Saber Forum

Hi everyone. So I've had this video project running around in my mind for the last few weeks now. It's been BEGGING to get out of my head and onto the forums, but I haven't said anything because I hadn't done my own part yet. So what am I trying to do?

I want to create a video montage of as many Saber Forum members together as possible. Think of it this way: Someone watching the video would get an introductory glance at the Ultra Sabers product and the community at the same time. The way I personally see it is as kind of like the beginning to a TV show where there are clips of each of the cast members doing their thing, with one shot of them standing there and their name on the screen. Think like.. oh I dunno.. Knight Rider, The A-Team, or any other of your favorite TV shows and look at the intro to the show. That's what I want to do.

So what do I need from you? If you'd like to participate, I need about 30 seconds of video from you doing what you do best: spins, flourishes, strikes, poses. You can be in costume or you can be in regular clothes. It does need to be during the daylight, so having your saber on is not needed. I also don't need any sound as I am going to add music to the video. I don't need you to edit it and it doesn't need to be perfect as I will probably cut it up and reorder it anyway. I am looking to make the video about 4 or 5 minutes long, maybe a little longer, depending on how many people want to contribute and how much video I get from you.

Oh, one other thing. I'll need a still shot of you standing there so we can see you clearly and I can add your forum name to the shot.

What do you all think? Do you want to participate?

I'm doing it as a thank you gift to the US team for the hard work they do.

Oh, and here's a clip of my intro that I threw together today. This wont be the one I use. I'll make a new one, but this is sort of what I am looking for. Oh and don't mind the stupid face I was making... you have NO idea what I was thinking!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyuH_BKBcPc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyuH_BKBcPc#)

I would love to participate, if I can get my hands on a proper video camera(my webcam takes horrendous video.)

Hey, I am game.  I hope to have my Overlord Finished by the end of the month.  Would that be too late?

Count me in mate, Ill get a video done sometime this week, maybe head back to that BA monastary ruins that donkay and i hit up earlier this week

I'll try to get you something.

I can try to get you something as well.  Get the Fiance to run the camera for me  ;D

Darth Nonymous and I usually get together Friday afternoons. Perhaps we can put together a joint clip for the project from TPLSA.

I will see what I can do. Question as well if we're in a well lit room but are indoors will that work? Or do you want us outside?

Boss and I get definitely get you something separate or together by the 22nd.

I'm in dude.

All... thank you very much. This will be an awesome project! Let's see if I can answer some questions.

ThreadJack: The videos I took were with my cell phone. Whatever you can find would be good enough, I am sure...

Blue: I don't have a hard date at the moment. So when ever you can find the time...

Veldryne: That monastery would be awesome stuff...

Ben: Awesome!

Batty: Whatever gets the job done, right?! My son was holding my cell phone during my videos...

VorNach: I'm sure you and Master Nonymous will provide something wonderful!

Big Andy: Where ever you feel comfortable. This is a project showcasing our community and our sabers, not location. Shoot where ever you like...

Rifter: Awesome dude! Can't wait to see it!!

Lucien: I knew you'd hop on this! Can't wait to see what you provide!

The only thing I see as being a problem is getting me the videos. Any suggestions? The videos can be fairly large in size. Mine was about 40MB. I was thinking like a Google docs upload or something like that.

It's easy enough to load a clip to YouTube (even keeping it private) and just posting the link here or PMing it to you.

He wouldn't be able to download it though

This is dope, I'm down.

I'll need to either spider-man my camera to something or wait till MJ gets home.

It's morning and it nice and cool, all will change in a few hours though. hmmmm...

I can try to get you something by the end of the month. Hopefully my saber will be in by then. Bonus: should be in costume. ^^

Sick idea. I'm in. I might be able to get something shot on Monday, but we'll see. :)

Great idea! Sent mine to you via messaging on this website.

Yeah, anything uploaded to You Tube stays on You Tube. I'll need the raw videos. I think I can setup some collaboration space for files and such using a Google service... maybe something like Dropbox or Google Docs.. I'll look into it today.

But thank you all for your support!!

There is a free program that allows you to download youtube videos.

Several, actually, though I do believe the legality of using said programs is... questionable, considering Youtube's User Agreement.

However, you could create one account, give everyone the password, let us all upload our videos to that account, and then you would be able to go in and download them all back to your comp, edit, and then reupload the final product. If I'm not mistaken.

Another possibility is to create an alternate email account and PM those of us who have posted in this thread what the address is and we could all email you clips. 

I have a solution, and it's what I had figured from the beginning.

Dropbox.com

I've got an account with 2GB of storage. I'm setting it up now and will grant you guys access to drop the videos there as you get them prepared.

Pretty cool and very easy to use.

I LOVE THE CLOUD!!

nice, great idea mate, hopefully i can get something taken soon

i havent done much sabering iin the last week, weather has been rubbish for it, too bloody hot

something like 36-37c with humidity

I would love to be a part of this!

Awesome! Welcome JediShadow! Would definitely love to include you!

Sweet! This seems like a really cool idea. I will work on some video in the next few days.

Count me in.  I'll see if i can get some friends together and get a video done.  could we even do short fight scenes?

I don't have a ostume but i'll do what I can to look sithy

and it could work on google docs. and since it doesnt have a set limit of storage it might be a better idea considering how many people are going to join in on this.  PM me if you want to know more.

Sign up for a free DropBox account, http://db.tt/NecMZlx (http://db.tt/NecMZlx)
Once you have it go to their website and click on the Get More Space link.
Then ask other forum members to sign up with the link the DropBox website will provide. The base account comes with 2Gb of free storage, so if even just a few forum members sign up through your account link that should provide plenty of space to move the files around.

You'll want more storage than that.  Video EATS space.

A decent DV camera will take larger than the 40MB, easily.  Shouldn't hit more than a Gig, though, on a DV rig...

I'd set up a time for folks to upload, and then email the next in line once you have the footage moved.  Don't leave it in the Dropbox.

Just some advice from an editor.

JediShadow: Great! I can't wait to see!!

Darth Nekesus: You guys can do whatever you want. I only ask that you guys have a spot of you standing still and facing the camera with your sabers so I can add your names to the shot. And you do not have to be in costume. If you watch my video, I wasn't. I was wearing my US T-shirt and my martial arts pants and tabi. Be comfortable!

VorNach: Yep! Got the account setup and I have a total of 3.13Gb of space. I just have to figure out how to get you guys access to drop files into the cloud so I can access them.

Ed: Oh yeah, video definitely eats up space! I don't plan on storing the videos there. I just wanted a place where I could have them transferred to me with as little hassle as possible. Once I have the videos, they'll go directly onto my computer.

Thanks everyone! I will try to do you all proud!

Log into the website and go here:
https://www.dropbox.com/links (https://www.dropbox.com/links)
It will tell you how to create a link to a folder you can share with anyone (like us) then files can be uploaded to that folder.

Geez, can't believe I almost forgot this!

Solinus - specify a FORMAT for the video to come to you!  Otherwise you're going to have to convert a ton of different formats.

heh yeah hadnt thought about that, my only way to take videos right now is mp4 with my iphone

Format should be fairly inconsequential... I'll be loading them into Windows Movie Maker where all of the editing and magic will be taking place, and eventually they'll be turned into a .avi format. I think your standard video formats are fine.. .mp4, avi...

ok but should I have the picture be of just me because i am the only one with a forum account or should i include everyone.

You could always list as Darth Nekesus with Apprentices kind of like a band such as Huey Lewis and the News.

Yeah! That's fine! And make sure it's not a photo, but a part of the video.

Temps broke 100F today.
No videos or pictures taken today, just in depth, thoughtful, philosophical conversation.
In an air conditioned room.  ;D

I know its crazy here man. and I have to have football practice in this weather the entire summer.

It's ok guys. No worries or explanations needed!

On top of wearing good protection gear, gotta stay outta the heat and be safe!

I'm gonna try and see how a webcam video comes out once it gets cooler this week(like 85!:D), but I can't make any promises that it'll be of usable quality....

I'd love to be part of this, but lack the video abilities. Looks like it an awesome project Solinus!

Tried a little video-ing this afternoon.
I'll see if anything's useable. If so I"ll send it off in the next few days.

me you and master nonymous should get together and make something for this.

If everything goes according to my plans then I should have my piece filmed Saturday and should have it to you shortly thereafter Solinus.

Perfect. Thank you very much. Again, no worries if you can't get it done. I expect this to be a slow moving project.

That said... GET TO WORK EVERYBODY! ;)

I still don't have a solid way to get the video files from you guys though. I have Dropbox setup on my machines, but not sure how to give you guys access to put things in there. Been experimenting with Master VorNach but still don't have a definite option yet. We'll finger something out though!

I'm telling you we can do this using Google Docs.  I know how and I will post a set of instructions on how to do it if you want me to.

Well it would cost a little money for shipping to do, but we could put them on flash drives and mail them to you in at which point you could take the video clip off and put them on ur computer and then mail us back the flash drives. Just an idea.

I like the free ideas better Andy.

That said, I've got a Google Docs account, so this is a good thing too. Definitely post or PM me some instructions. I'll read up on the help files and the FAQs as well.

I do like the free ideas better as well. It was just a thought i had for if nothing else works. I'm pretty certain that google docs will work.

PM sent

I'm in.  Just tell me when to make my video.

Well if you feel like driving 2 hours to Ann arbor then you can meet up with me and master nonynous sometime.

How did I miss this thread? I am totally in!

LOL!

Kaiden, make your video ANY time. Just PM me here and we'll figure out a way to get the videos to me.

Stockton, it's because you ignore me.  :'(

Sorry Solinus, ended up having to help a friend move so I wasn't able to get my bit filmed like I had planned on today. I will get it done though, it's just a matter of time. Also I was thinking what if we spent the rest of the year working on this and then posted it as a thank you / Christmas, Hanuka etc present to Ultra and Deep.

I finished my Overlord.  I was ready to film when I was asked to help clear a flower bed.  I discovered a new allergy, Lamb's Ear.  Now, I have Red Eyes.  I have had people accuse me of being a Vampire (Twilight Fans), a zombie, or a pot head.   People are actually scared of me no matter how many times I tell them it is an allergy.  I'll be a little longer with mine but it is going to happen.  Just bare with me until I can get this eye situation under control.  If I can't, then I guess I'll have to go Sith for a bit and use my Red LED.

Andy: It'll probably take us that long to get stuff from everyone anyway. But that's not a bad idea. Honestly, giving people a hard stop date can go both ways. The majority of people will put stuff off until the last minute, then cram to get it done and only have a less than stellar product at the end. I like people having the freedom to choose when they want to do it, so it isn't rushed or otherwise less of a masterpiece that it should. A Christmas present isn't a bad idea though...

Blue: Dude.. don't worry about it. Get better first. That's the important part. I saw your FB update... I really think you should take a photo of your messed up eyes and set it as your cover picture on FB. ;)

Ignore you i do not!

Ok I want in for sure. I can make a vid anytime Solinus. Just need to know where to send it bc im quite confused with all the ideas flying around at this point lol.

Also, you dont care that all my Sabers are modded do you?

I think this is more of a "Who's Who" for Saberforums type video.  Putting a face with the name so to speak.

I know that, Im just wondering if it's ok to use our customized Ultra Sabers in the videos, seeing as how I modded all mine.

Go ahead and make a video and feel free to PM me when you are done. There are a few avenues that we can take to get the videos to me. As for your sabers being modded, it doesn't matter, as long as the product is still a Ultra Saber.

Thanks!!

Ok, thanks Solinus!

So is there a deadline on this or just kinda once everybody gets theirs in?

No deadline Stockton. Just as I get them... I'd like to get it done before Christmas though.  ;D

Hmm that gives me about 5 months. Seems simple lol

Hey Solinus just thought I would let you know I have the footage for you so just PM me and let me know how best to get it to you.

same here dude - i have a good 20 second clip here, pm me and ill wing it your way however you want.

I have a fairly easy and good working application to do that :P

And yes.. I can try and think of something too.

Does it have to be outdoors? Or can it just be in good lighting? because frankly, I don't have a very good video camera, yet. so I would use my Mac's.

It can be indoors just as long as the lighting is good.

Indoors, outdoors, where ever. I just need some video of you doing moves... plus a shot of you holding up your lightsaber.

What I'm planning here folks is a video tribute to US as a thank you. I want to show that they are a great company, and that we love their hilts.

I think this is a great Idea but unfortunately I don't own a camera/real phone (why I have very few pic of me), or any friends with a camera.....or really any friends for that matter.  :'( ;D 

Well i just got a new cam, it can take vids too. Next time i am at my training place i could see if i can think of some moves to record xD

CbrS*

Nice idea!, it would be awesome to bea apart of. i hope we can get enough of us to really make a nice video.

Hey, Solinus.  Let me know how you want this sent to you. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpncfFlviI0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpncfFlviI0#ws)

Is this project still in the works? If so I would like to participate as well! :)