Hey Kids!
So, we managed to post our Halloween Special this week and although we LOVE the show, the quality is a bit less than we usually accept.
Why is this?
This is based on a couple of reasons and I'll try to spell them out for you. The first is THE CAMERA.
Lately we've been shooting 720dpi "Hi-Rez" 25 fps video using the Kodak Zi6. Now, as some of you may already know, I DO love that camera. But, I bet the folks at Kodak would agree that it has limitations due to a fixed, small lens and storage compression.
I was looking at old footage that we had shot using our Mini DV camera and there was richer quality to the video. True, it isn't HD quality, but the lens is better and the format seemed sound. I made the decision to shoot the live action DV, and the visual effects HD.
Now this isn't uncommon even in the analog world. For years, Douglas Trumbull, VFX Artist of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, would shoot his VFX elements on 70mm vs. the traditional 35mm of most traditional motion pictures. When you "shrink" the 70mm image down to 35 you get a better product just by the nature of the reduction.
The second reason is my image conversion philosophy.
So here's where I messed up. Instead of shrinking the HD to DV, I tried to blow up the DV elements to fit the final HD upload and it had the same effect of blowing up Super 8mm or 16mm film to 35. The colors are washed out and the image is soft.
Even though I think the show still works, I can't let it sit. I'm going to go back...reduce the HD elements import them in the DV timeline and then RE-POST the show on Halloween so it can be seen in its FULL GLORY!
Thanks for being such patient fans of the show. We keep trying to introduce new stuff and make it fun!
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
News Update Number 1
Hey Kids!
So much time has gone by since I've posted any news, and the reason why is very simple: we've been VERY busy preparing big things for Phantom Harbor. There is SO much new news that I'm going to split this post into smaller posts to let you in on all of the exciting developments at the Harbor!
A few months ago, I joined SINISTER SPACE which is like FACEBOOK for Halloween fans. I set up a Phantom Harbor fan page and was contacted by the author of horror site named MR. FRIGHTS.
We communicated via e-mails and he ended up interviewing me about Phantom Harbor. The interview can be found here: http://www.mrfrights.com/phantomharbor.html
The interview portion is found via a link on that page.
I'd like to thank Mr. Frights again on this forum and say what a great job he did.
More news throughout the week!
Until next time, I'll see you at The Harbor!
Shannon Shea
So much time has gone by since I've posted any news, and the reason why is very simple: we've been VERY busy preparing big things for Phantom Harbor. There is SO much new news that I'm going to split this post into smaller posts to let you in on all of the exciting developments at the Harbor!
A few months ago, I joined SINISTER SPACE which is like FACEBOOK for Halloween fans. I set up a Phantom Harbor fan page and was contacted by the author of horror site named MR. FRIGHTS.
We communicated via e-mails and he ended up interviewing me about Phantom Harbor. The interview can be found here: http://www.mrfrights.com/phantomharbor.html
The interview portion is found via a link on that page.
I'd like to thank Mr. Frights again on this forum and say what a great job he did.
More news throughout the week!
Until next time, I'll see you at The Harbor!
Shannon Shea
Friday, September 3, 2010
HEY! More Chando, More Harborscopes!
Hey Kids!
Don't forget to go to Phantom Harbor or Vimeo and check out this month's Harbor-scope Forecast for September.
I'll bring you all up to date more tomorrow with ALL SORTS of exciting things that are happening around here.
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon
Don't forget to go to Phantom Harbor or Vimeo and check out this month's Harbor-scope Forecast for September.
I'll bring you all up to date more tomorrow with ALL SORTS of exciting things that are happening around here.
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon
Monday, August 16, 2010
Phantom Harbor Blog EXCLUSIVE!
Hey Kids,
So I won't be posting this ANYWHERE else! We appreciate your patience while we continue working on the second half of our riveting "Captain Keller" story line and again, I apologize at the wait you have all endured. That said, I want to share with you why it is taking so long to finish the darned thing.
Here is a test for a matte painting I did last night (there are at least TWO more that I have to do). I don't have the necessary elements to complete the final shot, however I put this together to get an IDEA how it will all come together in the end.
Instead of the Captain entering the mysterious Geckoniki temple, I used an existing green screen shot of the Goblin; so technically he has entered the building first.
The final shot will have foreground elements (including bubbling lava pits!) and matched lighting on the Captain element. But you can see how effective this simple painting is going to be within the context of the story!
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea
So I won't be posting this ANYWHERE else! We appreciate your patience while we continue working on the second half of our riveting "Captain Keller" story line and again, I apologize at the wait you have all endured. That said, I want to share with you why it is taking so long to finish the darned thing.
Here is a test for a matte painting I did last night (there are at least TWO more that I have to do). I don't have the necessary elements to complete the final shot, however I put this together to get an IDEA how it will all come together in the end.
Instead of the Captain entering the mysterious Geckoniki temple, I used an existing green screen shot of the Goblin; so technically he has entered the building first.
The final shot will have foreground elements (including bubbling lava pits!) and matched lighting on the Captain element. But you can see how effective this simple painting is going to be within the context of the story!
Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Chando's Harbor-Scopes are HERE!
Hey Kids!
So late last night (or early this morning) Phantom Harbor premiered its latest feature: Chando's Harbor-scopes!
Chando, the genie that the Captain released for Sam Park's Birthday video has RETURNED! He's not here to grant any more disastrous wishes. No, he's here to read YOU your monthly Astrological forecast!
Here's how to get to the forecast:
1) Sign on to www.phantomharbor.com
2) Click on "Captain's Quarters"
3) Click on "Messages" and you'll see a button for Chando's Harbor-scopes!
4) Enjoy and prepare yourself for what August has in store for YOU!
It's just that easy! And so...
Until next time, I'll see you at The Harbor!
Shannon Shea
Monday, August 9, 2010
Web Site Update
Hey Kids!
So, things are heating up again here at the Harbor. This week should bring you what we are calling "Harbor-scopes" brought to you by our genie-buddy, Chando!
Yes, he was irritating granting our Captain's wishes, but in divining your future, he is as accurate as any other astrologer out there!
Here's how it works: Every month, Chando will gaze at the stars and then record a video report for that month. August's forecast will be available later this week.
I know, I know, you're excited as heck! How can you find this precious information?
In the "Message" center of www.phantomharbor.com
But, Shannon, I've looked and I don't know where to find the "Message" section.
The Message center is in the Captain's Quarters for the time being. Soon, it will more obvious as we continue to overhaul the site.
You'll notice that also, in the Message section there are icons for "Announcements", "Birthday Greetings" and the new "McAllister Interview" section, where in the coming weeks, The Captain hopes to interview guests that should be interesting to our audience so stand by!
It's all happening at Phantom Harbor, so don't be shy. Visit the site, recommend it to your friends and we will continue to produce more fun and adventure for you all!
Until next time, I'll see YOU at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea
So, things are heating up again here at the Harbor. This week should bring you what we are calling "Harbor-scopes" brought to you by our genie-buddy, Chando!
Yes, he was irritating granting our Captain's wishes, but in divining your future, he is as accurate as any other astrologer out there!
Here's how it works: Every month, Chando will gaze at the stars and then record a video report for that month. August's forecast will be available later this week.
I know, I know, you're excited as heck! How can you find this precious information?
In the "Message" center of www.phantomharbor.com
But, Shannon, I've looked and I don't know where to find the "Message" section.
The Message center is in the Captain's Quarters for the time being. Soon, it will more obvious as we continue to overhaul the site.
You'll notice that also, in the Message section there are icons for "Announcements", "Birthday Greetings" and the new "McAllister Interview" section, where in the coming weeks, The Captain hopes to interview guests that should be interesting to our audience so stand by!
It's all happening at Phantom Harbor, so don't be shy. Visit the site, recommend it to your friends and we will continue to produce more fun and adventure for you all!
Until next time, I'll see YOU at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea
Monday, August 2, 2010
New Vids, New Sculpts!
Hey Kids!
So what a busy few weeks we've had here at the Harbor!
First of all, let's talk about the two great new videos that are now on the Vimeo Channel.
One is a new Phantom Harbor Promotional Video set to the tune of the theme from MANNIX! Something about the great sounds of Lalo Schiffrin really blended with the lunacy of Phantom Harbor. It's a great combination.
Second is parody of the trailer for a recent French film entitled "Mademoiselle Chambon." Tracy Shea, our live action director and my wife, and yours truly saw the trailer this weekend whilst trying to find SOMETHING to watch in the movie theaters.
The trailer was so pretentious that we HAD to lampoon it and did we ever. The resident Goblin was all too happy to assist us with our efforts.
So again, make sure you check out the vimeo channel here: www.vimeo.com/channels/phantomharbor
Today, work began on the Geckoniki hand puppet. Working strictly from scratch, I had to build the armature from the ground up (proudly with pieces I had just lying around here). I managed to get SOME clay on it after a couple of hours. It's rough, but you can see the direction it's heading (no pun intended).
Take a look at the videos, photos, etc. and do NOT forget that starting next week, you'll be able to get your "Harbor-scope" from the great Chando! More on that soon!
Until next time, see you at the Harbor.
Shannon
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