Creativity, Workspace, and the Universe
Kneeling Chairs, Creativity and Friction, Physics of the Universe, Audio Web Tools, 3D Mockups, Film Emulation Web App
Hey guys! It’s been super busy here. I just completed a wedding film edit—a project that I've been working on (on and off) for a few months. Now that it’s March, I am hoping to prepare and publish a Skillshare class. I'm currently in the outlining phase, but things have been really hectic lately. Excited to share more about this class on “Color Harmony” sometime later this month!
Let me take a quick look at some things worth sharing from my past week:
On Chairs
This is something new. Recently, I started having lower back pain towards the end of the day, despite having what I thought was a “comfortable” office chair. I decided to start looking for other options, something more ergonomic. I was surprised that ergonomic chairs in general seem to be super expensive. After researching, I stumbled upon the concept of a "kneeling chair" and decided to try out the least expensive option (that would allow rocking) I could find on Amazon. It was a bit of a gamble, given the few and mixed reviews. Long story short, it has been a game-changer. Not only does this chair “forces” me to be good posture and gives me lots of flexibility, but it also has me in constant movement throughout the day. The photos and videos online look more uncomfortable than what it is, and I’m sure it’s not for everyone, but I’m loving it. I also got a standing desk (set to arrive soon) to complement this new setup.
On Creativity
I watched an interview with writer Austin Kleon, whose insights on creativity and art I've always found practical and inspiring. Here’s some points from the conversation that resonated with me:
Establishing a routine or creative habit provides stability and focus, enabling creative freedom.
Embracing constraints such as time, space, and materials can spark innovative solutions.
Constructive criticism serves as a tool for personal growth and improvement.
Here’s an analogy that I found particularly insightful. Austin compared creativity to riding a bike, saying that just as the right amount of friction helps you move forward, facing the right mix of challenges is necessary in any creative pursuit. Too much friction, and a bike can’t move. No friction, and the bike can’t go anywhere as well. In other words, a bit of struggle can actually help you grow and succeed in creativity. I think it also makes the results the more satisfying.
On the Universe
This video about science and physics popped up on my read-it-later list and even though it seemed random, I decided to watch it. I think I may have watched a video or two from this channel before but the way that science is explained and the animations are amazing. It reminds me a bit of an old TV show I used to watch as a kid called Beakman's World. It's super engaging to watch. And the topic itself, well, I was mind blown learning more about the universe. I think watching things like this now and then is good for anyone, not only those interested in time travel and parallel dimensions. Stuff like this just gives you a different perspective. I mean, we are so small and it’s kind of a miracle that we are alive here and now.
On Apps
I came across this free app that allows interaction with Eleven Labs super realistic voices (you need an API token).
While editing a wedding film this past week, I needed to isolate dialogue over music and found this website that uses AI for the task. The results were beyond my expectations. I was using Izotope RX until now for things like this, but this web-app will now be my go-to.
I discovered Rotato, an app for creating 3D device mockups with video, screenshots, or screen recordings. Even though I don’t currently have the need for this, it will definitely come in handy for app developers or full time content creators. For my—very basic—mockup screenshot needs I am still sticking to the Apple Frames shortcut for now, but I’m placing a bookmark on Rotato because it looks awesome and hope to find a good excuse to get it :)
On Film Emulation
Dehancer, my favorite film emulation tool has launched a web app that uses the same engine as their plugins. Having beta-tested this, I am excited to see it go live. This web app offers a simple, more basic entry point for anyone interested in exploring the film look. I don’t think it’s meant to replace the full Dehancer apps or plugins, but it’s a great quick and cross-platform alternative.
On Cinema
Oppenheimer (2023). Ok, I am a bit late on this one. I can’t say I really loved it, but I can say it’s a good film. As it often happens with Nolan films, some parts were a little hard for me to fully get. Still worth the watch. Synopsis: The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer's role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
The Sweet East (2023). I loved everything about this film. From the aesthetics, to the loose storyline. It’s like the most unusual road-type film. Kind of like a modern Alice in Wonderland tale. Synopsis: A high school senior from South Carolina gets her first glimpse of the wider world, picturesque cities, and woods of the Eastern seaboard on a class trip to Washington, D.C.
Poor Things (2023). I have watched all of the filmography of Yorgos Lanthimos, and I have always loved his interest in the unusual, the unexpected, those philosophical questions of what is good or bad, what is moral/ethical or not. My favorite films by him are still his films in Greece, but his work continues to be amazing and evolve. "Poor Things," very much like "The Sweet East" mentioned above, is another bizarre Alice in Wonderland type of film where the character goes on a transformational journey. It felt a bit more "message-heavy" or preachy than his previous films, but I still enjoyed it. If you would like to read the script, by the way, I found this link online (not sure how long will it stay active). Synopsis: Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a debauched lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
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