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So, how can you do this at home?  It depends on what software you are using, most computers (PC and Mac) come with some kind of editing software.  I can only speak for Mac software, which is either iPhoto or iMovie.  If you are just using pictures, iPhoto will get the job done.  Apple software is so intuitive all you need to do is get on there and start messing with it.  There aren’t that many buttons and if you hold your mouse over a button it will tell  you what it does.  If you want to combine photos and videos, iMovie is the software you want to use.  Both come standard with every Mac.  Unbeatable if you are of the creative type.  It will certainly get you started.

Once you begin, all you need to do is pull your photos in from whatever source or folder you stored them in.  Assuming of course that you already have the pictures on your computer.  If you do not have a digital camera for easy transfer, go here for instructions on scanning images.  When you have access to your picture folder, simply pull the pictures into the Project.  When the photos are in the software, all it takes is arranging the order, adding transitions in between pictures, cropping and/or adjusting the “pan and scan” feature, and adding the music.  If you have the time, it is worth it.  Play with the software a little bit and get comfortable with all that it can do.  Like I said before, if you have a Mac you are a step ahead, it is very easy to learn.  If you don’t have the time, consider Meatball Video Productions.  Here is an example of a photo to video montage we did for a family’s 93 year old Nana.  If she could hear it, she would be impressed!

We hope this helps you, enjoy!

So, let’s start this blog with the handle pass.  Easy enough to do with practice and opens up all kinds of great new moves.  I am learning this now so I can more than relate…I will throw in a caution or two based on my own experience as well.  The most important part of this process is knowing where the handle is going to be and locking on to it.  It’s true, practice makes perfect.  The more often you can practice making the pass behind your back and grabbing with  the other hand, the more likely you are to hit it when it counts.  We call it muscle memory. 

Try this to start:  take an old handle assembly (surely you have run over a handle or two in your time) and tie a 64 oz Gatorade jar or Gallon Milk jug to the end and fill with water.  You now have the means to practice OFF the water so your time ON the water is better spent.  Just make the pass using your new handle/jug set-up, repeatedly.  Again and again.   Soon enough you’ll have it, you will instinctively know where that handle is going to be when making the pass.

Now, to the water!  When starting to attempt the pass on the water, try one-wake inside out first…at 17-19mph.  This will help you get the feel of it but in a much more forgiving way.  Trust me, you don’t want to fail a handle pass at 22 mph and catch a backside edge.  See you in the hospital!  Build up to it slowly, give it some time and spare yourself the aggravation of an injury.  Once you have it one-wake, hit the wake to wake with a shortened rope at maybe 20 mph first.  Again, building up to it.  One last tip for the pass:  when you launch, concentrate on snapping  the handle to your hip and it will be there when your other hand comes looking for it. 

The author is currently working on a backside 180 (with pass) and expects that once that happens the 360 will be right around the corner.  Will post video when we have it.

Until next time.

Mike

Owner,Videographer,Wakeboarder

So, if you can stand up on a wakeboard this topic is for you!

First, let’s talk about the “pop”.  The pop off the wake is what will give you all the hang time you need to throw your trick(s).  It is all about the progressive edge and keeping the tension in the line.  If you go into the wake with a tight line, the energy from the line will sling shot you up and over.  Easier said than done however.  To practice: place yourself about 8-10 feet off the wake (heelside) and slowly lift your toes and curve in towards the wake…picture the edge of your board making a crescent shaped line from where you started your edge to the end, which is the wake itself.  Concentrate on keeping your toes up, your knees bent, and your elbows touching your sides (keep it tight).  When you hit the top of the wake, stand up.  Just stand up, don’t jump or ollie or you will lose the transfer of energy from your line.  That’s it, you’ve got it.  Concentrate Daniel-Son.  Wax on, Wax off.

Seriously, congratulations.  This will get you there if you have never heard of a progressive edge and keeping tension in the line.  And once you have the pop, the sky is the limit.  You can throw a limitless number of tricks with different grabs and spins and flips thrown in.   In fact, send us your pictures and we will post them on our viewers wall.

Until next time.

Mike

Owner,Videographer,Wakeboarder

It all begins with the filming of the event.  No matter how great your editing software or what kind of genius you may be at editing, you can’t fix bad filming.  Well, you can…but only to a degree.  It is vitally important that the concentration be on: what shots you want to achieve, how best to film it, and how to get a stable shot.  No one wants to watch a herky jerky film that is seemingly all over the place, trust me…it will give the viewer a good case of motion sickness.  So, slow down when you shoot…meaning be sure you are as stable as possible (if you are riding a tube in reverse facing the rider this is easier said than done) and move the camera SLOWLY.  No fast pans, no quick zooms.  A good start is to reposition the camera from how you are used to holding it.  You use the camera strap and film with one hand, huh?  Nothing wrong with that but, you can get a more steady shot and a more interesting shot if you mix it up a bit.  Hold the camera with both hands and keep your elbows tight to your body.  You will easily see how much more solid this position feels than your typical hand in the strap filming.  With your elbows tight, pan by turning your body at the waist…you will find that the control you now have works, really well.  Film everything as you would want to watch it, nice and easy.

As far as the shots themselves go; how many times have you seen the rider from the back of the boat?  Enough!  It is so boring to watch the same shot over and over again.  The action may be great but the scenery is basically the same.  Try shooting from shore, from another boat (be careful), from the tower, from a tree on the shoreline…get a different perspective and show everyone how amazing your surroundings are. 

Remember: slow and steady makes for a great, watchable video.  Editing is a different animal and we will cover that in our next blog.

It is a YouTube nation!  Get out there and film it!

Mike

Owner,Videographer,Wakeboarder

This was filmed at a secret spot, somewhere in Texas.  Enjoy!

Note: If the video pauses to load, pause for a minute to let it catch up and it will play fine.  Also, this was filmed in High Definition. Unfortunately, due to compression issues, the quality is not HD.  If you would like a free copy of the DVD, please Email Us for instructions. 

The river is surrounded by 100 foot cliffs that do an unreal job of keeping the water ridable…even in the worst of conditions.  Last year when we filmed the “Secret Spot” it was during Hurricane Ike.  If you look at the video you will see how great the water was despite the high winds.  One of my favorite shots comes from the tops of one of these sets of cliffs.  The hike up was not too difficult and once in position it was clearly one of the best vantage points on the river.  Visibility was a quarter to a half mile of river spread in front of the camera and possibly a couple miles of surrounding countryside.  When the video is released you will see just how amazing our spot is and why it is a secret…to most. 

Some of the highlights from this years trip include: landing a big floating 180 grab (with style!), hanging out on the white sand beach along the river and grilling over a hole in the sand, successful filming in high definition with our underwater housing..with no leaks, and all in all having an injury free weekend with friends.

So, keep an eye out for the updates and when we have the editing done check out our new release “Ride the River : Return of Los Tres Diablos”.   Until then, enjoy some of the pictures from the trip.

Mike

Owner,Videographer,Wakeboarder