Archive for August, 2009

Looking for Various Talents in Georgia

Friday, August 28th, 2009

This is the first time I have used my blog to ask for people respond to a new project I am working on. I have gotten into video production for the first time in 20 years, and as you probably know, a lot has changed in the past 20 years. I was using huge, clunky three-tube cameras and 3/4 inch video tape. Today, you can get high-quality images with the small digital cameras. The editing programs makes the process a dream. I’m in love with this new century.

The one thing about video production over the years was that it was not a one-person job. This is why I am posting this new blog article. I would like to put together a list of people that have different talents that could be helpful in video production. The following is a list of talents I am looking for.

Actors, voice-over talent, camera people, sound engineers, video editors, marketing people, graphic artists, animators, special effects techs, stunt people, musicians, and composers.

Also, those who have equipment can also be important:

People who have studio cameras, camcorders, digital still cameras, mics, mic stands, lights, tripods, audio recorders, appropriate cables and adapters.

I’m sure you maybe asking what do I bring to this. The first time I picked up a movie camera, it was a regular 8 camera when I was in my early teens in the 1960s. In the Navy, I owned Super 8 cameras, some with sound, and all the proper editing equipment.

When I got out of the Navy, monochrome analog video equipment became available, but a a very high price. Equipment improved, and I got better at using. I was in the video production business for seven years and received an AA degree in video production.

Today, I use Sony’s Vegan Movie Studio 9.0 for editing. I have a Tascam US-122 audio interface a Marantz professional audio recorder, a Sony mic mixer, and a Panasonic digital camera. What I need is be able to call a person who has something that can be used for a production. Eventually, we may even make money.

The bottom line is to have a database of talent and equipment where my production company can become the place to provide contacts with the proper people. I hope that if you have the talent, equipment or both, you would consider allowing me to put you in this database. Send a private E-mail to monicahelms@earthlink.net.

The following video is something I was asked to do. A friend asked me to send in a bio of myself for Southern Comfort, so I decided to do it in a unique way, on video. The music is by Kevin MacLeod and it is called “Long Road Ahead.”

Why Woodstock is So Important?

Monday, August 17th, 2009

By Monica F. Helms

The year 1969 has become an important year in history for many reasons. Some huge events affected the entire world, such as Neal Armstrong walking on the Moon, July 20, 1969. Others affect me in a more personal way, such as my graduation from high school. Hurricane Camille affected the lives of over a million Gulf Coast people on August 17, 1969. And one event, the Stonewall Riots in New York City, impacted my life many years into then future.

Woodstock Poster

However, another event, the Woodstock Music Festival, defined my entire generation and in many ways, defined who I am and who I have become. It lasted from August 15 to August 18, 1969.

At age 18 and living in Phoenix, AZ, I didn’t hang out with the right crowd of people who would have known of Woodstock ahead of time, or would have driven the 2500 miles to get there. I saw bits and pieces on the evening news, but had no idea the scope of the event. My friends and I starting talking about it a month after because all of the print media on it. Information didn’t get out as quickly in 1969 as it does today. The World Wide Web was nothing more than a gleam in Al Gore’s eye at the time.

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