Stranger Than Fiction

Emma Thompson is magic in Stranger Than Fiction, as an author struggling with the right ending for her character. This task becomes seriously challenging when the "character" arrives in person, having heard the author narrating his story in his head, to save himself. This is a must see film complete with succulent characters and pretty scenes. I loved it.

Revver Launches Preroll

Revver announced yesterday, it would be launching a new advertising option. Preroll and postroll advertising will be available to advertisers and content owners. Content owners have been asking for this for a while and as has been the case, Revver has listened and responded.
I have had an account with Revver for over 12 months now and have over 400 clips uploaded. I can't speak highly enough of the integrity of Revver and have found them to give great service and be honest and constructive in resolving difficulties and sharing information. They have constantly upgraded and improved their services in the time I have been with Revver. If you have video and are looking for a way to distribute it, I couldn't recommend Revver highly enough to you.

Babel

Babel tells a tale of connectedness between the characters who are mostly unaware of one another and spread across the globe. It highlights how different realities even the closest such as the parents and their children can be. It was an interesting film and I would recommend it.

The Queen

Stephen Frears has made some great films, yet I think 'The Queen' has to be his best. I totally enjoyed it. Great scenery and interesting perspective on historical phenomena most are familiar with.

Helen Mirren portrayed the Queen in an award-winning performance. The film was much better than I expected and I'm glad I watched it.

A Brief History of You Tube

Informative, Inspiring, brief........



I discovered this clip thanks to'How to Live Online'.

Tropfest and AFI news

I got an update today from Tropfest news. An Imaginary Life, the winner of 2007 Tropfest has been nominated for the AFI Best Short Animation Award. The AFI website has more details about the awards.

Entries for next years Tropfest close 10 January 2008, so less than 6 months to go if you intend to enter.

Do Something Real

The Age: Rich Pickings spreads the news of this great YouTube clip that highlights the divide in the world between the haves and the have nots.

Casanova

Director Driven Choice
'From the director of Chocolat' That line,splashed across the top of the DVD, drew my attention to this one. I had overlooked it quite a few times. I loved Chocolat. It was an amazing and beautiful story and the film managed to do it justice.
Romantics Delight
Casanova contained similar delicious moments. The legendary Casanova and the alluring Francesca have their moment of truth and intimacy in a hot air balloon, floating through a sky littered with fireworks over the city of Venice. Romance on a stick.
Action and Adventure
The film contains battles of wit and muscle as well as wild chases and escapades. I laughed and clapped with glee.
Heath Ledger
This is the second Heath Ledger film I've watched this month. Heath has effectively become both Ned Kelly (2003) and Casanova for me. Such diversity, such a delight!

Digital storytelling - File conversion link

Converting your Quicktime to Media Player:File conversion link

It's Time for a New Bottom Line

Ned Kelly (2003)

Ned Kelly has been the subject of quite a few films in Australia's history and The Age:Kelly Gang Rides into History tells about the worlds first feature film "The Story of the Kelly Gang" and its inclusion as a United Nations heritage register. I had a 'Ned Kelly' excursion with my English and Humanities year 9 classes this year.

Today by coincidence we watched the latest film Ned Kelly (2003)based on the book by Robert Drewe 'Our Sunshine' in the humanities class. It is a heroic legend and the film is quite well made. The students commented on the darkness of the film and we discussed the parts that we felt were not accurately based on historical sources. For those interested this site The Iron Outlaw, contains a wealth of information. There are 11 Kelly based films listed on this site with details about the films on most of them.

Mel Gibson's Apocalypto

ApocalyptoWhat a haunting film! The scenery was spectacular.I wouldn't say I enjoyed it. I was facinated by it. I can't enjoy watching so much hardship and cruelty. The tribe, as they were in the beginning seemed like a wonderful community and I was thinking how amazing it would be to live like that in the beginning. Stories by the fire with your family, living, working and sharing everything. It all changed pretty quickly though. It gives an insight into what the Mayan world could have been like.

$1000 on Revver

Before Revver switched to the new channel, last year some time, I had earnt around 100 odd dollars. Then they reset the earnings to date. I think it was about June last year, but I could be wrong. Anyway, since that reset, I have just today made $1000. I am happy with that. I haven't added a clip for ages. I have some ideas I am working on, but they will take some time. I haven't been taking a lot of video lately. I'm not sure why.

Robin Good seeks Grassroots TV Reporters

Robin Good's blog is an absolute favourite for me. His latest article: Live Online Television: New Emerging Formats - Robin Good TV Calls For Grassroots News Reporters offers an opportunity for those who would like to be a part of something new and worthwhile. The article says he is looking for reporters in Australia, as well as other places. Read it all if you are interested. It would be such an exciting opportunity.

On Location In Gippsland

Well, my secret has been discovered. Film Gippsland, launched this week, with pictures in the local papers of Sigrid Thornton and other locals launching Film Gippsland, to showcase the awesome locations available in Gippsland Victoria.
Much of my collection of 450 odd clips on Revver have been taken in Gippsland. You can check them out here: Revver Film Gippsland Victoria

Happy Feet etc

Does this film remind anyone of Moulin Rouge musically? Perhaps it is Nicole Kidman's voice?

I know, it's an old film and an animation and I haven't quite been able to watch it all yet. I have watched most of it twice now though so that counts it as done for me. I like that it highlights Antarctica's fragile nature.

I haven't watched a great movie for ages.

I think since it's the pretend Queens birthday today, I will get 'The Queen' out from the video shop, unless the hoardes have had the same lame thought as me, and watch it.

Magnify - Stats are Back

Well Magnify have returned the stats. In the recent Magnify.net Blog post: New Features: New Toys, the improvements are listed. I missed the stats so I am pleased about those. I don't have an adsense account so those advertising option improvements mean nothing to me, however I am sure many will find these improvements to be great.

yourCut - Coming Soon for Aussies

Revver and Ninemsn will launch on June 11 the first Australian video sharing online service that pays creators: yourCut. You can go and check it out now before everyone else gets wind of it.

This is exciting for Australian video sharers as well as viewers. I have looked around the site and it is using Revver to serve the ads and possibly for most of its usability. I have used Revver for over a year and have made over a thousand US dollars from my video's online. Revver are great to work with, they are fair and constantly improving.

From the FAQ of yourCut:

What is your mission:

"yourCut supports independent media artists. We believe that a free and open, democratised media environment is good for everyone. Our goal is to empower video makers and sharers to do what they do best."

Empower they will.

TV Series DVDs

Ok so I'm a bit slow. I don't watch TV very much. My kids have been purchasing TV series on DVD. They have quite a variety of TV series box sets. They bought us Battlestar Gallactica for Christmas and I got a taste of watching it in my own time, without ads and as much as I wanted. It was good.
For Mother's Day, I was given Season 1 of The Gilmour Girls and I am hooked. I had to rush out and buy the next two seasons on special. It's too convenient and indulgent.
It's winter here on Friday!

Video Site Updates

Blip TV has rolled out some new functions and if you are interested the blog post: Release Notes for Geeks should be right up your alley.

Magnify stats that I raved about a little while back are down. This has been the case for a while so I hope it restores itself soon.

Revver is quietly moving along for me. I am enjoying the new stats and my 415 clips are getting a little traffic.

I was surprised to read The Next Net: Top Video Sites during the week that Metacafe came in at 7. I am not a convert at all to Metacafe. Revver doesn't even get a mention. Ah well, I know nothing.