BLOG.RYANTURNERPRODUCTIONS.COM

As summer winds down

2009-09-15T23:17:00Z

I really need to get better at updating this thing, but just wanted to update all of you out there on what's happening and projects finishing and coming up. I've just finished up a job at LifeTouch photography which ended because I am going to start school.

I've shot and am about 90% done with my next special effects video which is looking amazing by the way, I'd post some pictures but because it's so close to being released i might as well make you all wait : )

Through LifeTouch I was able to meet someone who needed a video done and so I'm just finishing up a video entitled: Invisible Students which is a film that will be shown in the Acalanes School district to teachers in order to help them better understand and interact with those certain students that fall through the cracks and are not shown much attention. It's really my first random job but I'm really happy with how it turned out and it will be good to get the name of my company out there.

For the upcoming 106 project that I will be pitching to the UC Santa Barbara film department with hopes of being one of the 4 films that get green-lighted I'll give a little plot synpsis sneak preview. It will be titled LukeWarm and the story follows Luke, a very indecisive man who is afraid to make choices with fear of making the wrong choice. He works as an editor of a newspaper and his job is to take all the bias out of the articles. The story follows him as, sparked by the disappearance of his laptop, he encounters numerous obstacles and is forced out of his comfort zone. Jameson Jordan the talented writer over from dependent media who has written numerous other projects that I've done is busy working away and we will be getting a finished script sometime this week. I'm really excited and hope everything goes as planned.

I'm also planning on branching out Blackout Detectives with a separate video series: Blackout Stories. While BoD is fun to make, it is time consuming and has not generally sparked as much interest as I would have liked (I'm not completely trashing it btw) but Blackout Stories will simply be people telling their crazy Blackout Stories and us reenacting it. It will be easier, simpler, and faster to pump out. We'll see how it goes!

The Naked Guy is still in the running for some festivals and actually will be playing at a red carpet event in October!! I'll give more details later...

BTW: Life and Death in Iraq is now on YouTube, the film I edited for a professor and you can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8gc3fTG9zI

Well I think I've given enough info already...Thanks for keeping updated, and check back soon for more updates!

To do list this summer

2009-06-19T21:38:00Z

So with all of the summer free from school, I'm still planning on having an extremely busy schedule and a full plate of movies to work on:

-Post Awkward Courage and then edit together deleted scenes and post them as well

-Edit and post Blackout Detectives Episodes 3 and 4

-Make another Special Effects Video

-Finish and polish a script with Jameson Jordan for 106 next year

-Work on and shoot a music video with Danny Eldridge in the style of Lonely Island videos

-Make a promotional video for Mr. Legit

-Finish up my editing job now and potentially apply for another

-Attend various film festivals that The Naked Guy gets into (so far AoF festival at the end of July and the LA Film Festival).

So it's going to be busy, but that also means there will be a lot more videos uploaded in shorter amounts of time. Check back in the coming weeks for more updates and hopefully at least a finished Blackout Detectives 3!

Awkward Courage is posted btw and you can watch it here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Turner-Productions/93919122118?ref=ts

A little late for my monthly update, but here all the same!!

2009-06-03T04:08:00Z

Alright! So where were we? It has been around 50 days since I last updated, so sorry for all two of you who read this haha but anyways I wanted to update what I have been doing in those 50 days:

If you didn't know already Blackout Detectives 2 is completely shot! Watch it on my page if you haven't already! It's already got 1000 views thanks to my uber promotion on its release and we'll hopefully get even higher once the next episodes come out!
I did end up making a short for Ellison I Love You and it was titled Awkward Courage and stars one of my best friends from high school who also is an amazing actor. The film plays this Saturday in the screening but also played in the local Isla Vista Digital Video Festival where it won the Audience Choice Award! That's two for two out of my last two films! Not too shabby You can see the picture of me with my award up above! As far as the short goes keep checking back because I am planning on posting uploading it mid-June!
I have been consistently editing the film Life and Death in Iraq as a job. I will have it finished soon, and I'll post here when it will be playing on UC TV.
I helped out a bit with Reel Loud, although I didn't submit a film, and played drum set for Ainara's film titled Hungry Love just like I did for another film last year. Not bad for my only two venues in the last two years. Campbell hall was packed and I definitely got a rush from playing in front of so many people.
Erik Choquette, the very talented man has been working on a trailer for The Naked Guy and a poster also is said to be on the way. I finally recut it and revamped it to its fullest potential
Speaking of The Naked Guy, it officially has a page now so go check it out! I have submitted it to three festivals already and I will be submitting it to more all across the nation! Can't wait to see the reception.
Upcoming projects include shooting and editing Blackout Detectives 3 and 4 which are both being written the by amazingly talented and funny Jameson Jordan. I will be shooting them hopefully before the end of the quarter...crazy I know.
I have also to do my honors project for 101C...we'll see how that turns out and if it's worth uploading.
This summer I plan on shooting another special effects videos given the success of them. This one will be even more epic than ever before.
I want to do an action short and a horror short, both with comedy bases.
That reminds me...I definitely need to update my people involved section. There are many important people that have helped out that still need a shout out. Thanks to all of you and as I always will say keep checking back for updates!

BTW: I just saw Tokyo and I saw TWO amazing techniques that you will be seeing in all of my videos to come. They are amazing and original, and while they were done in that movie I have not seen them done anywhere else. I will be taking them on and experimenting with them. Get ready.

Films done, and Films to come

2009-04-14T06:35:00Z

Spring Quarter has just started, and I've already been swamped with work. Last time we checked in I made a video for my Sociology Honors Section, edited Bottom of the Bottle, and edited another project for an event. As of now I am adding the final touches to the completely revamped The Naked Guy which if you didn't know before won the 10-10-10 filmmaking competition this year for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. I am hoping to send it to multiple other festivals and for all of those interested, check it out on IMDB.

Blackout Detectives Episode 2 is completely shot and now it is up to Joe to edit it. I would be editing it myself but in addition to The Naked Guy I am also editing a film called Life and Death in Iraq as a job which will be airing on UC TV.

This coming month I am looking to shoot Blackout Detectives Episodes 3 and 4 simultaneously, make a video for my honors section for 101C which should be very insightful and interesting, make a short for the film Ellison, I love You which is in the style of Paris, J'taime (if that's spelled correctly) and hopefully make Blackout Detectives Episode 5 if I have time which I highly doubt I will. Anyways keep checking back and email me if you want to get involved with any of my projects. Thanks for reading!

Been awhile, no less busy

2009-03-18T05:26:00Z

Another late update to what I've been doing. I've finally finished editing the 106 film Bottom of the Bottle which will be premiering this Friday at IV Theater. I have finished shooting the second episode of Blackout Detectives. I have finished all of my school finals and am hoping for another 4.0. And a writer friend is working on the first draft of a short film that I've wanted to do for awhile. All in all, things are going good. Check back around spring break when Blackout Detectives should be finished. Maybe later, with all of the footage we have to work with (the gift and curse of having a two camera shoot :/) but yes. Keep checking back. Leave comments. I'm out.

A crazy month

2009-02-03T06:32:00Z

Wow has this month been crazy! I've driven the trek from SB to LA over 10 times (roughly once to twice per weekend) I have completed working on two separate films and am still working on a third, and I am now officially an award-winning filmmaker.

Where to start? So Wilcox went over great. Daniel Gruen had everything planned out and I was happy to be of service. I functioned as an associate producer as well as second assistant director. It really was a great experience and I learned a great amount of helpful knowledge that I will be puting to use throughout the rest of my career. The crew/cast/set all were very professional and it only pumped me up more for my 10-10-10 film that eventually went on to win!

This is just a rough blog entry for now, but i'll be adding more details when I get the time...damn midterms

Turns out...I won't...just read some later ones

The coming months

2008-12-16T23:55:00Z

In the coming month of January, I'll be kept incredibly busy with various film projects.

To begin with, I will be once again put to work on my 106 project Bottom of the Bottle. This project is for a class and I am the editor. We finished the rough cut last quarter, but we still have a lot of work to do.

Next, the short independent film Wilcox, which just got Robert Altman Jr. to sign on as DP, will be shooting mid-January. In addition, the director of Angels in the Outfield is just one of our many executive producers. We auditioned actors in LA last quarter and we have a full crew. Because of costs we are shooting two full days, and so there is going to need to be a lot of preparation in order to make things run smoothly. I'm really excited to be a part of this project (which has a brilliant script) and I will be acting as Assistant Director/Assistant Producer/Assistant editor.

The following week, I'll be participating once again in the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10-10-10 student filmmaking competition. I get a script, written by one of 10 scriptwriters, and following that date I have 10 days to make a movie. I'm looking to make a professional piece, and I'm aiming to win.

if there's anytime left over, I will also be working to get out a second episode of Blackout Detectives.

Keep checking back for updates, and email me if you want to get involved!

Give your feedback!

2008-11-28T02:24:00Z

I have just finished editing the rough cut of the first episode of Blackout Detectives! This your chance to tell me what you think. If you are reading this AFTER the episode has been released, I still would love the feedback so tell me what you thought! Thanks and enjoy

Before you watch: Note that this IS a rough cut, there are definitely audio problems, the beginning is gonna be souped up with some cool audio and video effects, and there is still a possibility to change anything and everything.

Video Link: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16753818jzYPemDs

What I want from you: I would greatly appreciate it if you could message me back with the following info (not limited to this by any means, you can write me regarding whatever you want).

-Funniest parts of the movie (what made you laugh/entertained you the most)

-Least favorite parts (what dragged on, wasn't funny, or simply should be changed in your opinion)

-Overall impression (did you like it?)

-Anything else that comes to mind (ideas, critiques, etc.)

If you decide, please email this feedback to blackout@ryanturnerproductions.com

Thanks,

Ryan Turner

Videos I'm working on in the coming weeks/months

2008-10-07T05:46:00Z

Alcohol and Sex...these are the topics of the next three videos I will be working on. Below are the general summaries of the projects coming up, for more detail email me.

First off is the Sex Therapy project. I will not disclose too many details, but just know that there is a brilliant script with a brilliant lead. The best film minds in UCSB are working on this project, and it will definitely be something I will be proud of. We will be getting a professional crew and look for this film to go places (mainly film festivals accross the nation). On this team I will be acting as Assistant Director/Editor.

Next up comes the Film 106 project Bottom of the Bottle. I am doing this movie as a two quarter class and I am lead editor of the project. This story revolves around the deep question: "why do people drink?" and uses a mix of comedy and stereotypes to portray it.

Finally I will be working on webisodes (as director/writer/editor) for a comedy project entitled Black-out Detectives. Ever wonder what happened on that crazy Friday night? Tell the detectives the last thing that you remember and where you ended up and we will find out just what happened no matter how extravagent or absurd our story may seem. Have you seen Pineapple Express? Think of that final scene, and that's the level of realism that we are going for. I'm very excited to work with both Joe Raffanti, Gerald Chung, and one of my roomates this year Joe Connors and we will be creating hopefully a lot of episodes for you to watch.

Anyways, keep checking back and more updates will surely be on the way!

Another idea

2008-08-26T05:42:00Z

I'll admit besides my special effects videos I haven't really followed through with many of my ideas, but in regards to a short I hope to put into production soon, think along these lines. I want to create an artistic piece revolving around the idea of a chain event. One thing sets off the next and it keeps going until it triggers the finale. Hopefully this works out, let me know your thoughts.

Special Effects Videos through the ages

2008-08-13T06:39:00Z

As a tribute to my newly released seventh video, I decided to post the six other videos I did under the title of special effects, with a little description of each.

First off: Special Effects Video #1

Obviously at this point I was just beginning. You can see a sloppy keying job on the lightsabers which looked like they were filmed with a cell phone. And then you have the force lightning and random effect that really makes no sense. When I filmed my hand doing that, I really hoped I could make something much cooler than I did...oh well. At first I wanted to work on practicing my special effects using my own videos. Although there were lots of after effects tutorials all over the internet, I had not yet found my haven of videocopilot.net. The lightsaber tutorial I took was basic at best, and this whole video took me a couple minutes of filming and a lot more than a couple of minutes of post-production. With the hours I put into it, I figured I might as well not just scrap all of my work...I should post it on my youtube profile even though I'm wasn't too proud of it. And so it begins, every time I want to practice an effect...I in the end decide that after all of the work I've done, I might as well put it on youtube.

Next up: Special Effects Video 2: Explosion/Teleport

As you can see, I found videocopilot and Andrew Kramer's tutorials. I say this because anyone who has taken his tutorials could see that all I did was blatantly copy his example with my footage. I simply followed his instructions with no real deviations. This video has gotten a lot of views, but I almost feel guilty from copying exactly what Andrew Kramer did. Anyways, this was shot in my video production class in high school (as you can probably tell from the audio). The green screen actually covers my whole body (a problem I run into in my later videos) and it was nice and easy to do. Not my favorites of my special effects videos, but I guess it was a good start.

Special Effects 3: Lightsabers

This was my second take on lightsabers, which eventually led up to Cheating is Bad with Garrett Gerstenberger. My friend Anthony and I took a rolled up poster and a dog bone and turned them into lightsabers in the backyard. This was shot with the crappy old family camera, and I did not even intend to upload this to youtube. When I found out how long rotoscoping lightsabers actually took, I then decided to upload all of my work. Frame by frame outlining is a tedious job, and this was just a foreshadowing of all of the work that would be put into Cheating is Bad. Anyways, the lazers turned out too short and stubby; I found this out after watching Star Wars. I also added in some explosions from Action Movie Essentials and tried to add blood splatter but that didn't really work. A solid third attempt if I don't say so myself.

Special Effects 4: 300 Test

This is by far the most unprofessional video I have ever uploaded. I needed to practice a little of my effects before I worked on my 300 parody and the end result amused me. I have a habit of not liking to re-shoot, and because I didn't want to edit much before I went to After Effects, I kept in the bloopers. Because it is not my best work by far, and giving that I didn't even use the same effect in the end on my 30 video, I sometimes regret rushing through making this (I had a much better time-remapping video that my friends and I shot afterwards). It took me about 2 hours total, and it was uploaded within a day. When I watch it, however, I remember how fun and random it was to shoot imaginary sword fights in the middle of the road, and that almost makes up for it. The first person view of a spear being thrown? We held the camera over the PVC pipe and ran with it.

Special Effects 5: Time Freezing

The origins of this video are interesting. I really REALLY wanted to try time freezing. When it comes to shooting, I'm pretty lazy about calling people. So, when my friend Michael Williams and I were hanging out one day, I decided that I wanted to shoot it. We didn't have a green screen, we didn't have a cameraman, all we had was a tripod and chips. This marked the beginning of many of my videos shot in the same style (including 6 and 7). Of course with a lack of crew comes a few mistakes. When Mike is frozen, you can see the cushion he was supposed to land on. If anyone is wondering what it is I do when he is first frozen, I took out my cell phone and took a picture. I still have that picture of an empty background on my phone. This is the one part I wish I had edited out, it simply drags out the length of the piece. The sound effect for my grabbing the chip out of the air is pretty lazy, just me crunching something into a shoddy mic. But anyways, I was proud to show this video off when it was finally done. And although I was supposed to be working on construction at my house, I would sneak off and get a few frames of keying done. As far the face morph, I simply wanted to try it and wanted to fit in as many effects as possible. Many people say it ruined it, but I still like it. You can see from this tutorial that I finally took the videocopilot tutorials and began to expand on what they taught me. Not only did I use Andrew Kramer's tutorials, but I tried to complicate them more or differentiate from his examples.

Special Effects 6: Alien Parasites

After Christmas I just got a new HDV camera and I definitely wanted to try it out. So, after presents, my sister, dad, and I all went outside and I made up a short little story based around what I new videocopilot had tutorials on: that bug crawling thing, day to night transformation, and head explosions. This was shot on a tripod, and I attempted to try out the After Effects camera. All of the rest was basically made up on the spot; this short doesn't really have the deepest of plots and I just tried to fit in everything I wanted to do. The "I'll help you" was an attempt at a joke in an obviously twisted plotline. I'm really not that sick in the head, I promise. I was happy with this video, although making those bugs was a bitch. Because of the whole weird feel in this movie, I was not as proud to show it off as I was of my Time Freezing video.

Special Effects 7: Don't hit a Superhero with a Car

And so here it is, my latest work. I shot this with only a tripod and Gerald Chung. My green screen was good, although it sucked because I only held it up with one person (see the production stills below) and so I had to really work hard to fix this in After Effects. I used another couple tutorials off of videocopilot: through a window, hit by a car, weird eyes, and healing. Time freezing is in there but that really was only work because the green screen covered him for half the time. The one two three editing style shown after Gerald stops time is exactly what I'm trying to perfect and I'm glad I practiced it in this video. I want to be able to edit like the movie Snatch, and any practice helps. I don't have much to write on this, that is until I watch it as much as my other videos (a billion times). I feel as if I'll be proud to show this video off.

I'll put up images soon

Well, this has been a ton of writing, but I hope you enjoyed reading it! I'll probably add stuff later as I think of it. Let me know what you thought by adding a comment (you don't really have to put your email, they just try and trick you...I think).

Short Film in the works

2008-07-26T21:59:00Z

This should give you sort of a hint. Imagine a superhero story, but in college. This will be a comedy, and I hopefully will be able to pitch it to 106 this year. Keep checking back for more info, but I won't start writing until after I finish the special effects test, which hopefully should be done within a week or so.

Update: I will be pushing back this project to hopefully pitch NEXT YEAR

Car Crash Special Effects Test Done Shooting Update

2008-07-23T02:26:00Z

So Gerald Chung and I officially finished shooting the test. It was just us two and a tripod, so we'll see how it turns out. A few production stills below.

Our Janky Green Screen V

New Banner

2008-07-21T00:46:00Z

Looks cool no? If everything falls through the same artist will be working on a rendering for the whole site!
As far as people go, if you're reading this go sign up for the forums! I want to get those up and running I've been working to get the site to show up on google and other search engines but it's no easy task. Anyways let me know what you think and I'll be updating again probably Tuesday

Production stills will be put up tomorrow under this same entry!

New video to be shot tomorrow!

2008-07-18T07:49:00Z

Starting saturday, I will be creating a video based around these four tutorials:

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial.html?id=97

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial.html?id=108

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial.html?id=86

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorial.html?id=92

Each one will be incorporated in its own special way in about a one minute short special effects test. If you've seen any of my previous work you'll know that I don't simply copy these tutorials using my footage, I try and expand upon what they teach me. Anyways it should be good, so keep checking back for updates and production stills on the main page!

Welcome

2008-07-17T00:49:25Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.