things have been ramping up lately as multiple projects are coming together at precisely the same time. which to be honest is not a bad way to live – i tend to thrive in the absolutely crazy stuff. summer’s finally arriving + our move to oregon full time will be wrapping up this month as will a brand spanking new hk website. in conjunction, have had numerous shoots lately (both still + video) + a plethora of to do’s + prep – pdn’s photo annual nyc rooftop party anyone?

the up tempo life will either make or break you in terms of focus + efficiency. here’s a few of my latest favs for streamlining everything i do in a day as well as a few for putting smiles on my face afterward.

creative – storyboard composer iphone app by cinemek – put together a whole scene the other day walking to the toyota dealer + was able to share with production help. fantastic.

video – zoom’s h4n for solid sound in conjunction with movie slate.

workflow – import to fcp made easy(ier)… post haste

business – square. now we can all take payments anytime anywhere. bonus = we don’t have to face the credit card companies + their army of bloated fees. can’t wait to get mine.

web – no, thank you.

photo – why not get it now. polaroid started it + though the game’s shifted a bit there are still plenty of options including the poladroid app for you desktop system.

music – the latest from bonobo, black sands, is worth sitting down with in a plush leather chair, a stiff drink + killer set of headphones. bar that, just put it on + soak it up.

radio – if you have time, this american life had a fun film related piece this last weekend titled “home movies“.

Home movies are often all the same

• 

during the course of any give year i do a handful of talks + presentations that vary from teaching style to pure fun, from stills to video mash ups. if there’s one thing that comes with these it’s that you’ve got to have a nice little kit together to make them all successful as each location has it’s own challenges.

due in part to these presentations i’ve acquired a huge number of cords, plugs + adapters that no normal person should have in their possession. design in general is too underrated these days but why we can’t see more in the way of streamlined collaboration for the sharing of imagery i’ll never know. imagine if we had a system wide plug + play setup…

apple hasn’t helped with their ongoing port extermination (mini-dvi, firewire 400, etc). here’s the history if you’re into it but with any 2009 mac you’ll be looking at a mini display port. your output with most projectors is usually vga but definitely look before you leap. before any show, like a shoot, do a scout if you can. at least talk to the host about the set up, equipment, sound system.

here’s my kit:

pelican 1490 case
freitag mac sleeve
mac book pro (with guts + a remote)
imovie, quicktime (7 over latest) + keynote
laser pointer
mini display port to vga adapter
mini display port to dvi adapter (for apple cinema displays + the like)
mini dvi to vga adapter (for your friends with macbooks, powerbook G4′s, etc)
extra mac battery
pc audio cable 3.5mm (the longer the better)
belkin mini surge protector
duct tape – cord coverage

if you’re looking for more, try this.

1: it’s not photography + works totally differently

2: it’s still visual + ideas do translate

3: takes twice as long to shoot + four times as long to process a final product

4: you can’t do it all yourself

5: sound is an entirely different beast then what you’re used to. use the right people + equipment (see above)

6: it’s time to upgrade your video card

7: the creativity is boundless

8: did i mention how much fun it is

9: canon will offer variable frame rates one day + everyone else will follow

10: super 8 is really, really fantastic (more on this soon)

i’ve been working on this idea for the past year + though it’s taken a beating lately with the economy + budgets being what they are i’m really happy with it’s success. i talked about the idea of including an optional line item for clients interested in carbon offset way back when. basically it’s a way to help negate a portion of a nasty cycle.

it’s been a pleasure to work with brands such as cosmo, merrell, 24 hour fitness + a handful of agencies among others on this. always surprising who declines though luckily they have been in the minority but let’s just say that not all companies are what they claim.

my help with this process has come from a great sf based organization called terra pass. specifically, if you’re a business then get in touch with mira rubin karp (business [at] terrapass.com). she’s the sales + busn development manager + can help with everything. the two big ways to work with terrapass is to join their Carbon Balanced Business Program (below) + have mira calculate the amount due to offset your office (electricity, etc). the other is for specific trips as mentioned above. either way she’s a rock star, thanks for all the help mira. here’s her explanation of everything terrapass puts together:

The TerraPass Carbon Balanced Business Program is designed to help businesses balance out the carbon emissions created from their daily operations. Businesses of all sizes have an impact on climate change and we are excited about this opportunity to further engage them in what TerraPass is doing.

The calculator looks at five aspects of a typical organization

• 

good stuff happening all around. here’s a bit of what’s crackin’ from my point of view.

fantastic stuff from artist yellena james – showing in pdx july + august.

live by the numbers + nike+ in the latest wired – interesting concept of working numbers all the time. data, data, data. i’ve seen this taking hold in smaller businesses + specifically in the creative community + it’s good. savings are up everywhere – ever heard of mint?!?!?

can’t wait to catch kathryn bigelow’s new flick the hurt locker.

dropbox – i know it’s just a slicked up ftp widget but damn it’s good.

and finally, sad to see our friend + narrator of my teen years, MJ the king of pop, gone. rip.