A Space Cadet's Guide To Video, Photography, Graphic Design, and Post-Production

Each episode of Tom Corbett - Space Cadet opens with the announcer proclaiming, "Today, the famous Kraft TV cameraman focuses on outer space! For another exciting adventure in the world beyond tomorrow!"

Beep beep beep... Tom Corbett takes the ship's microphone.

"Control Deck to all stations! Standby to raise ship!"

"Blast off minus 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Zero!"

Tom Corbett throws himself back into his pilot chair and braces for the G forces from the blast off of his atomic spaceship.

Another adventure begins.

Video, Photography, and Post Production Has Come A Long Ways

Video and post-production has progressed far from the days Tom Corbett was recorded in the studio by the "famous Kraft TV cameraman" in the early 1950's. With digital photography and video hardware and post-production software being more affordable than ever before, space cadets all over the universe have the tools they need to document their journeys to the far reaches of the solar system and into inter-galactic space.

Photo of Tom Cobett Space Cadet spaceship wind-up toy kindly provided by and used with permission by Karen Dozier of ToyTent.com. Check out Toy Tent's website of cool space age toys.

While the Space Academy may teach advance courses in Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and Multi-dimensional Space-Time Theory, little regard is given to how to shoot amazing videos and photos of your next adventure. With Adobe After Effects' dashboard complexity rivaling that of the Starship Enterprise, it's a daunting task to master editing your latest travel log to Alpha Centauri. You may as well climb Mars' Olympus Mons without a spacesuit on.

What's a space cadet to do?

DigitalFilm.TV is just what you need to master the rocket science behind Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple's Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Aperture. The Academy covers these modern marvels of post-production and more... including how to use the latest digital cameras and gear to record your interstellar voyages and beyond. Instead of a few grainy frames of black and white bunny hops on the moon (Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin), your next adventure will be documented as an epic rivaling the saga of Star Wars (the first three films anyway). Maybe that's a stretch, but you've got to think big. To reach your dream of being the best photographer or filmmaker in this sector of the galaxy, you need quality education.

DigitalFilm.TV is your concise guide to learning how to make better photos with your digital camera, how to produce better videos, and how to edit and process your raw images and movies into works of art worthy of display in the Uffizi II of Alpha Centuari Prime.

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So what are you waiting for, Cadet? Sign up for our newletter and we'll let you know each week as new episodes appear.

Blast off minus 5... 

Always Be Learning

I've worked in IT, software development, graphic design, and content production for many years and I've worked with a lot of good, smart people. The smart people are smart - not because they are born that way - but, rather, because they deliberately practice their craft and continually seek to enrich themselves with education. On the other hand, I'm amazed at how many people I've worked with who simply do not read or endeavor to further educate themselves. These are the ones that get stuck in a rut, set in their ways, and lead miserable lives full of complaining, whining, and negativity.

Here's a little secret about how I hire people to work with me. One of the last interview questions I ask is, "Have you read anything interesting lately?"

Astonishingly, very few job candidates can answer that question. Well, I only hire people who value education. So if you are not reading or seeking out continuing education, you are not keeping up with your experience domain.

A person who reads, watches training videos, attends seminars and continuing education classes, or seek out mentoring from a skilled craftsman is a person who is truly enriching themselves - and as a result can not help but enrich others.

Last year I was documenting a workshop given by photographer and instructor Rick Sammon. He is a man that truly values education and revels in helping students learn photography. His workshops are popular among students. His enthusiasm in these workshops have made an impression on me. One day as I was walking back to my car with Rick after filmming a portion of his workshop, Rick stopped and turned to me and said, "Carl, you need to be teaching!" Me? Teaching?

Carl Olson, founder of DigitalFilm.TV, filming renowned photography instructor, Rick Sammon

Looking back over my career in software and later as a content producer, I have to admit a part of my job has involved teaching. I crave learning and I like to share what I learn. Perhaps Rick's suggestion to me was not so far fetched after all.

To that end I set out to create a new website to feature online tutorials on photography, video, graphic design, and post production. But it does not stop there. I'll also include topics on web design, software development, business and marketing. Some of the videos will come from people who love to teach - who love to share what they know. Many of the videos will be free. Other video courses and ebooks will be offered for sale for a modest amount. Please subscribe to my newsletter so you do not miss out on my free videos, how-to articles, reviews, and special offers.

Have spacesuit, will travel!

Disclosure: There always is a disclosure isn't there? It takes a lot of time and resources to build and maintain a website like this. Therefore, many of the links to products, books, videos, and other cool stuff are affiliate links. Using the affiliate links does not affect the price you pay for any of these products. However, I do get a small percentage of the sales. Also, occasionally I get free stuff to review. I'll be frank, I like free stuff. I'll do my best to give you as unbiased a review as is humanly possible. To be fair I usually only take on something I feel confident that I will personally use in my work. Junk and useless space debris need not apply nor will I pass it on. I knew you would understand. Thank you, space cadets!