video - Digital Chum

Aluminum Journey

December 7, 2025October 10, 2011 by Dan

I just finished my latest video project today. This was probably the most effort I’ve put into anything I’ve done to date… more moving parts and shots than previous videos. I think it was also my first multi-location video as well.

Fun to shoot. Fun to edit (to a point). It changed focus from being an emotional, tiring journey to a lighthearted romp across various landscapes (the video, not my attitude toward making it). It also changed from having a somewhat serious message to… well… not.

I shot it using a Kodak Playsport and a Kodak Zi8. Editing was done using Hitfilm Ultimate. Music composed with SmartSound Sonicfire Pro. Additional sound cleanup was done using Audacity.

BadLipReading and Michele Bachmann

December 7, 2025October 9, 2011 by Dan

I saw this the other day and was stunned because of how well done it is… the substituted words match up perfectly with her mouth movements.

I’m also amused at the first comment.

It’s more coherent than she usually is.

Juice Pouch Recycling

December 7, 2025October 1, 2011 by Dan

Megan’s school is collecting used juice pouches in order to earn money for school stuff (the funds go to the PTO to pay for activities for the kids). Since the school has a closed circuit TV system and does morning announcements on it, Lori thought it would be cool to have the program announced with a “commercial” of sorts. With a go-ahead from the principal and a volunteer cast, we shot this in just over an hour.

The kids were easy to direct and did a great job.

I shot it using my Kodak Playsport and Kodak Zi8. Sound recording was done using a Tascam DR-07. Editing was done using Hitfilm Ultimate. Music clips were customized using SmartSound Sonicfire Pro.

Calliope Klenk

December 7, 2025August 27, 2011 by Dan

My sister and brother-in-law just got a new Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, so I had to go see her and I figured a bit of video was in order.

I shot this with my Kodak Playsport at 720p resolution and edited it using HitFilm Ultimate.

Culinary Conscience

December 7, 2025July 17, 2011 by Dan

I just finished the latest video that Megan and I shot back in October. I had some issues with the effects back then and gave up for awhile, which is why it took so long.

Hooray for bacon!

The effects and 98% of the editing were done using FXHome’s HitFilm. I used Adobe Premiere Elements for the titles and some of the sound.

Bug’s Demo Reel

December 7, 2025September 6, 2010 by Dan

To help my niece sell her thoroughbred horse, Bug, I created this demo reel of her riding and jumping him so prospective buyers could see him before they made the drive out to meet him.

I shot it using a Kodak Playsport and a Kodak Zi8.

Saving the Day

December 7, 2025August 28, 2010 by Dan

My latest video project is complete. I put the script together, shot it the next day (with an exceptional amount of help from Megan), and edited it together today. There are a few things I would have done differently, but I’m happy with it for the most part.

It involves an argument over what to have for dinner. I don’t want to give away the ending, but it involves my favorite type of meat.

The Button

December 7, 2025June 26, 2010 by Dan

Megan and my latest video project. We fight over control of a button with surprising results.

(h/t to Thundy for the rotoscoping tips)

Too Tired For Slippers

December 7, 2025October 18, 2009 by Dan

Megan and I were going to go to a movie, but decided to make one ourselves, instead. Here’s the result.

Megan is so tired that she doesn’t even have the energy to catch her slippers.

Magic Pillow Ride

December 7, 2025January 11, 2009 by Dan

Here’s the video that started it all. My daughter, who was about eight at the time, and I decided to play around with some stop-action animation. She provided the audio track.