Looking for voice over talent?

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Category: Useful tools, Web links

Over the past year I have produced a few videos that needed a voice over track. I tried a few local shops to do the work for me and everything turned out great, but it took a long time to book the talent, book the studio and wait for the track to be edited and sent to me.

It wasn’t until I found Voice123 that recording VO tracks became fun again. Voice123 is a free service for the buyer that connects you with great voice talent. It only takes a few minutes to post a project, set your budget and within 24 hours you should already have a few auditions to review. Make sure to try Voice123 for your next project.

Web link: Voice123

JMDesign compatability site updates

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Category: Articles

Over time your website runs the risk of having out dated technologies and may lack features that allow it to play well with new technologies. When I created the JMDesign website a year ago Flash videos players were all the rage. I decided to use JW Player as my Flash video player because of its rock solid platform, options and support. Times have changed and as Apple steadily becomes a force in the web standards industry, HTML 5 is in and Flash is being phased out to play video on the web. As you probably know any iOS device such as the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch cannot play Flash natively. I looked for alternatives, but none presented themselves until last week. Vimeo announced an embed code that detected device connectivity and delivered content accordingly. This was huge because I could now create a site that would work across any platform.

Over the past week I have made these updates to my site

• Changed all the video embed code (JW Player and Vimeo) on my website to Vimeo’s new embed code.
• Uploaded all the videos my website to Vimeo that were being played from my server as MP4 and FLV files.
• Added a Twitter feed to the Pro Blog and a Follow us on Twitter link to all site footers.
• Added social media links to every post on the Pro Blog.
• Added social media links to the player page.

Vimeo just got better

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Category: Articles

I use Vimeo to showcase a lot of my work and as a Vimeo Plus member, Vimeo offers a lot of powerful tools to make my embedded videos look great. Today Vimeo announced a slick new embed code called Universal Player for both Vimeo Plus and regular members. This new embed code (it is actually an iFrame) can automatically detect what kind of device is being used to view your video and will choose the optimum player based on the device’s capabilities. This is great news for anyone who wants to play their videos across multiple devices such as iPhone, iPads, desktops, laptops and HD boxes.

View the original article

iPad Motion Graphic Designer

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Category: Web links

JMDesign has already been getting requests from app developers to design custom motion graphics for the new iPad. If you are in need of motion graphic services for any portable device application development such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android or Blackberry please contact us here.

10 Inspiring Motion Graphics Blogs

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Category: Tutorials, Web links

1. Video Copilot Blog

2. Motionworks

3. Aetuts+

4. Grayscalegorilla

5. VisualFXtuts

6. Maltaannon

7. Graymachine

8. Amateur Media

9. AE Portal News

10. Maxafter

Xbreaker for Cinema 4D

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Category: Free downloads, Web links

Optical Flares by Video Copilot

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Category: Useful tools, Web links

I just bought the newest After Effects plug-in by Video Copilot called Optical Flares. This powerhouse of a plug-in does way more than the out-dated Knoll Light Factory and at $124.95 what is there not to like?

The Motion Exchange

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Category: Web links

Harry Frank has started a free social network for Motion Graphic designers. The site is called The Motion Exchange and in two days it already has over 350 members. Go check it out for yourself and see what all the buzz is about.

Visit The Motion Exchange

How to be a Motion Designer and get paid

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Category: Articles, Web links

Nick Campbell from Greyscale Gorilla made a great presentation at MGFest titled “How to be a Motion Designer and get paid“. He covers such topics as:

• What classes should I take?
• How do I market myself?
• I’m about to graduate. How do I get my first job?
• Do I need school?
• I’m the best at my job… Now what?
• How do I learn the skills necessary to become an artist?

How to Be A Motion Designer and GET PAID from Nick Campbell on Vimeo.

Unplugged by Motionworks

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Category: Web links

John Dickinson has been producing a great online video series called Unplugged. His 30 minute webisodes are casual interviews with leading motion graphic designers in the industry such as Andrew Kramer from Video Copilot, Peder Norrby from Trapcode, Aharon Rabinowitz from All Bets Are Off and Nick Campbell from Greyscale Gorilla to name a few. John has produced 13 outstanding episodes so far and all his fans are looking forward to watching many more.