2014 San Diego Film Awards

by Ray Roman in , , , ,

Last night the Film Consortium of San Diego held the first ever San Diego Film Awards at the Horton Grand Theatre. I directed and edited the music video for Monkeys In Space "Supermodel Suitcase" which was nominated for best cinematography in the music video category.

This event would not have been possible if it wasn't for founder of the Film Consortium Jodi Cilley, the FCSD members, and volunteers.

Certainly this festival will continue to grow, it was an honor to be a nominee for this first time event! It's nice to know that in the future more local filmmakers and talent will have the same opporuntiy that I had last night.  Lookout for the new Monkeys In Space album "Kill Your Past" coming out later this month at Facebook.com/MonkeysInSpace and you can watch the Monkeys In Space "Supermodel Suitcase" below.

Special guest star presenters include TV and film actors Kimberlin Brown (Emmy nominated for Sheila Carter-Young & the Restless), Jose Yenque (Traffic), Marc McClure (Superman, Apollo 13). Kimberlin Brown Jose Yenque Marc McClure Host for the show is longtime radio and newspaper personality, Chris Cantore a UT-TV Host and Night & Day Editor as well as long-time San Diego radio on air talent. Featured presenters include many community leaders and local celebrities Joe Terzi (San Diego Tourism Authority), Wally Schlotter (celebrated San Diego Film Commissioner), William Lansdowne (San Diego Police Chief) Allison Andrews (San Diego Fashion Week) Scott Marks (San Diego Reader), George Varga, (2 time Pulitzer nominee & UT Music Critic), John Decker (KPBS Program Director), Larry Groupe (movie composer – Usual Suspects) and more top award winning directors, filmmakers and dignitaries including Police Chief William Lansdowne. San Diego’s Mayor Kevin Faulconer is expected to present a major award. -Film Consortium Press Release

Stay tuned for more photos, and videos from the event this week!

Monkeys In Space 2014 San Diego Film Awards (Promo Video)

by Ray Roman in , ,

I've recently been nominated for Best Cinematography for the 2014 San Diego Film Awards. It's been a while since I've attended a film festival and I'm happy to be a part of the first ever San Diego Film Awards.

Promo Video Created by Ray Roman

Animation by Pixel RGB / Animated Background by Ty Mabrey

For more info on the event visit:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/san-diego-film-awards-tickets-10268042993

Official Nominees Announcement:
http://filmconsortiumsd.com/fcsd-wp/san-diego-film-awards-short-film-category-nominees/

Follow Monkeys In Space on Twitter @MonkeysInSpace
http://www.twitter.com/MonkeysInSpace

Special Thanks to Jodi Cilley for her hard work putting this event together! Follow The Film Consortium on Twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/FilmConSD

GoPro Experiment: Wavves "Post Acid"

by Ray Roman in , , ,

After all these years I've finally got my hands on a GoPro! I've been wanting to experiment with these cameras for many years but never really had any particular use for them. Recently a friend of mine got one for free because the art department where he works was getting rid of a bunch of first generation GoPros. Since I'm into filmmaking he decided to give it to me. I've been thinking about purchasing the recent model that came out last year but it looks like I can wait for the next generation now.

I tested out the time-lapse feature for the first time yesterday. Watch the quick video I put together below.

I think GoPros are a good tool for any filmmaker to own. The reason why it's taken me so long to get a GoPro is because I've always been able to capture what I needed with the cameras I've had. Even with the iPhone I was able to create time-lapse videos through the apps available. One of my favorite cameras that's as durable as a GoPro was the Kodak ZX3. It was able to function underwater, and shoot up to 60fps which in comparison the current GoPro I have can do as well. It's great that the current state of technology allows us so many options, I can't really fathom how much better it could be within the next 5 years. I think for a filmmaker owning a GoPro is like an artist having many different brushes to choose from. I'm excited for the possibilities this camera has to offer, especially with its durability and freedom to move the camera.

Looking Back at 2013

by Ray Roman in , , , , , , , , ,

This is a highlight video of some of the work I shot and edited this year.

I'd like to continue editing something like this together every year as I have done in the past. Checkout the first 'Looking Back' video from 2009 below.

Make your ideas happen before somebody else does.

by Ray Roman in , ,

This week Eminem's music video 'Rap God' was released. I took notice of a scene within the video that reminded me of a visual idea I wanted to make a reality 3 years ago. As soon as I heard the song 'Whiskey Kings' by Monkeys In Space, I started to visualize what the music video would look like. I had the song playing on repeat while I was running on a treadmill, and as time went by I came up with a concept. I got off the treadmill and sketched out storyboards for a music video. In the image below you will see a screenshot of one of my storyboards next to a scene from the Eminem music video. I was a bit shocked when I saw this because it's exactly what I had envisioned for the 'Whiskey Kings' music video. Read more about the project in this blog post I wrote a little over 2 years ago.

It's frustrating to see an idea you envisioned in your head, being done by somebody else and in this case that somebody else is Eminem! There are many reasons why my idea didn't come to life, mostly because of a lack of communication and expressing my idea to the band. Funding was also an issue, I don't believe I was employed at the time and I had this grand idea to create a music video on absolutely no budget. As an independent filmmaker it's difficult to risk sacrificing your vision with no budget just for the sake of making a video. I would have funded the video myself if I could have and in the future I plan on doing so with projects I have a passion for like I did for this one.

Watch the entire storyboarded music video below.