CHRISLEYDON.COM

Well that was a fun weekend. I decided to take the weekend off and head back home; ’twas a nice and relaxing weekend, but not very productive. However, before I left for Worcester, I did launch the new Keyone site (v.4.1) I’ve had some good feedback from it, but make up your mind for yourself… www.keyoneproductions.co.uk

While the Keyone Productions site was down during the upgrade, I stuck up a test of the Keyone TV “Mogulus” channel. No idea if any of you have seen this service, but it is definitely worth a look at. Mogulus allows you to essentially create your own online streaming television channel, using content from YouTube or your own content which you upload. All, of course, for free - www.mogulus.com

This morning I received the marks and feedback for the Project Elements drama. In all they were very good; as a group we scored a 2-1 with a few pointers on how we could have improved the film. The plot was a little thin, but other than that it appeared to be alright.

No idea what’s wrong at the moment, but my typing and writing skills seem to be lacking today. As a result of this temporary lack of skills I shall bid you adieu.

Chris Leydon.

I’m back at University and already I’m up to my neck in work. You might remember the film that I’m working on as part of my University project, if you don’t then let me remind you. My semester two task is to create two 3 minute films, one is a documentary and the other is a dramatisation based on the information gained in the documentary. The documentary has been filmed and can be seen in my Videos page.

Project Elements, the drama, isn’t coming on very well, in all honesty. Over the past three/four weeks we were supposed to have a cast, locations, equipment, storyboard and a shooting script all ready and raring to for this weekend; so that we could commence filming on Monday. I, personally, have managed to find most of the actors and get my part of the storyboards done; I’ve also secured permission to film on location and booked the equipment. What we don’t have is a cast, I was informed of this small huge detail last night, at about 5 o’clock. Naturally I’m now in panic mode and trying to find a cast, with very little success.

Incidentally, if you’re an actor aged 20 - 30 in the Worcestershire UK area and you’re free on Monday and Tuesday to help me out, please drop me an email - address in the Social section. Wage of about £40 per day plus travel expenses.

Urgh! Let’s see if I can get something done about all of this!

Chris Leydon.

I’ve got quite a bit to say, well three things actually, and instead of writing out a long post I’m pondering whether to write them as three separate posts, spread out over the weekend; that’s what I’ll do actually.

First item on the agenda is why I’ve been a tad quiet this week. I’m now back in Worcester, the land of sauce and home to Keyone Productions, as you will know from previous posts; this means that I’ve been able to concentrate more on personal and business projects, as opposed to mainly the University ones.

My relationship with Youthcomm, has been a long and fun one to say the least. Youthcomm currently runs three main projects, an online and FM youth operated community radio station (Youthcomm Radio), an online interactive portal (which is undergoing a revamp) and a youth operated telephone hotline for young people (Youthline).

Youthcomm, for some time now have had plans to launch an online television service, showcasing content created by the young people of Worcestershire. The content that it plans to deliver will be high quality video, generated by anyone who wants to be involved. This will be unlike services such as YouTube or PodShow because the Youthcomm TV project plans to provide training and equipment, to make these videos some of the greatest on the web.

There are current training modules in place and I’m helping to devise another aspect of the training that Youthcomm will provide. The area that I’m involved in focuses on evolving the skills gained in earlier training sessions, to make the generated videos of even better quality.

That is all that I’m going to say on that matter for the time being. There will be more posts later on…

Chris Leydon.

It feels great to say that I’m back home early from University. All of my Uni work was finished early on this semester, so there really wasn’t anything keeping me there, and now I’m back in Worcester. I’ve still got bits of preparation work to do for the Project Elements Drama film; but I’ll get that done during my time off.

Today I got around to adding a video page to my blog, now you can see some of the video projects that I’ve worked on in full streaming internet flash quality; you just now it’ll be good. I’m thinking about adding an audio and imaging tab as well, at some point in time.

For some reason I’m not in the greatest of blogging moods today, I haven’t really achieved anything and it just feels as though I’m doing it for the hell of it; which I’m not. Well, I think I’ll cut this thing short then and get around to sorting out some Keyone stuff with Nick, that’s if I can get a hold of him.

Chris Leydon.

Another week has gone by and still all I can manage to do is one post, but still I suppose that it’s better than nothing.

Last weekend I was kidnapped by my parents and taken back home for a few days, they were only supposed to pop up here with a receipt so that I could change my digibox. Going home was rather fun and it gave me time to think back over al that’s happened over the past few weeks that I’ve actually been at University for. It also gave me the chance to meet up with the fabulous Mr Cooper and record a few more Podzones.

This weeks lectures haven’t been that interesting. Film Technology, however, was quite fun. We were allowed to start experimenting with the Cannon XL1s and we were set a task where we had to create three independent shots and frame them correctly.

In Digital Image Production we were introduced to Photoshop and taught the basics. Needless to say that I was one of the few in this class who left early as we had, had a bit of experience in Photoshop. I did stay for the actual lecture and demonstration but when it came to replicating the demonstration I buggered off.

Audio Production, once again, seems to be a waste of time. I wont go into another anti-Audio Production rant but pretty much the same thing happened again as it has done for the past few weeks.

The Keyone Productions website has been down for most of the week as I’ve been redesigning and reprogramming it. I must say that it is indeed starting to look very good, especially with the new Flash players that I’ve installed. No longer do we need to rely on Google Video.

I’m extremely pleased about the news of Leopard, otherwise known as Mac OS X 10.5, which is basically Apple’s new advanced operating system. It comes out on Friday and I’m hoping to be able to pick one up at the launch party in London’s Regents Street. I’ll take a few photos of the event and post them up on my blog after I’m finished. I know it’s a rather geeky thing to be doing, but who cares?

Chris Leydon.

My second week of lectures has started and it’s set to be a whole load of fun. We spent the morning in Film Tech learning about the art of pitching ideas to studios and production companies, as well as spending a bit of time on our assignments.

I spent the Weekend at my parents house back in Worcester, it wasn’t quite my Mother’s birthday weekend but it was close enough. Eitherway I had a great time seeing them all again and catching up, I have been missing them, but not too much.

This afternoon, after lectures, myself and Mr Hargraves decided that it might be a good idea and get some shopping done (Smoked Salmon, Fresh Pasta, Decent Wine and some Devil gear) and do some location hunting for our Film Tech project. It was an interesting shop and a frustrating hunt, as many of the alleyways just weren’t old enough to fit the piece.

Anywho, I’ve got to dash but I shall explain more on this Film Tech Film at a later date, my quiche is ready.

Chris Leydon.

Photo album of the Staffs Location Hunt