Author: Philip

Interesting Technology The Technology of Production

Drones are becoming more automated!

Post author By Philip
Post date July 8, 2014

This news item caught my eye.

“DJIÂ has expanded the feature set of theÂ Phantom 2 Quadcopter lineÂ by giving it the ability to map out a route and automatically fly it. UsingÂ Ground Station, shooters will be able to create a route full of way points in order to let theÂ quadcopterÂ fly automatically from one point to another, and allow the shooter to concentrate on getting the shot. And itâ€™s just what the pilot ordered.”

It reminded me of some of my thoughts on – what I was then calling a quadcopter but would now be a drone – how these flying camera platforms were going to evolve.

Evolving Thinking: 4K and Lumberjack

Post author By Philip
Post date July 7, 2014

I frequently find myself evolving my position on technology as new information comes to light. As my email sig line used to say “Above all, I reserve the right to be wrong”. As new information comes to light, or reaching a certain point in thinking allows another perspective to open up, my positions frequently evolve.

One example would be the use of 4K, another is the development of Lumberjack System.

Random Thought The Business of Production

Democratization in the kitchen and production

Post author By Philip
Post date July 6, 2014
2 Comments on Democratization in the kitchen and production

One of my non-metadata interests is in food, so I read a lot of food related articles, including this one where Anthony Bourdain talks about the foodie revolution. What stood out was this comment after discussing the traditional way a talented young chef might make their way through the kitchen hierarchy over decades, vs the modern “democratized” approach where a talented young chef just ups Â – maybe via a food truck – and gets their career started.

â€œA lot of old-school guys complain about thisâ€”youâ€™re not paying your dues. Thatâ€™s the downside. The upside is interesting people with something to say and a unique worldview can actually get their name out there and open a place with relative ease compared to the way it used to be.â€

This reminds me of modern production: it’s been democratized to the point where, if you have an idea, you can make it happen.

Apple Apple Pro Apps Lumberjack

Lumberjack System adds Story Mode

Post author By Philip
Post date July 2, 2014

Lumberjack System, the muscular, real-time logging and pre-edit tool for Final Cut Pro X, expands to take advantage of new features in the latest release of Appleâ€™s Final Cut Pro X to enable a new Story mode that creates string-outs based on already logged footage. This opens up the pre-edit string-out features of Lumberjack Lumberyard to projects with a long timescale.

Apple Apple Pro Apps

Final Cut Pro X 10.1.2

This morning Apple released a new version of Final Cut Pro X with a long list of new features and performance improvements. Top of the list for me is a new, unified Library XML that unlocks the power of Story Mode for Lumberjack System. But there are great new features for everyone in this release.

Adobe Apple Business & Marketing The Business of Production

The Terence and Philip Show: Episode 63, Post NAB thoughts.

Post author By Philip
Post date June 13, 2014

In this episode Terence and Philip discuss NAB 2014: Avid’s direction, AJA’s new camera, drones and carsÂ that drive themselves, the new Dolby monitor, NAB excitement levels, and Lumberjack System.

Apple Business & Marketing

Education is Marketing?

According to interviews quoted in Entrepreneur magazine, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs hated two words “brand” and “marketing,” which is odd considering people consider Apple one of the best marketing companies in the world. However, this quote explaining the Apple approach to marketing resonated.

Lumberjack Metadata

Lumberjack System is Live

Around two years ago I was preparing for a trip to Florida to start a journey producing a reality TV series on a solar powered boat trip. There were some challenges: specifically the lack of time to log footage and then edit (and still get some sleep). I need my sleep so I had the idea of logging real-time as we shot. Finally, the outcome of that challenge is available to everyone: Lumberjack System is live.

Interesting Technology Lumberjack

NAB Wrap-up: The Genius of DaVinci Resolve 11

Post author By Philip
Post date April 11, 2014
6 Comments on NAB Wrap-up: The Genius of DaVinci Resolve 11

One of the most interesting NAB announcements was the addition of some 70 additional editorial tools to DaVinci ResolveÂ 11. This makes Resolve a very competent on-set DIT tool, a full featured NLE, and a world-class finishing tool. Mostly for FREE. What is interesting here is how this is likely to play out in the long term.

Apple Pro Apps Assisted Editing Lumberjack

NAB 2014: Find me and some new announcements

Post author By Philip
Post date April 5, 2014
1 Comment on NAB 2014: Find me and some new announcements

It always seems that NAB is about the nights when the social activities start. Sure, NAB is an important professional event, but if I’m honest my primary motivation is to see friends I only see at NAB. Because I tend to research industry trends continually through the year and because I’m still on many people’s announcement lists from my BuZZ days, it’s only the surprise announcements that are new to me.

This year I’ll be at the FCPWORKS demo room at the WynnÂ with some new features for Lumberjack System and our workflow apps. Other than that I’ll be on the show floor Wednesday and at some social engagements during the week.