Production

Video

The Journal was shot on MiniDV with two Panasonic AG-DVX100B’s. The video has been modified and color corrected to emulate the cinematic bleach bypass look. In the world of film (as opposed to video), this is achieved by skipping the bleaching of the silver coating from the film negative during the editing process. In the video world, this look is emulated by higher contrast and desaturation.

Special Effects

Every muzzle flash in The Journal was digitally created in Adobe Photoshop using the paintbrush tool, painting a digital squib muzzle flash to a layer above the original video frame. Each squib painting was then turned into one frame of video, then turned into one second of video using Quicktime Pro. The muzzle flash was then imported into Final Cut Express, where a chroma keyer was applied to eliminate the black background. Each flash was then placed in its proper place in the video, and with sound effects, it’s hard to tell that it’s digital!

Editing

Apple’s Final Cut Express was the main editing tool used, on a MacBook running Mac OSX Tiger. Freeverse’s Sound Studio, as well as Apple’s GarageBand and Soundtrack were used to edit and create sound effects, music, and voice overs.

Music

The main music during the majority of The Journal was played and recorded by Chad Stembridge, playing the viola, violin, and guitar. On the credits is the original song, “Rest”, published by Striving Together Publications (used by permission, of course!)

About the Crew

–Chad Stembridge–
Roles: Producer, Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Composer, Sound Designer, “Cameron”, Key Grip, Gaffer, etc.
Bio: Chad Stembridge is a homeschooled senior who is in the process of becoming a professional filmmaker. He has the vision to help regenerate our culture through the medium of film and video, as well as through other mediums such as his blog, the 7th Ranger Regiment. He is the owner of Stembridge Mill.

–Wesley Brooks–
Roles: Production Assistant, Best Boy, Grip, Cinematographer

–Beth Stembridge–
Roles: “Marge Wilder”, costume supervisor

–Tyler Stembridge–
Roles: “Nicholas Wilder”, extra soldier, Camera Operator

–Jonathan Schreiber–
Roles: “Joe Hill”, Camera Operator

–Timothy Schreiber–
Roles: “Craig”, Extra Soldier, Camera Operator

–Mark Schneider–
Roles: Extra Soldier

–Dave Brooks–
Role: Sound Consultant

–Ed Stembridge–
Role: Military Officer