Stuart Blalock » work

I love my job

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:09:01 +0000

Part of my job here at Studio 84 is to be an aerial videographer/photographer. We shoot video and pics of anything and everything someone might need from the air. It’s awesome, but I can just now say that. Yesterday we went up and shot some stills for a real client estate client. It was the first time that I had been OK with being in the air in a helicopter with no door. Basically the only thing holding me in is a seat belt. Anyway, it’s like a roller-coaster to me, I hate heights but once I ride one time I get over all fears and it’s a blast. I mean how many other people get to see the view from the air and be able to fly around anywhere we want? Here are some stills that I shot yesterday. Oh, and thanks to Aric at aricalanphotography.com for giving me a crash course on taking digital pics. I can now see why all you photogs do what you do, it’s also a blast!

SkyView Helicopters HD Aerial demo

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:15:57 +0000

Along with Moyers Sound Solutions, SkyView Helicopters is Studio 84’s sister company. I had the chance to fly up and get some shots of Lubbock the other day. Although Lubbock is not a very pretty place right now, the view from the sky is very unique and something you don’t get to see everyday.

SkyView Helicopters is proud to provide West Texas with the ultimate platform for Air Tours, Aerial Photography and Airborne HD Videography. SkyView Helicopters can provide the ultimate sightseeing tour anywhere in the West Texas/Eastern New Mexico area. There are many reasons for a SkyView Helicopter Tour: Private Events, Fairs, Motorcycle Rallies, Boat Races, Car Shows, Romantic Proposals, Christmas Lights, Real Estate Sales, Traffic Watch, News Gathering, Legal Documentation, or just for fun.

www.skyviewhelicopters.net

Holy cow it’s been a while

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:59:31 +0000

Thank goodness January is over with. Whew, what a crazy month. It’s now time to catch up! Let me share a few things:
1. My prices will be going up effective March 1st, 2009. Those of you who have signed a contract this does not effect you. For everyone else maybe this will be some encouragement to make a decision to book us soon.
2. Blalock Video will soon be offering a official Photographers Promo video package. Be looking for that.
3. Matthew from Matt’s Designs just launched his new website and blog! If you haven’t heard about Matt’s Designs then you should definitely check him out. He’s a great friend of mine as well as an incredible graphic designer.
4. Here are some stills from videos I have in the works:

Me and Alison’s wedding

Manuel and Veronica’s wedding

Andrew and Lindsey’s wedding

Bryan and Shelby’s wedding

Jarrod and Lindsay’s “Day After” video

I don’t remember what the rest of my house looks like…

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:50:23 +0000

This is all I know right now.

Dear Santa-

For Christmas I would like 10 more hours in each day. I’ll be sure to set extra cookies out by not existent fireplace for you this year.

Thanks,
Stuart

PS I’e been extra good this year.

Thank you Facebook!

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:20:59 +0000

Facebook is awesome. Yeah, it’s cool to keep up with friends, rediscover friends you haven’t seen in 10 years and “facebook stalk” to see who broke up with who, what someone did last weekend from pictures… so on and so forth. But what I love most about Facebook is it is free advertising for me. Actually is it always in the top 3 referrers to my website and blog.

Well, I love Facebook even more now. I noticed tonight that they’ve recently updated their video player. For those of us who post high quality videos you viewers can now watch those in “high quality”. You still have the option to watch it in “normal quality” for those of you with slower connections. I was excited to see this option. There is hardly any noticeable digital-looking effects and the clarity jumped through the roof. So to this I say thank you Facebook. You have now caught up with the rest of the online video world.

Here is my badge for Facebook in which you can click and add me as a friend to see what I am talking about!

Trinity’s volleyball team & blog updates

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:46:16 +0000

First let me start with some blog updates. I’m looking hard into upgrading my videos to HD. There are free options out there like Vimeo and Exporure Room but I’m not thrilled at that idea. Don’t get my wrong I do have videos on Vimeo and it’s about the only way to share HD content easily but I just wanted something a little nicer and cleaner than Vimeo’s embedded player.

Also, I will be trying my hardest to blog more. It’s hard for a video guy to blog sometimes because it takes a lot to get a video edited, rendered, exported, converted and uploaded. Maybe I should take up photography so I can easily post pictures I would like to hear your ideas on blogging! I’m thinking by actually posting this that it’ll keep me accountable and actually make me post several times a week. To the video…

This video might seem a little random unless you know me and my family. My wife Alison’s little sister Katie plays (or played) for Trinity Christian’s Varsity team this year. So, I had the opportunity to put together a little highlight video of their year. The great thing about these videos is that there were not many expectations and limits to what I could do. I love having free reign to create whatever I want. I’ve got one more sports highlights in the works so keep your eye out for that one soon.

MercyMe live in concert

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:30:38 +0000

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do one of my most favorite things. I was asked to direct video for a MercyMe that was hosted by First Baptist in Lubbock. I jump at the opportunity to direct video for concerts. I don’t know what else to say about it except I enjoy it! Of course I am only as good as my camera operators last night and as far as I’m concerned the guys and gals running cameras last night are THE best.

I am in no way claiming that I had much to do with this event except direct for it. It’s not really a Blalock Video thing but I ended up keeping a copy of it and wanted to share the song “Here With Me”.

To Blu-ray or not to Blu-ray?

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:46:26 +0000

I’ve been looking hard into options for delivering HD video to my clients. Right now I’ve got a lot of weddings backed up that are HD for when I figure out the best HD delivery method. So, I wanted to present some options to you, the reader and/or client and hear your feedback.

First up is Blu-ray discs. The blank media and players are still expensive but you would think they would be going down soon. Every one is used to DVD discs and could jump right into using Blu-ray if they had the player.

Secondly, is delivering your HD videos on this little guy, the Western Digital HD media player. It’s a very reasonably priced player that seems to play all sorts of media including 1080p full HD.

Next is delivery via the MP4 format. This I’m thinking might be the most popular format right now as it doesn’t cost anything. It will simply play in your iTunes and Apple TV. It could also be played on your iPhone or iPod even though it wouldn’t be HD. I’m looking into possibly delivering through a video podcast or vodcast. Does any one know if you can deliver HD vodcasts? I personally have an Apple TV and love it. It plays anything that’s in my iTunes and can even rent and buy movies, tv shows and music.

So, please leave comments on what you would prefer.:
-Blu-ray DVD
-Western Digital Media Player
-MP4 format and possibly on an Apple TV
-Or another option I haven’t thought about

Coming to a blog near you

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:01:06 +0000

This weekend is a busy one but one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Let me first recap last weekend. I shot the biggest and most decorative wedding yet. I heard that there were over 12,000 roses used in the ceremony decorations. WOW. Anyway, I can’t wait to get started on that wedding.

Back to this weekend:

Friday – Bridal Elegance shoot. My wife was giddy when I asked her to get dressed back up in her wedding dress to shoot this. We’ve scouted locations and have a general idea of shots we want. I say we because she’s my model for the day and basically the VP of Blalock Video. I’ve never shot one before but have wanted to for a long time.

Saturday – Trash the Dress shoot. That’s right, there are brides in Lubbock who are OK with getting a little messy. I had the privilege of shooting Dane and Shari’s wedding on 8.8.08. Shari is a great sport by doing this and I think she’s looking forward to it too. This is going to be awesome, I can’t wait!

Speaking of Dane and Shari… I will be finishing editing their wedding movie by the end of the weekend and posting segments of it on the blog shortly thereafter.

To future and current brides, if you are interested in a Bridal Elegance piece or Trash the Dress let me know. I will offering a huge sale to brides who are interested. Call or email for more details!

Coke Commercial

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:59:40 +0000

I ran across this video earlier tonight and it brought back memories of school project days. This was an interesting video. I worked on an Ad team at Texas Tech and this team’s client was Coke. So, they creatives came up with this concept and when they told me their idea I was thinking there was no way we could pull this off… but we did. I crack up every time I watch this video, and you will too. It’s pointless but I felt like blogging tonight. Enjoy!