Tag: Media

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First Impressions: iMovie ’08

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I have been trying out the new iMovie ’08 that comes with the iLife ’08 package. This is a completely reworked version of iMovie and Apple makes this distinction by changing the dock icon from a clapper to a star.

You can check out my very first project in my previous post as I recorded something with Kate Alvarez on this oven fresh software version.

The philosophy behind the rewritten application states that anybody should be able to make a movie in less than 10 minutes. All you need is the feed from your digicam and no editing skills at all.

So what did I think? iMovie ’08 allows you to create video projects faster than the previous iMovie HD because all you need to do is cut and paste clips from a real time track and add transition effects. However, when it comes to more advanced editing tools such as extracting audio from video clips, pasting multimedia over tracks (let’s say I want to put a picture over a video without disrupting the sound), I would have to do this using the old version of iMovie. The new version also lacks transition features and themes! Despite my Mac fanboy admittance, I do find this move very disappointing.

Apple admits this huge flaw in the new version of iMovie to such an extent that they are making iMovie HD (2006) available for download for free — that is if you already have a copy of the new iLife ’08. It’s a bummer though to have to rely on two copies for separate purposes.

Don’t get me wrong – the new version of iMovie is good for beginner videographers like me or for those who need to whip out a presentation in ten minutes! But as you move up the design chain, you will quickly outgrow this piece of software and settle for iMovie HD or Final Cut Pro. I would like to believe that iMovie ’08 is what GarageBand was when Apple first introduced easy-as-pie podcasting. This new version makes it so much easier to churn out video podcasts.

Some resources to read:

10 Missing Features from iMovie ’08
Buy iLife ’08, Get iMovie HD for free!

Categories
Mostly Everything

Oh, Fabio!

I was playing around with the new iMovie ’08 and created this short clip with Kate Alvarez as my guest. Kate is best known for her previous work with Summit’s Marie Claire and OK! Magazines. We share the same godchild. iMovie ’08 though nifty lacks some features in iMovie 06 HD. The most important feature they left out was the lack of an audio extract capability where you can paste images over the playhead without disrupting sound. Keep both versions of iMovie if I were you.

Anyway, Kate and I talk about male models on romance novel covers … and Fabio.

On another note, should a company’s tagline even mention a competitor? Megavideo: Beats YouTube just sounds … wrong.

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On giving up certain “rights” as a writer

I was flipping through a popular technology magazine with local content recently and I couldn’t believe my eyes as I almost skipped through one of the gadget review pages. I had to double check the product review written by “writer x” because from what I know about this person’s professional background, he (or she) is currently affiliated with the same company that produces that particular device. The person in question also happens to be a writer as I’ve seen the name frequent technology publications.

But a line has to be drawn somewhere – and this is what you get when the editorial staff of the said publication is not very critical about who writes the review. The review was fair – but I do have to admit, would you, as an editor allow a product manager (or someone in a similar status) write a product review of devices manufactured by the company he or she works for?

The answer is obviously … Nope. This is a sad day in the local tech media.

I’m not sure if the editorial staff knows about this current affiliation. I obviously withheld names out of prudence to this particular magazine, the writer and staff because I don’t want this to become a huge controversy. It’s just … sad.

I don’t have a problem with the writer contributing for a technology magazine. I take issue on the position this person is in to write such a review. There are just certain rights you have to give up. Be careful next time 🙂

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Going Rogue

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There’s a new men’s magazine in town. From the guys who created Manifesto (Jose Mari Ugarte, Miguel Mari, and pals) under the C! group, Rogue is their new brainchild under a different publishing group. Here’s the Press Release and photo from Jim Ayson’s Philmusic:

ROGUE’s long-term mission is to accurately tell the story of our times, our people, and our culture one month at a time; and to capture the people, places, and ideas that define our modern culture. if anything, ROGUE will make a strong statement about who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

I wasn’t able to go to the grand launch at the Fort a few weeks back because I was sick. I’m sure it was a blast.

I used to love reading Manifesto as it was the closest we could get to a local version of GQ. Other magazines also came close, such as MANUAL when it was being handled by Adel Gabot a couple of years back – thus showing how an editor in chief is the true lifeblood of a magazine. MANUAL’s current EIC is RJ Ledesma, who bring a lot of his Men’s Room antics into the magazine. If Rogue is anything like Manifesto – and it should be – this is one good men’s title I’m looking forward to.

I have a piece in the upcoming issue of Rogue. Check the current issue in magazine stalls now.

Disclosure: I also contribute on occasion for MANUAL Magazine of MMPI.

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Needing Travel Advice for Singapore – Malaysia Sojourn

Late next month I’ll be off to Singapore for a three day press conference. I will also be taking advantage of this time to take a long needed vacation. I intend to take the bus or train to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore and stay with two good friends who have offered me lodging.

I’m actually looking for travel advice on the traverse from Singapore to Malaysia by train or by bus. How long does the trip take and how much would it actually cost to make the trip?

Hopefully I’ll also be able to meet up with other b5media guys in the persons of Patrick in Singapore and Colbert over at KL.