Conversation with Tom Maxwell Former Squirrel Nut Zipper Front Man

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First met Tom Maxwell at a fundraiser for Snüzz, a friend and fellow musician of Tom’s. It was one of those amazing nights of music and community that I’m so glad that I was able to attend and capture the evening. Tom is one of those cats when he talks you just shut up and listen…not because he demands it or is a jerk. He has a command of the modern English dialect that is just plain fun.

Tom Maxwell and The Minor Drag “Jacob Marley” from All Aces Media on Vimeo.

To purchase the single go to itunes here. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jacob-marley-single/id491188196

Recorded live on November 26, 2011 at The Murphey School, Durham NC

Tom Maxwell – vocals, guitar
James Wallace – piano
Mark Simonsen – vibraphone
FJ Ventre – string bass
Evans Nicholson – drums

Engineered and mixed by Thom Canova
Filmed by Andy Coon, Blake Faucette and Nic Beery
Edited by Andy Coon

Conversation with Michael Ajakwe Founder of LA Web Series Festival Part 2

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Michael and I finish our conversation about the present and future of Web Series and how Hollywood views it. If you are a web series creator look into submitting your web series into the LA Web Fest and meet Michael and say you heard about him here. He is a great person and am so grateful to cross paths with him.

Conversation with Michael Ajakwe Founder of LA Web Series Festival

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I met Michael in 2011 at the LA Web Series Festival where Often Awesome the series took home Outstanding Documentary Series from 2010-2012. He put on a great showcase for a ton of independent web series in Los Angeles, CA. I was so impressed by all the talented creative web series that displayed true professional talent from; writing, acting, directing and producing. His vision helped our series reach a new audience and encouraged creative professionals around the world. Every time we talk he inspires me. This is going to be one I listen over and over. Here is a brief paragraph from his bio on his web site…

Michael Ajakwe jr. (creator-writer–director-producer)
Since 1993, this first-generation Nigerian-American has worked in the theatre with renowned performers like Emmy-winner Glynn Turman, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Debbie Allen, Ted Lange, Phil Morris, Robert Ri’chard, Hill Harper, Niecy Nash, Tommy Hicks, Tracee Ellis Ross, Art Evans, Gary Sturgis, James Pickens, Tatyana Ali, Marc Coppage, Estelle Harris, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Lee Garlington, Robert Pine, Shayla Rivera, Gary Anthony Williams, Ralph Carter, Deniece Williams, Charles Dutton and Oscar winner Mo’Nique. As a tv and film writer, he’s worked with Martin Lawrence, Greg Kinnear, Sherman Hemsley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Charles Barkley, Marc Curry, Tracey Morgan, Tia & Tamera Mowry, Kadeem Hardisson, Kelita Smith, Brandy, Diondre Whitfield, Ali Landry, Kelly Perrine, Tim Reid, Tommy Davidson, Ernest Thomas, Richard Lawson, Jackee, Steve Harvey, Steve Trevino, Valery Ortiz, Eve, Paul Winfield, and 3-time Oscar nominee Djimon Honsou. As a live events show writer, he’s written for Anthony Anderson, Kimberly Elise, Jo Marie Payton, L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti, ex-L.A. Police Chief Bernard Parks, NAACP National President Benjamin Todd Jealous, Jason Alexander, Ben Stiller, and the NAACP Theater Awards (’04-08). He’s also developed TV and/or film projects for Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre, Bret Ratner, Kim Fields, Reuben Cannon, Norman Howard (nephew of The Three Stooges), Beverly Todd, Vidal Sassoon, ex-NBA great Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Natalie Cole. Mike has written and directed 9 plays and produced 16 that have garnered 27 NAACP Theater Award Nominations, winning 5. He is a two-time NAACP Award-winning Playwright/Producer (Company Policy/Ted Lange’s Four Queens, No Trump!), two-time NAACP Award Nominated Director (If You Don’t Believe, Body Language), an Emmy Award-winning TV producer (E! Network’s Talk Soup), an award-winning filmmaker (Happy Anniversary, Punk!) and a trailblazing web tv creator (Ajakwetv.com’s Who…)

Vimeo Award Nominated for Best Web Series

What an exciting week for us at All Aces Media. Often Awesome the series got nominated for a Webby for Best Documentary Series and now for the Vimeo Awards for Best Web Series. Please help us bring home the award and vote for us daily at The Vimeo Awards and at The Webby Awards.

Thank you so much

I Found You, Now You Find Me

Aquafadas PulpFX Abstract 1.1 Plugin for Final Cut Pro

Aquafada’s PulpFX Abstract 1.1 is a generator for Final Cut Pro. This is a well deserved improved upgrade from 1.0. When I reviewed 1.0, I liked the the plugin but I had some issues with how the generator handled displaying the titles of the pics. They have fixed that…here’s how.

Click on the Image Sources in the controls tab.

Once the edit window opens you can rename the pics and move the pics in what order you want it to appear in the slideshow. You can also delete or add photos to the slideshow. Something that the previous version did not do within the plugin.

They have also added “Small Moves” another generator to their cool list of slideshows. Small Moves or better know to editors as The Ken Burns Effect is a generator that I will be using quite frequently.

I’m surprised that this filter isn’t in the default filters in Final Cut Pro. It is easy to use and very effective. It also allows you to animate the rotation and the X & Y axis. Pretty sweet generator that you will be seeing in action with Often Awesome the series.

Check out the other great slideshows that this generator does on Aquafada’s youtube page.

Price
$49…purchase this plugin. Their first version I suggested to hold off until they upgrade and the upgrades and addition of Small Moves makes this buy a no brainer. Especially if you are constantly using images in your videos. This is perfect for any wedding or event editor and especially an editor that is doing a family project.

You can download the latest FxFactory Pro and use it for free for 14 days to try out this plugin.

Short Film Friday: MODERN WAR GEAR SOLID – ACT 1

My buddies are at it again. Micah and his crew went out and shot a very cool parody of two popular video games and came up with a great short action film.

The idea behind this short is to get eyes and potential sponsorship for Micah’s next feature film called, “Beat Down Boogie.” A slick action comedy film that will blend the style of Jackie Chan’s “Rumble in the Bronx” and Guy Ritchie’s “Snatch.” Stylish and fun and bound to be a big hit. I’ve worked with Micah and his crew and I’m 100% sure that the film will be a huge success.

They will be posting “how-to” videos and behind the scenes clips, photos, and some really fun short films in the meantime to get people excited about the project. Pay attention to these guys, they are ready to cut a path to self distribution and create a way for independent films to break into the mainstream. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the producer.

Episode 4: All In The Family

Looking to collaborate with musicians on these episodes. Anyone?

It’s Pretty Awesome… Episode 3: The Luckiest Man

Often Awesome The Series is a web series about Tim and Kaylan’s battle with ALS. It’s a story about love, friends, strength and courage. Join us every two weeks for a new chapter in this amazing adventure.

Episode 3 : “The Luckiest Man” July 4th, 2009 Tim and Kaylan are invited to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for Tim to recite Lou Gerhig’s retirement speech during the game on the 70th Anniversary of Gehrig’s retirement from baseball. While there, Tim and Kaylan meet another couple that are battling ALS.

For more information about Tim and Kaylans fight visit : oftenawesome.org
If you are interested in funding research, please make tax deductible donations to the ALS TDI at: oftenawesomearmy.alscommunity.org

For more information about the filmmakers visit:
allacesmedia.com/oftenawesome & allacesmedia.com

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help us out with this adventure. First and foremost is passing this video to your friends and family members and create an awareness of this horrible disease and the battle that Tim and Kaylan have ahead of them. If you are a part of the media help us and reach out to your audience with this story. Bloggers, post a video and tell your audience of an amazing love story that will move you. If you are a musician and would like to donate any music for future episodes we would love to hear your tracks. We are mostly looking for instrumental music to use as scores but open to all.

If you are a vendor or professional and would like to donate equipment for sponsorship we would appreciate it. We are looking for…

• JVC HM100 or HM700 we are shooting in 1080i and are using a Panasonic HVX200 with 32GBs of p2 and only have 36 minutes of recording time.
• Drobo loaded with Terabyte drives. Our drives are getting full fast
• An audio field mixer and additional wireless lavalieres.

This is a very special web series and hope that people want to become a part of it in any way. We are open to suggestions and hope you become a part of the Often Awesome Army.

If you frequent this website you might have noticed that I’m not blogging as much. I’m putting more focus on production and this web series moving forward. I will still post great products that I come across but with less frequency.

Often Awesome Episode 2 is up

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8668841&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=FF7700&fullscreen=1

In this episode we introduce you to the Often Awesome Army. The Often Awesome Army is a group of Tim’s friends who put on benefit shows, art auctions and help raise money to help provide for Tim’s quality of life care.

For more information about Tim and Kaylan’s fight visit : oftenawesome.org

If you are interested in funding research, please make tax deductible donations to the ALS TDI at: oftenawesomearmy.alscommunity.org