Adventures In Media

YouTube Madness

2011-02-10T17:53:00.000-08:00

I recently got this email from the good folks at YouTube regarding a video I shot 15 years ago and posted to their site over a year ago:

Dear multimediajones,
Your video may have content that is owned or licensed by UMG.
No action is required on your part; however, if you are interested in learning how this affects your video, please visit the Content ID Matches section of your account for more information.

Sincerely,
- The YouTube Team

The content is personal and was uploaded to share only with members of my family. It's set to "private" and has only been viewed 7 times. There was music playing in the background for the first minute of the five minute video and is not the main focus of the clip. However, there is a link under the video listing the song playing with an offer to buy it through iTunes. I didn't place that link or even mention the song in my description.

This makes me think someone somewhere recognized the song and put that link on my page. And if Google and/or Apple is trying to make money off of MY VIDEO, why is the Universal Music Group complaining to me about it? As a content creator myself, I'm down with intellectual property. But in this digital age, owners are placing more emphasis on the "property" instead of the "intellectual" side of the equation, especially the dying music industry.

I don't care if they remove the audio from my video as it's not the point of this clip anyway. But why are multi-billion dollar corporations spending this much time, energy and money chasing down small potatoes like me? Don't they have more important things to do with their dwindling resources? Apparently not.

My Red-Nexican Rock & Roll Friends

2010-10-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

So one of my hometown friends, Alex Reymundo, has made it big. Actually, he's been big for some time now if you follow comedy. This is his second special and the DVD is now available on Amazon.

It also features another friend and former band mate Eric Knudson adding all the music, including a live performance to open Alex's set. All around bragging rights for me, especially because these guys are so damn good. You will not be disappointed.

P.S. Alex also has a number of MP3 downloads available through Amazon as well. Check them out.

Are You Experienced?

2010-01-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

We are all part of the same substance known as the Universe. At the same time, our brains occupy a specific place within it that only we experience. We have the technology to share our individual perspectives like never before.

This era is like the forming of cities and states built on common interests and causes instead of geographical locations. Another analogy would be random cells forming into a brain and nerve system with endless connections and collective consciousness.

Imagine having access to all the knowledge you will ever need. All you have to do in exchange is produce something of value from your experience for others to learn.

The question becomes, "What do I have to share?" What's unique about your experience and how can other people benefit from it? And what's the best way to communicate it?

Of course I'm advocating for more internet videos, blogs and podcasts. If you have one, please put your link in a comment for me. If you don't, your homepage or social network profile will do.

If you don't have those, let me help. Seriously, we need everybody to get online.

Sitting Beside the Fireplace

2009-12-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

Even though it's northern California, there's really not too much snow in the bay area. Up here in the hills got a bit the other day, but most of it was gone by sundown. If it happens again, we'll have to change the name of this place to Snoakland. In any event, it was a good day for sitting beside the fireplace.

Yes, I do Know the Way to San Jose

2009-09-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I get to see another part of the bay area this week with a show at the Double Tree hotel in San Jose for the 1st annual ECCE of the IEEE.

That's Silicon Valley speak for the Energy Conversion Congress & Expo hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (which is their former name, now they just use the acronym).

I'm having a great time working with Connection Solutions out of central Florida. Not only do they have nice, new gear that sets up and works the first time, they have great relations with the hotel and their clients.

We had to be on top of our game around a bunch of electrical engineers, but came through with flying colors (and sound). Plus, we got to listen to Martin Eberhard, the founder of Tesla Motors, give an amazing presentation on his thinking behind the fastest, most efficient electric car ever invented. I can't wait till the day everybody is driving one of those babies.

Shooting Yourself with a Tripod

2009-07-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Just got a new Flip Ultra HD and couldn't wait to try it out. Using a small tripod and tabletop, I framed up my shot to include the background items I wanted. The only problem was where would I be in the shot?

Ironically, Flip cameras don't have flip-out viewfinders that flip over allowing you to see your shot from in front of the camera (they call them Flip because of the flip-out USB connector).

As you'll see in this test video, it took me a few tries to find out where to position myself. But it was certainly worth the extra effort to get this well framed and naturally lit shot.

If you're curious enough to see the actual video, you can watch it on my profile page on the SGI Buddhist social network site.

I SHOT TONY ROBBINS

2009-06-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

Click here for the music playlist that goes with this entry

Two great gigs with Coast To Coast Productions this month at both ends of the state. First was Brendon Burchard's Experts Academy at the posh Sofitel in Redwood City near San Francisco (but we stayed at the less posh Country Inn & Suites across the highway in San Carlos).

It's always a pleasure to work with Brendon's excellent crew and this time was no different. But the real treat was working with his guest speakers Tony Robbins and John Gray. People pay big bucks to hear these experts and I had the best seat in the house (behind one humongous lens).

Special thanks to event photographer Debbie Lefever for the pic)

We weren't back in town one day before going out to another seminar, this time in Beverly Hills. The Eve Michaels Image and Beauty Bootcamp was held at the Peninsula Hotel, as well as limo driven stops to the salons and shops around town.

I got to meet Giuseppe Franco, the guy who does Arnold Schwartzenagger's hair and went to Anastasia, the place where Jason Schwartzman and other stars get their eyebrow(s) done. When I wasn't carrying gear out of limos and into buildings, I got to hang around outside and watch the parade.

Drivers rarely honk their horns in Los Angeles, but no one is shy about using them in BH. How else do you get someone's attention when they're strolling down the middle of the street?

Monterey Baby

2009-04-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

(I put the audio player first this time so you can stop the music if you really need to instead of hunting all over the page for it, but I hope you'll let it play)

Besides doing what I love (putting on shows) and traveling to cool places to do it, the thing I love most about my work is the opportunity to learn new things from interesting people. This time I went up the California coast to the Monterey Peninsula to do a conference for the Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health (APPPAH).

They are a group of midwives from several different countries advocating a return to natural childbirth and breast feeding. Although they discussed much more, that is mostly what I was able to understand after getting through all the medical, psychological, and scientific mumbo-jumbo.

It was quite an eye-opener to learn that Cesarian sections and inducing labor are the rule rather than the exception nowadays. And even more disturbing is the uphill battle they are fighting to do things the way the human race has done them since the beginning of time. Please visit their site and see how you can help.

The drive up and back also took me through some of the prettiest parts of the state, where I saw the biggest vulture in my life. It had a wingspan of at least 6-7 feet and I found out later it was a Condor. Even more amazing is that there are only about 300 left, so that was quite a treat to see it in the wild.

We stayed and worked all week at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, just up the road from the famous Pebble Beach golf resort. "Asilomar" is Spanish for refuge by the sea and it certainly fits the bill. It was a former YWCA retreat that is now a state park located on 170 acres of woods right on the coastline.

It was not unusual to see several deer cavorting in the early morning hours as we ran from room to room setting up gear. I even had a small knee-high fawn run right up to me and sniff my knee. As tempting as it was, I knew better not to pet it because of possible lyme disease. Plus, its Mom was watching me the whole time with a look like it was ready to charge me at any moment. I wish I got a picture, but my hands were full carrying a camera at the time (ironical).

Not only is Asilomar a state park, it is also the training center for all of California's park rangers and lifeguards. Seeing several dozen of each walking the grounds, we had to ask why one park needed so many. Only later did we come across their training center and state park museum. Probably the most amusing event was at meal times when a dinner bell was rung to call everyone to eat. It felt like a zombie movie with people from every corner of the park all walking toward the same direction.

And this gig also gave me another opportunity to work with a major celebrity. That is if you consider Raffi to be a major celebrity. All of the midwives, pediatricians, obstetricians and new parents in attendance certainly did, so that's good enough for me. In fact, I got "promoted" from my usual camera operator position to lighting director and stage manager, which meant I had 3 minutes to figure out the facility's lighting system and carry water for the folks onstage. Good times.

I Left My Hard Drive in San Francisco

2009-03-04T09:38:00.000-08:00

Another gig in the fog city last month, this time on camera in a fancy hotel near the top of Nob Hill. I'd been here before, but this was my first time to ride a cable car.

It sure came in handy when returning from dinner with my brother in Oakland via the nearest BART station (another first). It was a short 10 block stroll, except almost entirely back up hill.

The hotel was on California Street at Powell, so the views were great in all directions. But the walking and driving weren't, so I kept those activities to a minimum. If I lived here, I'd have the biggest calves or the thinnest wallet (probably both).

This is the single lane dock at the hotel where we loaded our gear in the pouring rain. Good times.

I was so concerned about the job, I didn't properly clear my own room and left some things behind. Oh well, another excuse to return to the Bay Area...

(See/hear more music playlists at 5ive Songs)

Live Music Videos

2009-01-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

My friend Scot has a nephew in Nashville who asked him to meet a friend visiting L.A. She's a(nother) singer-songwriter in town to play some shows, so Scot was a bit reluctant. After meeting her and a friend, he didn't really care if she was any good as a musician.

But after checking out her MySpace page, it was obvious that Leticia Wolf was somebody to see and hear live. Plus, she invited him to sit in with her on harmonica during her set at the Cat Club on the Sunset Strip. I came along to record him, but because she tunes her guitar a half step down, none of his harmonicas were in key.

So instead, we sat with several friends at the front table, where I propped up the camera on my cellphone (after turning it off, of course). Because we were so close, the stage lights were actually too bright for my little camcorder.

(click image to see full size) While the lighting looked great to our eyes, she had a weird red glow on camera. Yes, I know how to white balance, but stage lighting is never white and I can't trust a 4 year-old consumer grade camera with a questionable viewfinder.

What I do trust is my ability to focus and compose shots on the fly, so all I had to do was follow her amazing show. As much as I hate the expression "fix it in post" I knew that this was going to be the case here.

(click image to see full size) Using some color correction and other editing magic, I fixed it real good (as we say in Texas). Now Leticia has a soft golden glow, which I feel is more appropriate for the music video (as opposed to the live performance). But that's just my opinion. You can decide for yourself by watching the videos on my YouTube page.

Happy Holidays from Los Angeles

2008-12-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in L.A. as seen in these photos. I took this first picture while waiting in line at the In-N-Out Burger. You may be able to see the snow on the San Gabriel mountains in the background and the palm trees in the foreground (click on the images to see them at full size).

There's also a chain link fence surrounding a concrete ditch, so this is probably as good as it gets. You just have to be selective in what you look at.

The next picture is my neighbor's Christmas lights, which may be colorful, but are wrapped around the security bars of his bedroom window. I imagine this is what the holidays must look like to prisoners.

All in all, it's a good time to be alive and celebrating this wonderful season. I hope you feel the same.

5ive Songs for November

2008-11-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, we're online a lot more these days. After I've done my work (or during) I search for some music to enjoy. The result is 5ive Songs.

I'm reviving my music playlist after a summer hiatus (whatever). Feel free to join so you can leave self-promoting comments with your link and/or URL, suggest songs, or even subscribe, bookmark and send an e-mail. It's all good, thanks.

New Blog

2008-10-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

Check out Comedy Roadmap and let me know what you think. It still has a long way to go, so now is the time to complain ;)

Dog Show Videos

2008-07-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity earlier this summer to attend Silkenfest 2008, the annual gathering of Silken Windhounds and their human companions at the King Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. Much fun and revelry was had, but these videos are from the show portion of the weekend.

Utah

2008-06-18T00:26:00.001-07:00

Driving across the Salt Flats of Utah

Kum & Go

2008-06-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

On the road in Colorado this past week and had to get a shot of this store. Apparently, western Colorado is covered with them.

Everything Finland

2008-04-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

I come from a place (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas) with a population of 4 million people and currently reside in a neighborhood (Southern California) of roughly 11-13 million, depending on whom you ask or if they'll even answer. The country of Finland has 5 million people and it seems like I'm meeting every other one of them these days.

I met the Consulate General a while ago through my friend Eric Knudson, himself a Norwegian-American. We reconnected with him recently when he invited us to two different events. The first was a music showcase for one of Finland's hottest bands, Poets of the Fall. We were among the lucky few to attend their U.S. debut right there in the CG's living room (on his gear).

Click To Play

(Dinner) Party Like Rock Stars
The band is really in town for MuseExpo, the United Nations of Music and Media, going on this week in West Hollywood. This was just a warmup gig at a dinner party for Finns living in L.A. and people like us who somehow keep getting invited. Even without the full sound I heard on their MySpace page, they still rocked the place (it was a living room, after all).

Click To Play

In fact, I liked them so much I stayed up past my bed time to catch their midnight showcase at the House of Blues the following night. I was so sure they would want to party on the Sunset Strip after the show that I napped earlier (what kind of guide would I be passing out on them?). But they were getting on a redeye to New York right then and connecting to Helsinki first thing in the morning. At least they got to travel like rock stars (all night long).

Click To Play

The second event was a reception for the Deputy Consulate General, who is transferring back to Finland this summer. Even though it was out in Santa Monica, it was still a great time as always. Both the CG and Deputy CG are guitar players, so there was lots of jamming going on.

Finns on a (Higher) Plane
Aside from the music and media connections, I'm also meeting Finns through my profile page on a Buddhist social network. I've been told that the SGI has members in 190 countries around the world, but it hasn't sunk in until I joined this site just 3 short months ago.

Visit SGI Buddhism

I joined early and it's been fun to watch the site grow as it spreads across the planet. When someone in Finland joined, it was a matter of days before every other Buddhist up there was a member. Now I have friends who are actually in Finland. All that's left is for me to go there and meet them.

More blogs at MultimediaJones.com

What's Goin' On

2008-04-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

Three more interesting gigs this time around, and each one different. What started off as simple script consulting for Cutting Room TV morphed into an associate producer position when I helped them secure a shooting location at the Andy Dick Theatre of the iO West in Hollywood. Now there's a rumor of an on-camera part in it for me...

Still from the set of actor demo reel shoot

Speaking of acting, I had another gig as director of photography on a scene for an actor's demo reel. The difference between being a DP and just an ordinary camera operator is that everyone waits for me instead of the other way around. On a "film" shoot (we used the Canon GL2), everything is all about the camera whereas on live events, the camera (operator) is a witness to the action.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. As a witness, I get to see and hear things most people don't (or at least have to pay for). A perfect example of that is another informational seminar I shot, this time for Adam Urbanski and Marketing Mentors. Too bad I wasn't able to take notes, but there's always the videotapes.

More blogs at MultimediaJones.com

West Coast Tour Winter '08

2008-02-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

So this is my first truly multimedia blog with music, pics and video. The soundtrack to this month's adventure is provided by Project Playlist and as you may have noticed, starts automatically (or at least it should). If this annoys you, the pause button is in the upper left corner of the player.

But I hope you choose to listen as I came across some interesting and appropriate tunes, including city specific and weather related themes. I especially enjoyed Hello Saferide's description of San Francisco as "the only place in North America not destroyed by the government." I can't tell if that's a good or a bad thing, but the song sure is a peppy foot-tapper.

OTR doing BTS with Chris Howard
I got to live like a rock star (okay, more like a roadie, but still...) when I did a "west coast tour" operating camera for the Christopher Howard Breakthrough To Success seminar. We stayed in airport hotel rooms, even though the series started here in L.A. But most of the client team is from Australia, so the Arlo Guthrie song about LAX is for them.

Day one of the Chris Howard gig at LAX (L) Day two rubdown from boss (R)

Put Some Flowers in Your Hair
For the second show, we flew up to San Francisco, went straight to the hotel and worked all weekend. Fortunately, there's plenty to see within walking distance from our hotel near Union Square, so it wasn't like we were stuck in a cave. At least not a cheap one.

Golden Gate Bridge from earlier, sunnier visit (L) San Francisco Medical Professionals (R)

19 Stories About a City
From there, we drove up to Tacoma, Washington for the third and final show in this series. While I didn't get time to see many sights, I did have fantastic views from my hotel windows. Both of them were on the 19th floor, but in different buildings, obviously.

San Francisco's Union Square (L) Downtown Tacoma overlooking Puget Sound (R)

A Day Off in Tacoma
There was time to break out the video camera, but I quickly realized why no one was out walking around. The camera is much steadier and the shots last longer from the indoor comfort of my hotel room. In any event, here's my Tacoma Travelogue:

And Points in Between
After that, it was a quick jaunt to the bay area for my coworker and fellow driver to catch a plane back to his life on the east coast. And you know we got lost on the way to San Jose, which is an interesting story itself, but for another time.

I drove the last leg to L.A. by myself through some of the most beautiful highway construction I'd ever seen. Cutting across from the 101 to the I-5 was worth the slower speeds, especially with another few hundred miles of straight pavement coming after that.

It is Winter After All
I saw quite a bit of snow covered mountains this month, and that's about as much or as close as I'd like. I was surprised to see it on the peaks coming through the Grapevine pass, just 80 miles from the city. And I thought I saw some on the Santa Monica mountains coming over the hill, but it was only a light dusting of cocaine (ha).

Back to Abnormal
It scares me to think this way, but driving into the progressively thicker traffic (and thicker drivers) of L.A. felt like coming home. I've been here over 3 years now and I fit in too easily, even after being gone a few weeks. I soon got over any emotions about this place and went back to work with a two day gig here in town (well, the OC).

So I admit to being involved in a shooting in Garden Grove this month, but it was camera work for an American Express sales conference. And the experience was nothing like the Sublime song, I just like the fact that someone wrote about this Disneyland neighbor. Next week I'm going to San Mateo. Can anyone suggest a song?

More blogs at MultimediaJones.com

Home Movies

2008-01-23T11:19:00.001-08:00

Aunt Betty and Uncle Max came to visit when we lived in Reno, NV back in 1964. I transferred their home movies a few years ago and just now got around to digitizing this clip of our family. There was no audio back then (on the camera) so I added sound effects with Apple's Soundtrack Pro.

Click To Play

Kumbaya Silken Windhounds

2007-12-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

I'm on vacation this week visiting my brother in northern California. I always bring my camera and laptop because we end up taping hours of his dogs and posting the edited video on YouTube.

One Belly Dancer, Three Cameras

2007-12-13T09:15:00.000-08:00

From the Dysfunktion Junktion variety show at the McCadden Place Theatre in Hollywood, belly dancer Stacey Soleil performs to the Les July song 3rd Iris. Check out more sketch and music videos from the show.

Audio Project with Apple's Soundtrack Pro

2007-12-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves babies, but we couldn't settle for a plain old video when asked to help a friend remember her daughter's first days. "Uncle" Aaron Blaine shot the footage, brought it to "Uncle" Steve, and together we had a blast putting words (and other sound effects) in Baby Sophia's mouth. This was last year, so she's probably making sounds like this on her own by now.

Armando Show with Laraine Newman

2007-11-24T16:19:00.000-08:00

Another chance to experience great comedy at the iO West when I shot and cut The Armando Show with Laraine Newman of Saturday Night Live fame. This promo video is a short portion of her monologue and one of the sketches inspired by it.

The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue. Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.

Enchanted at the El Capitan

2007-11-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

This week and next I'm on a crew putting up the stage show for a Disney movie called Enchanted. After viewers see the movie at the historic El Capitan theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, they can enjoy more Disney characters and merchandise inside a tent set up in the parking lot out back.

(A) (B)

(A) The sign at the entrance will be more magical after the chain link fence is removed. (B) My view of the historic El Capitan, but I'm also next to the equally historic Hollywood High School and Jimmy Kimmel Show parking lots.

To be fair, it's a huge tent (24,000 sq. ft.) housing a number of activities including a climbing wall and bounce house. The whole thing costs several million dollars so it's not some traveling carny outfit.

I've been running computer network and fiber optic cables under stages and up the sides of the theatre building itself. And of course, the usual unloading of sets and gear. Next week we'll be installing those sets and gear and then it's showtime the week after that. Bring the kids and check it out.

(C) (D)

(C) Another angle of the El Capitan's backside (but not the side we ran the cables up). (D) How it looks in the early morning fog.

Dean's Pool Tips: Defensive Shots

2007-10-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been working with Lois Larimore and My Pool TV as a camera operator and editor for over a year now. Dean's Pool Tips is just one of a number of billiard related series we're producing for the internet, cell phone and international TV markets.

Although he's not a professional pool player, Dean Von has picked up quite a few tips over the years. He shares this knowledge through videos available for download on Veoh TV.

ASTC @ LACC

2007-10-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

The Association of Science-Technology Centers held their annual conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center this past weekend.

Not only did I get to attend this fun and exciting event, I got paid to be there (mainly for the parts that weren't as fun or exciting). Most of these types of gigs are setting up and striking stage sets and equipment, but the real job is a few hours of camera work in between.

This organization is made up of science museums and other related businesses, so it was like having the best exhibitors all in one place. And of course, the multimedia presentations had to be top notch as well. In addition to the usual speeches from the group members, this year's guests included the Mythbusters from the Discovery Channel.

TV is Brilliant Again

2007-10-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

I know it's a popular pastime to trash TV, especially when TV is trash already. But last night I got a rare opportunity to watch some of the new programs before they get cancelled. Or worse, successful and formulaic.

My new favorite has to be Carpoolers on ABC. It's created, written and produced by Bruce McCulloch from The Kids in the Hall. Great characters and visual storytelling. Even the closing credit sequence was a hilarious call back. God bless Canadian comics and the American TV executives who give them the timeslots.

It comes on after Cavemen, which surprises me how much I like it. Of course, I had low expectations to begin with, but this is another well written show with great characters. And the contrasting of their sophistication and intelligence against modern man's inability to operate a remote control was just brilliant. Not bad for a dumb sitcom about primitives.

Also got to see a bit of Reaper (CW) which is getting better. I didn't care for the pilot and I think I missed an episode last week, so who am I to say? I've always liked that guy from Grounded For Life and the other guy is also a favorite from that show he was in before (real descriptive - the sign of a good blogger).

And to cap off my viewing experience, The Colbert Report outdid themselves when Stephen interviewed himself about his new book. They've done this bit before with the Formidable Opponent, but tonight must have had some pre-recorded parts to it. Check it out on YouTube.

Beer Shark Mice at the iO West

2007-10-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

There's really nothing special about the shooting or editing on these videos other than the fact that I get to point a camera at my comedy heroes. As a video producer for the iO West, I get to enjoy amazing shows by some of the best improvisers in the business.

Plus, they trust me to edit and publish these videos as part of their marketing program. Do us a favor and check out all their clips and click on the post-roll ads. Better yet, get down to Hollywood and catch a live show.

Beer Shark Mice is a comedy improv group featuring Neil Flynn (Scrubs), Peter Hulne (American Body Shop), Michael Coleman (Arrested Development) and David Koechner (Anchorman). They perform regularly at the iO West in Hollywood.

Green Screen Project

2007-09-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

I recently got the opportunity to edit a funny bit called "Althea Celestia - Psychic Astrologer" that was shot in front of a green screen. We tried a number of backgrounds and zodiac symbols until we made the whole thing super busy. Every element (including Althea herself) is in constant motion and her "aura" is also shifting colors the entire time.

This sketch is just one of many bits I gathered on to a demo reel DVD for comedy producers Brian Blondell and James Grace. They've got a YouTube page and probably other web sites out there as well, so check out their stuff before they get big and you can't afford them.

Steve "Multimedia" Jones is a producer, writer and video editor in Los Angeles. More info at www.multimediajones.com