We've Moved!

Dear readers,

Thank you for your interest and support for our blog. On January 2009, We have moved to our very own blog space :)

By hosting our blog on our own website, we get to manage our own images and videos so we can offer you more interesting topics regarding our involvement in the video production industry.

We look forward to seeing you in our new location :)
Visit our new blog: Videographers Journals at WolFang Digital



Baron,
Video Director, Edius Silver Level Trainer,
WolFang Digital

Videographers' playground

Thanks to Panasonic, I was able to point the camera at various well lit subjects, make various adjustments to exposure, shoot and actually review my shots.


I was privileged to be invited by the distributor of Edius video editing software, Graphics Vision to participate in their joint exhibition with Panasonic titled 'Panasonic Power of Innovation Exhibition '09'

Our official status as certified Edius trainers gave me the opportunity to contribute some of my knowledge to the public. Since the exhibition was held in one of our largest malls, Mid Valley, the public would be out in force and so would we.

Chilling out with Graphics Vision's MD, Benedict Yee

Ironically, Edius' booth was located right next to Final Cut Pro. I took the opportunity to explore FCP a bit. So although I was meant to help man the Edius area, I was spending time chatting up the FCP people instead. It's always a good move to know the competition.

Panasonic's mock sets provide a good videographer's playground.

I was most impressed with Panasonic's concept. They had painstakingly set up a mock TV studio next to a mock lounge complete with a bar and snooker table. Surrounding these in a semi-circle were tripod mounted video cameras, giving visitors a chance to actually test out the equipment. Next to each video cam were a large LCD display or a broadcast monitor so the use could see what was shot.

Panasonic was kind enough to give us freedom with their video cameras

It was truly remarkable- their P2 and AVCHD video cams were pointed at actual sets so we would not want for a better shooting environment. I occupied myself with their AG-HPX300, a shoulder mounted P2 camera with a long lens and hence a very shallow depth of field.

It was truly amazing. Although I still prefer the ergonomics of Canon's video cams, I was able to point the camera at various well lit subjects, make various adjustments to exposure, shoot and actually review my shots. It was like having a slice of videographer heaven. When I left the exhibition, I was able to discover and recall each of the buttons that contribute to a good video shot. Giving visitors such degree of freedom and flexibility is a great way to boost video camera sales.

Back to the Edius VS FCP debate, now I can clearly understand that Edius holds the advantage over FCP in terms of workflow speed and execution, realtime functionality and multi format support. One of their guys remarked that telling the story is most important, having realtime effects won't help you tell a good story. Clearly he's just consoling himself over the edge Edius has over FCP. Having realtime support simply means Edius can craft out a great story from a great script AND do it faster too!

I had fun at the exhibition. I got to show off Edius and mess around with Panasonic's best of show. My thanks to Panasonic for organising this excellent event and to Graphics Vision for getting our participation.

Surreal: 40 works of art in 30 days

A surreal day- we went on location with Chin Yew, the founder of the '30 Day Artist' movement. We recorded him painting with acrylic on canvas and then grind chinese ink on an inkstone to draw a comic strip. These guys are famous for creating 40 works of art in 30 days.

I always thought artists required some time off in the woods to clear their minds and get some inspiration. Nowadays, it's all found on the internet! Chin Yew assures me that he still takes trips to go up north to experience the simpler life. He listens to conversations for the spark to get him going on his next piece of work.

I had a room like Chin Yew's when I was at college rushing artwork assignments and burning the midnight oil. His room was so cramped that I'm sure if I stretched out my leg, I would've broke a lamp! With all due respect, we creative folks need a cosy place to roll out that masterpiece. Large spaces make us feel alone but large spaces give videographers more room to maneuver! What a trip :)

Sze: where warmth meets beauty.

Later, she gave each of us one of her famous accessories! Talk about being appreciated! Thanks Sze :D :D

Today, we were treated cordially by Szee Yoong (owner of Sze Accessories) during her videography session. She prepared a nice breakfast spread for us! We were even told where to find the most delicious swiss rolls (Atria, a shop called Bon Bon's)

Recoring Sze crafting her gorgeous accessories was a breeze. Her beautiful home (she will be moving in with her fiance after their wedding), decorated in the modern contemporary style, inspired us to find the perfect angles.

Though it was a little hard for us to move around in her cosy workshop, we still managed to get pretty shots of Sze doing her research and then forming something from nothing.


Sze treated us warmly and we were inspired to do our best for her!


We experienced first hand how she delicately crafted her famous trinkets. It required a balance of meticulous and delicate manipulation of the tiniest strand of material and all the while her mind is working like a sculptor's, seeing her creation taking form in her hands.

Later, she gave each of us one of her famous accessories! Talk about being appreciated! Thanks Sze :D :D

Flows with the pros

Cecilia was really smooth on the dance floor and I had a hard time 'flowing' with her with our video camera on the tripod dolly.

Flowing with the pros.

The Martell Rising Personalities Award is back for 2009. We've already completed 10 up close interviews with this year's nominated personalities. We're in the midst of videography sessions on location to record the personalities at work in their element.

Today, we were at The Dance Point at Plaza Damas for videography of Cecelia Yong, the champion of the 'So You Think You Can Dance' season 2 competition on 8TV. She was really smooth on the dance floor and I had a hard time 'flowing' with her with our video camera on the tripod dolly.

Watch out for the video. We'll be uploading it sometime next month.

Cecilia looked youthful and nimble. Together with her partner Billy, they worked their magic on the dance floor. Both Cecilia and Billy were very accommodating with me when I asked them to repeat various moves (stunts) from their dance sequence. These 'stunts' were usually physically demanding but they obliged time and again.

Tomorrow we'll be with the founder of Sze Accessories. The adventure continues :)

We've graduated as Edius trainers!

We are 1 of only 3 companies in the country to offer the Edius Prime video editing course.


Our trainer, Maxim Jago presents me with the coveted certificate.

We are very proud of our video editing software in WolFang Digital because our clients love our work. We share some of the credit with Grass Valley's Edius (our video editing software). We are even more proud to announce that we are now Grass Valley approved and accredited trainers.

We are now authorised to deliver video editing training worldwide for the EDIUS Prime Course. We are 1 of only 3 companies in the country who are approved by Grass Valley to offer this course. We can finally award Grass Valley certificates to our students.


We have an international class from Asia.

We attended the Edius Prime 'Train The Trainers' course at Grass Valley Shanghai to gain our new status. Our class comprised representatives from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Malaysia. We were assessed for our presentation skills, technical knowledge and techniques of video editing with Edius.


Each of us were assessed on our presentation. This was no simple task, we had to lecture our peers, each of them are advanced Edius users

After using Edius for 6 years, we are happy to be given the recognition. We can't wait to teach video editors and college students about the magic of Edius. Students who attend our training and pass the exam will get their certificates delivered directly from Grass Valley. This certificate is recognised worldwide.


Pureen gets her certificate after passing the exam

Our class at Grass Valley, Shanghai comprised of representatives from S.Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

To find out more about the Edius Prime video editing course, visit our workshop.

Becoming a lecturer (part-time)

'Being actively involved in educating the students of Saito College is a good opportunity for us to give back to the community.'

Much has happened since my last blog posting and much has been achieved but Our schedule has once again contributed to the drop in new blog entries.

I mentioned much has been achieved because one my goals for WolFang Digital has come into fruition. Of late we have been seriously considering entering into the training/education industry. So with great pleasure, I'm happy to announce I'm now officially a lecturer with Saito College. The classes that I lecture are Videography and Digital Video Production.

Being actively involved in educating the students of Saito College is a good opportunity for us to give back to the community. Saito College is one of the pioneer education institutes in the country with 20 years of history. I can now instill into the younger generation the skills that are so desired in our industry yet are insufficiently covered by our education system.