It's been a while since I've posted any sort of update here, so I thought I would at least send out a Fall Update with goings-on, or non-goings-on as it were, at Mad Ned Productions.

It has been relatively quiet over the past month or two.  I still have not gotten back to work on the "Tune Up" DVD, although I have made some good progress at learning DVD Studio Pro , so I will be better at it when I do.  If anyone has a dire need for a DVD copy of the movie in the interim, let me know, I can always do a quick cut of just the movie.  On the bright side, there is still time to get things into the DVD, so if you have footage from 48 Hour or pictures, (or dialog lines that are missing!) there is still time to send me them.

Aaron Goes Apple

Aaron got his new iMac machine and a copy of the new Logic Studio for doing sound and music editing.   Apple cut the price in half on Logic Pro and added in other apps such as Soundtrack Pro into the bundle, along with 15,000 loops.  It's a great deal in my opinion, check it out.    Now we just have to work on a few stubborn hold-outs so we can declare Mad Ned an all Apple shop!  We are going to experiment with passing soundtracks back and forth between Final Cut and Logic etc. so we have a nice well-tested flow before our next 48 hour adventure.

Congratulations Marikler and Eric!

Wishing our friends Marikler and Eric congrats on their marriage!  We had a great time, and I also got some experience videotaping my first wedding.  Lesson One:  Bring a wireless mic!  Overall though it was a gorgeous day for an outdoor wedding and it was great for shooting.   I don't know if I would cut it as a wedding videographer, I think you might have to be a little pushier to get the job done well.  But it is interesting to try to get footage of various parts of the ceremony and reception without getting in the way.

Story Boarding with Frame Forge 3D

I picked up this cool package for the Mac called 'Frame Forge 3D'. It essentially is a 3D Cad program geared toward filmmakers who want to easily create story boards for their scripts.  It comes with 3D models of actors, props, settings, etc. and allows you to import or create others.  Place cameras, set viewing angles, etc.  It's a great way to explore a shoot before you do it, and it doesn't demand the amount of time it would take to do a 3D model with a generic 3D model package, or the skill required to actually draw stuff.   With any luck we can use it on an upcoming future project (see below) 

Future Projects

 We are evaluating future projects now.  Van Rotting is still on the top of the list currently, but the makeup etc. and location issues are complicating factors.  We are discussing doing some shorter 1-2 minute projects as tests or as smaller installments of things just to get a little momentum going and to work on some technical aspects of our shooting.  If anyone is interested in either of these projects, let me know at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I also have a personal project I am working on, mostly an experiment with animation and dealing with a historical topic-- the invasion of the Moors of Spain in 711AD .  I'd like to do some kind of stylized adaptation of this story, which was once a favorite topic of various 19th century writers such as Richard Burton and Washington Irving.  I'm doing some research and writing a script for this, it's kind of a solo project but I will need voice talent if it gets past the concept stage.   Anyone who has an interest in participating, please let me know!