September 25, 2018

Virtual reality breaks free as the HTC Wireless Adapter hits store shelves

Gamers can now break free from wires as the HTC Wireless Adapter hits store shelves, allowing HTC Vive users to connect their headsets wirelessly to their Windows PC without the need for cable tethers.

The post Virtual reality breaks free as the HTC Wireless Adapter hits store shelves appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

September 23, 2018

This Is Why You Should Always Carry Something Reflective With You on a Shoot

This practical effect will cost you zero dollars and is perfect for b-roll.

Whether you’re creating a transition between two scenes or adding some emotional depth to your subject’s performance, b-roll can often be a place where you can let your creative freak flag fly, and experimenting with practical effects is one way to do just that. In this video, filmmaker Zach Ramelan shows you one technique that you can pull off with any ol’ reflective surface you have lying around in your gear bag. Check it out below:

So, if you’ve got some sunglasses, an ND filter, or even your smartphone just sitting around not being put to good use, bust them out and get to work. All you have to do is zoom in slightly with your lens (or just make sure foreground elements are satisfactorily out of focus), and play around with the placement of your reflective surface until you get the desired result. By manipulating the surface, you can produce interesting reflections, flares, or bokeh balls that create simple, stylish, and unique in-camera effects that require less time and money than purchasing and editing stock assets in post.

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Source: NoFilmSchool

September 23, 2018

Tutorial: Shoot Underwater with This $10 DIY Periscope

This DIY periscopic device allows you to capture what’s going underwater with virtually any camera.

Since cameras don’t take to liquids very well, getting shots below the surface of water requires dedicated underwater camera housings. Problem is—these things usually require a significant financial investment, oftentimes costing upwards of $1500. But what if you’re like this YouTuber, Alex from I did a thing, who just wanted to take a quick peek at the frogs swimming around in his pond? Well, then you might want to do as he did and build yourself a makeshift periscope out of $10’s worth of supplies that lets you get some pretty sweet shots underwater.

Alex walks you through the steps in the tutorial below:

If you’re interested in taking a crack at this build, here are the materials you’ll need:

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Source: NoFilmSchool

September 22, 2018

5 Common Mistakes of New Filmmakers (and How to Avoid Making Them)

Sometimes it’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes instead of your own.

As it is with anything, your first few years of filmmaking is going to be a little rocky, making some pretty big, messy, and even embarrassing mistakes left and right. However, you do have the option of making far fewer of them, that is if you know what they are and how to avoid them. In this video, Jay P. Morgan of the Slanted Lens teams up with filmmaker Kenneth Merrill to go over some of the most common mistakes beginner filmmakers make when they first start shooting, as well as what you can do to ensure that you don’t fall into the same traps. Check it out below:

Okay, so the craft of filmmaking is bursting with opportunities to make a misstep, so suffice it to say that this little list barely scratches the surface about what to expect when you first get going. However, it does give you a pretty good idea of the kinds of techniques and concepts that often go unnoticed by novices, from camera movement to sound recording.

Let’s quickly go over the tips Morgan and Merrill talk about in the video:

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Source: NoFilmSchool

September 21, 2018

No Film School Reader Wins TIFF Audience Award 2018 and Shares 5 Tips for Film Fundraising

“From the Coen brothers to anyone making their first film, the approach is similar: determine EXACTLY what you require, and no more.”

Vasan Bala’s The Man Who Feels No Pain made history twice this past week, the first for being the first Bollywood film to be admitted to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)’s Midnight Madness section and, secondly, for being the FIRST Bollywood film to win a TIFF Audience Award. As for the film itself, it’s uproarious.

The Man Who Feels No Pain is like a highlight reel from our favorite action movies of all time. From Enter the Dragon to Big Trouble in Little China to Die Hard, the film is a love letter to all of those unapologetically over-the-top spectacles driven by a pounding heart beneath layers of muscle.

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Source: NoFilmSchool

September 21, 2018

The Future and Science of Psychedelics Featured Session at SXSW 2018 [Video]

“About 25 years ago I started a meditation practice, and that got me really interested and curious about the nature of altered states of consciousness, spiritual experiences, and the like.” – Dr. Roland R. Griffiths

Roland Griffiths Ph.D., professor at the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, joined bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek and Tools of Titans Tim Ferriss for a conversation on the medical applications of psychedelics. The national conversation around mental health has only intensified in recent years despite our efforts as a community to address the issue, and this session takes a look at alternative treatments that may provide breakthroughs in the future.

Ferriss, who serves as the moderator of the discussion, begins by introducing Dr. Griffiths and his body of research into mood-altering substances as well as providing a baseline of information about research into psychedelics — a history of the first wave of research during the 1950s and its subsequent halting by the US government, the different types of “classic” psychedelic compounds, and the therapeutic applications of psilocybin.

“I could not think of something more important and interesting that I could spend my time on. This is a window into the nature of consciousness.” — Dr. Griffiths

Griffiths admitted an initial skepticism when he began studying psilocybin 20 years ago — suggesting that it may have helped him gain clearance to begin his testing — but now describes the effect of the drug on the mind as like an inverse PTSD. He elaborates that psilocybin provides an acute positive experience that in some cases has benefits lasting long after the treatment.

Learn more about Dr. Griffith’s research, including opportunities to participate, and Ferriss’ financial backing of psychedelic research by watching the full 2018 SXSW Featured Session below.

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The Science of Psychedelics – Photo by Michael Caufield

The post The Future and Science of Psychedelics Featured Session at SXSW 2018 [Video] appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Interactive

September 21, 2018

The Pros and Cons of Vertical Video and Working with Constraints

Can vertical video have more of an impact than the landscape aspect ratio?

Since the birth of the smartphone, a battle between horizontal and vertical video has been taking place. Instead of rooting for one side, however, I think it’s worth noting that both have its pros and cons and both have areas to live and thrive in in this video age.

Let’s talk about vertical video. Before you criticize it, however, let me tell you that I used to hate when someone was recording a video on a smartphone holding it vertically (in most cases, I still hate it). But when I think about it now, it’s not always a cliche. After a decade of using these devices, the vertical aspect ratio has its own style and feel to it.

I recently met with Kelsey Brannan (aka Premiere Gal) in Warsaw, Poland to get to record a few videos together. We ended up tossing a coin to see if either I would defend vertical video or if Kelsey would. Below is our discussion where we pinpoint some advantages and disadvantages of both video orientations.

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Source: NoFilmSchool