Supanova Doco on the web

I've uploaded a very compressed version of my Supanova Pop Culture Expo Brisbane 2010 Documentary onto NLSProd's vimeo account. It is not the best quality, but it is a sample of my first ever project under Nerves Like Steel Productions and I have it available in high definition on DVD.

Brisbane Supanova Pop Culture Expo 2010 Doco from NervesLikeSteel Productions on Vimeo.

If anyone would like a high definition copy of this documentary on DVD or otherwise, please enquire nerveslikesteelproductions@gmail.com Essentially, I only provide free copies to people involved in the DVD unless otherwise discussed or for portfolio reasons.

Thanks to the following artists for contributing, everyone should check them out; Acidtrixx, Dizzygotheca, and Trip Sinister

December plans and wrapping up for the year

As well as touching up the colour correction and lighting differences in the Loaded Up video from the previous post, I'm also looking into my first project again, "Supanova 2010" documentary, for any further changes required and to re-render and upload to my vimeo account for fans to view before the end of 2010. I had it ready to be aired on local broadcasting station "Briz 31" (aka QCTV) for this year, but have heard nothing further from the supervisors who were to submit it, so I am taking it into my own hands to load it up on the web for everyone to see.

Aside from touching up old projects, I have 2 new projects that will indefinitely be going ahead before December is over. I had obtained some footage of my Grandmother's garden whilst I was down in Victoria which I am beginning to throw together with some beautiful words as a surprise "video poetry" gift for Christmas. I have plans to film some live gigs that are on during the festive seasons, touch up old footage not yet explored as well as put together some conceptual drawings and storyboards for several scripts I constructed whilst down in Victoria.

I have nothing but great expectations in regards to what January can bring. I have done so much more than I expected and achieved so much as a new company than I could have ever imagined considering I haven't even been in operation for a year. I have received lots of support and help from local arts, musicians and the general public in regards to projects and ventures during this year.

I am thoroughly excited by the ventures of 2011 and what it will bring. Happy holidays to all.

"Loaded Up" music video

Completed the edit of "Loaded Up" music video for Bertie Page Clinic before I left for holidays on 23rd November. I did not get the time I required to complete the colour correction to the levels I'd like, so the draft I submitted to them still needs work. Here is the video of the current final draft below as well as some favourite stills.



The video was featured on an interview with renowned site Samesame.com.au. You can read the review here

Loaded Up - Bertie Page Clinic music edit

Starting edit to complete Bertie Page Clinic's "Loaded Up" video by November 27th 2010 so that they can have the video on a major review on SameSame.com.au's site. I haven't been given much time to do the edit, but I'm confident to have something done rather soon as I adore BPC's music and have been thinking about this shoot edit since completing the Honey Birdette competition shoot.

I shall begin minor edits tonight, in hopes to have everything completed by this weekend, as I am going on much needed holiday leave for a week and prefer to not take my work with me, though that would not be a problem for me ;)

Completed Projects - Honey Birdette Competition

Just finished the edit of my entry for Honey Birdette competition Friday 12th November, which stars the gorgeous talents of Bertie Page and Red Devotchkin. You can view the video here.

The filming took place on 26th of October 2010 at Bertie's place of residence. She had borrowed some lighting for the shoot and got her friend Red Devotchkin to take place. It took several hours to get all the footage we required to obtain a shoot about two girls getting ready for a photoshoot.

The music used was by Sydney composers Little Dictator and Kyle Burtland; sont titled "The Vibrator Song".

Edit was strenuous, but enjoyable. I kept constant correspondence with the lovely Bertie and her counterpart in regards to opinions before the release of the footage. It is now up for voting on Honey Birdette's Facebook Page by going to the "Saucy Shorts" tab. Please "like" our video.

This is my first ever competition entry, and I'm rather pleased with it. Lots of work went into it, and all I hope is that plenty of people see the video, and hopefully like it. We were the only one of 4 entrants that actually stuck to timeframe and using the logo in an interesting way, whereas all the entrants had used the logo like an advertisement and went overtime. But it appears Honey Birdette have changed their rules, most probably to accomodate the lack of entrants than they anticipated.

I'm looking forward to how this competition pans out. I'm unsure how long we have until the voting closes, I hope it's to at least the end of November 2010. Congratulations to both Bertie and Red for being their gorgeous selves, irregardless of the eventual turn out of the competition!

Project Line-up: OCTOBER

Camera has been purchased, which means that projects are now underway.

I had been approached by Bertie Page Clinic to shoot their music video on 16th October 2010 and today received confirmation on the shoot. I will be bringing my own camera, but plan to use a handy cam or other camera due to it being a mostly mobile shoot.

I received a phone call this evening from Bertie Page outlining the shoot for this coming Saturday, as well as going over the plans for the Honey Birdette short film competition. The shoot for that one will hopefully take place on the 23rd October or the weekend following. There were talks about getting it done at night as well. It is a 90 short film that will be to some music of a composer friend of Bertie Page. The prize for best film is $1000.

I also have plans to have rehearsals shot of My Cerulean Heart and Trip Sinister completed within the next two weeks. Lots of work, lots of organisation, lots of lovely warm fuzzy stress.

November I have plans to do a shoot for Trip Sinister's "Victim Baby" single. I am unsure of whether it will go ahead until I approach the band, but I have started to get make up artists, actors, dancers, props and sets lined up for the shoot. It's a productive year. It's a productive 8 weeks.

Production Update: 4.10.10

Camera will be purchased this Friday 8.10.10 and I will be playing around with the photography elements of the camera over the weekend to best handle it.

I have arranged to have a rehearsal recording on the weekend of 16-17th of October with MCH.

Just today, I have been approached by the guitarist from local band Bertie Page Clinic to help shoot and edit their band's first video for Youtube. I cannot put into words how thrilled I am, as their music is amazing and inspiring. Bertie Page in her element is quite the entertainer on the stage, it will be quite the challenge to put her in such a limiting element and also expressive element as five minutes of film. I look forward to the shoot.

I have a meeting with a local production designer and actor 10.10.10. in regards to the Outer Limits Gig for 29.10.10 at the Alibi Room from 8pm featuring two live bands My Cerulean Heart and Trip Sinister as well as DJs. He will be helping me decorate the venue and possibly provide assistance in a future production for November. More on that as time progresses, hopefully at a reasonable pace. ;)

First project completed...now for the paper work

I managed to get the final project completed and handing into marketing. I haven't heard back from tem yet (it's been over two weeks now) as they are still waiting on me to hand in the paperwork (consent forms, etc.) before any further progress can be made.

I made the constructive decision to scan and then turn all the consent forms into a PDF, as I feel much more comfortable keeping the important information with me. It's taken me some time as personal matters had previously intervened, but I have manged to get 100 or so forms scanned in. Now for the conversion.

I have made plans to edit all interviews with cosplayers for a special DVD release which may or may not include the tracks used throughout the documentary to support the local acts. I had inoccurred a hiccup and had to ask a favour of a musician friend, which turned out wonderfully in my favour.

I'll whip up a little trailer to pop onto here as soon as possible.

In other news, my plans to purchase a DSLR for HD video recording are coming into fruition. I have saved up quite a bit and have budgeted to have the camera by mid-October.

Supanova Doco - In it's final stages

Last night was definitely a progressive one. All critcisms have been reviewed and lots of footage has been either modified, replaced or switched around. Other than sound levels, the footage has gotten a new feel.

I had hit a snag in regards to copyright of one of the songs, so managed to call on an excellent friend who managed to create something perfect within an matter of two hours. Networking, I cannot stress how wonderful it is. The song turned out to be even better than the original I had whipped in there "just to fit into the theme".

Also managed to get copyright from local artists My Cerulean Heart in regards to using one song that sticks with me for the narrative. So far, this documentary is kicking arse.

I have until this week to level out the audio, and apply final editing touches so that 2 authored DVDs can be handed to QCTV for screening mid-October to early November. Can't deny that I'm not excited by these aspects. I hope that the video is seen by quite a few people and that it entices others to plan their costumes ahead and attend 2011 Supanova. Though, it was so successful this year, that I doubt Supanova needs my help getting crowds.

After going through all the wondering interviews, I decided I was going to place all extra footage obtained on the day on my site for release online. Full versions of the footage will only be accessible via the airing on QCTV or through my personally until further notice. There has been discussion about distributing copies of the DVD with samples of the music as bonuses, but this is still under discussion with the local artists who provided their music to me. This idea will most likely not be under fruition until December, hopefully soon though.

Keeping you posted. ;)

Drafted Supanova 2010 Expo

Completed a draft for review from my supervisor for the Supanova 2010 EXPO documentary that was filmed in April 2010. The final copy is due at the end of May and a quick VERY rough draft was submitted to the my supervisor Wednesday 5th May 2010 and was given the thumbs up to continue.

I have encountered one rather devastating blunder since capturing footage over the last few weeks. The master copy tape from Day 1 of the Supanova which included some interviews with cosplayers and a lengthy and fascinating interview with Corin Nemec from Stargate SG-1 has gone missing. Thankfully it has been captured BUT the footage is in a codec that I cannot use on my computer. I am planning to have this problem eradicated by this evening as several solutions have come to mind.

Although the information obtained on Friday of Supanova isn't crucial to my segment, I find that it would be interesting to include and would love the files for future work.

Today is just another day in the world of editing, let's make it one for genius!

Alison Martin
Director/Producer
NERVES LIKE STEEL PRODUCTIONS