AAUG Reviews

by Krista Galyen, AAUG Member

Documentary Storytelling. That’s what this book is about. It’s about the story, how to convey that story eloquently, effectively, and ethically. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the field, or are currently exploring it but want to learn more, Documentary Storytelling for Video and Filmmakers is where to go. This book is absolutely brilliant.

Generous Content in a Small Package

Okay, it’s “brilliant”. But why? First, the breadth of information in this book is superb. Written to take you through the process of making a documentary from initial concepts, to development, to production and post-production, Ms. Bernard covers all these elements with her thorough documentary (and award-winning, no less) background. Take a look at the table of contents below; you’ll see what I mean.

Now, thorough is great–but to be able to combine that with brevity can be a beautiful thing. And that’s just what this author does. Ms. Bernard, I must say, has a knack for being consice and to the point. Each concept she breaks down very clearly. Most don’t go on for but a few pages, yet all provide excellent, illustrative examples for what you’ll need to know. Yet concepts such as the three-act-structure, she entertains briefly and then returns in analysis of future examples; excellent for those who are learning to recognize or develop good structure in documentary video or film.

In addition, the book is also packed full of interviews with award-winning documentary filmmakers offering up information, advice, and wisdom you’ll find interesting and useful. (more…)

by Jeff Menter, AAUG Member

I’ve never read a more aptly titled book than “Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video.” As a fan of (and sometime amateur-league contributor to) the world of cinema, I’ve been investigating the process of visual storytelling for some time now. There are many books on this and related subjects but none I have come across presents such an all encompassing, comprehensive, nuts-and-bolts guide as “Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video.”

The first thing we notice (aside from the sticker shock) is the way the book is presented. Every aspect of filmmaking, from financing to distribution, is described from the perspective of both the producer and the director. This unique approach not only allows us to examine the art of filmmaking from two very different perspectives, but helps us to appreciate how these two collaborators must work together to achieve success in their venture. In addition to this technique, the writers help illustrate the filmmaking craft by employing real-world examples from four award winning short films. These films cover a wide range in terms of content (from Documentary to Narrative), production (from live action to stop-motion animation), and aesthetic (color and black & white.) Another useful aspect is notes peppered throughout the book aimed at students and independent filmmakers, little guides that either explain how something can be done with a lower budget, or traps to avoid for aspiring filmmakers.

Comprehensive is the word for this book and seriously with a capital C. This book covers everything from start to finish: financing, the script, preproduction breakdowns, scheduling, budgeting, finding a crew, scouting (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

The Cerulean XLR earphones are an answer to all iPod users prayers.  These fit my ears right off, and the rich, deep, base sounds they give are fabulous.  And the price, only $ 29.99, amazing.  I had been using a high end pair that cost $ 150.00 that would love to sound this good!

The company is right on track for actually thinking like an iPod user thinks and wants.  These earphones come in 8 colors, are smartly designed, have a high degree of ergonomics to fit your ear properly so they don’t pop out.  I tried using these and then switching between Apple’s included earbuds, and another company’s high end phones, you know, the $ 150 variety, and the clear winner were the Cerulean XLR’s.  hands down.

These have strong and powerful magnets for full spectrum sound.  Oversized drivers create a quality base sound.  I listened to classical and jazz and funk, all were clear, and precise, for high’s and bass.  (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

I was looking for a quality, portable boombox to use with my iPod. And wow, the iThunder by MTX Audio was reading my mind, and want list. I couldn’t believe the high quality sound it generated, with it plugged in or running on 8 ‘C’ cell batteries.

The design is simple, more Apple like. It hides it’s pop-up handle when not in use, and it works perfectly to take it somewhere. The sound is clear, bass responsive, and highs good. I listened to Hawaiian slack key, Classical, and audio books, all sounded excellent. In fact, my wife, thought we were listening to our other iPod system, the Bose… And that’s twice the money! and not portable…

The included wireless remote has many good features, like even lighting the backlit on your ipod so you can see what’s being played, cool! Also it allows playing, random, and it fits when not in use on the back in it’s own holder that won’t get lost or broken. good design!

It works on all iPods, only issue is you have to take off your case to make it fit, and it comes along with inserts to make even the smallest iPod, fit perfectly in it’s dock cradle. It comes in gloss white and gloss black, and pink.

Buy this one, and enjoy it’s quality sound, in the house or anywhere! (more…)

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

Pacific Design’s new Urban Executive case holds up to a 15″ computer plus files, and it’s unique vertical design makes carrying easier especially with it’s padded handle or strap. The black Napa leather is lush, mixed with a high quality nylon in a jacquard pattern. Inside you’ll find plenty of places for files, pens, and a back area for quick access when you don’t want to open the front, and yes, it has a quick release too. Well designed, functional, and works for women or men.

The dimensions are perfect for the iBook or MacBook we took on a trip: 12.5″ x 15″ x 5″ Inside you’ll find a plastic reinforced plastic & foam frame, and secure strap to hold your computer in place. I loved the many pockets that fit files, pens, cell phone, etc. The designers were really paying attention to what we want. It’s designed to be at hip height when it swings. I found using either the padded handle that’s so ergonomic, or the strap easy and comfortable. Only issue was that when i’d loaded some files, magazines, and the iBook, it was a bit heavy, guess i must travel lighter next time, but this case is fabulous, best for when you want all of your must have’s with you! and it comes with a lifetime warranty!

You’ll love it! (more…)

by David Enders, AAUG Member

iSpeak It is an application that allows you to take literally any text or files and convert it to an mp3 or AAC file for playback through iTunes. So for those long commutes or plane flights you can take the spoken word with you instead of having to read. It does this by using the built in Text to Speech Services (TTS) in OS X. Also, in the latest version it uses XGrid processing. This is a cool feature when converting the text to speech files if you have additional macs in your household. Xgrid is located in the Sharing foldfer within System Preferences. By enabling and configuring XGrid, iSpeak It can split processing across multiple macs for quicker processing. If you didn’t think OS X was cool before, what do you think now ?

iSpeak It is as simple to use and configure as the other products offered by Zapptek. There is not a big learning curve here and the preferences are very simple and intuitive. (more…)

by Zach Manzella, AAUG Member

Avanquest Publishing USA’s Smart Office Pack bundles four business oriented software programs - Invoices, Mail Lists, Labels, and Business Cards - into one office package. The Smart Office Pack might be best suited to the start-up, small business or an established business looking to streamline its information and add a little style to its image.

The software package comes with an install disk and a Getting Started Guide. Installation was easy. The Getting Started Guide needs to be supplemented with the User’s Guide provided on the install disk in PDF format. Each of the guides is approximately 100 pages in length. All of the guides are necessary in order to get the most out of the product.

The product box boasts “3 easy steps to: . . . creating great looking business cards . . . managing your billing & cash collection . . . customizing your labels . . . managing your mail list.” While those might be defensible claims, “3 easy steps” oversimplifies the process. All four programs host many templates for consumers to use “as is” or to customize to fit the consumer’s needs and tastes.

For purposes of testing out the software I created a fictitious law firm as the business that needed the support of Smart Office Pack programs.

Business Cards

The business card software creates a business card with a lot of graphics and color or a traditional black and white card. Entering business data is straight forward. The program has many templates for the background of the card which enhances (more…)

by Mickey Templin, AAUG Member

This iPod cover is made of a clear silicone with the crystal and wheel sections open. A 3D wheel cover and crystal cover are provided separately but when put in place become attached and don’t move unless pride off. They are clear and when in place provide protection and visual clarity for accomplishing tasks at hand. The wheel cover has a raised center which makes it easy to push and connect with the wheel for selections. When carrying the iPod with the cover one doesn’t have to worry about it slipping from the hand or dropping it.

The clip is easily attached to the iPod cover and is tight enough so you don’t have to worry about it detaching or coming unclipped from your pocket or purse. There are openings at the top and bottom to which make accessory connections easy. The only information in English is the web address on the outside of the box. The telephone number is for Japan and all writing is in Japanese. An information sheet with the cover would be very helpful.

by Ronald Schoedel, AAUG Member

Rainbow Web is a new game published by Sugar Games, and is available for either Mac or Windows users. After reading the website and being intrigued by the description (“In the heart of a wonderland, surrounded by crystal clear lakes, mighty stone, and age-old forests there existed the Rainbow Kingdom. But as it usually happens in all fairy tales, there appears someone, who is not pleased when things go right. In Rainbow Web this is Spider, a wicked and mighty wizard. It casts a spell on the land and all fairy tale creatures and spins a web around.”) I was looking forward to downloading and trying out the game. A free trial download is available which lets you play for 60 minutes before requiring registration, which costs only $20.

What I found in Rainbow Web was a pleasant new twist on the tried-and-true game format of “placing like objects x-in-a-row.” In Rainbow Web, numerous peaceful scenes within the lost kingdom are covered by webs built by the evil Spider Wizard. It is the player’s job to move the colored jewels that adorn the web into position to make rows of three or more of the same color. This is done by switching the positions of two adjacent jewels along the web, with the idea of placing one of the moved jewels into a row that will be completed and subsequently removed from the web. Players must take care to especially get the lettered jewels lined up with their matching colors, (more…)

by Ronald Schoedel, AAUG Member

Over the past few years that I’ve been playing around with Photoshop Elements, I’ve read a few books about it but none that had really impressed me. Most claimed to hold great secrets, but I found that I must have already been in on those secrets, and I tended to get little out of those books. Reading “Advanced Photoshop Elements 4 for Digital Photographers” by Philip Andrews changed that.

Andrews sets out to write a book for digital photographers, and he does just that, showing you how Photoshop Elements (hereafter “PSE”) can become a vital and helpful part of your digital imaging workflow, from shooting to printing and publishing your shots.

Chapters such as “Scanner and Camera Techniques” and “Photo Organization and Management” waste no time in leading you straight into how to ensure you get the best quality photo your camera and scanner can produce, and once you’ve captured them, what to do with them when you get them onto your computer. The book is very much Windows-centric, so there is no mention that I could find of Mac-specific tools (such as integration with iPhoto, for example). But if you can get past the fact that there is no Mac-specific content, and that all the screenshots are of PSE running on Windows, you will still get a great deal out of the book.

Advanced editing and image changes such as making selections, using masks, quick-fixes, layers, and all the other buzzwords that make PSE somewhat daunting for new users are all well-explained by Andrews. Whether you have never used PSE or have used it casually and are now ready to kick up your use of the program to new levels, you will find something for you in here. (more…)