I think there is a litte bit of “designer” in all of us. It would just be cool to say, “oh yeah, I’m a graphic/video designer.” Thanks to the majesty of Twitter, I was able to run across a great user recommended website that will enable you to say just that, kind of. Behold, Animoto.com. This is an amazing web-based application that will allow you to build a customized video, which is automatically generated, using yourown photos and music. Here is how it works:
- Upload a plethora of your favorite images (here you can choose which are you favorite and the order in which you would like for them to appear.
- Upload your favorite song (note: they encourage ONLY original music, so unless you want to get sued don’t use any Top 40’s crap
- Generate the movie! (The process takes about 5 minutes or so for the 30 second version, and you will be notified via email when it is complete)
From there you can go to your videos and do what you will with them. There is a YouTube upload option, which will send the video straight to yor account, embedd from their site, and even *download and sync to iPod options (Paid version only)
To make a 30 second movie of whatever your heart desires is absolutely free
The All Access pass allows you to make unlimited length videos for $30… completely worth it. Visit them at Animoto, and check out the video I made to get an idea.
-Jake
On April 6th a new documentary will be released, notably called, “Welcome to Macintosh”. This documentary will follow the idea, to pre-production, to the creation of the first Mac, and forward. Based on the trailer it seems pretty thorough and quite interesting. It has been selected into the Wisconsin Film Festival and will probably be awesome. I can help but say, I am looking forward to MacHeads more 
See both trailers below
-Jake
MacHeads
Welcome to Macintosh
In case you have not heard, the Beatles entire catalog will FINALLY be available for download via iTunes very soon. Sir Paul McCartney has signed a $400 million dollar deal with Apple to release the music on iTunes. In my opinion the catalog is worth much more, and Apple will make that money back in no time. But for the rest of us, this is somewhat of a dream come true. This should spark an era of digital downloading, where people will actually pay for music that they truly want, or believe deserves to be paid for.
The $400 will be split between the remaining Beatles and/or their families. Michael Jackson and Sony EMI will also get a cut for being catalog shareholders..I’m quite sure McCartney will be getting the biggest chunk (but with his recent divorce he wont be coming out much more rich). All i have to say is .. ITS ABOUT TIME! I am upset George Harrison isn’t alive to experience it [As a side note he will be given a documentary directed by Martin Scorsese who did Bob Dylans: No Direction Home]. I will update this post when a date on the music release is announced.
-Jake
