Hey Everyone,
Welcome to the latest video – it’s basically a dance video spoof I made from the various collection of http://www.xtranormal.com animation videos clips I have made on there.
Right here it is:
Ladies and Gentleman, I like to present you “The Alex Jeffreys Dance!!!” *If possible – view it in HQ mode on Youtube*
Here, I hope you all enjoyed viewing it and so do you want to know how I came about this idea or how I created it. Then please read on.
You see, at first, it was certainly unexpected as I was reviewing the previous introduction video again and was thinking what to talk about in the next video, when a bright idea came when the credits were rolling.
How about a dance spoof video since I had made so many different test version. And so I set about making them.
So how did I first start, well previously I signed up for an account at
Xtranormal.com – and it’s basically an online based cartoon generating maker – think animoto and your part way there except the cartoons are already pre-made for you.
All you have to do is select a pre-mdae scene, choose whether you want 1 or two character in you movie, select your actor/actress out of the 30 odd characters availiable ( they all have different styles fo hair, clothes, make up, occupation etc…) Once done, you start typing what you want your characters to say, inserts any actions, expressions etc.. you want.
Oh and did I mention there is an auto camera angle perspective wizard which automatically adjust your camera angles on your character It’s certainly useful for those who don’t want to fiddle about, for me though, it takes aways some of the action, hence I prefer to manuallly set the different camera angles.
Once done, I sent them through the online based cartoon video based generating “they call it rehearsal” engine, (technical term should be rendering/processing) and then voila, video is done and I uploaded them to youtube.
I repeated these steps numerous time to get videos of the different characters.
Now after I had got all my videos rendered and processed, what I did instead was downloaded my new videos using the wonderful Firefox plugin Video DownloadHelper , once done, I sent them through a free program called WinFF which is wonderful tool for converting different video types.
Now, here’s the “what some would call hard but I can fun” part, and that is editing. It took me just over 10 hours, several Windows Movie Maker crashes and a 2 PC restarts to get the video sorted. I blame myself for not updating with Technology as I’m running an 4 year old machine, a 2.8Ghz P4 with HT disabled. Reason being my pc doesn’t like HT enabled, and fans go on full blast tornado mode which sorta deafens my ears.
Anyway, so I imported all the clips into Windows Movie Maker – this took like 3 hours to import and so I took this time to grab something to eat, watched a bit of TV which the first thing I saw was Channel 4 New with Barack Obama giving his Speech and coverage of the whitehouse parade etc.. with John Snow interviewing and promoting his blog as well – lol.
Anyway after 3 hours, I came back and started to edit the movie by arranging the clips in order, followed by snipping ,trimming, adjusting volume, syncing music etc.. to it – it didn’t take long – just an hour in total and then trouble struck!!!
My PC decided not to play any .WAV files, apparently a codec problem with Windows Media Player – bummer – I reallly didn’t know what happened as yesterday i.e. day before making dance video, it was playing all fine – I think it might be the new update patch – anyway, so I saved it and hopped on to my little brother machine, a vista based, quad core powerhouse and imported to Windows Movie Maker and hit hte publish movie button- It was great, it worked however I couldn’t view the finished product. Bummer!!!
So I had to copy the video onto a memory stick and imported it back onto my XP machine and wahey it worked and I viewed it numerous times and went back to Windows Movie maker to fine tune things – and so back and forth for an hour or so before I finally thought- that’s enough today, upload it to Youtube tommorow.
And so that brings it earlier today – da da!!! Launch day- touch wood, Youtube was working cool, video got uploaded about 30 minutes due to large file size and now let’s just see if it might be the next big hit – lol.
Right, like I said earlier on, I hope you have enjoy watching and I love to hear your comments and feedback about it… hehe
Now if you would like to make you own cartoon base video – check out :
www.xtranormal.com
(I suggest that you visit the site during out of day hours/work hours as the site is very busy and sometimes you could be staring at the blank video making wizard screen for more than 30 minutes.
The music was bought from an Royalty Free Music company called Dance Midi Samples which can be found at http://www.dancemidisamples.com/
Only issue, is you need some form of music program to arrange the midi/wav files to create a track. I used Fruity Loops.
Right, I best leave you all to it now and sorry about the long post but I thought it would best if I shared with you my experience and knowledge on how I created it.
Oh and yes although the video took a lot of hard work, time and effort to get it done, overall it was great fun making it and so I too have hope to inspire you to have perserverance even when things don’t go according to plan, as the end result will be worth it!!!
Take care and all the best
Nigel
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Nigel,
I tried to follow your advice to go to youtube and view it in HQ, but I ended up watching one of your other videos. It was another AJ video that I actually thought was your competition entry.
It was the one with the litle guy sitting in an office talking. IYou’ll know which one I’m referring to because I left a comment on both. It’s really tough to vote betweeen the two of these. I like them both.
Thanks for the playlist details. I was trying to use the subscription and get playlist results. Your info will give me what I want. Thanks.
I’m trying to use a plugin called “better managed comments” to show comments in order. Like when you comment, I want to respond and have it show right underneath. Not someplace else. I don’t think my plugin is doing that or I’m not using it right. Any suggestions?
Renee
Hi Renee
Thanks for visiting again, and I’m glad you liked the video – in regards to you question, it looks like Better Comment Manager is not the right plugin as from my google research it looks like an extension to the basic reply comment feature in wordpress.
What I think you need is Threaded Comments plugin – I;ve not researched it properly so am not sure and have you tried asking others on the fortunate 500?
Sorry I couldn’t be of help and Best Regards
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
Apologises for not visiting your blog any sooner.
I am also a member of the F500.
Just watched your excellent spoof dance video and downloaded your free e-book ‘Lights, Camera, Action’. Thanks very much – it’s a very informative, well explained and highly useful resource.
I would appreciate being added to your blogroll – I’ve already added you to mine.
Please pop over if you have a moment and check out my blog and leave a comment telling me what you think of it.
To your success,
Dave
Hey Dave
I just checked out your blog and your doing some really cool stuff expecially your setting goals for 2009 post. It really made me think about getting some serious goals down for this year as well.
I have added you to my blog roll too and yeah keep in touch
All the best
Nigel
Hey Nigel,
Another cool video my friend, don’t think I will be attempting that dance anytime soon. Maybe we could all do it in Vegas, lol.
Thanks for your email yesterday, I have been slow getting my butt back to work but managed to put a post up today so getting back on track.
Is the animation software free to use or a paid service? Have you checked out animation factory? It’s what Paull has been using, some really cool graphics.
Speak soon
Mark
Hey Mark
Yeah I have taken a look at Animation factory and I think you have to pay for it – whereas Xtranormal it’s free and you only pay for it when you publish it online and use it for Youtube – but at the moment – it’s 100% free.
And yeah, maybe.. just maybe we might do it in Vegas, but first we need to make some money first and yeah we shouldn’t be chasing the money but… and a BIG but is…we do need it soon or else how are we going to pay for the flight tickets and accomadition, not to forget spending money as well… lol!!!
Speak to you soon
Nigel
Hey Nigel,
I hear you. No money, no Vegas. Can you row, we could always hire a canoe to make the trip, lol.
Yeah Animation Factory is a paid for service, but not too bad for what you get. Having said that, there is nothing better than free and the xtranormal videos are cool!
Not chasing the money but if it doen’t come looking for me soon I might have to try and grab some! lol
Speak to ya later
Mark
Hey Mark
LOL, I’ve never rowed before but I’m sure I can, I;m a quick learner lol -
and yep, Xtranormal is FREE and they do look kool, the only issue is that will they start charging people for publishing because at the mo – it’s special offer and people can publish videos on youtube for free but when they charge it’s 10 credits per video I think – and you have to buy credits in advance which I don’t know how much it cost.
I guess, take max advantage of what’s on offer at the moment.
I think I will also join you on your try and grab some money idea if money doesn’t come rolling soon too. I hope you don’t mind lol
Speak soon
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
I’ve just watched the video – is it wrong that I’m now dancing around to some of the moves?!
Thanks for the really informative post above – I’m nowhere near that level with technology online, but I shall bookmark it for future reference.
Nikki
(from the Purple Lair of Temptation!)
Hey Nikki
Lol, of course it isn’t wrong to dancing around to some of the moves – in fact I encourage it lol. When I was making the video, I was dancing to it all day lol.
Hows you anyway and yeah I’m glad that I have been able to put up a really informative post and yes, if you wish to ask anything about it – please feel free to twitter or drop me an message.
All the best
Nigel
Hey Nigel
I liked both of your videos. Very interesting concept. Have you gotten any feedback from Alex on them?
Tim Buttles
Hi Tim
Welcome to my blog and thank you for your most wonderful comments – unfortunately Alex has not given me any feedback nor has he visited for quite a while. I think his last reply was almost 2 months ago.
All the best
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
Paying another visit to your blog after downloading”Lights,Camera, Action” with Animoto. ……Great video, thanks.
You are enrolled on my blog now…. Likewise would be appreciated! and leave a comment if you wish.
Best wishes
Colin
Hey Nigel,
Next clip I expect them to do the Alex Jeffreys breakdance with a few head spins and body rolls
You’ve outdone yourself again mate, great video! And thanks for sharing with us the info on how you made it especially the link for the royalty free music – nice one (thumbs up).
Perseverance does work wonders, doesn’t it.
Keep it up boy!
regards
Guy
Hiya Nigel
Great video, and fantastically informative post to go with it. Thanks from all of us.
BTW, just linked to your site from mine… better late than never, eh!
All the best,
James
Hi Colin
Thanks for dropping by and sure.. I add you to my blog roll.
All the best to you too as well
Nigel
Hey Guy,
Lol, break dancing – man, that would be funny lol, I will see if the programs allows me that but yeah, more videos on the way soon
All the best
Nigel
Hello James,
lol, yes better late than never, and glad you like the video and found the post informative
Nigel
Great stuff Nigel,
I’ve bookmarked your post at I’ll have to put creating a ‘cartoon video’ on my to-do list. Very clever. Only thing is my to-do list just seems to get bigger and bigger the more I do. How does that work then, LOL?
I’m definately going to have to do it though, as I see video as a great way of marketing. In fact as I mentioned before to you, it was your ebook “Lights, Camera, Action” that got me to do my first ever video so I’ll be following you down this path as well.
Must say though, you’re far more advanced at this video stuff than me so if it took you all those hours to get it all sorted I am not envying the amount of time it is going to take me!!
Thanks once again,
Garry
Hey Garry,
Interesting and thanks for bookmarking my post – yeah you should really take a look at! It’s a http://www.xtranormal.com, go and check it out but beware, the site can be quite slow during heavy traffic i.e. when the peeps in America wake up – the site just freezes because all our lovely friends in America are using it – but would anyone blame them at all when so much fun can be had during the process of making them – lol
Now, only if I weren’t busy with other tasks on my to do list, I might have got round to writing a new eBook just for it as well- but I guess it’s not going to be high demand anyway lol!!
All the best to you too Garry and it won’t take you that long at all, probs max 30 mins, I know you are supersonic, warp speed learner and do’er. The reason it took me so long was that I was combining 5 different videos in to one coupled with a slow PC lol!
Nigel
Good morning!
I’ve been doing a lot of research online lately regarding So…Have you got “The Alex Jeffreys Dance!!! urge? | nigelyip.com since I just opened up an Thailand online shop with a couple of buddies. The content of your website is sweet and I would really like it if you could visit my site and give me some feedback(you have my email :]). Thank you for your time ad I will post mylink below. http://www.lampdimmerswitch.net/blog/leviton-dimmer-switch/
Anyway, just thought I’d share this with you – keep up the good work and get back to me if interested!
Regards,
Kasey
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