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Two Quick Items: Lowered Pricing and a New Commenting System

May 29, 2008

I changed my mind on increasing the price for an Izzy Video Premium Subscription. Because of this decision, I spent the evening last night issuing partial refunds to everyone who had subscribed at the increased price. Thanks for the support everyone, and I hope to continue receiving the great feedback regarding the premium subscriptions.

Also, you’ll notice that I have installed a new commenting system which is powered by Disqus (pronounced ‘discuss’). What does it do? From their website:

Disqus makes your comments more interactive for readers and easier to manage for you all while connecting your community with other blogs.

Personally, I like Disqus because it connects all your comments between all the different websites where you left them. It’s fun to discover new blogs by seeing where you left other comments. There are little arrows that allow you to vote comments up or down, and it creates threaded comments, almost like a forum, where you can comment on someone else’s comments.

Both of these items make Izzy Video a better resource for you. And that’s my goal! As always, I’m anxious to hear your feedback and suggestions.

Update: I removed the new commenting system.

Filed under: News — Izzy @ 6:05 am

Izzy Video 090 – Color Grading

May 24, 2008

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Many people are intimidated by the concept of “Color Grading”, which is the act of adjusting color in your final video image. I want to make it less intimidating.

In this installment of Izzy Video, I introduce you to Color Grading, and I get things started in Color, the new application in Final Cut Studio 2. This tutorial reviews basic color grading concepts like Primary Color Correction and Secondary Color Correction. What’s the difference? The answer is in this video.

This video is available to members only.

If you’re not already using Final Cut Studio 2, after watching this video, you might want to check it out. If so, please use my Amazon link right here (anything you purchase will support Izzy Video financially). Apple Final Cut Studio 2 (Mac)


Filed under: Color, Podcast, Workflow — Izzy @ 11:13 pm

Izzy VIdeo 089 – Broad Lighting

May 18, 2008

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In this installment of Izzy Video, I pick up where I left off last week, and this time I review the two-step process to accomplish “broad lighting.” This is a less popular method of lighting a face. It makes a face look wider, and it flattens the image.

This video is available to members only.

Filed under: Lighting, Podcast — Izzy @ 12:56 pm

Izzy Video 088 – Short Lighting

May 12, 2008

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In this installment of Izzy Video, I review the two-step process to accomplish “short lighting.” This is a very popular method for lighting a face. It makes a person’s face look thinner, and it adds drama to the image.

This video is available to members only.

Filed under: Lighting, Podcast — Izzy @ 10:24 pm

The Power of Spectacle

May 10, 2008

Tim Street frequently talks about how important spectacle is in video. In fact, he says it’s one of the three key components of a viral video, along with emotion and story. The dictionary defines spectacle as “anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind”. A more common way of describing it might be simply “something interesting to watch.” This video is certainly “interesting to watch.”

When I watch videos like this, I pay close attention to what’s happening inside me. What does the video cause me to think and feel?

The above video certainly possesses spectacle. Have you ever seen any place like this? Surely, this type of environment is rare. In fact, in the beginning I wondered if it was simply a very elaborate 3D rendered environment.

What emotions do you feel when you watch it? I feel terror. I’m held in suspense.

And the story? I have no idea what the story is, but there is one just the same. I think it’s similar to a “back story.” Why is this person here? What has happened before this event that has brought them here?

Also, what’s the story in the future? What’s going to happen?

And the big question I was wondering, “Are they going to fall?”

Filed under: Uncategorized — Izzy @ 10:29 pm

Izzy Video 087 – Catch Lights

May 5, 2008

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This installment of Izzy Video explores “Catch Lights” which are the little bright lights in a person’s eyes that give them “life”. It’s a simple episode, but it’s a useful one.

This video is available to members only.

Filed under: Lighting, Podcast — Izzy @ 6:25 pm