December 6, 2008
-
New MikeVideo Internet Movie: L.A. Dreams
"L.A. Dreams": (2008, 8 min. 36 sec. High quality wmv file) A photo/video slideshow showcasing downtown Los Angeles, scored to a mashup of L.A. themed songs and groups. In December of 2006 I published San Diego Dreams on YouTube, and the video is my most popular vid on the service, with over 80 comments. I've been wanting to put together an homage to the city in which I live, L.A., since I only visited San Diego for a weekend. L.A. Dreams is my "video response" to my own San Diego Dreams. Using video footage along with hundreds of photos culled from over four years of photographing the city in earnest, the editing took over two weeks. I want to show that L.A. is a beautiful city, with a mix of different styles of architecture. They say "nobody walks in L.A. Well, this video was taken during many walking tours of downtown.
DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY
I seem to always be infused with a rush of creative activity before the end of the year, and this year is no different. Well, it's perhaps a bit different because I'm handicapped, although I am trying not to let that hamper this creativity, and on the weekend of November 15th I took advantage of the beautiful weather, packed my cameras and crutches, and took the Blue Line Metro train from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles for a year end photo expedition. Just a week earlier, I was in downtown, snapping photos of the Sears building in Boyle Heights and the L.A. County USC Medical Center.
Unbeknownst to me, there was an anti Proposition 8 demostration scheduled for downtown, and there was an unscheduled trio of fires raging through the southland. The demonstration didn't get in my way, and the fires didn't cover downtown with any smoke. (Although Long Beach was covered in ash when I got back from downtown in the afternoon)
The train trip began at 7a.m. and I took over 250 photos and shot video of many L.A. landmarks. I got off at the Pershing Square exit, emerged from the subway station, and immediately saw opportunities for photos. Around Pershing Square, I got lots of photos of the Library, and the Library Tower across the street. I circled the Broadway district, got some shots of the historic theaters, and ended up at Staples Center. I took the train back into Long Beach in the late afternoon, and spent almost all my free time for the better part of the next two weeks creating the video you see here, L.A. Dreams.
This video is mainly a slideshow of not only these photos, but pics I have taken around the downtown area since 2004, when I got my latest digital videocamera, which includes a still camera function. I borrowed a lot of my new roommate Mike's digital audio files of L.A. themed music, plus some of my own, and first laid down a music track, to which I edited the transitions. I'm pretty proud of this, the 44th video I've posted on my YouTube channel.
The video "tour" of downtown begins with the civic center, and the Iconic City Hall Tower, then moves to the Music Center, Disney Hall, the Cathedral, St. Vibiana's Cathedral, the Dept. of Transportation building, Bradbury Building, (where parts of Blade Runner were filmed) Theater District, Olvera Street, the Library, Pershing Square, Bonaventure Hotel (including video footage shot from one of the outside elevators), new construction around L.A. Live, Little Tokyo, Staples Center, and views of the skyline from the L.A. River. Since I've edited to the beat of a continuously changing sonic landscape, some of the shots are edited quite quickly. I don't think anyone will be bored. All the individual images can be seen on my Webshots Gallery in assorted downtown L.A. themed folders. This is a video meant to showcase the city at all times, and there were some Christmas banners etc. being erected the weekend of Nov. 15th, specifically in Pershing Square, where they install an ice skating rink during winter. I think I have one angel decoration in one of the Square photos, but consciously tried not to take photos with Christmas decorations in them.
The video is also available on Xanga, with comments, and I posted it here about a week ago in the Video section. I'm featuring the YouTube version of the video here however, because YouTube is now allowing larger file uploads, and the quality of the images is far greater. In fact, if you click the actual video above, you are taken to the YouTube page, where you can click "watch in high quality" and get the sharpest image possible. (really neat for full screen viewing) I'm pretty pleased with this new upgrade to the YouTube service, which also now allows for widescreeen HD uploads.
I'm a bit disappointed that my last Electric Poetry Post, directly below this, only got six comments, because I've been actively commenting around Xanga lately, and the poetry presented on the entry were all new transcriptions. Also, since my personal website AllThingsMike is being overhauled for it's 10th Anniversary next year, the ElectricPoetry entry announced the latest updated pages on my ElectricPoetry website.
Similarly, this entry announces the redesign and update of my MikeVideo website, which usually gets updated every year around this time. I'm doing so much right now, that the main page of the MikeVideo site features an early version of "Renaissance Faire Music" from 2002 which I just uploaded last night, but also has an article about L.A. Dreams, with the same high quality embedded file. I used to just add the new internet movie announcements to the top of the page, blogstyle, and the images I was using were scaled down versions of much larger images, so the pages took a lot longer to load than they do now. There are sections for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. each showcasing the video output for that year, with links to all the streaming meda feeds on the internet for each movie. As I find older "gems" which haven't been online in a long time, I am adding them as well.
I would really like to get the word out about L.A. Dreams. I think this is one of the best of my "babies". If you have the inclination, please give me five stars and a recommend for this entry. What a nice early Christmas present it would be to wake up and see that everyone on Xanga at least has a chance to see L.A. Dreams on the front page of the service. (hint hint) (Last time I "asked" somebody who usually recommends told me in comments that they wouldn't because I'd asked. It seems to work for some of the "popular Xangans" so I give it a try from time to time. I was also going to send out a "message" but I won't. I'll let the Universal Inbox do it's job. I don't keep "updating" so it won't keep appearing at the top of the list either. Oh well. I just want to give people the opportunity to see my little masterpieces as I make them!
Comments (52)
Great Vid..........I love the music choices........hope you have a wonderful day.
WHEN i learn how to make Vista WORK i'll post something else up on YouTube & Xanga...
RYC--i'm AGAINST legalising POT but FOR the relegalization of LSD:coolman:
I clicked the "Recommend" thingy, as you asked. "THINGY" is good in British or International English-Language Scrabble, but it's still not valid in U.S. tournaments. (THAT wasn't so hard to read, was it?:lol:) I could go on and on about this, but I won't.
I'm also happy to give you a plug at my place. Thanks for your comment on my lonesome commentless entry.
Time is pressing me today, as it does all days. So, alas, I have to neglect much of what you've done. I know you understand my predicament.
Nice videography Mike! You doin' ok these days?
Oh great video. I liked it so much I recommended it. I am having a lovely holiday season. Thanks for asking. Judi
I have a project that might be of interest to you, as you are in the film industry.... email me for some specifics!
Hi! Visiting from Twoberry's site, but I think we've crossed paths a time or two ourselves!
Excellent video! I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, during the 80's I was the epitomy of a Valley girl...*Shakes head in shame*...but the music you chose, and the places...WOW! I love that you showed L.A....not just some tourist destination. L.A. is just so much more than the Hollywood sign!
Mike,
That is awesome!! I love the music, too. I have never been to the west coast, but I feel like I have seen the best of Los Angeles through your pictures. Thanks for taking the time to produce this. (oh, I love Sweet, "Fox on the Run")
Have a lovely day!
I like the video! I didn't get to see a lot of those landmarks when I visited a few years ago!
i enjoyed your video very much. ive only been to LA once but it was a rushed experience. i hope to get back one day.
Going to YouTube and seeing this in high quality made it even better, I'd recommend everyone to do so.
You're rightly proud of this one Mike, tremendous work! :goodjob: :goodjob:
Nice informative blog.full of knowledge & useful.success of Digital Marketing is guided
through Vision and smart communication engineering, like a business
architect:-Didier Grossemy
Three years later we are so excited about the future.
For most up-to-date news you have to pay a visit internet and
on the web I found this website as a most excellent web
page for most recent updates.
That is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this
one. A must read article!
I'm gone to inform my little brother, that he should also pay a quick
visit this weblog on regular basis to take updated from newest news update.
I quite like reading a post that can make people think.
Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!
First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question that I'd like to ask if
you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
I've had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I truly do take pleasure in writing but
it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just
trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints?
Kudos!
Hey there would you mind letting me know which hosting
company you're working with? I've loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads
a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a honest price?
Kudos, I appreciate it!
I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately,
yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours.
It is lovely price sufficient for me. In my view, if all
site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the net might
be a lot more useful than ever before.
Hi there! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up
for the excellent information you have got right here on this post.
I'll be coming back to your blog for more soon.
you're in reality a good webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible.
It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece.
you have performed a fantastic activity on this matter!
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you know
after that you can write otherwise it is complicated to write.
Howdy! I could have sworn I've visited this blog before but after going through some of the articles I
realized it's new to me. Anyways, I'm certainly delighted
I stumbled upon it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital infos.
I'd like to peer more posts like this .
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading through your posts.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics?
Appreciate it!
Amazing! Its genuinely amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea about from this piece of writing.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear."
She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a
hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell
someone!
Howdy! I know this is kind of off topic bbut I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
I'm getting fed up of WordPress because I've had problems with hackers and
I'm looking at alternatives foor another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point mme in the direction of a good
platform.
Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading properly.
I'm not sure why but I think its a linking
issue. I've tried it in two different web browsers
and both show the same outcome.
Hello, its pleasant article on the topic of media
print, we all be familiar with media is a fantastic source of information.
Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly
I take care of such info a lot.
this weblog and I am inspired! Very helpful information particularly the ultimate part
I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of
luck.
Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it
I
will come back yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is
the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
Hey there! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He
always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to
him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Quality articles or reviews is the key to invite the visitors
to pay a quick visit the web page, that's what this web site is providing.
If you want to take a good deal from this article then you have to apply these
strategies to your won website.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire
someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I'm looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u
got this from. appreciate it
Thanks for one's marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading
it, you will be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back very soon.
I want to encourage yourself to continue your great work,
have a nice evening!
This blog was... how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I've found something that helped me.
Many thanks!
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright
infringement? My site has a lot of exclusive content I've either written myself or outsourced but
it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do
you know any methods to help stop content from being ripped off?
I'd definitely appreciate it.
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your site by accident, and I'm shocked why this coincidence did not came about
in advance! I bookmarked it.
I know this web page presents quality depending articles and additional material, is there any other
website which gives such data in quality?
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I
could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some
time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your
new updates.
Link exchange is nothing else however it is just placing the other
person's blog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do same
for you.
Very good information. Lucky me I discovered your site by chance (stumbleupon).
I have bookmarked it for later!
Hi there, You've done a fantastic job. I'll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I'm sure they'll be benefited from this site.
I am really impressed together with your writing
skills as smartly as with the structure on your blog.
Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self?
Anyway stay up the excellent high quality writing, it's rare to peer a nice weblog like this one today..
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your site by chance
(stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my site so i got here to go back the desire?.I am attempting to find issues to ehhance my site!I suppose its adequate to
make use of some off your ideas!!
Good site you have got here.. It'shard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays.
I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Spending some time and actual
effort tto generate a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot annd never
seem to get nything done.
This is really interesting, You are a very skillled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking moire of your
wonderful post. Also, I've shared your website in my social
networks!