Category : New projects

Running for Something – Helps us build a skatepark in New Castle Indiana

Posted by Evan at 8:45 am

I’m involved in a project with a goal of raising money to build a skatepark in New Castle Indiana as well as help support their Young Life program. Below is a video explaining the project and why it’s necessary. If you’d like to learn more or donate, visit http://www.RunningForSomething.com

Initial Green Screen Test

Posted by Evan at 9:56 am

I’m really getting into video production these days. It’s something I’ve had an interest in throughout the years but never more than now. Perhaps it’s the availability of incredibly high-quality HD camcorders for under $1000, or perhaps it’s because I’m starting to do some video production work for my day job, either way I’m having the time of my life and loving every second.

Just recently I acquired a few pieces of video-related gear including Final Cut Studio 2.0, a 2 piece soft box lighting kit, backdrop support as well as black, white and green muslin backdrops and a high quality lapel mic. It’s basically a movie studio on a budget and though I’m still in the process of learning the ins and outs of the process I’ve finished my first green screen test and I’m happy with the results (don’t adjust your speakers, there is no audio).

It’s not perfect, there are a few little artifacts and lighting/reflection issues, but what’s cool is that I only spent about 10 minutes setting up this shot. I didn’t iron the green screen and it wasn’t lit perfectly, but still you can begin to see the potential of this simple setup. Below is a photo of the setup I’m using. In case you’re interested, here are links to the eBay auctions where I purchased the gear.

• Softbox Lighting Kit
• Black/White Muslin Backdrops
• Backdrop support w/green screen

The Chrysler Building in matchsticks

Posted by Evan at 6:37 pm

I started an interesting hobby this last weekend. It sort of came upon me out of the blue when Kristen and I were walking around Veach’s, a local toy store supreme. As I was walking around looking at all of the cool edutainment games they have I noticed the “Matchitecture” kits they had. Some of them were incredibly elaborate (and expensive) but I managed to find a couple of kits that were less than $20. I ended up choosing the Chrysler Building kit, though I also considered the Empire State building.

The kits are pretty cool, they contain a big bag of matchsticks, a cutter for trimming the sticks to the right size, a small tube of wood glue with a fine tip (perfect for putting tiny drops of glue on tiny sticks), large tweezers to more easily handle the matchsticks, a sheet of acetate to glue the sticks into place and easy removal and obviously design plans to help guide you as you construct your masterpiece.

I found the practice of cutting the sticks to size and gluing them together to be very therapeutic. There was a real sense of accomplishment as I finished each substructure for the building. I’m not very far into the project and it’s becoming clear that this project is going to take quite a bit longer than I had expected. I’ve put about 6 hours into the project so far and I’m probably only a fifth of the way to being done.

More pics to come.

Photo project, your input needed!

Posted by Evan at 9:24 am

I’m planning a photo project entitled Photo Tour of Wayne County. I’m hoping to get shots all over the area of places that sum up life in this area. The places can be landmarks, popular places or just special places that others should know about. Keep in mind that they don’t have to be entire buildings, they can be a small detail that exists in the area. Maybe a door that’s particularly interesting, a beautiful stained glass window at one of the local churches, or a secret location in the middle of the forest somewhere. I’d love your suggestions! Feel free to post a comment and I’ll add it to my list.

All your bass are belong to us…

Posted by Evan at 12:28 pm

Things have been a little hectic lately. From family health problems to projects there has been a little of everything going on over the last few months. So, when the opportunity came to have a little fun (in the form of buying and selling things on eBay) I jumped at the opportunity.

I wrote earlier about how I sold a lot of items on ebay so I could purchase some recording equipment. I haven’t had as much time as I had hoped to record but I know I will be getting a lot of time in once I’ve finished a few personal projects up. I also decided to take a risk and sell the Ibanez SRX705 bass that I bought last year in hopes of getting something that is a little cheaper but better suited to the style of music I want to write. I ended up getting an SX SJB-57 which is a Fender Jazz Bass copy that is very popular amongst bass players. These basses are well known for being extremely cheap but so simlar to their Fender counterparts that they can be modified, with very little money, to be BETTER than a Fender. I purchased a few upgrade parts for the bass and can’t wait to get to work. I’ll probably post some how-tos once I get started. Photos coming soon!

I also just found out that my wonderful wife Kristen has purchased a present for me which I will receive next month… a Martin DM acoustic guitar! It’s pretty much my dream acoustic guitar and she went and bought it for me as a gift. Isn’t she great??!?!?!?

I watched the Academy Awards this year and was very surprised at how the awards ended up being distributed. I was sure that the critical hit Brokeback Mountain would win all of the awards it was up for. I was wrong. It only won a couple of awards and the top honor of best picture went to one of my all-time favorites Crash. Good for them!

Things are busy right now but hopefully it won’t stay that way for long. I’ve been taking a break from photography as well which I haven’t enjoyed. Hopefully when it gets a little nicer outside I’ll be able to take more of my weekend road trips. I hope.