting, and a couple of
shots I did at my Greenscreen Demo at Rustycon.

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlienRelics

Steve Greenfield

After five years, Doodad -- everyone's favorite hovering robot from
Astronuts (http://astronuts.shoestringscifi.com) -- flies again!

Since filming wrapped on the (still-in-postproduction) sci-fi farce
movie in 2001, the Doodad costume had been in storage, resting atop
whatever I could find to keep it off of the floor.  When I moved two
years ago, the Doodad costume came, too, and it wound up in storage
in the third bedroom.  As of tonight, Doodad flies again -- hanging
from a wall about four feet above the floor, separated from the wall
by a bed pillow, and "hovering" above the Millisecond Canary bridge
console prop.

I'm thinking about making a face for the costume.  In the movie
Doodad's face was that of the lovely and talented Christina Boehm.
Even though it's fun to see the robot hovering in real life for the
first time, it looks incomplete without that cybernetically spiffy
grin and those super-cool optical scanners -- I mean sunglasses!

I'll post a photo as soon as it's on my computer.

I hope everyone is well.  Keep in touch!

Greg

Opened a new website for my RedShirt Filmette Series at:
http://www.geocities.com/agenovese1/RedShirtvideo1.html
mas

--- In shoestringscifinews@yahoogroups.com, movieactorsag_2000
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, I wanted to introduce myself to the group. Let's chat.
> Here is my fan video resume and collection from my home website.
> http://www.geocities.com/movieactorsag_2000/fanresume.html
> MAS
>

Hi, Steve!

>Aaah!!! Never say "fix it in post". I screwed up on the sound, I shot
>the Academy head with the mic on the camera. Then spent lots of time
>trying to fix it.

Preproduction and R&D are the keys, that's for sure.  I know a lot more now
than I did during preproduction and production.  Next time things will be
better...

>I'm a huge fan of doing it on the cheap. I love your reflectors! I'm
>using two shoplight fluorescent fixtures mounted vertically on ABS
>tripods I made. I did buy a new greenscreen on eBay, but my bluescreen
>I found at a thrift store. My main lights are those quartz halogen
>worklights, three 500W. It'd be four, but one of the heads is worn
>out. I'm going to try converting them over to some fluorescent
>security lights from Costco, so they'll be cooler.

Do you have any photos of your setup?  How large is your greenscreen, and
how large is your bluescreen?  Do you have a room or space dedicated to your
studio, or do you set things up only when you need them?

>What software are you using?

Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects (standard -- no prodution bundle) --
how about you?

Have a good one,

Greg
Absolute zero is 0K!

--- In shoestringscifinews@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory Tyler"
<greg_tyler@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Steve!  Welcome to the group!
>
> Postproduction on Astronuts -- the film described at
www.shoestringscifi.com
> -- has very recently resumed after a months-long hiatus.  (Basically
the
> computer I used for editing went to the junkpile in the sky, and I only
> recently bought a new one.)

I hate when that happens!

I fought a computer for a year. I could capture one take, then I had
to reboot to get the next take, or it had massive dropped frames. To
edit, I had to insert a shot, save, then reboot. I couldn't get it to
render without massive skipping of the video! I finally found out it
was nothing wrong with the software. It used the VIA chipset, and it's
known to have sound or video skipping problems. Ugh. Had to save up
for quite a while to replace it.

> Greenscreening is fun, isn't it?  Astronuts uses it -- bluescreening
> actually -- in every scene.  It's good that you've done a lot of
tests.  In
> 2001 -- yes, that long ago -- I decided to "damn the torpedos" and
start
> filming after only a few tests, and I've been paying for it ever
since -- it
> has taken hundreds and hundreds of hours of postproduction "repairs" to
> bring the quality of the bluescreen mattes to an "acceptably bad"
level.
> Having said that, I think the low quality of the composites adds to the
> cheese factor of Astronuts, which is a no-budget sci-fi farce.  :)
Next
> time around, the compositing will be better!

Aaah!!! Never say "fix it in post". I screwed up on the sound, I shot
the Academy head with the mic on the camera. Then spent lots of time
trying to fix it.

I'm a huge fan of doing it on the cheap. I love your reflectors! I'm
using two shoplight fluorescent fixtures mounted vertically on ABS
tripods I made. I did buy a new greenscreen on eBay, but my bluescreen
I found at a thrift store. My main lights are those quartz halogen
worklights, three 500W. It'd be four, but one of the heads is worn
out. I'm going to try converting them over to some fluorescent
security lights from Costco, so they'll be cooler.

I did a panel at Rustycon and Radcon called "Really Cheap Fan Films".

What software are you using?

Steve Greenfield

Hi, Steve!  Welcome to the group!

Postproduction on Astronuts -- the film described at www.shoestringscifi.com
-- has very recently resumed after a months-long hiatus.  (Basically the
computer I used for editing went to the junkpile in the sky, and I only
recently bought a new one.)

Greenscreening is fun, isn't it?  Astronuts uses it -- bluescreening
actually -- in every scene.  It's good that you've done a lot of tests.  In
2001 -- yes, that long ago -- I decided to "damn the torpedos" and start
filming after only a few tests, and I've been paying for it ever since -- it
has taken hundreds and hundreds of hours of postproduction "repairs" to
bring the quality of the bluescreen mattes to an "acceptably bad" level.
Having said that, I think the low quality of the composites adds to the
cheese factor of Astronuts, which is a no-budget sci-fi farce.  :)  Next
time around, the compositing will be better!

Preproduction of Astronuts started in late 2000.  Astronuts will be about 30
minutes in length, and I've only finished "bluescreen cleanup" on about half
of the movie so far.  Whoa.  Oh well -- it keeps me off of the streets...
:-P

Again, welcome to the group, and have fun with your productions!

Greg
Absolute zero is 0K!

>I'm a member of the IKV T'Mar. We mostly do Klingon, also pirate and
>mad scientist. Mostly we do volunteering at charity events, we've also
>done a game show and casino at sci fi conventions.
>
>We made a 2 minute spoof called Klingon Academy Recruiting. It and
>some tests from a Greenscreen panel I did at Rustycon early this year
>are here:
>http://www.ikvtmar.com/films/
>
>Steve Greenfield

I'm a member of the IKV T'Mar. We mostly do Klingon, also pirate and
mad scientist. Mostly we do volunteering at charity events, we've also
done a game show and casino at sci fi conventions.

We made a 2 minute spoof called Klingon Academy Recruiting. It and
some tests from a Greenscreen panel I did at Rustycon early this year
are here:
http://www.ikvtmar.com/films/

Steve Greenfield

From: LunaAct@...
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:46:48 EST
Subject: Sad news
To: LunaAct@...

Dear friends:

 

In case you haven't been notified I am sad to report that Paul Carr  passed away yesterday, February 17th. Here is information for his Memorial service  being held next Sunday. This will of course be a celebration of Paul's life, if you have a story to share, his wife Merle would love to have you speak.

 

Date:February 26, 2006

Time: 3:PM

 

Temple Beth Hillel

12326 Riverside Drive

Valley Village Ca

 

Love 'n hugs,

BarBara Luna

Hi, I wanted to introduce myself to the group. Let's chat.
Here is my fan video resume and collection from my home website.
http://www.geocities.com/movieactorsag_2000/fanresume.html
MAS

very impressive. I'm shocked at how much depth and space you were able
to create in PostProd. Well done.
Have a good weekend

----- Original Message -----

From: Gregory Tyler

To: shoestringscifinews@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 15, 2005 9:52 AM

Subject: [shoestringscifinews] Astronuts Test Shot

Hey!

As you all know, I've been working on my own sci-fi farce movie called
Astronuts.  Here's a test render of the shot that I'm currently working on:

http://www.shoestringscifi.com/temp/

(It's a Windows AVI file, about 7 MB in size.)

The shot features four characters flailing about the bridge of their
spaceship.  Each character was shot separately against a bluescreen in the
living room of my old apartment.  I still have to clean up the bluescreen
footage - especially around the boxy robot, who is supposed to be hovering. 
I'm also going to alter the camera's wobble a bit, and make the room's
lights flicker.

(There's no sound in this test shot.)

As always, for more info about this ultra-silly, ultra-cheesy, no-budget
"classic" in the making, go to http://www.shoestringscifi.com.

Have a good one!

Greg
Absolute zero is 0K!




 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shoestringscifinews/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    shoestringscifinews-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 

Hey!

As you all know, I’ve been working on my own sci-fi farce movie called
Astronuts.  Here’s a test render of the shot that I’m currently working on:

http://www.shoestringscifi.com/temp/

(It's a Windows AVI file, about 7 MB in size.)

The shot features four characters flailing about the bridge of their
spaceship.  Each character was shot separately against a bluescreen in the
living room of my old apartment.  I still have to clean up the bluescreen
footage – especially around the boxy robot, who is supposed to be hovering.
I’m also going to alter the camera’s wobble a bit, and make the room’s
lights flicker.

(There’s no sound in this test shot.)

As always, for more info about this ultra-silly, ultra-cheesy, no-budget
“classic” in the making, go to http://www.shoestringscifi.com.

Have a good one!

Greg
Absolute zero is 0K!

Yesterday I resumed work on Astronuts after a brief hiatus in order to
interview Star Trek illustrator and designer Andrew Probert for my
"Trekplace" web site (www.trekplace.com).

Things are going well in Astronuts land.  :)

In other news, I'd like to pass the good word about the musical CDs of
this group's latest member, Stratos.  I recently purchased two of his
CDs: Autumnal Slumber adn the Cybernet Official Roleplaying
Soundtrack, and I really enjoy them!  You can purchase Stratos' CDs at
CDBaby (www.cdbaby.com), and you can visit Stratos' web site at:

www.baileyrecords.com

Take care,

Greg

I've somewhat revamped an action scene that takes place during Act Two
of the Astronuts episode "Short End of the Stick."  Here are some
reference images that detail what takes place...

http://www.shoestringscifi.com/temp/actionsceneref.html

Greg

Hi, all!

I thought I'd prove that Astronuts is still very much alive.

The links below are to "test images" of bluescreened elements from Act
Two of Astronuts.  Each image is a shot of a character composited
against a temporary background.  Eventually all four characters will
be composited in the same shot against a common background -- a large
corridor beneath the surface of the Beta Carotene planet.

Lieutenant Thugg
http://www.gregplace.com/photos/20050512_astronuts238wip_001.jpg

Chip Johnson
http://www.gregplace.com/photos/20050512_astronuts238wip_002.jpg

Doctor Six of One
http://www.gregplace.com/photos/20050512_astronuts238wip_003.jpg

Captain Flak T. Flotsam
http://www.gregplace.com/photos/20050512_astronuts238wip_004.jpg

The shot takes place just before our heroes begin to attack a group of
evil robot guards.

Have a great weekend!

Greg

Wow... do we get the whole crew together in here? LOL
Ina aka Gummia

I didn't notice that Chris and Terry had also joined.  Welcome aboard,
Chip and Monty!  :-)

Welcome to all new members!  Eunice, Ina, and Andy, it's especially
good to hear from fellow Astronuts.  I think you'll all be pleased by
some the stuff that your characters are doing in Act Two!

Keep in touch,

Greg

hi everyone my names andrew but ud recognize mw more as bupkus im glad
2 see theres a big fan base 4 the show and cant wait 2 see my part
should be good

Hi you all ;-))
I just joined. I'm Ina aka Gummia Snax and can't wait to see the
completion of Act 2... woo-hoo.
Go AstrOnuts...
Ina (proud to be one of them...LOL)

Adam Hastings' STAR WARS fan film, "The Yody Years," was one of the
finalists at last weekend's Star Wars Celebration III.
Congratulations, Adam!  Adam contributed scenic art and prop art to
Astronuts, so we can all celebrate having known him "back in the day."

Here's a write-up:

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/3/emw222959.htm

Here's a link to Adam's recent STAR WARS fan film, "The Yody Years:"

http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/the_yody_years

Here's a link to Adam's first STAR WARS fan film, "Barn Wars:"

http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/barn_wars

Congratulations once again, Adam!  Take a bow!

Greg

Yesterday I began creating draft versions of "track mattes" for a
half-
dozen shots from Act Two of "Short End of the Stick."  What's a track
matte, you ask?  Click the link below for a definition, courtesy of
Google and Apple:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&q=define:track+matte

In other words, I'm inching ever closer to completing Act Two.  :-D

Have a good one,

Greg

I got to meet the creator/director/actor in Astronuts and wow, is he
divine!  I'm quite excited, as his biggest fan, to see the movie in
completion.  You go, boy!

I got to meet the creator/director/actor in Astronuts and wow, is he
divine!  I'm quite excited, as his biggest fan, to see the movie in
completion.  You go, boy!

I hope to have Act Two of Astronuts "Short End of the Stick" completed
by the end of 2005.  Woo-hoo!

Greg

>Hey, gang.
>My goal is to resume postproduction work on Astronuts in March.
>S'bout time, eh?
>Thanks and well wishes,
>Greg

WOOOHOOOO!!!!

Helen, Proud to be Moderator of LNEB
Check out StickTrek.com- Helen's parody!!
"It takes courage to look inside yourself...and even more courage to write
it for other people to see."
--Sisko to Jake; DS9/ "Nor the Battle to the Strong"

Hey, gang.

My goal is to resume postproduction work on Astronuts in March.
S'bout time, eh?

Thanks and well wishes,

Greg

The Astronuts web site is back online at www.shoestringscifi.com.  I've
added some new concept sketches, and if you use Internet Explorer, you may
find a fun surprise on some of the pages.

My goal is to finally get back to work on Astronuts postproduction sometime
this week.

Take it easy, and have a good one,

Greg

In case you haven't noticed, the web site (www.shoestringscifi.com)
has been down a lot lately.  I'll be changing hosting providers
within the next few weeks.  Postproduction of Astronuts is ongoing,
although it, too, will be sporadic during the next few weeks.

The Shoestringscifi News Yahoo Group is here and ready to kick online
forum hiney.

This group is dedicated to people who have an interest in Astronuts,
in future www.shoestringscifi.com movie, productions, and/or in no-
budget science-fiction moviemaking.

I'm your host, shoestringscifiguy, better known in the real world as
Greg.  To prevent spamming, I must approve all pending members.  If
you're interested in joining, then please let me know who you are,
and/or why you're interested in joining.  After that, you'll be
signed aboard and ready to share your gift of e-gab with like-minded
creative spirits worldwide.

So welcome aboard, and post away!

Have a good one,

Greg
shoestringscifiguy