This is just a quick image to show the differences of editing in raw. Keep in mind that I uploaded it in massive resolution so you can zoom in to see minute differences.

To the untrained eye, they may look very similar, but if you were to start editing it yourself, you would see how important editing photos in RAW really is.

Films for the Signpost

I have been up to some filming lately... Yes. A few videos actually. I will start with the ones that I did in cooperation with the Signpost (Weber State University's newspaper).

The first was about the Weber State Valentine's day kiss off.



The second was about smoking bans happening at Weber State.

Early to Wed

I have noticed a lot of people who have got married very quickly. I'm not saying there is anything particularly wrong with this. I agree it is better than committing adultery. (Don't give me that look. You know why you're in such a hurry to get married. Don't try to tell me your looking forward to the tax incentive.)

Honestly in our (Mormon/LDS) culture the only thing that changes after marriage is well... like I said. Don't be in such a hurry. I promise taking your time and making the BEST choice is far more rewarding than getting your single life over, and starting a married life.

I'd like to tell you something Jason Mraz told me once.

"When I fall in love, I take my time,There's no need to hurry when I'm making up my mind."

Also, as a kicker, here's a link to my most recent film project. It may be another half hour after this posts until the video becomes available.

Padded Hardware Box Tutorial [Softbox/Foambox]

This is a tutorial on how to make a soft foam storage case for, specifically in this case an external hard drive. You could use this to make one for your camera, microphone, or other electronic media/sound equipment. 

I needed one because I have to be able to take this storage with me anywhere (school and back), and hard drives are sensitive to vibration, and can break easily if dropped. Even if no damaged occurs to the outside of the case, it can damage internal parts. Solids State Drives (SSD's) don't have this problem. But who has money for those?

Start by measuring your box you are going to insert the foam into. This box I purchased from an office store, which was originally a cash box, and I removed the money tray.

Here I started with some foam from a couch cushion. I recommend not pulling one off your nice couch though. These can be purchased from craft stores that sell fabric and things of that nature. Lucky for me, my grandma had one lying around she let me have. I went ahead and drew out on the foam the measurements from the box and cut out the foam.

If you use a utility blade, it cuts really easy. I highly recommend this for cutting it out.

Also using a straight edge to help you cut straight lines.

Measure the depth of the bottom of the box, and put measurement marks all they way around the foam.

In a spiral motion, continually cut around the foam.

See how your foam fits into your box. Make any adjustments if needed, trimming corners, or my box had a couple parts that jut into the foam, which I cut out (not pictured).

Then with remaining foam, do the same for the top of the box.

 It will look something like this. 

Then lay out your electronics, and figure out how much foam you'll need to remove.

It's hard to add or subtract small amounts of foam, so just get it right the first time. Ha ha. Good luck.

(If you line it with fabric like I do later, leave a little extra room) 

First cut out an outline like this.

 Use some flat pieces and some clamps to begin to cut laterally.

(if you want you can cut it in to two layers, cut out the center and re-glue the two pieces of foam back together. Make sure you use glue that can be used on foam TEST IT! Some glues will deteriorate foam.)

Here is what it will start to look like.

I used a razer and carefully cut out some odd mountainous regions... It won't be too noticeable later.

Starting to look good!

Now I cut out some pieces of scrap fabric slightly larger than my foam, and glued them over it. 

I used Permatex Headliner and Carpet Adhesive, because it works on fabric, and foam.

I had to get a little creative cutting out shapes for the bottom, but I have confidence you can figure that out.

And here's the finished product! It looks great! Fit's Firm and protects my 2TB of data on this external Hard Drive!

HDR Photography

So, I only just recently learned about HDR photography, thanks to my friend Dan. And I learned how to snap a shot on my camera. My first attempt honestly is quite horrific, but was kind of a success nonetheless. I was out filming my current project at sunset, and it occurred to me, 'Hey, I should snap an HDR of the sunset.' So I did.

My First HDR Photo

I'm not quite sure I like it. It is something different than I've ever done before. I think I'll try more of these, and hopefully some of the other ones will turn out more successful.

Meanwhile I'd like to leave you with one of the funniest videos I've seen as of recent. Mainly because the reason I want to get into film is because I want to make people laugh. I think that's what makes life worth living... is laughter.

Check this out: Dope Zebra

Lights... Camera... Utah. Wait... What?

Anyplace is a good place to make a film,
Including the women's restroom.

This was a story I wrote for my Media Writing class. Hope you like it.

By Dan Hicken, Tyrone Perry
Wednesday, Dec. 5

UTAH - Mind racing, fingers bent, hands quivering, breathing deeply and eyes searching. These may sound like the traits of every victim in every film you’ve ever seen. However it’s not the actors feeling this way, it’s the amateur filmmakers who are nervously pounding out their next film.

Utah is right. The right place, the right time, and the right location. Filmmaking in Utah has been growing for quite a while now. Most people in the film industry are familiar with Utah’s annual “Sundance Film Festival.” The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most popular film festivals in the world, but it’s not the only film festival here in Utah.

Slamdance is another film festival held at the same time and place as the Sundance Film Festival, and has found talented directors such as Christopher Nolan who is well-known for The Dark Knight, Jared Hess for his film Napoleon Dynamite and Oren Peli and his well-known series Paranormal Activity. Film Festivals are a way for amateur filmmakers to get their start in the film industry. Right now, there is no better place for an amateur filmmaker to be than right here in Utah.

Jared Fadel, an amateur filmmaker from Bountiful, began his career more as an interest in Parkour than in film. His first popular film, “Focus,” was about a local kid who loved Parkour. “Focus” was very successful and ended up winning national recognition. Fadel speaking about his success with the film said, “I entered that into a school PTA contest... well it ended up I won the school level, then I went to district, region, state... and it went to nationals and I ended up winning the national level contest for this film. It was then, that i figured well film is something I think I can do, I think it’s a talent. I wasn’t quite sure but... maybe I should pursue this.”

Johnny Call is another Utah amateur filmmaker that got his start as an improv comedian. He then starred in a short film called “Revved Up Like a Deuce” and before making shorts for the Megaplex Theater pre show. Call who started with amateur film in Utah, has also worked on films in Boise and Denver. When asked about his feelings about Utah’s advantage in film, Call stated, “I’d say we have an edge, we definitely have an edge.”

YouTube is a vital tool for getting exposure and building a reputation as a filmmaker. Two Utahns have gained worldwide recognition for their YouTube videos. Lindsey Stirling is a violinist that is known for her unique style of combining playing violin while performing modern dance. Devin Graham is the filmmaker responsible for many of her YouTube music videos. Chances are you’ve seen a video filmed by Graham. A couple of his really popular videos include, swinging on a rope through the Corona Arch in Moab and his real life video game remake of Assassin’s Creed. Both videos accrued 14 million views each and are still growing. Ronnie Shalvis happens to be the star of the Assassin’s Creed video, and also Fadel’s successful video “Focus.”

Utah has been growing in the movie industry with lots of Hollywood films taking place here. Films such as 127 Hours, the High School Musical series, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, The Sandlot and many others. Utah isn’t only a place for big time filmmakers, many amateurs from here are beginning to ‘make a scene’  as well.

It has become apparent that Utah is the place to be for all kinds of films. With the rise of YouTube and amateur film, the future is looking very bright for everyone in the field.

Helping you help me

So I have a need to buy some new equipment to help me pursue my dream of being a filmmaker. Film making equipment is expensive, and I'm not going to be able to afford it working just my normal job. I need additional help. So I decided to start restoring headlights on the side to help me save up for what I really need.

[Left - Normal Haziness] - [Right - Restored]

So you can see in the picture on the Headlights on my own car, the left is still cloudy and hazy. The right I restored, buffed, and shined. You can see quite a difference between the two, and it allows the light from your headlight to travel further and increases your visibility.

I will shine both headlights for $10, and will come to where you live, provided you live from North Salt Lake to Centerville, or if you have your car at the Weber Campus. I am also for $10 doing a Rain-X window treatment for your windshield. If you are not familiar with what Rain-X does, it's essentially like wax, but for your windshield. It makes the water bead up and roll off the windshield. It also helps prevent from dirt and grime from building up on your windshield, and helps fight against the build-up of frost on cold mornings. I will under that same cost treat the inside of your windshield with an anti-fog also provided by Rain-X. This helps the window not get foggy on the inside when it is cold outside. Both of these help improve visibility.

As water gets on the windshield, Rain-x repels the rain, and causes the water to
 bead up and roll off the window as you drive, almost negating the need for wipers. 

If you would like to have either of these services done to your vehicle please feel free to contact me by sending me a message to melvis9753@gmail.com

If your wondering what I want to spend the money on, I really want a GlideCam HD 2000 this helps steady the camera so you can have a moving shot, without footsteps shaking the whole scene.

GLIDECAM HD 2000