O-Fly Lightweight Shoulder Rig and iLED 144 Dual color light

The prizes for the Best Overall and Most Innovative categories in the APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest are the O-Fly Lightweight Shoulder Rig and  iLED 144 Dual color light respectively.

ikan designs and manufactures digital video and DSLR gear used by independent filmmakers, videographers, and professional photographers. Our mission is to build products creative people want and need at a reasonable price.

ikan’s commitment to delivering quality gear with exceptional customer service sets us apart from competitors who offer similar products. These traits have helped us become the leading manufacturer of affordable production gear for use in the field or in-studio.

The Flyweight Offset DSLR Shoulder Rig, O-Fly, features lightweight and easy to break down comfortable padded shoulder, ribbed non-slip rubber handles, offset system with vertical adjustment, and designed for DSLRs and small to mid-size camcorders.

The iLED 144 On Camera Dual Color LED Light features wide angle beam pattern, tungsten to daylight switching, intensity dimming, on-board battery indicator, and stackable mounting option.

Find out more at http://ikancorp.com

Interested in winning a shoulder rig and on camera light?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.

Customizable Music for All Your Video Production Needs

The prize for the APA 2nd Short Video Contest “Best Audio” and “Best Overall” categories is sponsored by SmartSound and is 5 free albums and music editing software.

Plus ALL entrants receive 1 album and music editing software.

SmartSound has created a unique, patented technology that allows the user to easily and quickly manipulate music content in certain key ways, so that it can better fit a visual sequence. When music is customized to fit a visual sequence, that sequence is significantly enhanced and has much more impact than a scene with either no music, or music that is just simply attached as is.

This SmartSound technology needs certain music, which is “enabled” to work with its system. It’s this unique combination of patented technology and music designed to work with it, that results in such power and ease for the creative user. All SmartSound technology products are based on this combined system.

For more information go to www.smartsound.com

Master Directing With Hollywood Camera Work

The Prize for APA 2nd Short Video Contest “Best Directing” and “Best Overall” categories is sponsored by Hollywood Camera Work and is a Master Course DVD Set

Master Course DVD Set – The most comprehensive Directing Course in the world. Over 9 hours of 3D animated instruction. Region Free. Plays on all DVD players in the US, 99% of all DVD players worldwide and all computers and notebooks worldwide. Includes access to the Hollywood Camera Work User Group, where you can discuss high-end filmmaking technique with like-minded and serious individuals and Personal support and coaching by Per Holmes through the Forum — get help with specific production problems, take part in exercises, and get the most out of the training by having direct access to its creator.

More information at Hollywood Camera Work

Controlled Vocabulary Controls Your Keywording

The prize for APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest “Best Comedic Short” and “Best Overall”categories  is sponsored by Controlled Vocabulary and is a 1 year Controlled Vocabulary Library.

The Controlled Vocabulary Keyword Catalog (CVKC) is ideal for creative pros that want a thorough set of terms for keywording images for use in their choice of a number of professional metadata annotation tools. Version 3.0 contains approximately 11,000 keyword terms organized in a hierarchical structure with segregated synonyms. A broad range of people, lifestyle, and concept themes are included. Use of the CVKC insures consistency in the selection and spelling of specific keyword terms and helps guide the keyworder to appropriate synonyms.

Takes the Guess Work out of Searching:

A controlled vocabulary makes a database easier to search. Since we have many different ways of describing concepts, drawing all of these terms together under a single word or phrase in a database makes searching the database more efficient as it eliminates guess work. However, arriving at this efficiency requires consistency on the part of the individual indexing the database and the use of pre-determined terms.

A Familiar Concept:

It’s likely you are already familiar with the concept of controlled vocabulary. Phonebook Yellow Page listings are arranged using controlled vocabulary. For example, a search for “Car Dealers” leads you to a note to “see Automobile Dealers.” At a basic level, this is how a controlled vocabulary system works.

One Search is All it Takes:

Conducting a search in a database that uses controlled vocabulary or indexing terms is efficient and precise. The biggest advantage to controlled vocabulary is that once you do find the correct term, most of the information you need is grouped together in one place, saving you the time of having to search under all of the other synonyms for that term.

For more information go to Controlled Vocabulary

A New Way to Move the Camera the indiSYSTEM Vortex dolly

The prize for the “Best Dramatic Short” sponsored by indiSystem is the Vortex DSLR Dolly.

indiSYSTEM Vortex dolly

Their slogan isn’t a fancy one made by a focus group, or a bunch of ad men, it is the philosphy behind indiSYSTEM.

indiSYSTEM is capable of being your number one source for follow focus, matte box, DSLR rigs, camera slider, and other custom camera accessories meant to make your photography life easier and more efficient.

The Vortex dolly is a completely new way of moving the camera for spectacular new shots.  Its’ two arms allow movements that up until now have not been possible with any other dolly.  You can move in/out, around corners, in circles just about anyway you can imagine.  Think combination steadicam, slider, and skater dolly, all quickly set up on a set of tripod legs or the available indiBASE!  It’s hard to describe but a dream to use.

For more about the Vortex visit www.indiSYSTEM.com

Chimera When You Need Innovative Lightbank Solutions

The prize for the “Best Lighting” sponsored by Chimera – Choice of Medium or Small Video Pro Lightbank or 1X1 LED Lightbank in the APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest.

Every photographer, videographer, cinematographer and lighting specialist knows it takes more than vision to create a masterpiece. It takes the right equipment. And for more than 30 years, Chimera has developed and invented innovative products that have changed the way the industry creates perfect light.

Chimera continues to innovate and invent solutions for photography and film—from the creation of the famed Illuminata, to the development of Speed Rings and Pancake Lanterns, to the 2009 introduction of the F2X for large area lighting. You can count on us to give you the solutions for tomorrow’s projects!

Our lighting essentials and accessories are lightweight, portable, durable and heat resistant—making it easy for you to turn your vision into a masterpiece.

Video Pro Chimera Lightbanks

Video Pro lightbanks are all perfect when you need controlled soft lighting on small sets. They’re also ideal for use as a separation light or small fill. These standard-depth banks are extremely lightweight and are primarily used with single broad-beamed, open-faced instruments.

They’re ideal for all Chimera Circular Speed Rings measuring 3 to 9 inches (78 to 230 mm,) Adjustable Speed Rings from 5 to 9 inches (125 to 230 mm) and Dedicated Speed Rings.   Available in sizes from XXS to Large.   Video PRO Plus comes standard with three screens (full, half and quarter grid) so you can quickly and easily modify light output.  Screen constructed of unique, custom material that’s anti-aging and anti-static.

You can also use Fresnels up to 1,000 watts, especially if you use diffusion in the gel holder to spread the beam.  Lightbanks available for Barger 4 and Barger 6 Stip Lights.

TECH Lightbank 1X1 LED lightbank

There are also the Chimera TECH Lightbanks for LED, Plasma and Remote Phosphor lights—the perfect way to get the most out of the new lighting technologies , and still create beautiful, diffused talent-friendly light.

Info on the Video Pro Lightbanks and 1×1 LED Lightbank can be found at www.chimeralighting.com.

Interested in winning a lightbank?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual Short Contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.

DP4-EVF the Field Monitor and Electronic View Finder in One

smallHD DP4-EVF

Title: DP4-EVF the Field Monitor and Electronic View Finder in One

The prize for the Best Music Video category in the APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest is a smallHD DP4-EVF

The SmallHD DP4-EVF was designed from the ground up for the DLSR shooter. In dynamic shooting environments pulling critical focus and maintaining correct exposure can be a challenge. The DP4-EVF’s extensive software features are designed to continuously give you the information you need, so you can concentrate on composition.

The DP4-EVF is two tools in one, 1) a world class standalone field monitor and 2) an electronic view finder. There is no other product on the market that provides both of these features in one lightweight integrated package.

Features Most Interest To DSLR Shooters:

Focus Assist Plus provides best in class focus assist technology.

Multiple exposure management tools

DSLR Auto Scale to maximize the size of the displayed image

Integration with both Canon and Nikon battery systems

Bright screen for outdoor shooting

Electronic Viewfinder

HDMI pass thru to allow others on the set to see the action

SmallHD was founded in by budget conscience filmmakers to deliver innovation and unprecedented customer support for the DLSR shooter. The following is a short list of those innovations.

Find out more at http://www.smallhd.com

Interested in winning a production monitor?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual  Short Video Contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.

Dripbook for Your Promotional Platform

The prize for the Best Overall category in the APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest is a life-time subscription to Dripbook .

Dripbook is a modern web-based promotional platform with a unique focus on incorporating HD video promotion along with still image promotion across Dripbook’s wide platform. Upload and promote HD video on the worldwide Dripbook index, on an HTML5 stand-alone website, on iPad, iPhone, and Android Apps, as well as exporting native video to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and more.

Create a stylish portfolio, no technical knowledge required. Display your portfolio on Dripbook’s index and on other websites. Automatically sync all your portfolios with Dripbook’s export tools. You can even create a mini-website on your Facebook Fan page. Dripbook has a custom iPad + iPhone App and a custom Android App, both free. Both Apps are designed to work even without a network connection – after you download your portfolios, feel confident in your ability to show your work regardless of your internet connection.  Personalize your marketing by making and sending private portfolios from your Dripbook account. Our system let you track who saw it and when. Plus, receive comments from each recipient.

Lots of professional eyes are searching Dripbook for what you can offer. Dripbook automatically indexes your portfolio in our online creative sourcebook, exposing your work to art buyers, editors, and art directors.  Accounts are for professionals only.

Find out more at http://www.dripbook.com

Interested in winning a promotional platform?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual  Short Video Contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.

First Cut Pro for Your Collaboration Needs

The prize for the Best Documentary category in the APA 2nd Annual Short Video Contest is a 1- year subscription to First Cut Pro’s “Power User” Account.

Valued at over $1400/year, the power user account gives you full access to First Cut’s professional video collaboration tool that saves you time and money during post-production and editing.  You’ll have nearly unlimited resources to share, collaborate and organize your post-production efforts with over 56 video viewing rooms, 7 concurrent projects, and up to 20 collaborators on each viewing room per month.  In addition, you will have full access to our excellent service/support and continual product updates.

First Cut Pro is a professional video collaboration software built to streamline the video post-production and editing process. This software focuses on three vital aspects of the feedback and approval process: collection of feedback, organization of video notes and integration into the current post-production environment.

They have integrated feature-set is host agnostic which utilizes the security and availability of major video hosting services. Leveraging that technology, they deliver content to video stakeholders in a web-based viewing environment enriched with tools to provide frame-specific feedback on the various cuts made during post-production.

Supporting a streamlined feedback collection, they have built and continue to improve upon, a project management interface. The interface is intended to clearly deliver video notes to project managers and editors for review. During the note-review process, users are able to identify important edits to be made based on the content of the notes generated by the viewing room and it’s viewers.

They have built the ability to export specified video notes into a number of formats. First Cut Pro currently supports the ability to export markers to .CSV files for a spreadsheet, .XML metadata files for Adobe Premier/After Effects and Apple’s Final Cut Pro (7 and 10), as well as a formatted .txt file for import into AVID Media Composer. Combined with the other features available in First Cut Pro, our marker export feature allows collaborators to easily provide actionable feedback directly to editors in the simplest way possible.

First Cut Pro creates a user-friendly environment that promotes collaboration during video post-production. The ability to simultaneously contribute allows for increased communication among team members, optimized time usage of all stakeholders decreasing total post-production cycle time, and reduced confusion during the feedback process.

Find out more at http://www.firstcutpro.com

Interested in winning a year of First Cut Pro?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual  Short Video Contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.

The New Evolution of Pan and Tilt Motion Control – eMotimo

TB3 Black

The prize for the Best Timelapse category in the APA 2^nd Annual Short Video Contest http://tinyurl.com/apavideo is the eMotimo TB3 Black.

Having all the photography toys in the world isn’t going to help a mediocre photographer become great. Put the right equipment in the right hands, and amazing things can happen.  eMotimo crafts the highest value multi-axis motion control head available. Specializing in repeatable, 3-axis moves for both video and timelapse applications, the eMotimo TB3 is affordable (starting at $799.00), portable, and ridiculously easy to use.  On a mountaintop, or in studio, eMotimo makes professional capabilities like moving time-lapse, repeatable motion, and precision moves part of your arsenal.

eMotimo is proud to sponsor the Timelapse portion of the 2013 APA Short Video Contest. In fact, we’re thrilled! Coming together to share ideas and content is something we value highly here at eMotimo. We see this contest as an opportunity to learn and grow as a community. We can’t wait to see what you come up with and we are excited to hear your suggestions for new tools to empower you in the field.

We are confident that this competition will generate stunning results and start some great conversations! Hard work, experimentation, and the willingness to push past the norm, are qualities we try to embrace at eMotimo.  We will be looking for these qualities in the Time Lapse category.

TB3 stands for “The Box” 3-Axis.  It is the next evolution of the eMotimo Pan and Tilt motion control heads. The TB3 has a milled aluminum head with new geometry. It is strong, lightweight, and it puts the pan-axis nearly on-node with most cameras to turn a heavier setup.  You may easily add an additional stepper motor to the powered AUX Step port on the side of the TB3 to get 3 axis moves.   Additionally, it has a configurable I/O port that allows for 3rd party solutions.

Interested in winning a TB3?  Check out APA’s 2ND Annual  Short Video Contest for 2013 at www.tinyurl.com/apavideo.