Hello, I’m Justin Style. Welcome to the Café!

I have a question about your videos, specifically the production. First, I want to say that they are as good and professional as it gets! You do a great job and have certainly raised the bar for quality editing and production.

I don't know much about you guys, could you please tell me/us if you are film students or have a degree in film making?

Also, what type of equipment (camera and editing software...gotta be a Mac!) are you using? And, do you have a podcast?

Really a pleasure, thank you.


IMHO...keep magic as a hobby, you guys have an Oscar in your future, go get it!


If you get to NYC, give me a shout, I’ll take you guys for a spin around the city, on bicycles…

Justin Style

Welcome Dan & Dave,

Justin beat me to the punch in regard to his question about video production.

I can count on my left hand the the number of magic videos that have the kind of production values that your Trilogy has. And that's in addition to the great magic. It's evident that you cared as much about the look of the DVD as you did the magic

Too many creators are cranking out DVDs with little or no thought put into the production or presentation of the the material on them.

What are your thoughts regarding the lack of thinking and production values put into so many magic videos.

Could you guys also talk about the process you went through to create the "Trilogy" and make it one of the best magic DVDs out there.

All the Best!

Craig

These are great questions, I too am very curious about this.

There are definitely lots of other DVDs that are produced that lack the aesthetic quality that your material has by default. Obviously, it's all money/budget related since you guys aren't exactly using home video cameras for this stuff, but do you feel it takes away from the overall experience when other creators are releasing new stuff with average quality?

(By good production, I am talking about D&D, T11, WH, d+M, and E products.)

Any chance one of you guys wants to comment???

Well its been 4 days.

Maybe they don't want to give away their production secrets. I heard that in their next DVD "andthensome" will be randomly distributed six golden playing cards. whoever gets these will get an exclusive tour of DBsquared's filming garage and editing setup.

I have Triology and there is one very important thing missing from it "CLOSED-CAPTIONING/SUBTITLING."

Please Dan & Dave include Closed-Captioning/Subtitling in your future DVD projects. Subtitling would be the a better choice than Closed-Captioning, because it just works better for every one around the globe. Whatever software you are using to create your DVDs probably has the option to include Subtitling, so please consider it next time.

Thank you
Madkiki
Keith Mitchell

It actually takes a lot of work to subtitle a DVD, and I don't think this is one of the Twins' priorities.

Mr. Style,

Our interest in filmmaking began in 1999 when we first watched The Matrix. The film blew us away. It was like watching the greatest magician ever at work. It was then we realized that film was a medium that had no limits. As magicians, we always wanted to do the impossible, but as filmmakers, we didn't have to dream about it, we could make it happen. Although we've never made a film, it's a dream of ours and I'm confidant someday we will. Until then, we love watching movies.

Our experience in video production began a few years later when Chris Kenner offered to help us film a DVD. We drove to Las Vegas in our moms car, stayed for a week, and returned home with The System. It was one of the best experiences of our life. We learned so much from Chris and had the best time. We will never forgot that week.

Since then, we have been actively involved in not only producing our own DVDs, but have helped many friends over the years with their own projects. Our expertise pretty much comes from trial and error. We've read a few books on lighting and editing as well as how to books on software programs, but for the most part, like anything, it comes from practice.

What software do you use to edit your DVDs?

Thanks!

Hey, Evan. I'll fill this one; even though I'm not Dan and/or Dave.
Mostly everything they use is contained within Apple's Final Cut Studio with one or two exceptions. Final Cut Pro for logging, organizing and editing; as well as grading and effects. Motion for more complex compositions/effects, Soundtrack Pro for audio post production, and DVDStudio Pro for DVD authoring and menus!

It's the best complete post production package in its price range, it's way cheaper than any other complete good post production pack out there, and highly recommended! It's currently the most used professional editing suite in both film/TV and on institutions such as schools, and by amateur/professionals.

While solutions like Avid perhaps still lead the motion picture industry, Apple's FCS is slowly gaining the confidence of more and more editors.
/shameless Apple plug
Allan.

Thanks for the answer, kid...

But don't call me Mr. Style...call my father Mr. Style. You may call me Justin. And I'll call you Dave!


So before you split, thanks again. You guys do a great job and I look forward to your future releases.


:cheers:

I thought you guys went to film school...

I have great respect for anyone who seriously works at producing high quality DVDs - it is much more work than what most people imagine. Good job guys!