Translation Key

This is a rudimentary key for translating the notes on the treble clef to the string/fret on the guitar. When looking at the picture, the small tab on the top left tells you which guitar strings represent which notes. String 1 note E correlates to the top space on the treble clef. This is shown in the bottom half of the page. Each whole note has the correlating string number inside it. The notes on the treble clef tell you which notes are where. F, D, B, G, E are the notes on the lines. F, A, C, E, are the notes on the spaces. Middle C on the piano is string 5 fret 3 on the guitar. High C is second string, first fret. As you move up the treble clef your fingers will move down the fret board. Each string being higher than the string before it; you can move from middle C down each string until you hit the open first string, High E. The notes continue on above the treble clef as you follow the frets down the High E string. With this key I have been able to translate beginner piano music into guitar tabs. I don't have one for the base clef yet. I want to learn more about this before I move on to something else. I hope this helps if you need it. If you already know this information I would appreciate some pointers and clarification. Message if you have and comments or questions.

Production Day Five

The house was sold so we had to rush a shoot day. we had originally planned to film the next weekend but we only had the key for two more days. Everyone was very cool about it and showed up on time even though I was ten minutes late. We got a lot of film that night. I managed to fill in a lot of holes. I tried getting some supplemental footage with my computer camera. The resolution is not that great but I though the extra film couldn't hurt. Unfortunately I had not practice well enough using the new computer cam. Somehow the files never saved to my hard drive. I don't know what the problem was but I have found a better way to save the files. I rearranged my database of footage to comply with the movie time line. Now all the files go in a specific place and can be retrieved a lot easier than before. The organization database is the best tool I have found for the movie project. I really like how this is turning out. The marketing plan I have for the film is going to have some changes. I feel that this film can really take a piece of the market if advertised correctly. I think it will be great practice for the future when I have a real budget. Here's a clip from the fifth day.

Storyboard Concepts

This is the most dificult problem so far, making an accurate storyboard for the movie. Bakk has helped a great deal with the organzation. I wouldn't be this far without her help. We made a card for each single segment of the scenes and we need to finish the complete set with all of he splash pages and animation included. Once that is done the editing can continue and the graphics designers can create some art for the film. Here is an example of the storyboard cards.

Production Day Four

Sunday was fabulous. Everyone was there in great spirits. Our film was great. We had some intense scenes with Amean and Christina, but she is such a good sport. Amean threw her around some more and even choked her in a few scenes and she was still up for more. I love actors. In any other situation I would be arrested for doing that to another person. But in the movies everything is fake. Here is a clip from Sunday.

Production Day Three

Most of the actors had to cancel on Saturday for various reasons. I got some footage of the Evil dungeon and outside footage for driving scenes. I wanted a little more with the actors but few scenes have less than three people. This might be something to consider when writing the next movie. It helps to have a large number of scenes that can be shot with a fewer amount of actors. All in all it was great that we got over 45 minutes of film with less than half the cast! Here is a clip, Super Bakka is fighting with herself. This was filmed to be cut into the fight scene with the other actors. I left the finished cuts out because those shoots were on a different day.

Novice Musician

It's no secret that I have no skill when it comes to music. I turn on the radio and smile at all the pretty noise, that was the depth of my music appreciation until today. My friend sat me down with some new sheet music I had picked up for her and I and taught me how to read music and translate piano music from the treble clef to tableture. I figured out the basics, luckily math is my favorite subject. I never realized how formulaic music is. I started translating little songs today and that groovy muscle in my brain that wiggles when I'm about to start calculating got a run for his money. Translating music is completely fascinating and totally satisfying. I have been trying to learn the guitar but it is so difficult when you can't read music. I'll post my translation key when I get it scanned. I made this so anyone would be able to read music and translate it into guitar tabs quickly. Each fret on a guitar string correlates exactly with a note on the piano. For those music aficionados that are laughing because I really did not know that, please understand it takes a lot of time to be as fabulous as I. I studied cello in school, but the teacher never made us read. He just told me where to put my fingers. I guess that illustrates how good I was. Peace to all.

Production Day Two

Shooting took place at a house set for sale, a good place for filming if you would like to look into that in your area. This house poses as Capitan Evil's lair, his dungeon and the bathroom is dressed as the Super Hero's research lair. This house is great for filming because of the atmosphere. However, there was no air conditioning, not much lighting and the house was only open for shooting at night. On the whole I am thankful we had this house for shooting. It covered a lot of bases for location shots and gave us free use of the entire set for fighting and screaming. These things are hard to do in public places because authorities get involved. :) Here is a scene from the day two shoot, set in Capitan Evil's dungeon. Supper Bakka and Amazing Hat Man do thier best to save Living Dead Girl and take her from the dungeon. They realize, though they are super heroes, neither possesses even a normal strength to lift the tiny super out of the dungeon. They must now come up with another idea.

Evil Thwarting Invaders Production Day

Friday is Day One on the production schedule. Filming went great. Two hours at the park yielded about thirty minutes worth of usable footage, by Hollywood terms this is fabulous. Typically Hollywood budgets call for a 6:1 ratio of footage to movie time. Production was fast and productive. Our dailies came out very well and I am looking forward to the future filming days. Here is a taste of what we had today. This is Bakka playing her guitar, the first time we see her in the film.

Movie Auditions

The new Z movie ended preproduction today. We have hired five new actors to grace our screen with their talent. The new Z employees are Christina R. Graham, Clifton Eade, Brandon Adkins, Bakka Moore, Amean Barbarian, and JoAnn Lea. Crew for this film include Jaime Jaramillo, boom operator, and Judy Greenwood, location manager. Sarazann will be doing most everything else. Z will hire a sound editor and musicians for the soundtrack in post production. Filming is to commence this Friday for the outdoor scenes.

Z Movie!

Z in the middle began preproduction for our first film, "Evil Thwarting Invaders". A campy action movie set in a world where everyone is super, super powered, that is. These super upgraded people go on a quest to recover a kidnapped teammate from the evil Capitan Evil, graduate of the Evil Naval Academy. This is an improvised script shot with a cannon power shot. The film quality is not the best but Z has to start somewhere. This is an exciting new project that Z will throw into full production, creating DVD's and blogger and you tube posts. As with all Z products, 5% of DVD sales profit will go to a local Texas charity.

Studio Set Up

Z in the Middle had the goal of acquiring a portable internet studio this year. I am pleased to report we have wireless broadband with a new laptop and plenty of new software. We also have video blog software and web cam set up. The Z laptop will now be the portal for all Z online communications and posts.
Weekly operation description posts will commence October 1, 2007.

Google Blogger Setbacks

Z in the Middle changed over from the Blogger page to the new Google accounts. I had to pick a new template which erased all of the old code. I was sad to see all my hard work go down the tube but the Google site offers a lot more in the way of managing the blog. I think the change over is worth it. I will be updating regularly. In two months, the page will be a functional informative site that has better browser compatibility.

**On the subject of shows and auditions, they have been cancelled. Beginning April 9, 2007, Z in the Middle will open workshops and improv classes. Auditions and shows will follow as the troupe expands.
Z in the Middle productions is taking a bumpy route to making a name for itself. We are working hard to define the critical issues and correct them. Progress is being made slowly, but we are increasing our efforts to make this company thrive in our local community. Please email with any questions or comments. Thank you.

Ice Storm in Texas

Saturday morning an ice storm blew in and it was to dangerous for anyone to drive to the show. Our poets were dissappointed but the show will go on. We are setting up a new Jam night and will be continuing it monthly.

Shakespeare classes are coming up soon. Stay tuned for dates and times.

Improv classes will start later in the year than previously expected. As we work the kinks out of the lesson plans, we will publish the curriculum to give ideas and information. Also, this will serve to expand the tutorials and incorporate ideas that you may have.