Magic Lantern, Light the Way!
With all prosumer electronic devices, we always tend to run across those limitations that makes us wonder “why not just unlock that feature for your loyal users?” In the case of my Canon 550D (T2i), there is a nasty setting that causes the audio recording levels to fluctuate automatically based on how loud the camera’s surroundings are. It’s called ACG, or Auto-Gain Control. Up until a bit ago, Canon users could be found raging across forums and blogs, complaining that their choice to make this feature non-removable is both unprofessional and rather corporate of them-
Until now. A group of DSLR filmmakers from the 5D Forums have dedicated some serious time to crafting a new bit of software that loads on top of the existing camera firmware of these new DSLRs, and adds numerous features that only $2000+ cameras can boast. Some of the features include, but are not limited to:
- ACG REMOVED and replaced with manual audio level controls, both analog & digital
- Audio level meters (thank you)
- On-screen lens information about focal distance and zoom
- Zebra stripes for both over and under-exposed areas
- Automated focus pulling (yes, it works)
- Bitrate control – down to YouTube quality, or higher for even crisper HD footage
- HDR exposure bracketing up to 13 shots!
You can find more on the Magic Lantern User’s Group on Vimeo. I think I’m going to donate to their project, as it’s released FREE and has unlocked about $1500 worth of features on my humble camera.
As for now, I’ve installed it on my Canon 550D and it’s working! Anybody else have success with this? Comment below!
-Jesse
Crowd-Accelerated Innovation, Video-Powered.
Chris Anderson speaks at TED
This TED talk has had me intrigued ever since it was shown to me weeks ago, so I felt it more than worthy of sharing – if nothing else just to entertain a cool model for how to produce progress in the social metaweb. Video is a powerful tool, no? This also reminds me that the Santa Cruz TEDx (local chapter of TED) is occurring at Cabrillo this next June. Check it out (or nominate a speaker!) at www.tedxsantacruz.com. Who wants to come up with an awesome presentation with me? 
- August 6, 2010
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- Video
Rube Goldberg, Meet Rock n’ Roll
The band ‘Okay, Go’ created a viral video based on something called a Rube Goldberg Machine, a gient contraption whose simple goal is dwarfed by its complex process of accomplishing that goal. What’s the point? See for yourself.
Also, there’s a great TED Talk on ‘the making of’ for you gearheads interested in how they actually pulled this sucker off. Enjoy!
The Death of Advertising?
Here is a short docu-style narrative I produced for local agency Brand Narrative to spread the word about content-based marketing.