Cecil Walker’s Blog

I started Saturday off by attending another Second Saturday Cornerstone community event at Harvest Oaks Assisted Living Center at Anderson Springs. Earlier in this blog, I posted a video from my first trip there. I got to spend some time getting to know Art better and a new lady named Evelyn. What a great way to start the day!

I then took my mom and dad’s old 8mm movies to A.V.E. (audio video editors) located at Alma School and Queen Creek where they will scan each frame and convert them into DVD movies! I can’t remember the last time I saw these. I’m pretty sure I was a young boy…

Donna and I tried a new restaurant Saturday night. Very good fish and chips (my meal) and swordfish (Donna’s) with Creme Brulee to finish it off.

On Sunday, I started the day at 6:00 am mixing sound for the worship band at Cornerstone. Setup, practice and four services later I headed home around 1:30 pm. Too windy to fly at the park, I just vegged out on the couch and relaxed.

How was your weekend?

Recently, I built a teleprompter from lumber, glass and screws I purchased from Lowes. A teleprompter allows the person being videotaped to read script from a screen (the glass plate) while the video is shot through that same glass. How does it work? To make a teleprompter, the glass needs to be at a 45 degree angle or as close as you can get to it. the camera goes behind the glass and should be enclosed ( i used a black sheet) to block out light. This is important to get the text to reflect properly. The text comes from either a laptop or flat panel monitor laying in front of and below the glass.

To correctly orient the text, you will need to use some type of prompter software, which will allow the text to be reversed so that, when reflected on the glass, it reads correctly to the talent reading the script. You can find free software on the web (CuePrompter comes to mind) but I decided to go with PromptDog from DVCreators. Another tool that looks pretty good (we used it for this test shoot) was Script-Q. For me, it was very important for the talent to have their monitor reversed and my second screen (used to control the speed, etc) was oriented normal. Both of these tools can do that.

The video was shot with a single Lowell Rifa eX softbox light on a boom stand and a black backdrop. I used my friend Mark Wallace’s Sennheiser G2 Evolution wireless microphone with a lavalier mic. I can’t recommend quality audio highly enough. It made the difference between a clear broadcast quality recording versus what sounded like a mic in a box (which it was) by using the microphone on the video camera (Canon XH-A1).

So, what would I do different in the next shoot? Setup and teardown time was the biggest problem followed closely by moving all this equipment to and from my truck and conference room. Using a collapsable backdrop would speed this up and allow me to use a smaller room. In a smaller room, I could use a straight light stand and eliminate the extra weight of a boom stand.

Now for the teleprompter… version 2 would be made of lightweight aluminum instead of heavy plywood. L channel for the 45 degree glass guide and a silvered see-through mirror instead of normal glass and it would be made a bit bigger to handle larger than a 15” flat panel monitor.

Ben, Kevin and I went to the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona today for lunch. Ben is friends with some of the members and the club president. I brought along my cameras. I’ll be posting photos here!

Occasionally, when I’m not flying (ok, crashing) planes/helicopters at the park or swamped at work learning new skills while juggling 4–5 deliverables, I get a chance to get out on my motorcycle (Honda Interceptor) for a ride into some beautiful areas of Arizona. It sure beats the daily commute to work, which is all the Interceptor has been seeing lately.

Today, I joined several other riders from Cornerstone’s MC group on a breakfast ride to Strawberry Lodge. I’ve been to Payson tons of times and have eaten at several spots (my favorite being the Payson Airport cafe) but I’ve never gone up through Pine or Strawberry for breakfast. Tony and Walt picked a great place. They hold the record for getting the food to the table in the shortest amount of time!

Here are some photos (from the lodge) and a quick video I put together. I rode on ahead of the group and pulled over to the side of the road to film them riding by. Sorry for any shakiness. As I was on my motorcycle, I didn’t have any tripods, monopods and certainly no camera dollies and track!

Cornerstone MC Ride to Strawberry Lodge from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: To see a larger version in HD, hove over the embedded video above and click on the Vimeo logo!

On Sunday August 31st, Lee drove his RV down to the SAGE field near Tucson with George, Charlie, Scott, Vu, Brad, Dan, Tony, Jim and I onboard. Dirk and Jason followed in Dirk’s Subaru. It takes about an hour and a half to get from The Bowl to their field, which is located near Marana Airport.

Why were we all headed down there? To participate in Round 2 of their Beat The Heat DLG contest of course. And boy were we sporty with our matching “Chandler Bowl” shirts with the DLG logos on them! Kind of like a very large bowling team pouring out of the motor home when we arrived!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fly due to a broken boom at my elevator/rudder. That happened the day before the event while I was trimming the plane out for competition. Oh well, that allowed me plenty of time to take video and some photos and to cheer the other guys on!

All in all, the guys did very well as a team and Charlie and George took 1st and 2nd place respectively.

Tucson Beat The Heat - Aug 31, 2008 from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

 Note: To see a larger version in HD, hove over the embedded video above and click on the Vimeo logo!

A video of my friend, Chris “Fogger” Wuester flying his T-Rex 500 helicopter with the new Fusion Pack 6 cell 2500mAh lithium polymer batteries. Video taken with a Canon XH-A1 using Steven Dempsey’s PANALOOK preset.

T-Rex 500 Fusion 6s2500mAh 25C from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

Here is a video of my friends throwing and catching their Discus Launch Gliders (DLG) at a local schoolyard here in Chandler, Arizona.

DLG Launch Styles at the Schoolyard from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

I recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica. Our U.S. Service Manager team went there for a face-to-face meeting with the Account Managers that we work hand in hand with everyday. It was a very productive meeting that not only produced some much needed foundational material, it also was an excellent team building opportunity that will significantly increase team synergy. Our hosts in Costa Rica were incredible.

We also had a couple of extra days to do some sightseeing while we were there. Here’s some photos taken from the Marriott in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Vlad Shulga, Sam Vause and I took a cab down to the pedestrian area of downtown San Jose. There we saw the exterior of the National Theater and toured the state of the art underground museum.

Vlad and I also got to see the La Paz Waterfall, Butterfly and Hummingbird gardens while we were there. Here’s a few photos from that tour.

Finally, several of us drove to Herradura, Costa Rica and stayed overnight in the Marriott Los Suenos. I took a few photos around that hotel and at the nearby marina.

My son Andrew and I drove up to Snowflake, Arizona to see my Mom on July 3rd and 4th. Andrew drove his Honda Element, which gave me an opportunity to shoot some scenery with my Canon XH-A1 using Steven Dempsey’s PANALOOK preset.

Snowflake - There and Back Again 2008 from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

On June 27th, 2008 my son Adam graduated from the Casa Grande Fire Academy. He begins full-time firefighting on July 9th in Casa Grande.

Adam’s Casa Grande Fire Academy Graduation from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

Here’s a much shorter, more punchy version of the “Second Saturday” video I posted earlier.

Shortened version of “Second Saturday” video from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

We recently held a “Man to Man” dinner at Cornerstone to celebrate the completion of Men’s Fraternity Year 3 – The Great Adventure. There was lots of food, entertainment and moving testimonies by Tony and Jim. Mike Erre, author of “Why Guys Need God” was the guest speaker.

Man To Man Dinner 2008 from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

As you may have noticed, I’m a big fan of Vimeo, both to watch videos as well as upload mine to. One of the cool features of Vimeo is the ability to make Groups. This allows people, with similar interests, cameras, etc to have a space where they can put there videos.
 
I recently created a Group called Cornerstone with the idea that this would be a place for members of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship to upload their videos. It’s a great way to get in contact with other Cornerstone videographers and to share tips, techniques and ideas. Come check it out!
 
http://www.vimeo.com/groups/Cornerstone

Second Saturday is a community involvement event at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler, Arizona that happens every second Saturday of the month! Groups divide up and head out into the community do help with clean-up projects, construction, working with the homeless and many more projects. It’s also an opportunity to share our love of Jesus Christ with others that may need to hear that message.

I tagged along last Saturday and shot some stills and a lot of video. Here’s my attempt at putting something together to share with others that may be interested in helping out!

Second Saturday from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

I put this video together to show the power a Fusion-Pack lithium polymer battery in a T-Rex 500 electric RC helicopter. The heli is being piloted by Chris “Fogger” Wuester, one of the resident heli gurus at the Chandler Bowl.

Align T-Rex 500 RC Helicopter using Fusion Pack lipos! from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

I just finished making my second video. A little better than the first one (that’s really the goal isn’t it?) with some music in the background this time. Let me know what you think!

DLG Evening from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

Note: to see this video in a larger format, with HD turned on, hover over the embedded video then click on the word “Vimeo”!

I recently sold my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS lens to a buddy of mine at work as I rarely used it since I’ve pretty much stopped shooting motorsports as a side business. I’ve since shifted to volunteering my time and photos for churches, non-profit, mission support, and photo journalism that supports causes I believe in. I’ve found that the still photos only go so far in telling the whole story in these areas. I decided that I wanted to add videography as it would complete the package, so to speak.

So, I sold my lens and purchased a Canon XH-A1 prosumer video camera from B&H Photo Video in New York. I also purchased a Bogen – Manfrotto 561B monopod (complete with a fluid head) on Mark Wallace’s recommendation. I’m very pleased with this support aid as it is far superior than the one I was looking at previously. It provides great support and doesn’t get in the way like a tripod does on location.

To round out the package, I needed some way to process, edit and produce a final video that could be used on the web as well as DVDs. I purchased the Adobe Production Premium suite that includes Adobe Production Premier CS3, Photoshop CS3, After Effects, Flash, etc, etc.

Here’s the first little video I created. It’s not great but it was a fun way to get to know the video camera and software a little better!

Hanging Out at the Chandler Bowl from Cecil Walker on Vimeo.

My good friend Brett Willis started this notion of posting our own “Bucket Lists” on his Blog. Not one to let a challenge go, well, unchallenged… here’s my Bucket List of things I’d like to do and/or accomplish before I kick the bucket. The ones that are crossed off are goals that I’ve already accomplished.

1.       Ride across the U.S. on a motorcycle

2.       Photograph Glacier National Park

3.       Hold my grand children in my arms

4.       Go on a mission trip to Africa

5.       Go on a mission trip to Mexico

6.       Get down to 180-190 lbs again

7.       Work at a church (Men’s Ministry, production, etc)

8.       Drive a race car on a track

9.       Learn to speak Spanish

10.   Snowboard

11.   Publish a book

12.   Produce, direct, write and shoot a short film

13.   Have 1 true friend

14.   Finish well

15.   Skydive

16.   Rock Climb

17.   Amateur radio

18.   Archery

19.   Backpack in the snow

20.   Go on a mission trip to Alaska

21.   Go on a mission trip to Belize

22.   Photograph IRL, NASCAR, USAC, Rolex Grand Am

23.   Teach Photography

24.   Learn Sign Language

25.   Learn how to fly RC planes, gliders and helicopters

26.   Learn how to throw a boomerang

27.   Fly a power kite

28.   Compete in sports (track, cross-country)

29.   Visit England, Ireland, Israel, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hawaii

30.   Snow Ski & Water Ski

31.   Learn how to ride a motorcycle

32.   Teach Motorcycle Safety

33.   Ride to Sturgis on a motorcycle

34.   Ride to Yellowstone, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California, Utah on a motorcycle

35.   Ride to Colorado on a motorcycle

36.   Ride a motorcycle on a track

In the Men’s Fraternity classes I’m taking at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship we are in Year 3 – The Great Adventure. In it, we had to make our first cut at a “Before I Die, I Want To…” list. Here’s how it fleshed out.

Before I Die, I Want to BE:

• An asset to other men
• A real leader
• A mentor
• The husband of my wife’s dreams
• More knowlegable about the Bible
• A father my kids need
• A grandfather…
• In ministry
• 180 pounds again
• A teacher

Before I Die, I Want to DO:

• Photography in Glacier National Park
• Motorcycle trip across U.S. and Canada
• Camping with grandkids
• Trips with my wife
• My Share
• Learn other languages, especially Spanish
• Snowboarding
• Scuba diving
• Write a book – Photo; How To; Testimony; etc
• Write a song

Before I Die, I Want to HAVE:

• Mastered some skill
• Made a difference in someone’s life
• Experienced cultures in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
• Made a difference in sponsored children’s lives

Before I Die, I Want to HELP:

• With missions (local and in other countries)
• People find a personal relationship with Christ
• Charitable causes
• A start up non-profit organization
• My children financially
• Sponsor others

Before I Die, I Want to ENJOY:

• Time with my family… especially my wife
• The simple things

Before I Die, I Want to LEAVE:

• A life completed well
• Just what my wife and children need
• No debt
• A positive legacy
• No regrets
• A foundation

What’s your “Bucket List”?

I just returned from a great evening. It started off with my weekly Men’s Fraternity meeting at Cornerstone where we’re going through Robert Lewis’ 3rd year program called “The Great Adventure”. It’s a great program and that would have been enough to make my night if that was all that was in store for me. But there was more…

Nick Vujicic from Life Without Limbs ministry was the guest speaker for the Camber group (young adult & college age ministry at Cornerstone). Tonight, because of Nick, Camber was held in the main worship center. The place was pretty full! Nick did it again (this is the 3rd time I’ve heard him speak) and not only delivered an incredible message but wrapped it up with an alter call that had dozens of folks either accepting or rededicating their lives to Jesus. It was awesome to witness.

Nick wrapped the evening up with hugging every single person (no small feat for someone without arms) that wanted a hug (easily 90% of the people attending). He spent extra time with anyone that needed it. There was a young boy in front of me that must have accepted the Lord that evening or was struggling with something as Nick spent quite a bit of time with him. Knowing how important Nick’s time was with those that needed encouragement, I thanked him and moved on pretty quickly after hugging him. Well done Nick Vujicic!

I was shooting the Phoenix Fun Fly this weekend at the Sun Valley Fliers field at Cave Creek and Jomax when my camera started malfunctioning. I had quite a few good shots (>100) then every shot started to have a problem with a bar of light appearing across the image. I fear the shutter or sensor has failed.

…now where’s that warranty card again?

As you can see, it varies from shot to shot on size, length, shape and intensity.