Video Style Trends Prediction
Just want to log this while I’m thinking about it; the proliferation of machine learning rotoscoping tools coming out I think will define a style for the next 3-7 years of masking out absolutely everything. Text will be composited into every single shot of every influencer’s videos, transitions will involve separate elements in the frame, effects and color correction will be drastically different between different objects in the frame, etc.
Maybe we’ll look back on it like we do circa 2009 lens flares. Maybe things will look dated if they aren’t cut out. We’ll see.
Looping
Finally splurged on a loop pedal for my guitar, and I immediately look up things like this in my free time. And I wonder why I have trouble finishing things…
Kiss the Ground with Larry O’Connor
I still haven’t seen the feature length doc, but this is a really great offshoot of that project. I was somewhat aware of O’Connor’s background, but this explains how that is a springboard for his passion for the planet. And not only that, but this mini-doc does a really great job explaining some of the details of how important the actual soil we live on is, and how much we are still learning about it very recently. Very much worth your time.
Magic Mouse Prediction
I just wanted to document this before I put it off again; I think Apple should / will “upgrade” the current Magic Mouse to charge wirelessly via either the Qi standard or use the proprietary Apple Watch magnetic charger, the same way the AirPods case does.
This is peak Apple to me. Completely ignore the most glaring user experience you explicitly create (this isn’t a “side effect” of an external protocol, this is all an in house experience they make), then come out with a “new” technology and market it very publicly. I like to think they are currently selling Magic Mice at break even or loss and to retool their assembly would put that product line in the red to start out. That’s the only logical explanation I can think of. It certainly isn’t because of lack of demand or not being able to figure out a solution, or thinking that the current experience is superior.
I’m just thankful I still have my AA battery Magic Mouse.
Links of the week - 09/29/23
Why Trek wants to sell you a used bike | Fast Company
Giving credit to companies trying to do the right thing. In my opinion, carbon offsets are almost not even helpful, because they’re just raising the bar we need to clear and maintain; the better and simpler option (albeit sometimes less fun to execute) is to not create that carbon to offset in the first place.
Spinning beads, cloud tanks and crucibles of molten thermite | Befores & Afters
The team behind Oppenheimer is starting to pull back the curtain of how this movie was made “without computer effects”. Also listen to the fantastic episode of FX Guide.
Focused Podcast | 187 Jesse J. Anderson
Some good conversation on how it’s important to assess if the latest shiny tool is best for you or not. What works for you, or someone else, might (probably) won’t work for everyone.