SHORT HORROR FILM CONTEST

My Short Horror Film Contest Is BACK & BIGGER than ever! Today the film contest is live for the 3rd year running and is officially underway! Please watch the link to the contest announcement video at the bottom of this page! That video explains and breaks down EVERYTHING...the whole contest Prizes, Rules, Details, Submission Process and more!

1ST PLACE:

$3,500.00 CASH MONEY

$400 Store Credit: @Tropic.Colour

$400 Store Credit: @PrismLensFX

Lifetime Subscription to "Learn Cinematography"

Lifetime Subscription to "Learn Music Videos"

Lifetime Subscription to "@IndustryJump"

Lifetime Subscription to "@EpidemicSound"

10 Pack of music video treatments

Free enrollment into Industry Jump Producing 101 course

Social posts to @JakobOwens & @buffnerdsmedia IG Accounts and youtube

For a list of the remaining places & prizes....again please go watch the video :)

_____________________

CONTEST RULES:

-5 Minutes or less runtime

-Must use the word "Pandemic"

-Quarantine Style Shooting - All 1 Location

CONTEST DEADLINE:Your films must be completed and properly submitted before or on October 25th in order to be considered! 

For a deeper explanation of the rules and contest details please watch the youtube video explaining everything! Over the last 2 years some truly incredible films have been made because of this contest and I can't wait to see what everyone creates this year! Spread the word and have fun! 

Video Editing SplitScreen Mattes For Any Edit Software!

One of my favorite video editing assets that I’ve ever created. I use my first pack for sooo many videos and after the big positive response on the first pack I put this new pack together to add even more split screen matte overlays!

get them here: https://www.tropiccolour.com/filmassets/split-screen-film-mattes-vol-2

Save an extra 10% with my personal code BN10

80 Split Screen Film Mattes

• 20 Black Mattes / 20 White Mattes / 20 Red Mattes / 20 Yellow Mattes

• 8K (8192 x 4320) PNG files / easy drag & drop

• No rotoscoping or keying / All assets have the alpha channel pre keyed out

• Designed from 8mm / 16mm / 35mm negatives

• Features unique rounded corners, edges, and texture found typically found on film

Film Assets & Effects For Video Editors!

Amazing Film assets, overly and effects pack on the market for filmmakers, video editors, and cinematographers! I love these overlays and use them on projects to really dial in some VFX for my music videos! - Jakob Owens

Link to buy: https://www.tropiccolour.com/filmassets/film-assets

Use code: BN10 for 10% off any order off Tropic Colour!

Over 100 different different assets

• Includes Particles / Fire / Embers / Ice / Dust / Water / Haze / Smoke

• 4K Apple Pro Res 422 Quicktime files

• Easily to apply to your footage via screen / overlay transfer mode

• All captured in RAW on the RED MONSTRO Sensor

• Aspect Ratio 2.39:1

Film Dust & Scratch Overlays!

The most comprehensive and detailed film dust & scratch overly and effects pack on the market for filmmakers, video editors, and cinematographers! I love these overlays and use them on almost every video edit I do! - Jakob Owens

Link to buy: https://www.tropiccolour.com/texture/dust-amp-scratches

Use code: BN10 for 10% off any order off Tropic Colour!

4K ProRes Quicktimes (4096x2464)

1. 8K High Res Scanned Stills (8000x4000)

2. 100+ Dust & Scratches

3. 2 Different Strengths of Each Asset

4. 5 Different Colors of Each Asset (Black / White / Red / Blue / Yellow)

5. 40 8K Texture Stills + Repeater Quicktime

6. 30 Perf Stills + Repeater Quicktime

7. Dust & Scratches Sourced from vintage 8mm / 16mm / 35mm Film

Storyboard Templates Made by Filmmakers for Filmmakers

This article below was written by NoFilmSchool

Not in love with your current storyboard template? These ones might be just what you're looking for.

Even though storyboarding isn't necessarily a required step in the filmmaking process, most filmmakers find it helpful in not only planning out their shots but seeing their stories come to life visually. Having a template that helps you do both of those things requires space to both sketch out your shots (or in my case, doodle like a 3-year-old) and jot down the necessary information, including shot size, shot type, and lens data.

The BuffNerd himself, filmmaker Jakob Owens and his team over at Tropic Colour have come out with some really handy, detailed storyboard templates that offer all of that and more.

When I first started storyboarding, there was no way I'd spend money on something I could draw up myself on a piece of paper. ("What, I can't draw a bunch of boxes and lines myself?")

But that task got really old really fast, so I went online and downloaded some free temples. But those were a little too simple and left a lot to be desired.

That's why I kind of like these templates from Tropic Colour, because they were designed by filmmakers who know what filmmakers want in a storyboard template. They want to be able to quickly circle the shot type, shot size, and which lens they want to use. If they're working with different aspect ratios, they want storyboards that can handle that. These templates have that all covered.

6 storyboard templates

• 3 aspect ratios (2.40:1 / 1.85:1 / 1.66:1)

• 2 orientations (vertical and horizontal)

• Spots for lens data, shot size, and shot type

• Print out or digitally import into your editor of choice

This storyboard template pack is available now for $10, which is not too shabby for a really good template that you can print out or upload and work with forever.

If you want to learn more, head on over to Tropic Colour.

Why You're Filmmaking Gear Doesn't Mean Sh*t!

Go into 2019 with a new attitude! Just create...don't make excuses about your gear. Tell great stories and master your content and stories with the gear you have at your disposal!It’s about the person behind the piece of gear not the gear itself! - Jakob Owens

PrismLensFx

Out of demand for needing a solution to mount a prism in front of our lenses my business partner and I searched the web for something, but to no avail... It was then that we sat down and developed something to solve this problem for not just us, but the tons of other filmmakers and photographers with a similar issue. After several months of R&D www.prismlensfx.com was brought to life! We're pumped that so many of ya'll are just as excited for this new product and company as we are! We have so many more ideas and creative solutions for filmmakers and photographers and can't wait to continue to develop them and find new and creative ways to help people create and tell their stories. Pre-order our new PrismLensFX bundles before January 1st 2019 and save 25% off the final cost! https://www.prismlensfx.com

New 1 Light Filmmaking Exercise/Challenge!

So the other day I had an idea for a fun filmmaking exercise...the idea was to create a unique scene within the confines of my house using only 1 light! A few years back I remember seeing something from Brandon Li that was done in a similar way, and this recent memory gave me the spark to create a new filmmaking challenge/exercise for filmmakers out there! So the challenge is as such....Pick a room in your house (a boring one) and create the most cinematic visuals you can within that space using only 1 single light. It can be any light, but only 1! Once you've created your visuals post the 1-2 minute video to your youtube and or Instagram with the same title #BoringRoom1LightChallenge. Then post a series of your 3 favorite stills that best exemplifies the cinematography from the challenge to Instagram in a layout format and use the hashtag #BoringRoom1LightChallenge. In any craft you should always be working on honing your skills, practicing, working towards trying new things and developing your style as a creative. I hope this exercise challenges a lot of you guys and you find some fun in it! Jakob Owens

Jakob Owens 2018 Directors/Editors Reel!

2018 was another great year! It was full of fun, exciting, and new projects, many of which I couldn’t share in this new reel as they haven’t been released yet, but here is my updated 2018 Directors/Editors Reel!

DIY Film Lighting Diffusion Tricks!

DIY Film Light Diffusion Tricks with everyday objects from home! There's so many ways to be creative when it comes to lighting a scene and how you can control and modify that light! What's the most creative thing you've done!?

Just be cautious to use these tricks on lights that are LED based. I don’t want you burning your house down! -Jakob Owens

Secret Film/Photo Locations In LOS ANGELES!

Filmmakers and creatives alike often keep their secrets to themselves. Rarely do they ever share information with other creatives, whether it be a trick, hack, location, insight etc. I've always been an open book and carried that philosophy over into my company @tropic.colour! I'm constantly asked questions about finding locations for a shoot, whether its a location from one of my videos or something else. With those questions in mind we built out the ultimate "LA Location Guide" Over our years of experience shooting commercials, films, music videos, in and around LA, we've compiled some of our favorite and also most secretive locations. Locations you can't get to with a single google search. We did the work for you, so you don't have too! Descriptive, pin drops, map overviews, pictures etc. Cheat codes for finding great LA locations right at your fingertips. Our favorite and most secret spots..... are now yours!

LA LOCATIONS GUIDE: https://www.tropiccolour.com/new-products-1/los-angeles-location-guide

So You Want To Edit Music Videos?

Editing music videos is different then most other types of post production jobs. Theres a lot of freedom to create many stylistic editing effects and choices, it's not as straight forward as cutting together commercial, corporate, or native work. With that in mind I made this video based around my years of experience editing music videos and how to best create a music video! - Jakob Owens

Music Video Editing Tutorial: https://bit.ly/2LFqe70

Masterclass "Travel Films" Edit Tutorial!

When it comes to editing "Travel Films" theres a lot people tend to leave out r just not even think about! Travel films are so much more than an EDM track and pretty people doing backflips! Check out this video as I break down how a "Travel Film" should be! - Jakob Owens

►"TRAVEL FILMS" EDIT TUTORIAL: https://bit.ly/2ugdGgk

So You Want To Shoot Music Videos?!

I'm often asked not only how I got my start shooting/directing music videos but how I can assist and direct others to following the proper steps needed for them to do the same. As a result, I've created this new youtube video breaking down my story as well as the much needed steps to making this dream a reality! -Jakob OWens

Maui, Hawaii in 4K!

Recently I took a trip to Maui Hawaii and naturally my camera didn't leave my side! Here is a video from everything I saw and captured while spending a few days on the stunning island! Jakob Owens

Sound effects used in the video were captured by me and can be purchased below: 

►TROPICAL SOUND EFFECTS: https://bit.ly/2JHDeYY

How To Make VIDEO PRODUCTION Your FULL TIME Job!

In college I pursued video production/filmmaking probably like most of you reading this right now. I didn't start out on top or have a smooth path into LA and the filmmaking world. Far removed from LA and anyone in the industry, I started off shooting $200 local music videos in AZ as I attended school at Arizona State University. I didn't have a plan, I didn't have a mentor, I didn't have a path layed out in front of me that I could just easily follow. Very little information, if any at all was provided to me on how to figure out how I could make video production a full-time job and reality for my future. I had a passion for making videos and I wanted to turn that into making a living for myself, but I didn't have anyone there to help or guide me, nobody to answer questions I may have had, I just went out and did it. These are some of the reasons why I've always been so helpful to young filmmakers, from the manuals I've created, the tutorials, the responses to all the questions on my social media channels etc. So many kids and even adults have so many questions about this field and how they can do the same, and thats why I've always told myself I wanted to be that guidance or help that I never was able to have. I want to help in any way that I can for those that are hungry and passionate about making video production/filmmaking a full-time living. That being said I just dropped a new video talking about 5 tips or pieces of advice that I did coming up and still do to this day that can help jumpstart your success. The things I had to do early on to help get me to where I'm at today. So click that link in my IG bio and give it a watch! And remember, everybody has a different path for their lives, don't be discouraged if your path to success doesn't look like your idol's, friends, or even colleagues. Just focus on yourself and the rest will work itself out. - Jakob Owens

Cinematography Of Bone Thugs - Fantasy (Music Video Breakdown)

We've recently been receiving a lot of comments and questions regarding how we light and shoot our videos. As always I've always loved to share behind the scenes information with you guys, and this is no different.  Enjoy this Bone Thugs "FANTASY" music video cinematography breakdown below! - Jakob Owens

5 AMAZING Filmmaking & Camera Hacks!

When it comes to low budget filmmaking there are several hacks, tips and tricks you can do to help achieve a certain look! Here are 5 of our favorite and often most used filmmaking & camera hacks when shooting! Enjoy - Jakob Owens

Cinematography Breakdown Of A Bone Thugs Music video!

We've recently been receiving a lot of comments and questions regarding how we light and shoot our videos. As always I've always loved to share behind the scenes information with you guys, and this is no different. So I hope you guys enjoy what I hope to be the first of many "Cinematography Breakdowns" of my videos/films! Enjoy this Bone Thugs "If Heaven Had A Cellphone" music video cinematography breakdown below! - Jakob Owens

Tropic Colour | LUTS, Filmmaking Effects, & Assets

Recently, I was approached by a new company ‘Tropic Colour’ They began as several colorist and filmmakers working in the industry on various commercials, films, and music videos. They were and are familiar with my work and the following I’ve built around products I create and sell to my fellow filmmaker supporters and followers. Their collective of creatives recently decided to form a company that sells a variety of products and filmmaking assets to filmmakers. Their product catalog includes items like LUTS, Music Video Treatment Templates, Anamorphic Flares, Light Leaks, Special Effects Assets like fire, smoke, dust particles and more (Sample Images Below). At the moment you can find a variety of these products on their site www.tropiccolour.com. Not all of their products are fully released yet as they are slowly rolling everything out, but I’ve got a chance not only to use their products first hand but also witness their unreleased products like the anamorphic flares pack, light leaks, particles etc and they’re amazing! They’ve essentially made me an ambassador of their company to help and promote their products in exchange for me having full access to all their products. What I love about this company is the quality of the product for the price pint. No other company is putting out assets like these for filmmakers at such an affordable price point. That’s one of the things they mentioned to me about their company is, that they want to be the best most affordable filmmaking asset company out their for filmmakers of all types. I really love their products and I've been using a lot of their LUTs on recent projects! Not to mention they're much more affordable than other products on the market! I would never endorse or put my name behind something I wouldn't use myself. - Jakob Owens

Make sure to follow them on instagram at @tropic.colour

Subscribe to TC on youtube: http://bit.ly/2lAel6I

Vintage LUTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y7lvHqXcQ0

Nature LUTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl4hj74NGTQ

Urban LUTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTc3WVWuT0E&t=27s