First Major attempt at compositing

Hi Friends,

For a while now, I’ve really wanted to start doing photo compositing. There are the small mountains near my house with a road going between them that I’ve always loved. I had an idea of how I could shoot them and basically take 6 pictures and make them look like one. I still have alot of learning to do with this technique, but I was really pretty pleased with the results of my first attempt. Please forgive the fact I used a picture of myself. I promise I’m not that into myself. Anyway, I’d love some feedback.

Chris Paul Design Composite

Back Now!

Hi Friends.

It has definitely been awhile! I’m re-surfacing to the blogosphere and quite excited about it. One of the many things I thought about during my 08 Christmas vacation was how I communicate using my social networks. I realized after talking with friends and doing some research that it would be much more fruitful if I shared thoughts and insights that were more pragmatic and specifically related to the “How to” of multi-media and marketing. With that said, this blog will be changing. Over the next few weeks, I will begin blogging about topics related to marketing and video production. I’ll will share projects I’m working on and being a part of. I will share what I hope are helpful tips relating to production and how you can achieve hollywood quality video production without a hollywood budget. Lastly, I thought alot about the importance of emotion in production. I’ve heard it said more than once from different people that commercials and advertising don’t work. While I don’t totally agree with that statement, I do think that marketing and advertising have seriously evolved and is heading in a new and exciting direction. These are topics I hope to delve into and unpack over the course of’09 along with much more.

Ultimately, I want the goal of this blog to be about sharing useful information and tips with others to help them on their creative journey.

Here’s to an adventurous year!

Pictures from Clinton

As promised to my twitter friends, I posted a couple of pictures from my brief little visit to the town of clinton where a tornado took this mill and flipped and destroyed it.  I’m bummed for the people who took the loss.  Its going to take  alot of money to fix it and I hope that process is going smoothly.  I also thought it was a cool photo op.   The timing couldn’t have been better.   The sun was setting.  I actually shot more pictures than this, but I don’t have time to edit them all right now so this will have to do.  I actually have some cool compositing ideas for pictures.  I’m hoping to take some people up there soon.  Stay tuned.

For now, let me know what you think…

Chris

KISS Book Trailer

Hi everyone. I recently completed a book trailer for Thomas Nelson that was for a new book by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy. This was the project I flew out to colorado springs for. Anyway, I asked if they minded if I showed you all because several of you I know of are avid ted dekker fans so… Anyway, here’s the book trailer that I did for their upcoming book release in January called “KISS”. Leave me some thoughts if you like it. I’m sure Thomas Nelson would love to know. We just debuted this video this week so feedback is good at this point. Enjoy!

Chores

So…I’ve been kidding with my wife about how I need a ‘honey do list’ for a while. Well, she pointed out to me tonight that I now have one.

Ok, gotta get started……I hope I can remember how to change a light bulb

photo posted from my iPhone

Dekker Photoshoot Recap

Ok, here are a few pics from the day I got to spend chilling with my buddy Kevin Kaiser, Ted Dekker, Erin Healy and Mike Heath. I had an absolute blast. It turns out that the guy who was shooting actually is buddies with dave hill. Dave Hill is a sick photographer. A friend of mine, Chris Burns told me about him and ever since, I’ve been insanely into how he composites photos over each other.

Anyway, here’s a few pictures from the day.

Cheers.

(1) A shot of ted at the briarhurst manor where dee and I got married. It’s an awesome place.
(2) Another shot from the briarhurst except we were in the next room.
(3) This is where we got married (and yes, the lawn mower was there too)
(4) We shot this inside Mike Heaths (the photographer) house.
(5) The joys of being a brand manager. (i think the ironing part of the job was in the small print section of the job description.
(6) He loves his job!
(7) Ted getting make up before we start shooting. One interesting note…This lady has done makeup for presidents and movie stars. Cant remember names, but thought that was pretty cool.

K, that’s it. I head home tomorrow to start editting the footage.
Cheers.

Chris

Shoot with ted dekker

A picture from my shoot with Erin healy and ted dekker. Much kudos to my boy andy for his amazing help.

photo posted from my iPhone

God, I feel you…

On a spiritual note, just had a simple thought for all of you out there who are trying to connect with the spirit of God. Sometimes, I think it’s good to remind ourselves that we humans. It’s really bothered me lately how some many people, including me pretend that we’re put together. That we don’t need anything. I’m one of the those people who doesn’t like to air my problems to people. This has actually hurt me, not helped! I’ve been going through a pretty dry time spiritually and I know I”m far from the only one, but for some reason, I feel God in circumstances. Sometimes mine, but most of the time, it’s others circumstances. EVERY time I drive by or see a homeless person. Not only does my heart break for them, but I can’t help but mentally try to understand their life story. It’s like my life goes on pause. Everything stops. I’m fixated on this one person. It’s like I feel what God feels. Yet, the one major difference is I rarely act on it. I think what everyone probably thinks. If I give them money, they’ll just use it for alcohol, drugs or something else not productive. And who knows, maybe they will. Where I’m going with this, is that when I’m in my room, car or somewhere else trying to connect with God, there are really rich times and very dry times, but there’s something about being in a circumstance where you feel Gods heart. There’s something incredibly spell binding about this emotion called “feeling”. I have this philosophy when I edit videos. Even though I want to create quality videos, I always want to take it a step farther. I want people to FEEL something when they watch a video I do. Let me clarify, I’ve had several chances to watch people watch a video I’ve done and see them cry, smile or make a decision to do something. To me, this is the win. I think there’s something to be said about making conscious decisions to do something, but I think there is something so uniquely powerful abouting people feeling something. I believe God wants us to feel what he feels. I love the presence of God. Honestly, I crave the peace and love I feel when I worship, but I can’t get away how much I feel God in circumstances that I believe rip his heart. Orphans, poverty, broken people. I’ve got so far to go in having the kind of relationship with God that I want, but I’m so thankful for emotions. Next time you see someone on the street or however, let that feeling of uneasiness grow in you. I hope it grows in me. Let’s be moved to action by a decision, but let’s love out of the absolute feeling like there is something eternally wrong with this situation that God is breaking my heart to change.

Seasons Change

So, I promised all of you lovely people an update on what’s going on with me lately. Well, here’s the latest. After 3+ amazing years of serving with the incredible staff team of New Life Church in conway, arkansas, Dee and I decided to step down. I’ve been wanting to go back to school for quite some time, but have never really had the time to do it so hopefully, in the beginning of the year, I’ll be going back to school for graphic design and video. I’m also going to continue working to grow my media company Chrispauldesign.com. At this point, dee and I are planning to remain in arkansas. We’re praying about what God would have us do at this point, but I’ll also say that we’re looking forward to continuing to attending NLC. We love NLC and the staff and would have a hard time leaving. We’ve made life long friendships here and we love pastor rick and NLC. It’s such an incredible church! I know several people have heard that we might be leaving so hopefully, this blog puts some of that to rest. If at some point, we do decide to move, I’ll let everyone know for sure.

Ok, so, here’s the latest. I’m in the springs right now doing a video shoot with an author Erin Healy and Ted Dekker. Should be fun! I’ll try to post some pics soon. I’m thinking about making a small little behind the scenes video if I can sneak it in. We’ll see…. Once I get home, I have to edit like a mad man because we have to turn this video in by October 10th. Hopefully I can post it on youtube once it’s done. It’s for a book called “KISS”. Look for it if you get the chance. It sounds like a good book.

Beyond that, dee and I now have a wii and are really enjoying playing it. We’re enjoying the time together over the next few weeks. We’re going to take a trip in the middle of the month to hang with some friends (Actually the guy who I’m shooting with in the springs) Kevin Kaiser for a few days. Dee’s pretty close with his wife holly and I’ve been friends with kevin for several years. Should be alot of fun!

Ok, that’s what’s new with me for now. For those of you reading this, shoot me a comment so I can know who actually looks at this and let me know what’s up.

Back now

Hi everyone.

It sure has been a while and boy are there alot of new things on the horizon for us. I’ll be sharing more as the weeks progress. Right now, I’m just wanting to get back into blogging. I definitely enjoy it! I thought I’d post a picture of TKO (The Kick Off) in conway tonight for Real Life. Can I just say how much I absolutely love getting to lead worship with the Real Life band. I’ve dreamed of the opportunity to lead worship and playing on thursdays is one of the highlights of my week.

Anyway, one of the 3 bands that they had playing was kingsdown. They’re such a great band! Here’s a pic from the night.

I’m off to bed! Cheers blogosphere!