Flash webmercial and tradeshow clip

Video Furniture International launched a new product at Infocomm-08 and Beachdigital created a Flash video explaining its features. Including a voiceover by Rory O'Shea, the clip was projected onto the tradeshow booth. The tradeshow version was encoded at a higher resolution than the web version to take advantage of the local computer speed, and produce a nicer projected image. With faster internet connections and faster computers for playback, earlier concerns about flash file size and complexity are less critical. This latest clip for VFI includes background motion video. The initial product animation was exported from VFI's SolidWorks CAD system. View the clip here.

SketchUp and database Mashup for store fixtures

A store fixture manufacturer wanted to be able to visualize proposed store layouts, and then automatically produce a priced bill of materials for alternative layouts. They already used SketchUp to create 3D layouts. I integrated SketchUp with Access databases to store component prices and build up a the priced bill of the components required to make up a floor plan.

The interface to apply prices to components, and produce a variety of reports was created in HTML and VB script, all living within a web browser. SketchUp's internal "macro" language is Ruby, and one of the biggest challenges was making Ruby talk to Access.

Web Intro, web Flash and digital sign

Cameo Fine Cabinetry, manufactures the finest custom cabinets, and their website supports that statement. The website includes an Flash intro embedded into their home page (no skip intro here), and a Flash based image gallery of their installations. The website intro was augmented and converted to a DVD based digital sign for their store entrance and the Flash image galleries became in store video displays. All feature photography by Francis Fougere.

Web Registration Application

What started out as simple HTML pages has turned into a full fledged, multi event web based event registration system, designed specifically for sailing regattas. The application uses a mySQL database back end, an asp vb code generated user interface and a skinning system to easily change the look of the resulting pages. The application can be run by a registrar ( as it is at the National Yacht Club), or made self serve with the addition of a password management system. Registration data can easily be downloaded to an Excel spreadsheet for off-line management.

Mobile web application for social services agency

This project involved bringing access to data, and the ability to create and update notes and records from mobile devices such as the BlackBerry and the HTC Windows smart phone. The application was written in classic ASP because the newer ASP.net technology generated web pages that were too complex for the Blackberry to render. The back end runs on a Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) and a Microsoft SQL Server database. Parts of the application previously used Microsoft Access clients, which obviously would not translate to a mobile environment.

Business Basic accounting system converted to Access

This project saw the conversion of an extensive accounting system written in 1970's era Business Basic to Microsoft Access for a major accounting firm. Data from the Business Basic files was extracted and imported into Access tables. Interesting issues included data concurrency when moved from a single central file system and Basic execution environment to a system distributed to many user workstations. The resulting system is comprised of about 100 forms and 50 tables running on 20 workstations.

In addition to bringing the system into 21st century technology, it has made it easy to create satellite versions that can be downloaded to run on a notebook computer, taken to a client, and then have the related data returned to the server afterwards. Biggest challenge? Adapting Access forms to work in the same manner as the previous character mode user interface.

Farm show photos

It took 500 photos to cover the Canadian International Farm Equipment Show, one of Canada's largest farm shows, filling all of the International Centre. Thousands of horsepower on display, including a fascinating display of antique tractors. These photos will end up on next year's website, and in newspapers across farm country.

White rabbit whiteout

It's magic. Flash video allows a video to play over the top of regular web content, appearing to float in space. Or, as Alice might have said, making the rabbit appear and disappear. This test shows the concept. The rabbit was shot on a green screen background, keyed with Adobe Ultra, edited in Adobe Premiere, and authored in Flash CS3.

See the rabbit here

Farm trade show promo

The Canadian International Farm Equipment Show wanted to reach out to its exhibitors with internet video to promote the show. This 4 minute Flash video includes show graphics, Digital Juice stock video, green screen video, and a fast stock music country beat. The video was hosted on the show website, and distributed via email. Play the video here

Database driven event schedule

Book Expo Canada, Canada's largest book seller trade show, provides opportunities for authors to meet show visitors for book signings, readings and other events. A new on line scheduler integrates data from a back end database with on line updates by exhibitors. The schedule uses a Microsoft SQL Server database at goDaddy.com to store events and an ASP front end and administration control panel. The schedule pages is integrated with the Cold Fusion driven website.

Visit the website here

Trade show video at Toronto Boat Show

A 3 minute trade show loop in the National Yacht Cub booth at the Toronto Boat Show helped sell the amenities of the Club to prospective members. Played from DVD on an LCD TV as part of the booth backdrop, it provided an ongoing message highlighting the Clubs key features. The fast pace was designed to get the attention of those who only spent a few seconds walking by the booth.

The video was composed of live SD and HD video, motion backgrounds and graphics. Music is a Beach Boys sound-alike from Digital Juice.

George Socka Photo Gallery on line

Beachdigital is the creative umbrella for George Socka's digital images - commercial, industrial, tradeshow, event and even sometimes portraits. www.georgesocka.com provides examples of his photography work for prospective clients.

Visit the website.

David Staines, Author, new website

David Staines, Author and Stephen Leacock historian, has a new website featuring a video of his readings from his latest work, The Letters of Stephen Leacock.

Visit the website

New website for MP Audio Visual

Martin Premont's MP Audio Visual's new website, based on a client chosen template, highlights company services. A home page Flash header integrates the template's look with highlighted keywords and background music reminiscent of the "THX" sound.
Elegant, simple, to the point. Visit the website

Graphics Canada trade show photos and video

DMG World Media hosts the largest graphics industry tradeshow in Canada, taking up all of the major halls of the International Centre, featuring a range of exhibits from paper and ink suppliers to ink jet printers that can print bus and building wrap. 500 photos over 2 days cover people and products, and 2 hours of videotape are a testimonial to exhibitors' satisfaction with the show.

Golf industry trade show photos

Reed Exhibitions' annual Golf Merchandising Show brings together golf pros and those who market to them to plan what will be new and hot on golf courses next year. Exhibits range from clothing style to golf simulator tech to golf ball recovery services. 350 photos over 2 days will provide plenty of material for marketing next year's show. A great new f2.8 200 mm stabilized telephoto lens made it easier to get casual shots.

Machine tool trade show photos and video

500 photos, 3 hours of HDV video, 5 miles of walking in the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto, to capture the essence of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' (SME) Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS). The photos will become promotional material for print and the web. The video will find a home on the internet promoting the show's next incarnation. Keynote audio will become a Podcast. A sample clip will be posted here when available.

A story about Inuit Art and Story Telling

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Two curators from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection collaborated on a book and exhibition that features Inuit art and stories. Videotaped in the Gallery, this video features the authors, Shelly Falconer and Shawna White, reading excerpts from the book and shots of some of the art displayed in the Gallery.

The video clip is posted on YouTube as a promotional vehicle, and also on the gallery website. This blog features a Flash Video version served from www.beachdigital.com.

Greenscreen Politician

Don Duvall is a local election candidate who wanted to use YouTube to get his message out. He was videotaped in his office in front of a green screen, and then composited with background stills and video to support his message.

The green screen was a Lastolite popup with just one additional light. Shot in HDV, down-converted to YouTube friendly 4x3 SD in camera, the footage was keyed using Adobe Ultra CS3 (formerly Serious Magic). That software is indeed, Serious Magic. Keyed in 5 mouse clicks.

Video: Robert Bateman, Nature Artist

Robert Bateman's exhibition of nature and the environment paintings started its North American tour of galleries at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and Stephen Weir arranged for me to interview him in the Gallery about his work and the exhibition. A wonderful artist, Mr. Bateman was equally wonderful as an interview guest as well (the CBC had him next). He spoke standing next to one of his larger paintings, lit by two umbrellas. Shot in HDV. I added shots of some of his work to provide interest. The image near the end, of a seal caught in a net, turned out much more powerful than expected. Music is from Sonic Fire's Smart sound library.

The 5 minute video is destined for the McMichael website and YouTube

Always a pleasure working with a true artist.

Video: David Staines, Writer

Recently completed a web promo video for David Staines' new book, The Letters of Stephen Leacock. The 500 page book features the text of hundred of Leacock's letters.

We interviewed David in his library, with the background of book shelves supporting the premise that this is about a literary work. With few photos to provide additional interest and cutaways, we used scrolling test from two of the letters as they were read by Staines. Footage was acquired in HDV, and edited in Adobe Premiere. Proofs were provided on DVD. Intro music is from Sonic Fire's Smartsound library.

The clip is now on YouTube. David Staine's new website, managed by beachdigital, at www.davidstaines.com features a Flash version.