Welcome to the ChappyShowcase BlogSpot

Please enjoy an eclectic diversity of content and subjects created by Matt Chapman. This blog page gives more in depth detail and cool anecdotes pertaining to each video, film, or perhaps something else completely. On top of that, you will find info about the online video making paradigm, production, post-production and more. ChappyShowcase has content channels all over the web. All links for each channel are located for your convenience at a click of the button. Be sure to check the blog regularly to be updated on what is happening with Growing Up Guide Pup, ChappyShowcase, and GurillaTV. Or, better yet, subscribe to one of the RSS feeds so every new post is automatically emailed to you. Enjoy...and remember, keep that camera rollin!

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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Learn how to make a Guerilla Dolly

I've been contemplating this idea for awhile now. Finally my buddy Darren and i just said screw it and thought we would see what would happen. I must say I was pretty pleased with the results.

I went down to the hardware store, and searched the aisles looking for something that might work as a low budget dolly. When i got to the rain gutter section, a lightbulb went off in my head. The results are pretty amazing when you consider that i spent $12.57 and used ordinary items in my garage to help put it together.

Parts list:
1) Plastic Rain gutter (came in 10 foot section)
2) Rain gutter screen that needs to be cut to around 12".
3) bungee cords
4) lubricant of some kind that doesn't eat plastic
5) soft cushion like a bean bag or folded up towel
6) some heavy sandbags or pillow cases full of rocks

Last you will need a flat service that is fairly level.

Enjoy and if you like this blog and my videos please subscribe, follow, rate, comment, etc,etc.

Make a Guerilla Dolly from Matt Chapman on Vimeo.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Make a quick change battery brick

All you need is two things.

1) Two camcorder batteries
2) Gaff tape

I can't think of a better tip for every person who shoots video or does photography. Simple and incredibly effective. This tip could really save the day in an event where your battery dies and you need to continue the shot as quickly as possible. Even fumbling around in your pockets to get a new battery could waste valuable time.

Here is the video I made as a demonstration.

Guerilla Battery Brick How-To from Matt Chapman on Vimeo.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Film Distribution: Guerilla Filmmaking Case Study

1. Start simple. Arin Crumley and Susan Buice shot their film from a one-page outline, a crude storyboard, and with small cameras and a small crew.

2. Tell the story behind your story. When they couldn't find a distributor for their film, they decided to do daily video blogs to reinforce their creative talents and build an audience. A result was that people started to feel like they knew the filmmakers firsthand; that, in turn, fueled curiosity about them and their work, and eventually put people in theaters.

3. Involve your audience, part A. The filmmakers actively sought out feedback from their fans via platforms like YouTube and MySpace, and took the advice seriously. It impacted new episodes of the podcasts and the film itself, which they were still editing. In other words, the audience actually shaped the final product.

4. Involve your audience, part B. When determining where to distribute their film, the couple went to regions where they knew they already had fans, thanks to emails and zip codes they had collected from their podcast and other marketing activities. They also created a "heart map" so that people could see the requests for the film to play in their town grow and who was going -- a social network of sorts.

5. Network in the real world, too. Film festivals used to be about getting a film acquired by a distributor or a short into the hands of a talent agent. But Crumley and Buice went to hundreds of festivals around the world and thought strategically about whom they encountered. When they met the guys at Spout, they realized that Spout needed publicity and users. 4EM had those two things, but needed money. It turned out to be a fruitful (and fateful) match.

In this video, the filmmakers behind "Four Eyed Monsters" reveal how they used YouTube, community and the web to erase their credit card debt and get their labor of love into theaters. If you don't have time to watch the whole video (it's 29 minutes long), here are some of the key takeaways:

Monday, October 5, 2009

Raising Guide Dogs For the Blind

Amie and I have been raising Guide Dogs For the Blind for seven years now. We are on our 9th dog. Three have graduated to become guides (Macklin, Rennie, and Prudy), five have not (Clarice, Eli, Piedmont, Dakota, and Lewis), and one is currently in the process of growing up with us (Marianna).

Eli is our third dog, and we were more than happy to keep him when we found out that fateful day that he was not cut out to be a Guide Dog. We think he was too smart, and if he could talk would say that he would have a lot more fun as a pet. Not too mention he has become a pretty good movie dog. His childlike personality also seems to continue to get him into trouble even to this day despite being five years old. John Grogan has so eloquently displayed that all dogs have their pros and cons including our own "Marley".

People ask "how can you give them up? It must be very difficult." I will admit that giving our first dog Macklin back rendered tears out of these dry eyes. That is a small miracle, but it all seems worth it when you see how much your dog can help someone in need. I had the opportunity to film for Guide Dogs For the Blind a few weeks ago. We were able to get Macklin and his partner Jeannie to meet up with us at the campus so I could film them. What a surreal shoot that was. I was so proud of our oldest fur ball as I sat behind the lens of the camera and watched Macklin guide Jeannie around the streets of San Rafeal. It almost seemed like he was showing off; as I could read a big happy smile on his face that was saying "look dad, I'm a guide dog now, and very good at it too!" It was at this moment that any doubts for our charity were kicked to the curb. I will always think back to that moment when I have feelings of doubt for this cause.

Amie and I threw a new video together this week where I let her have some fun in front of the camera. We went out with our Guide Dog group and filmed away.