Monday, August 8, 2011

CFA Short Video



An eccentric man and burgler get more than they both bargained for!


This is a short I made a year ago

17 comments:

Lilac Bud Gal said...

This was pretty funny... especially the phone call!

If it isn't too much trouble to answer, might I ask what camera you use, where you got it, what editing program you use, and where you got that? I am into filmaking and interested in learning what I can about cameras, filming, programs, etc. If you get asked this a lot and don't want to answer, I understand.

It was nice getting to meet you at convention this past year (I was the girl Alicia Willis introduced you to at the registration table).

God bless!

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

Joshua Hoppman said...

Sarah,
I'm glad you enjoyed the movies and are interested in filmmaking!

The camera I used with both videos was the Canon XH-A1. I bought it on Ebay for $1,500 (Although it goes for $3,000-$5,000 new). I also use the Canon GL-2 of which I also got on Ebay for $500 (It normally runs for about $1,000-$3,000 new). Both cameras have been wonderful to use!

As for the editing software, I used Sony Vegas Platinum 8.0 with the CFA video. I got it on Amazon for $80.00 (You probably have noticed that filmmaking isn't exactly cheap! :D) In Sword Of A Stranger I used Adobe Premiere. I had recently upgraded editing software and
bought Adobe's Production Premiere suite on academicsuperstore.com. It was normally $1,100 but I got a student discount and purchased it for $600 (You might want to consider buying your editing software there).

Since you're interested in filmmaking I am providing a link to a movie making website that I have found helpful. It was created by Nathan and Hans Bluedorn (I'm not sure if you have heard of them but they were both Homeschooled and are Christians). If you have questions or just need information this website has it. http://www.christianfilmmakers.org

Oh, and just so you know the Holets, Haroldsons, Kelsey, and I are making a movie to enter into the San Antonio Independant Christian Film Festival! Stay tuned!

It was wonderful meeting you at the convention and I'll be glad to answer anymore questions that you have!

Thank-you for the comments and God Bless.

In Christ,
Joshua

Lilac Bud Gal said...

Joshua,

Thank you for the speedy reply! Your answers were very helpful, and thanks for the link! Right now I use our video recorder that we had gotten as a family thing (you know, the little one you just carry around to tape random family stuff... haha!)

I do have Vegas Platinum 7.0.. it seems to be a good program, but I have problems with it taking forever to load, and then leaving the audio and video messed up (not in sync with each other). But, that could just be bad computer. ;) Ebay is definitely a great place to look for cameras! In fact, I had looked some up, but didn't know what were the good brands, etc.

Is it easy to upload the media from your camera to the computer?

Our family lives on a ranch, so we have lots of places that would be great for different movies and what not (especially medieval ones). I am hoping to get some people together to make something, but hard to find those who are interested...

That must be exciting to be entering that! I really want to attend and, in the far future, enter something! Are you going for the long or the short film? It should be neat! I'll be praying that everything goes well.

Again, thank you so much for answering my questions!

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

Joshua Hoppman said...

Hello again!
Regarding the slow loading footage, I wold say that that is a problem with the computer. (I used to have a pretty bad computer and it took a really long time to do anything on it. :D)

It is generally easy to load the footage onto my computer. With my two cameras you have to use a firewire cable (It does not work with USB cords).

The Willis' have told us about your ranch and it definitely sounds perfect for a movie. (Western and medieval alike!)

The movie we are making is about 6 minutes so we will be entering the short film catagory. Oh, and your prayers are appreciated.

Have wonderful day!

In Christ,
Joshua

Lilac Bud Gal said...

Howdy!

So sorry it took me a while to respond. Life got a little crazy for us over here... We just attended a funeral for our 14 yr old cousin today. If you don't mind, please be praying for the family. It is really tough for them right now, as you can imagine!

Ok, so the computers that we have are: Gateway (an older version.. this is my mom's laptop), An HP something for our desktop (though this one is currently unavailable because of some technical difficulties), and then my Sister just got a newer laptop. I believe it is also HP, but not really sure. I was hoping that her computer would load better, since it is newer, in better shape, etc, but I was having the same problem.
Any suggestions? Do you know of a specific computer brand that is really good for this sort of thing? Ha, I guess I should just ask what computer you have... :)
Also, does the size of the harddrive effect the upload and editing process?

Yeah, I sort of know about firewire. Our camera was like that, but mom thankfully had some little device that plugs into a USB and works the same way.. or something.. Any how, that is what I use right now. You just have to have the TV cords to the camera (the ones with the red, white, and yellow thingies...)

Aha, so you know a bit about it, then. :) Yup, I'd really like to do something big as soon as I've graduated (which is coming up really soon, so I better get to work!)

I can't wait to hear how the movie making goes. Would you mind telling me a little bit of what the film will be about?

Thanks again for all this help! I really appreciate it!

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

Joshua said...

Hello!

I am so sorry about your cousin. It must have come as a shock. (Especially when someone that young dies.) :(

To answer your hardrive question: yes the more power the hard drive is the better (And it does process video much faster!)

I have an HP Pavilion HPE which has lots of memory. It was pretty exspensive but, since I have my editing business and I make movies AND I film for people, my computer has to be pretty powerful!

Here's a link to the moniter and the computer I bought:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=15701581

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12457225

Walmart offered a pretty good price on the computer and moniter so I obliged them. :)

The Willis' have talked up your property as a great place to film so, that is how I learned of it.

The film I'm working on, Captured (Working title), is somewhat of a salvation allegory, but I don't want to give up the storyline. (It's too short to offer a synopsis but I might upload it to my blog when we are done granted, it is uploaded to youtube.)

I hope your adventures in filmmaking are fun and benifical. (Movies are one of the most effective ways to portray what the filmmaker believes, especially in today's culture.)

Persevero!

Joshua

Anonymous said...

WOW The Funniest homemade shot film ever!
VERY FUNNY!!!

To me film making is very important.
Literature is important.
Music is important.
Art is important,
But Movies combine all three.
Keep up the good work!

Joshua Hoppman said...

Glad you enjoyed it!

Jared Myers said...

Hey Joshua,

I just joined your blog and was amazed at what I saw! Your videos are great!!

I to am a born again Christian with a great interest in making Christian based videos.

I hope that the Lord will give you wisdom for making your film for the Film Festival! I have never been there, but the trailers up on the page for previous films look good!

In Christ's Service,
Jared

Joshua Hoppman said...

Jared, I'm glad you enjoyed my movies!
WE are currently working on one to enter into the SAICFF, granted, we meet the deadline. (There should be a teaser for that one next month!
Thank-you for the comment and God bless your filmmaking endevours!

Joshua

Jared Myers said...

Hey Joshua,

I tried to email you this question, but it didn't want to go through. I didn't know any other way to contact you besides this way. If you don't want to publish this as a comment that is fine.

My question is, where do you get the music for your movies?

Thanks,
Jared

Jared Myers said...

By the way, my email address is jmmentertainment@gmail.com. Sorry, I should of put that into my comment/question that I just sent.

Jared

Lilac Bud Gal said...

Hi Joshua,

Sorry I never replied to your last comment!

Thank you so very much for all your help on the computer editing/movie making stuff! It was very much appreciated. If you happen to know of any other great fellow movie makers out there (that are home based-not hollywood... haha!), please let me know! I want to glean as much as I can!

God bless you in your future movie making endeavors, and can't wait to hear about the short film you are entering into SAICFF. :)

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

Lilac Bud Gal said...

Hi Joshua,

I just thought I'd drop by and let you know that I have finally gotten the computer to work and have happily been editing a video. :) Thank you for all your help!

In Christ's Service,
Sarah

Unknown said...

Haha, you guys are SERIOUSLY funny! I couldn't stop laughing!
One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
Keep up with the good work! :-)

Jhoppster said...

Thank-you for the encouragement Jemimah!Feel free to check out some other movie I have on my site. They are all family friendly. :)

Unknown said...

I've already checked out a few, and will do more! They're really cool.

Post a Comment