Web Design Graphic Design Interactive Video Photography Animation

"The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless." Jean Jacques Rousseau


To view the video clips, please scroll down this page, or alternatively click/tap on the highlighted links below for direct access.

A Tale of Two Cities

Two sides of Niagara Falls

Your Face

Advertisement clip

PSA

Public Service Announcement

Mumbles DeRail

Documentary about the world's first passnger railway

Thunder of Niagara

USAF air display

History of Video

A brief history on videography

An early collection of clips taken at various events taken with a standard definition (SD) video camera's.

From analogue to digital

My initial interest in videography began in the early 90�s, with the purchase of a Hi8 digital video camera. Editing was a slow and laborious procedure with my use of a low-end analog editing box, where cuts between scenes were as accurate as 4 seconds delay.

My editing skills were greatly enhanced with the purchase of my first iMac G3 in 1999, and it�s inclusion of "iMovie�s" non-linear editing software. To me. this was the same transformation experience as my movement from traditional film photography to digital, and its use of photoshop editing software over film/print processing chemistry in the darkroom.

From iMovie's editing software, I moved up to Apple's "Final Cut Pro," and Adobe's "Premiere Pro and After Effects," taking video production into a new dimension.


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A Tale of Two Cities "Duration: 1.30"

A Tale of Two Cities - movie narration:

It was the best of times, it was the worse of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. Niagara Falls is the heart of a true tale of two cities. A natural wonder that divides Canada and the USA, and the two cities Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. But the division is much wider than the river separates them.

Niagara Falls, New York, is depressed and scared by vacant lots, closed attractions, boarded-up stores and houses. For decades it has been plagued by bad leadership, bad decisions, and bad planning.

When we compare Niagara Falls, Ontario, with its vibrant streets alive with both tourists and locals, filled with attractions and development, the difference on both paper and to the naked eye is a stark contrast.

With all the political and socioeconomic differences these two cities hold, there is one binding natural wonder.

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Your Face "Duration: 1.00"

Your Face - Advertisement:

A one minute advert created as a final assignment for DFV120 Video class at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. For additional information on the video production, the "storyboard" and "treatment" can be downloaded here.

Time duration and narration:

00.00 - 00.06: Ever wanted to get back that fresh beautiful young complexion, but thought all face masks were simply "just a mask!"

00.07 - 00.18: Well now there's a permanent solution to your dreams. Divulge yourself into the lap of eternal beauty with our all new "Mother Natural"

00.19 - 00.36: Just rub a small amount onto your face and then sit back and relax ������ soon you will be rejuvenated 20, 30, or even 40 years back to your former beautiful self.

00.38 - 00.46: Within 10 minutes simply remove the face mask to reveal the wonders of "Mother Natures Eternal Youth."

Disclaimer:

00.50 - 01.00 Side effects may cause mild migraines, hair loss, skin flakiness, hot flushes, dizziness, and occasional fainting. If symptoms persist contact your general practitioner, skin specialist, or plastic surgeon.

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PSA "Duration: 0.30"

Public Service Announcement

Public Service Announcement for the Parks and Recreational Department of New York City. 30 second Movie produced for "Video for Interactive Media" class at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Aristotle and Plato greatly recognized the importance of play and leisure as a foundation to learning, a philosophy that is just as, if not more relevant in this present day and age. The project will be a public service announcement (PSA) targeted at urban stress, and the importance of "time out."

This involves the busy lifestyle that many people (young and old) have become accustomed to in a "all work and no play" environment. While it is understood that the present economic climate has had a negative effect on living standards, and many working people naturally think they do not have the time or capacity for relaxation, this PSA is aimed at stressing the importance of taking/making time for periods of leisure through the use of contrasting scenes of both lifestyles. To view the website, click on the following link - PSA

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The Mumbles DeRail

One of my first college/documentary movies was created using a DVC format camera, and included both analogue and non-linear editing in post production. The final production for my �City and Guilds� certification, was a 7.5 minute documentary on the history and current situation of the world�s first-recorded passenger railway, "The Mumbles Rail."

The End and a New Hope

The Swansea "Mumbles Rail," which was taken out of service in 1963, against public opinion. There have been many ongoing talks between local government and local residents about reinstating some form of railed public transport along the Swansea coast to aid traffic congestion along this popular tourist attraction and the natural beauty of the Gower coastline.

To date there have been no confirmed actions towards reinstalling a rail system, and all actions have been geared towards the ongoing traffic congestion and its inherent effects on the air quality on Oystermouth Road between Swansea City and the Mumbles.

The Mumbles DeRail "Duration: 7.28"

Mumbles Rail Timeline

In the year 1807, the Swansea & Mumbles Railway began to carry passengers. It was the first railway in the world to do so. The first passenger carriages were made from the mineral wagons used on the tramroad. The man responsible for this was Benjamin French, an initial shareholder in the railway.

Horse drawn trains remained on the Swansea & Mumbles Railway until 1896. The change from horse-drawn to steam trains did cause anxiety. It was thought that the idea of a noisy, speeding steam locomotive through the streets would frighten people and horses.

The 1920�s was the last decade when the Mumbles Train was hauled by steam locomotives. Steam locomotives ran on the railway until March 1st 1929. Electric trains took over the following day.

In October 1958, 90% of the shares of the Mumbles Railway Ltd. passed into the hands of the South Wales Transport Company (SWTC). The Swansea and Mumbles Railway finally closed on the 5th January 1960. The last train entered the Rutland Street terminus at 12:20 am.

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Thunder over Niagara "Duration: 20.45"

Thunder of Niagara

The USAF Thunderbirds perform at the "Thunder of Niagara" airshow, at the Niagara Falls Airbase, on 9-13-2011.

The Thunderbirds display the pride, precision and professionalism of American Airmen. In every demonstration, the team combines years of training and experience with an attitude of excellence to showcase what the Air Force is all about.

The sharply choreographed, drill-style ground ceremony kicks off the demonstration by showcasing the attention to detail and esprit de corps that defines our enlisted members. As the jets take to the skies and fly only a few feet from wingtip to wingtip, the crowd gets a glimpse of the awesome skills and capabilities that all fighter pilots must possess.

The solo pilots integrate their own loud and proud routine, exhibiting some of the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon � the Air Force�s premier multi-role fighter jet.

Follow the link �Thunderbirds� for a direct link to the official �Thunder of Niagara� web site.

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The History of Videography

Videography, a term first phrased by Bob Kiger in an article in the 1972 edition of �American Cinematographer.� The name originates from its Latin meaning of �video� (I see), and combines it with the Greek terminal ending �graph� (to write).

By today�s standards, videography includes video production and post-production (editing), currently using electronic media rather than it�s former film stock (cinematography) material. The advent of digital imaging in the late 20th century began to blur the distinction between videography and cinematography.

The arrival of computers and the Internet created a global environment where videography covered many more fields than just shooting video with a camera, including digital animation (such as Flash), gaming, web streaming, video blogging, still slideshows, remote sensing, spatial imaging, medical imaging, security camera imaging, and in general the production of most bitmap- and vector-based assets.

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The Digital-Age

For digital video, the main practical differences between the current formats now differ in screen size and overall resolution, with �1080� meaning the amount of horizontal pixels across for HD pictures, for the main current high-resolution format.

There is still controversy over whether these frames should be interlaced or progressive. By far the biggest noticeable visible difference is still the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio format however, as opposed to the �SD� (standard definition) 4:3 aspect of our old analog video.

All digital video now encodes what is known as �SMPTE� time code. Time code labels each frame of video with a consecutive number, in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames.

The invention of digital video and the fast firewire and USB cable connections, coupled with the advances in computer technology, has made video editing a reality for virtually any person with a modern camera and computer. The inclusion of consumer non-linear editing software with most basic newer computers speaks to the importance of video in our lives, and our society.

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