It seems film competitions are popping up all over now that the digital age has pushed the cost of cameras and equipment down into the realm that mere mortals can afford them. This means that ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell can now have a chance to speak to the world.

Among these new competitions is the Ultimate Filmmaker Competition. Announced just recently at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, they’re offering the ability to submit a screenplay and, if it’s good enough, eventually have a shot at getting it produced into a film for a $200,000 budget and an additional $300,000 worth of equipment and support.

Yes, if  you can write a $500,000 film, you may be able to win this thing.

And for those still speculating, yes, our current secret project — intended for the Nashville Film Festival in 2010 — may well be modified in order to qualify for submission in this competition.  That’s the plan, at least.

 One could argue the myths, legends, and fables of modern times are actually movies, television, etc. But the ones that mean the most to us, those bits of culture that persist and leave their mark on generations, could live beyond the knowledge of their origin. What will be the Arthurian legends of tomorrow? Will our “current” ancient, mystical tales still be around, or will they run into competition being created today and cease to exist?

 Lot’s of interesting thoughts and questions abound. And so I end this short post with what is, perhaps, an indication of what a legend from the future’s future will be like.

The big big news of the new New Year (2009) is the return of Richard M., a long absent commentator to this site. (Actual name is Ricardo Montelray.)

Richard was spotted making a comment on the New Years Day post late New Years Day.

Is this a sign he will return to his illustrious commenting with the same vigor?

Or is it true, what many believe, that it’s all a hoax? That it’s an elaborate conspiracy by the creators of Omega13 to inject a little drama and excitement into their lame little website.

But perhaps it really is Richard M. back from sherpa-ing in the Himalayas.

And if it is all a prank, does anyone care?

Could you really blame Omega13 for creating an ingenious method, so intricately laid, so utterly pathetic, to entice Sir Richard M. to return to their lowly parcel in the dank trenches of the web?

Yes… Sir Richard M.  The man, the myth, the legend, the sherpa… if you are still out there, and if you can hear me, remember…

The Schwartz is in you, Richard! The Schwartz is in you!

(cue the A-Team theme)

Whoo-hoo!!!!

So happy birthday to you, Ryan!
And remember, 31 is 13 in reverse, so this should be a very good year for you.

 I have decided to begin posting the greatest WTF‘s in movie history. Not all at once, mind you, just as I come across them on the screen or in my memory.

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 Red Digital Cinema recently released info on the their latest Scarlet/Epic/DSMC camera designs. (Check out the links here and here!) The future line-up they’ve rolled out is absolutely amazing. It’s more feature-rich and functional than what anyone is offering, and still at a price point that’s unbelievably low for a camera with similar specs. At the core of their new system, are the modular imaging-sensor/processing-engine units Red calls a, “Brain.” And all of this is even more amazing when you consider the specs that were just released still have a year or more to mature into something even better.

 But damn it Jim, I’m a broke indie filmmaker genius, not a non-broke indie filmmaker genius!

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 Immersion is that which takes a story and creates an experience. So critical is this part of design, it has become an artform itself. It’s the half of any construct we see and interact with, and some would argue, is the most important aspect of the entire design. Good immersion is typically praised as good design, because it doesn’t matter how complex a device/work/concept is, as long as it’s accessible to its intended audience/users. Read the rest of this entry »

 Just wanted everyone to be aware of a 40% off *secret* sale that Red Giant Software will be having next week. I don’t usually make “plugs” for other companies, but considering Red Giant makes some amazing plug-ins for Final Cut, After Effects, Premiere, Avid, etc. (you know, the usual suspects), I thought this would benefit us ultra-indie folks.

 That’s right, I’m doing it for the people.

 And just so you know, I use (and have been using for several years now) Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Suite. Ah, Looks and Colorista: Two of my most favorite things…

 (Answer: Any which-way ya want!)

 Panasonic just released a new “camera” this week. And it’s most notable feature is that it’s not a camera at all ! I’ve been waiting for something like this for awhile. It’s not perfect, but it’s a direction I would like “cameras” to go in. Read the press release here and then imagine hooking it up to your Red One or Scarlet (or why not… your DVX too!)