The editing on "Blood Instinct: The Bite or Fight Response" was choppy and somewhat blocky.  I wanted to smooth that out, so I managed to get Movie Maker to work on my computer at home if I first resized the masters down to 720p and saved them.  That was a long slow process just saving the various files.  Then, I opened a new project in Windows Movie Maker and started adding the files and making transitions and trimming and cutting.

The transitions in this Director's Cut are much smoother than the ones in the original.  The host was removed because his files would not convert.  All in all, I like the Director's Cut better.  I also like that I now have files to play with and edit so I can really learn what can and can't be done in post-production.

It's finally here.  Unveiled.  My very first short!
BLOOD INSTINCT: The Bite or Fight Response

I wrote "Blood Instinct" for our first project in Introduction to Television Production at ACC.  We have learned the process of creating shows by participating in each aspect of the production as the role required for that part of the production.  Thus, I have been production assistant, lighting director, VTR operator, sound technician, boom operator, technical director and finally, writer and director.

For this production, I wanted to prove to myself that I understood the process enough to accomplish something entertaining and cohesive within the time frame and constraints on budget we had: $20 for fangs.

So, I'm pleased to reveal "Blood Instinct: The Bite or Fight Response" which gives a nod to that part of me that was the journalism major but says hello to that part of me that loves fantasy and vampires.

The past two nights, we filmed my first Production written and directed by me.  YAY!!!

It totally rocked.  I can't wait to go into post-production and put it all together.  We still have another scene to shoot on Thursday in front of a green screen which will tie everything together, but my vampire has bitten his victim and she has fought him off and beheaded him!

I just couldn't be happier.

I have to thank my crew, Harley Ozuna (camera) and Kyle Artice (lighting) and his friend David who made a great and unexpected PA.

I also have to thank my actors, Robert Lambert (Vampire) and Jade Oglesby (Victim/Hero).

I'm really excited that everything went so well for my first production.  I've learned so much this semester in TV Production and TV Technology and I'm really glad that we decided to shoot this production outside of the classroom and away from the supervision of my instructors because the real test of learning is putting what you've learned into action without anyone redirecting in anticipation of you making mistakes.  Someone has to teach you how to play pool, but eventually you have to go to the bar alone.

I think a great first directing experience is a definitive marker of a great production future and I'm feeling like I've just grown wings.