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Combat Mime Video 4 — Faking a Punch

Jordan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:41:32 +0000

Here’s the fourth video in a series on stage fighting from the book Combat Mime by J. D. Martinez. Today, we’ll show you how to fake a punch. Here are the other three in case you missed them.

Combat Mime Video 4 — Faking a Punch from Phantom Moose Films on Vimeo.

You can also watch the video on YouTube.

This is probably going to be the last video in this series, but stay tuned for more videos on other subjects coming soon.

I’m sure that you’ll want to check this book out now, so now is the time for me to mention that it is out of print. There are a few used copies available on Amazon, though.

Combat Mime Video 3 — Shove

Jordan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:41:25 +0000

Here’s the third video in a series from the book Combat Mime by J. D. Martinez. Today, we’re demonstrating an shove. Here are the other two in case you missed them.

Combat Mime Video 3 – Shove from Phantom Moose Films on Vimeo.

You can also watch the video on YouTube.

We’ll be posting more videos soon, so stick around to learn more fight techniques.

I’m sure that you’ll want to check this book out now, so now is the time for me to mention that it is out of print. There are a few used copies available on Amazon, though.

Combat Mime Video 2 – Elbow Jab

Jordan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:06:02 +0000

Here’s the second in a video series from the book Combat Mime by J. D. Martinez. Today, we’re demonstrating an elbow jab. We’ll be using it with the choke technique that we discussed in the first video.

Combat Mime Video 2 – Elbow Jab from Phantom Moose Films on Vimeo.

You can also watch the video on YouTube.

We’ll be posting more videos soon, so stick around to learn more fight techniques.

I’m sure that you’ll want to check this book out now, so now is the time for me to mention that it is out of print. There are a few used copies available on Amazon, though.

Dryad: Free Tree Generator

Jordan — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:56:35 +0000

I found a great new tool today. It’s called Dryad, a tree generator that is free for any use. Currently, Dryad is available for Mac and Windows. You will need a good Internet connection, because Dryad downloads user generated trees off the Dryad site, and also uploads information about the trees that you chose.

When you find a tree you like, just click the check mark button, and Dryad makes a Wavefront .obj file, which can be imported to Blender. Sweet!

Movie-Making Tips

Ruth — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:43:44 +0000

During the making of iSundae, I learned all sorts of useful things. These are the first six that come to mind:

Never install audio mixer batteries backwards. Not only does the mixer not work that way, but it’s also a fire hazard.
Use extreme caution when reaching into the depths of electrical equipment. I received my very first electrical shock that way. (Although it scared Rebekah a great deal more than it did me.)
If you happen to be the one chosen to stand in the sun, running the camera, while the actors conveniently perform in the shade, I have found an umbrella to be a handy tool for keeping the sun off. However, you must exercise caution, for if it’s a windy day and you can only hold the umbrella with one hand, it’s very easy for the umbrella edge to blow forward and creep into the camera’s view. I ruined several good shots that way.
Never get involved in a spoon-waving war with your co-editor.
If your actors have to remove their glasses (as ours did) while acting, it is utterly pointless to try and guide them with hand motions. You can gesture for them to move one way, but if they can’t see which way you’re pointing, it doesn’t do any good.
The other option is to direct them verbally. However, the downside with this is that “forward” can mean many different things. It usually results in things like, “My left or yours?” “Forward towards the camera, or forward from where I’m facing?” “Do I back up backwards, or toward the other actor?” Unfortunately, I have not yet found a good cure for this.
Never allow anyone to move a microphone if you’re wearing the headphones, and the volume’s up. For some reason, it took me several painfully loud instances to figure this out.

Now, I’m sure you won’t be able to apply all of these to your movie-making, but hopefully, at the least, I’ve given you a few laughs.