Epic Fail

Well, I learned a few things from the filming way back in September, and they seem so dire that I am going to share them with everyone.

This is hopefully useful information, so what happened to me won't happen to you.

I have been planning, writing, and tweaking this film idea for over a year now. It's got a great, solid script, that has gotten good review from everyone who has read it.

I finally got all the supplies I needed for shooting, and organized a day to film it all.

It went horribly wrong, the actor's didn't want to act, stuff was broken, and the whole thing was taken very unseriously (not a word).

We hardly got anything done, and all the shots we got where hardly usable.

And I can now recognize what the biggest problem was.

The biggest problem I experienced was who i chose to fill the roles, and the way I acted. I chose my closest friends to play the main characters and film. Sadly, only one of them had the actual desire to work on it. The other two messed around most of the time.

So this is what I have to say. If you are going to try to make an indy film, choosing friends is often a great and easy option, but may not always be your best. If your friends don't share the same passion as you do, it is generally unwise to choose them. Unless you have some really great friends who are into whatever you need them for, I would highly recommend choosing someone who may not be so close. Choose the person you know is best for the job, not the easiest.

The most important thing to remember when filming is that everyone has to WANT to be there. They want to make this movie nearly as much as you do, or at least understand your passion about it and want to help you. Especially when the people you're working with don't have the motivation of being payed (or the fear of being fired). They have to want to do this, but not just as a favor. Otherwise your filming will be filled with issue and problem.

I hope you can learn from this, as I now have.

Shooting Tomorrow

Tomorrow, we are hopefully going to be shooting a short test of concept film. We'd like to apologize for the recent lack of posts, I have been rather busy recently. Soon, we will start posting more regular stuff again. We're currently in construction of a low budget greenscreen room, and will have some tutorials and info on that shortly.

Thanks for your patience!

The Project: ANNOUNCED!

Ok, we're finally ready to announce the project we're working on. It's still in early stages, so if it never comes to be, don't get mad. Presenting The Indy Burst Pistol Muzzle Flash Collection.


The collection features over 50 Royalty Free muzzle flashes from 5 weapons for use in your film projects.

All you need is some video effects software that can key black backgrounds, and voila! your ready to go!

We've spent hours recreating the muzzle flashes from 5 pistols, from tons of real videos and pictures. We've tried to make them as accurate and real as possible.

The weapons:
.38 Special
.44 Magnum
Desert Eagle
Glock
M9

And if you don't care for accuracy, you can use these flashes with just about any gun in almost any action movie!

Every different flash style has 3 angles, so you can tweak it to fit virtually any scene. There are 19 flash styles, each with 3 angles, totaling 57 flashes.

This great collection will be available on CD in HD (1280x720 Progressive), SD (640x480) and both (in one package).

For more information, watch the promo ad here or view the info sheets bellow (click to enlarge).


Prices and details are subject to change without notice.

Film Riot

Hey everyone! I just found an amazing site for independent filmmakers called Film Riot! Seriously, this site is absolutely amazing! It's like an awesome mix between Indy Mogul and Video Copilot!

It's a series of free online video tutorials and short films designed to show you how to reproduce Hollywood effects and inspire. They show you how to do everything from bullet wounds to giants, all in an entertaining and humorous way! I highly recommend you check them out!

http://revision3.com/filmriot

Blogged.com Review!

A Blogged.com Editor has reviewed our site and gave us an 8/10 or Great! That's fantastic news! The rating will now be displayed to the right of the main column for all to see!

Project: Update

Part 1 of the new project is nearly complete. Arrangements for distribution when complete are being researched, and future parts are in the design stage. We still can't make any official announcements though. We should be ready to formally announce it soon.

Important Announcement

As you may have noticed, there hasn't been any new posts in some time. Know we are still active here at Indy Burst, and we are planning a big new project. The project may or may not ever come to be, so no promises, but we are hoping it will greatly help people with movies, especially in the action movie effects department. No announcements yet, as the project is only in the planning/concept phases, but it should be very very popular. We'll try to keep you posted on future developments with the project, and start posting more content like normal shortly. Thank you for your patience and you continuing loyalty.

Indy Filmmaking: The Importance of Stock Footage

As an independant filmmaker, I know the difficulties faced when trying to make your final film look good. Let's face it, we (generally) don't have the time or money to get panoramic on location shots, or fly overs of landmarks and famous places where your movie "takes place".

This is where stock footage comes in. Stock footage allows you to get the shots you want, without hiring a pilot, or finding that special place yourself. Need a shot of nature? You got it. Need an aerial of a jungle? You got that too.

Sadly, stock footage isn't cheap, and doesn't always match your movie. If your filming on a Handycam, and you have HD stock footage, it's not gonna work, same with the vice versa.

Good stock footage can make and break the look and quality of you movie. Same goes for action movies. Indy filmmakers probably don't have the budget or resources to go buy squibs and hire pyrotechnicians. That's where stock footage of muzzle flashes and explosions come into play. With a basic effects program, and some footage, you can key in and make some pretty awesome and expensive looking effects. Here are two videos I've made, and neither would've been possible without stock footage:

In both those videos, stock footage was vital to it's creation. I used stock footage from two sources. In Daniel's Tropic Thunder, I used footage and effects from Video Copilot's Action Movie Essentials (1) and Riot Gear collections. They may seem expensive, but they are very reasonable for the quality and price.

For the city picture test, I used parts of Video Copilot's Action Movie Essentials (1) and free footage from Detonation Films. Detonation Films has a lot of very cheap stock footage perfect for action movies! All the explosions and fire you need, and a lot of it is FREE! They have quite literally just about everything you could possibly want in your movie. The only downside is you get what you pay for, and the free footage isn't always the greatest quality (Pre "Unit-K"). If you filming in HD, your probably gonna want to put some money down, and go to their HD site DetFilmsHD. Overall, there's a lot of great free and cheap stuff to find and use.

Thanks for reading!

indy filmmaking

The Best Lightstand Designs on the Internet

Ok, so here's the Indy Burst list for the best light stand designs.

Easiest:
http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/exclusive-tutorial.html
Very simple to build, and relatively cheap!

Cheapest:
http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/final-light-stand-link.html
For just a couple dollars worth of PVC, you too can have a telescoping light stand!

Sturdiest:
http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/yet-another-great-stand.html
With little more than a painter's pole, some PVC, and PVC glue, you can build a sturdy telescoping light stand!

And there you go! There's the best of the best for light stands!

Come back regularly and subscribe for more burst of Indy filmmaking-ness!
indy filmmaking

How to Build a PVC Fig Rig (Steadicam)

This great PVC project can save you over $400! Why buy a real Fig Rig when you can build a PVC version that does the same thing for about $10! Great idea!



http://www.instructables.com/id/EMZUNUPGPIEPUCHYT8/

Though the instructions can be confusing, and are not very thorough/detailed, the idea is easy enough to comprehend and replicate.
indy filmmaking

How to Make The Poor Man's Steadicam

This fantastic idea for making cheap but effective steadicams is pure brilliance! They're cheap, they work, oh, and did I mention they're cheap?


http://steadycam.org/

The plans seems easy enough, and the design is very popular, so they're are lots of variations and other tutorials, not there needed with the detailed instructions and clear pictures presented on the site.

Highly recommended for any indy who wants a cheap but effective Steadicam!
indy filmmaking

Great Light Stand Video

This is an excellent tutorial for making a light stand! Well instructed, brilliant design, and cheap!

indy filmmaking

Best Free Filmmaking Software

Indy productions generally don't have big budgets, and there are a lot of aspiring filmmakers who don't have thousands to blow on the latest Adobe software. Here's Indy Burst's list of free alternatives!

Video Editing:

Jahshaka
http://jahshaka.org/

Wax 2.0
http://www.debugmode.com/wax/
(mainly for effects, but can be used for editing)

Virtual Dub
http://www.virtualdub.org/

t@b Video Editor
http://www.zs4.net/downloads?PHPSESSID=bb92fba60aa136f8dda73ff4a4c283b9

Photo Editing

Gimp
http://www.gimp.org/

Paint.NET
http://paint.net/

Audio

Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Script Writing (Pre-Production)

Celtx
http://celtx.com/

Video Effects

Wax 2.0
http://www.debugmode.com/wax/

Jashaka
http://jahshaka.org/

3D Animation

Blender
http://www.blender.org/

Bryce
http://download.cnet.com/Bryce/3000-6677_4-10696716.html?tag=mncol

Most of these are available for download from Cnet's Download.com aswell.

Though for the most part you won't get the same quality as the pros using the thousand dollar software, these are all great alternatives, that are FREE!
indy filmmaking

DIY $25 Lightkit

In this great Indy Mogul video, they cover how to make a $25 light kit, and the basics of lighting in video.



The video gives a great explanation of 3 point lighting, mood lighting, and free lighting (aka the sun). It also gives examples, which are helpful when describing the mood lighting.

Very cheap, very good ideas, and a great tutorial!

In Depth: 3 Point Lighting

A great in-depth explanation of 3 point lighting.

http://www.videomaker.com/article/10625/

This is a great article on the magic of 3 point lighting and how to use it.

3 Point Lighting Tutorial

This great tutorial explains 3-point lighting, how it works, and why you need to use it.


http://www.indymogul.com/post/2213/30-second-film-school-3-point-lighting

Great explanation, easy to comprehend! Great read!

QUICK POST: DIY Cheap Soft Lighting

Cool tutorial and idea for DIY Soft Lighting on the cheap. Easily adaptable for video.



http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/soft-light-panel-frame

Great DIY Backdrop Stand and Lighting Tutorial

This tutorial is a fantastic article on a DIY light studio. It's meant for photography, but can easily be implemented for greenscreen.



http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/home-made-cheap-diy-backdrop-stand

Now, the instructions may seem confusing, but if you read through, and look at the pictures, you'll get by. It's a great use of PVC pipe and lights.

I don't recommend making a switchbox for the lights, or playing with electricity like that at all. I take no responsibility if you shock yourself.

Overall good ideas, and great tutorial.

How to Make a Diffusion Panel

I have to admit, this isn't the best solution, or the cheapest, or the most practical. But people have found it helpful, and it's a good tutorial.



http://www.indymogul.com/post/10532/wesleys-weekly-how-to-diffusion-panel

The design is heavy, the price is expensive, and practicality is low. But it can be helpful, and is can fit some peoples needs relatively well.

Really though, there are much cheaper solutions, such as the Reflective Sun Shades for cars (I bought mine from a dollar store, and they work perfectly), foam boards, and even Bristol board. These are much cheaper, and much lighter/more practical.

Try these past posts:

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/cheap-lighting-very-helpful-video.html

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-studio-lighting-tutorial.html

How to Make a Flourescent Lighting Rig

This tutorial shows us how to make DIY light kit, complete with telescoping stand, barn doors, and "indy mogul" stickers. All for just over $40!



Text Instructions:
http://www.indymogul.com/post/6920/build-plans-diy-florescent-light-kit

This video is a great help for someone who wants cheap fluorescent lighting. Not the most economical or efficient, but definitely a very good setup and idea.

If this doesn't fit suit your needs, try these past links:

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/exclusive-tutorial.html

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/final-light-stand-link.html

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/yet-another-great-stand.html

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/interesting-idea.html

http://indyburst.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-studio-lighting-diy-helpfulness.html

How to Make a Portable Greenscreen with Stand

In this excellent video by the guys at Indy Mogul, they show us how to make a cheap and portable greenscreen, for less than $40. They also give tips on keying and lighting that are extremely helpful. Be sure to check it out and visit there awesome website!



The video has a great backdrop stand tutorial, which is awesome, and highly customizable, made out of PVC.

Overall great video, definitely check it out!

How to Build a Cheap Greenscreen with Backdrop Stand

This excellent DIY project tutorial shows you how to make your very own greenscreen and a backdrop stand. It also gives you tips, and the design is highly customizable and easy to build. Oh, and did I mention it's CHEAP?



http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_studio_equipment_backdrop_stand

Let me start off with describing how brilliant but easy this design is! It uses cheap PVC piping available almost anywhere, it is a simple design, which makes it easy to customize (which I need to accommodate my 10' x 20' greenscreen), and it's portable, because it can be easily disassembled and reassembled anywhere.

The design works, it has to! It's to cross stands and a cross bar. Also, it's cheap! I calculated with the costs in my town (which is more than anywhere else fyi) to buy all the PVC supplies would be about $30! That's great! And that's for my 7 x 10 design, with 4' bases.

This design really is amazing! I highly recommend you check it out!

Cheap Lighting - A Very Helpful Video

This is a fantastic video on the different alternatives to professional studio lighting you can use, and how to use them properly.



I have watched and reviewed this one, and the work lights seem to be one of the cheapest and most effective forms of lighting for Indy film makers and photographers. They are cheap, very powerful, and easy to mount and use.

I myself have a set of work lights for my studio, 2 x 450W Halogen floor work lights for lighting the foreground and actors, along with 2 x 150W Halogen Clamp work lights for lighting the backdrop and removing any additional harsh shadows.

Then I have a regular clamp desk lamp for lighting behind the actors, for improved chroma keying, with a fluorescent bulb.

The hole set up was very cheep:

450W Halogen Floor Worklights

• $14.00 each at WAL-MART

150W Halogen Clamp Worklights

• $13.00 each at WAL-MART

40W Clamp Desklight

• $13.00 at Staples

I'd definitely recommend reflecting the Halogen Worklight's light, because it is very very strong and very very bright light. Standing in front of the direct light is very bad, as it will cause subjects or actors to squint from the light, and make them sweat (the lights get very very hot). It can also be damaging to the subjects skin, or to any object in front, due to the intense ultra-violet light that comes out and the heat. Follow all the warnings that come with your lighting, and pay attention to any cautions and follow instructions!

Also, as the video says, replace the bulbs with Ultra White Light ones, because the bulbs that come with them make white doors look yellow. Don't touch the bulbs with your barehands, as the oil from your skin can damage the bulbs, and create in influx in temperature on the glass causing them to explode (when turned on). Once again, follow instructions that come with your bulbs, and pay attention to warnings!

And when working with these lights BE VERY CAREFUL!!!! They will start fires if flammable materials are placed near them, so watch costumes, paper, and anything that can light on fire.

Finally, do not put too many lights on 1 circuit in your home or studio, or you will be blowing switchboards or fuses every five seconds, as the lighting set up I have alone is over 1200watts. That's a lot, and wires and fuses have trouble handling that much, be careful of electrical fires when using these lights.

I take no responsibility for any damages, injury or loss of life. Everything should be fine if you are careful and not stupid. Follow instructions and be safe!

Studio Lighting Tutorial

This excellent article contains ideas, instructions, and tips for making a cheap lighting studio. Using the worklight idea, and reflective car covers (I just purchased some from the dollar store, fantastic idea!) he builds and tests multiple different lighting set-ups and shows off each of them in an easy to read and comprehend manner.



http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting

Great article, and fantastic ideas!

Highly recommended, especially when mixed with:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg2GBPpqjdI&feature=channel_page

Exclusive Cheap and Easy Lightstand Tutorial

Here's my highly ingenuitive, highly brilliant, and highly easy idea for a cheap light stand. This is an Indy Burst exclusive, you won't find it ANYWHERE else.

Download the free PDF manual file here.

Remember, this is a Indy Burst exclusive tutorial and an idea made and thought up by me! You can't get this anywhere else!

Very clear and easy to follow instructions! Pictures, illustrations, and cartoons! With a bit of humor too!
indy filmmaking

Great PVC Lightstand Tutorial

This seems like a extremely affordable PVC stand. The design looks great and the instructions are fantastic!



http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~geoff/diy/lightstand.html

This is another tutorial going on my list of things to try. Very ingenuitive, very inexpensive, very customizable, very simple, and looks very sturdy.

The article is well thought out, well organized and well illustrated. Finely written and explained. Definitely check this out.

I can't see any negatives about this design! Looks stable, is inexpensive, and is very customizable.

Sturdy PVC Lightstand Tutorial

This design seems very very sturdy and versatile, and looks perfect for backdrop and light stand use.



http://www.diyphotography.net/pvc-backdrop-light-stand

This is going on my list for considerations. It looks very stable, and relatively easy, I just don't want to use PVC glue. Dangerous stuff that is...

The stand itself looks complex to build, but the easy and detailed instructions on the site make it much easier. The tutorial is fully illustrated, and easy to read and understand.

Nothing I can see going wrong, other than the possibility of tipping with the sqaure base. Using sand bags, or making the base large enough so you can feel comfortable should do the trick though.

I'd recommend trying this if you need something stable, strong and sturdy.

Sturdy Steel DIY Lightstand Tutorial

This is a very interesting light stand idea, more expensive and difficult than the others, and maybe worth just buying a pro light stand instead. It still looks cool!



http://www.studiolighting.net/diy-c-stand-light-stand-from-steel-pipe/

I'm not going to build one, but if anyone does, drop a comment on how it works out bellow!

It looks like the idea will be very sturdy, but be careful with wires and what not, as metal conducts electricity, and electricity can be lethal.

The design seems easy enough to build, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow, with images to help guide you. Great article, not so great design.

I wouldn't so much recommend this idea, because of cost, weight, and price. But if this type of design floats your boat, by all means try it out, and definitely comment or email me with your experiences!
indy filmmaking

Lightweight, Cheap and Easy Lightstand Tutorial

I found this awesome idea, which I am strongly considering trying out! It seems effective, cheap, and is perfect for small spaces!



http://www.diyphotography.net/super_easy_hardware_store_light-backdrop_stand

I really suggest trying this out, I know in the tutorial it shows a backdrop, but making one of these and attaching a clamp light to it would work perfectly!

Cheap, effective, small and portable. Just remember to put some sort of bag over the plunger, or find some way to make sure it doesn't leave white marks on the ceiling.

This idea seems like pure genius! Very cheap, but still sturdy. It looks like it would be a really really good idea for places where you only have a small amount of space, or if you're going to peoples homes/traveling with it. It seems very easy to set up quickly.

The article is very clear and humorous, and is a great read. Examples of the humorous nature of the article come here:

When at the till, make sure you have some explanation ready, because you will get funny looks standing in line with a 4-12 foot toilet plunger. I just mumbled "the toilet in the basement keeps plugging up". I've rarely seen a more confused look on a store tellers face as she tried to figure out whether she was dumb and not getting what I was talking about, or if she thought I was a serious idiot. I had a good chuckle on the way to the car and congratulated myself on my ingenuity.

Very good article, very good design, I highly recommend you try it!