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

Jared Fadel Video and Film

So I'm still filming my current project, and it'll probably take a while to do. Especially when I have to go to a lot of places. Hopefully it turns out cute...

So, recently I had the opportunity to meet with Jared Fadel and ask him about his filming, his inspirations and some of the things he would like to do. I actually interviewed him for a paper am writing for a communications class. I have been impressed by some of his films in the past, particularly one that was kind of revolutionary when it came out, it won both his school, district, state, and national film contest for PTA Reflections. The film is called "Focus".

A more recent one he's done is called, "The Gift" which is a very moving film. It talks about a mother and her decision to give her child up for adoption. It's very moving, and can be found on Jared Fadel's Vimeo channel.



The Gift from Jared Fadel on Vimeo.

Busy Life and Still Filming

It's surprisingly hard to find time in my life to do a lot of things. I have a pretty full plate. I am going to school doing 13 credit hours, while working about 30 hours a week at my job. I have homework and dating to fill in the spaces, and surprising I managed to film another video as well.

 I'm not quite sure how I did it, but I did, and I'm proud I managed to find the time. This one is featuring Ronnie Shalvis again, and is uploaded to his channel. It's about training with Parkour in the snow, we tried to add a bit of a comedic touch to it. Hopefully you find it a little humorous.

Halloween Events

I'm excited with this new idea I had for a film. It revolved around the popular silent film style that has shown up around the globe. (Like Amanda's video that recently went viral following her death. I don't know if that link will always work, but you can youtube search "Amanda Todd Video" and probably find it.) Using flash cards/paper etc. to tell a story. However I plan on combining this with a narrative, for a more enhanced experience. I hope it goes well. Also, It's a love story. :)

For the moment however I thought I would mention a bit about what I do in my personal life. I love haunted houses. I recently had the opportunity this month to see a few haunted attractions, and enjoyed basically all of them. The four I've seen this month include:

• Frightmares (Lagoon Amusement Park)
• The Haunted Village (This is the Place, Heritage Park)
• Nightmare on 13th (I actually went here twice.)
• The Haunted Forest 

Frightmares was only funny because we had an interesting situation in which some of us had dates and some of us didn't. However we weren't half boy half girl. The one guy that commented that it looked like we all had dates, didn't have a date. Unless he was insinuating that he was his friend Nick's date... which is only entirely awkward. The reason being because he was married to a woman, and Nick is straight. He seemed to have a little fit when he didn't get to go through the haunted house with his friend Nick, and Nick went through with one of the ladies present instead.

The Haunted Village was fun, and we got quite a group to go. I think the funnest part about that was probably seeing my friend Ashley get scared out of her mind. She's young, about 13 years old. 

Nightmare on 13th was voted Best-In-Utah last year I believe? Their animatronics are pretty good. I was startled a few times. The date I brought with me was terrified of clowns, so she got scared pretty good. Also, if you keep the wristband they give you, you get to come back for one forth the cost on their last 3 days of operation.

The Haunted Forest however was by far the best. It was longer, more clever in almost every way, and way more unexpected. Hands down the best one I went to this season. 

I also was invited to about 5 different Halloween parties, my favorite was a Once Upon A Murder Mystery Party, Hosted by my friend Alli. We all dress up as certain people, and are given clues. Throughout the night we talked with people learning about stories and motives. As the night progresses Snow White is found dead! And we try to find out who is the murderer. It was a lot of fun.

Alli Huefner's Annual Murder Mystery Party

My Hero

So, I thought I'd talk a little bit about who are some primary motivators in making film. I always wanted to start filming videos, but I have to say that I felt as though I lacked equipment and means necessary. For the most part I did, but I finally obtained a computer and software to edit video, and also a video camera, and one that records decent video nonetheless. With the rise of YouTube, also came the rise of amateur film makers having a shot at bigger dreams.

One of the filmmakers that I like to subscribe to on YouTube is devinsupertramp. He is a hero of mine, because he's a local Utah kid, looking to start a career in film. By his own dreams and inspirations he has risen to his own success in the film industry, completely supporting himself off of his film hobby. Indeed he's almost started his own business, hiring actors and supporting staff. His most recent video with my dear friend Ronnie Shalvis (blog), was just released titled, "Assassins Creed III Meets Parkour In Real Life"



I was so inspired by Devin Graham, that I have bought similar equipment and planned out similar videos to his unique style. I hope to be able to soon afford a Glidecam HD 2000 to be able to have the same "smooth" flying shots seen in some of his videos, like early in his rope swing video.



I always thought making ideas to film would be the hardest part, now I think that finding the time to film them is the hardest. In fact, very difficult to do during school. :/

About my Blog

I have for some time wanted to start a blog, but have not had much opportunity or time to do it, but seeing as I have found a reason to start I thought I'd let you know what I'm all about.

I have constantly been in a fury of decision making trying to figure out what to do with my life, and I have changed my mind many times. I have wanted to get into law enforcement, the military, home construction, engineering, and now I think I may have found what could be a career in something... Or perhaps I just found a new hobby - film making.

I love watching digital shorts more than anything. A digital short is basically a short clip of video designed to inform, or entertain. Essentially as you know them, YouTube videos.

I haven't had much time to film videos and piece them together, but I have been able to do a little bit, and have started my own YouTube channel though it currently has very few videos, and low subscribers and views. (These things take time right?)

A few weeks ago I had an oppurtunity to film with my friend Ronnie Shalvis. It was a lot of fun, and I am glad I had the opportunity to work with him. We filmed a short video on the basics of Parkour that you can watch here.

I plan on updating this blog on a weekly basis, and also hopefully start filming and uploading more videos to my own channel. Enjoy.