Getting around iMovie

Can't stand the new iMovie? Your not the only one. After Apples iLife 08' release, there was a huge uproar coming from the new iMovie: people wanted the old stuff back. iLife 09' has supposedly fixed the problem, combining new and old, but it's still considered unsatisfying. Read more about this here.


  So, not much you can do but reminisce the days you used to have 06'... or is that so? Here are a few helpful ways to work around iMovie's ticks:




1- Importing. You can import iMovie HD files, clips from your (video and still) camera as well as Built-in iSight or Quicktime videos. Apart from that, not many other ways to grab footage. Naming your events is a good idea and makes things easier. If you want to import a file into iMovie that is not Quicktime or any of the above, this can become a pretty handy tool: Squared 5.  Export your videos to Quicktime in a wink, and make importing easier.


2- Effects. First off, take a look at this: right click onto "Export Using Quicktime" then check out "Options" then "Filter".  There, you will find a multitude of settings you could have had in the menu bar to edit your footage like Lens Flare or Noise and you can even load your own.

 Only problem: this will apply to the entire project and not just one clip. How to fix it: If you are making a movie, for example, and only need one scene to be in B&W, just create a new project for that scene. You can then export it, and add it to your complete project later.


3- Audio. There is no way to directly extract audio from an iMovie clip, but you can do it from Garage Band. Simply: Import the video into Garage Band, then delete the video but keep the audio track. Export it to mp3.

  As far as Music goes, Skywalker SFX (Sound Effects) seem to be replaced by iMovie and iLife SFX. If you want to work with these open the iLife SFX folder and click on Jingles. Here are a multitude of soundtracks, but unfortunately, they are very short (they last about 1 min. or two each). As for most things, there is a solution: Select a track and drag it to your project. Click on the "Audio Adjustments" button and  "Fade Out". Next, select the exact same track, drag it next to the previous one. Cut out the intro in the beginning of the second track(if there is one), then "Fade In". Now your soundtrack will be twice as long!


4- Exporting. Using Quicktime to export allows you to choose your video quality and uploading details much more precisely, especially if you click on "Options" as described previously. Streaming and Fast are the lowest quality but upload fastest. If you want top notch quality, use the "Compressor" under "Settings" and drag it towards Best Quality. Exporting via Quicktime probably gives you the best quality you can get with iMovie, and it's really not that bad. Don't forget that you can always enhance your video with Filters or by changing the Size.


  If you'd like to rant and rave a little more on how iMovie pushes your button, take a look here; if not, you may purchase iLife in any Apple Store or your local Mac supplier.


Other links:

Rumors about iLife 10 (iLife 11 just came out!)
Final Cut Express
Avid pro editing
SFX bank

Organizing a working group

How do you get people together in order to work on a project without getting distracted? Where and how do you find the right people? What is the best way to manage a group?


1. Start by getting your group together. Plan out who is going to be a part of it first: friends, family, co-workers...etc. If you do not know who to recruit, consider doing some networking. If your schedule is tight, here are a few places to look out for (but watch out, people are not always the working professionals they claim to be! This is not the safest way to go...)


http://www.monster.com/
http://www.careerbuilder.com/?ff=21
http://synerfac.com/
http://talent.linkedin.com/recruiter/
http://recruiting.jobvite.com/


If you happen to be located in France:
http://www.fusac.fr/en/


  Using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter as a job recruiting tool is also a well known tactic used for finding worthy employees.


2. You are the boss... or are you? Are you looking to be the number one leader or are you mostly into a collective collaboration. In both cases there are the pros and cons. As the boss-


Pros:
- More control over everyone (in a good way). 
- You get to direct and organize what goes on around the company.
- Managing the funds and the company's expenses.
- Being in charge of pretty much everything.


Cons:
- Additional stress.
- Responsible for not only your actions but your employees.
- The financial and paper work is on you.


As a collaboration- 


Pros: 
- The comfort of a small community.
- More inspiration and ideas.
- Easier to work as well as promote unplanned collaborations.


Cons:
- Arguments are more frequent.
- Financial troubles tend to arouse more easily.

3. Find a space. Be on the lookout for places for rent in magazines, real estate stores or simply through word of mouth. It's actually recommended that you do not rent a space especially for you and your co-workers with your own money: instead, collect donations or investments. If possible, get yourself a personal investor who will earn stock shares in return for tending to your company's financial needs. If your group is not planning on making money, consider using whatever available space works best for you, but be sure that it promotes at least a minimum level of concentration for you and your co-workers.


4. It's all about group dynamics. When collaborating or directing a team, always be sure to keep group dynamics in mind:


- People tend to either stick together, or disperse; make sure your group is tight.


- There are often at least two people in conflict; debate and argue constructively, do not fight.


- Personality undermines everything else; know your co-workers.


- Laziness is everywhere; so don't let it happen, to you or anyone else.


- Overworking is a serious problem; be sure to give (or impose) a break every once in a while.


- Sometimes work is shoved all on one person; working in small teams helps.


- Leaders can be misjudged; if you happen to be one, respect your employees and they'll respect you.




  If you're a founder of a family/friend team, you might want to consider double checking their capacities. Yes, this may sound strange seeing that they are probably close to you and you trust them, but that is just another reason why you should. Take the time to notice the traits you had never reflected on and ask yourself a few questions. Is so and so able to handle pressure? Will he/she have the skills to do this particular job? Is he/she truly that motivated? 


  If the answer is yes then proudly march forward and invite them in to work! If not, there are other possibilities. Either you recruit someone else, or point out what it is that's wrong and try to fix it. A "training program" could be a good way to start.


5. Keep it going.  Remain organized, be understanding and energetic, and your team will work out just fine. Of course the main key is to enjoy your work work, and make sure that everyone else is doing so too .  


Getting a worthy group together is one of the hardest things to do. If you are still facing trouble or have any additional information on founding working teams, send us an email or visit the Contact Us page.

Projects: How to manage it all.

I have a lot of personal projects, but it seems most of them never get finished. (paid projects of course take priority but can't I have it all?

What do you do? Make lists? Create a structured timetable? Go to a place where is less distractions? Get people to help (does working with a group promote daily focus)? Create goals and rewards? Only work on a small set number of personal projects at a time so each get more focus? Or are you in the same boat?

I want to know the difference between what just sounds good, and what works.

                                                             by Grommesch, June 22nd 2010 1:06 AM

                                                        Stick Men Creation©  

 Many of us are facing the same problem: we're all on overload. Wether your a successful entrepreneur, or starting a business in your own garage,  projects can take up a lot of space and time. It's a common mistake to get angry and chuck it all down the toilet, or simply abandon everything, and go for something simple. But don't fret! There is always a way to get organized and juggle both life with work. Here's what to do:

1. Write it down. Before doing anything else you must get your ideas down on paper. Find yourself a blank notebook, or diary of some sort that you can carry around with you everywhere you go. Label it, if you like, then make yourself a check list:

☑ Write down one by one, all of your plans and ideas for futur projects. 

☑ Highlite important or urgent ones.

☑ Now stand back and have a look at your list; double check to see if you forgot anything. Once that's over, the rest of the pages can be used for writing, sketching and planning whenever inspiration happens to strike.  

From time to time, you may have to make new lists, so make sure to record everything in your notebook, so nothing gets left behind! 

2. Organise what you already have. Take a look at your closet space...or wherever you keep your stuff and categorize all of your work. Head strait for your local office supplies store, get yourself some folders and categorize  what you have into: Unfinished, Completed, In Production. (In Completed, you may also have sub-branches: Public and Personal) If you have a very wide range of products, label them with specifications and place them on shelves by category.  

   On the other hand, if your projects can't fit in folders, do your best to categorize them as well. (Wether it's on the computer, or in boxes...)  

3. Plan it. Use a calendar and mark off when you are busy. Many people in business already have a schedule but if this is not the case, then it's time you make one. Schedules are very important! Mark off every day your busy and possibly add details: even if you are just going out with friends or planning a day of rest for yourself, use colors (yes, just like in primary!) to recognize your: 

 A) Freetime  B) Outings  C) Work/School/Internship...etc   

Now once that's done, you can move on to this: D) Projects

Tip: Take advantage of waiting time. Whenever your in the metro, waiting in line or at the doctor's office, use that time to get ahead on your work. Alway make sure you have something with you to do. 

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• Working with others: If you are involved in a group project, or are planning to collaborate with others, think twice before doing so. Are these people serious about what they are doing? If they are passionate workers, and love what they are doing then fine. If this is not the case, as hard as it may be to turn someone down, sometimes it's necessary.  But the real dillemma is this: what if your coworkers are souly dedicated to their work, but just lack talent? We will cover this later on a seperate topic. Here's a hint: Music (if played softly) can sometimes help with concentration (except for in some cases such as animation). See what you do with that..

• Don't rush! Do not get so caught up in your projects that you can't handle anything at all! As said above, a calendar is a fantastic tool for organisation, but you must focus on only a few projects at a time. What's most important, and ones with tight deadlines (especially) are top priority. It's not always about what you feel like doing, but also what has to get done. Remember, business is business.

• Distractions: This is a one of the most commonly encountered problems. Some things may seem like distractions when they actually aren't. Such as: windows, music, repetitive noises (ticking clocks, fossets...etc). Others however, are classics: noisy kids, television, very loud music and other noises, and so on. On the other hand, too much quiet and time spent in an enclosed area can in some cases promote distractions! Because of the feeling of being "trapped", you may have the need to get up and get some fresh air. If you work in an office (or house, who knows?) similar to this, get up, stretch, and take a break outside.  If not, try to find a place were you can work that has at least one window, so that you can at least be aware of the fact that there is still a world out there besides you and your desk. To cope with other distractions, put on a little bit of music, or turn on the radio. If it gets to the extreme, you may need headphones. Some activities require that you work in silence. If you happen to be working around kids, you just may have to explain to them that you need some peace and quiet, and find something for them to do (Other than TV...maybe a pencil and paper for a change?). Now if you still can't focus, sadly, you may just have to cope with it, until another solution is found.

• The right stuff: How can you keep up with your projects everywhere you go? Especially if you travel often. Phones are, and have been an excellent solution. But now that technology has advanced I suggest purchasing an iPad...an obvious choice. If your budget is tight, a good quality LG phone is perfectly fine and prices range around more or less 90$. Reminders and calendar notes as well as other features are (although quite mediocre) available.  Now if you really are experiencing money problems, there's nothing wrong with a good old classic Post-it/Sticky note! Some of the best reminders of all time and the ones that clutter your desk up the most! Use colors -again- for what's urgent or not, or if you can't be bothered get yourself a mini notebook to write down each task, and bar it once completed. P.S: Phones can be tricky so be very careful. Although almost no one does it, check the manual before trying out an new features. Those phone companies will rip you off like never seen before!

• Coping with the stress: Once in a while, you will need to wind own. Working non stop with no breaks whatsoever is not always a solution.Find something that helps you relax or expose yourself to something completely different. This doesn't mean you have to go on vacation, just find a small time during the day to wind down and do something different.

• The psycology of it all: If you are truly dedicated to what you are doing, then the true reward is having done it, and done it well. The best results come from those made with the most effort. You may get fustrated from time to time, but if you keep going at a steady pace you will sure not regret it. Don't lose your personal life just to get where you're going, be happy with what you have, and try your best. After you've done that what else is there to say? 

Some helpful links:

http://www.inc.com/ 

For tips on managing and business.

http://stick-men.webs.com/

To view Grommesch's original question on this subject.

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Complete guide to animating on Adobe Flash CS4: By Adobe

Animation Learning Guide for Flash | Adobe Developer Connection
    
       
        

Animating on Flash CS4: By Adobe

Animation Learning Guide for Flash: Overview | Adobe Developer Connection

This tutorial explains briefly what it's like to animate on Adobe Flash CS4. Adobe gives you an overview of the steps you must take to make a successful animation.

Create a video game in less than 15 minutes!

There are numerous ways to create video games using Flash, Codes and special programs. But one way to create an easy, and free game is to use Fyrebug. Of course, their logo is written on the bottom of your game, but it is highly customizable. Choose from a template, create your own elements (from an image, or draw your own),  add music and there you have it!

Take a look here:

Click here to make your own Fyrebug game

Check out the link above to create your own game. Of course, with even the most minimal knowledge of HTML, you can delete that last line there ("Click here to create your own Fyrebug game") As it may be disturbing to have that posted up on your website, it sounds a little more professional without it.

It's a way to pass the time, or a nice little perk for a website/blog, or even your MySpace page! Whatever you decide to do with it, have fun!

Welcome to Stick Men Creations official blog!

  This blog is an extension to the Stick Men Creation website. Here you will find tutorials and tips, most of them related to the "Advice" column in the Forums page of our website. Browse here for further posts and ideas!