As most of you are aware I have been an avid video maker over the years. Many of you have seen some of these videos.
Trailer for my YouTube channel:
I am a one-woman show (most of the time). I create, film, star, edit, do makeup and costumes, "special effects", and do basically everything. And when I say "star", I mean I play all the characters. I have a green screen, which means I can have more than one of me on screen at a time.
Lots of people have asked about the green screen… it looks like this:
It's a curtain, wall, or some type of backdrop that you stand in front of and it serves as a sort of blank slate. You can put whatever background you want on it on the computer in editing. I utilize this and put all sorts of backdrops to suit the scene of my videos. I also use it to duplicate myself.
Personally, I would like others to be involved, but I am alone quite a lot, there's not a ton of willing volunteers who want to act silly in front of a camera for a long period of time, muchless who even knows whatever material I might be working on at the moment.
I've mostly done music videos over the years since they're the easiest to make. Just synching up my mouth to the words, putting on a costume, and hey, there ya go! I like to be silly rather than serious so that if something turns out stupid, it doesn't look AS stupid, you know? So I choose a lot of kid songs and fun songs to film. I got my start with VeggieTales back in 2006ish and have done most of the Silly Songs since then (even remaking some of my old videos).
The question I am asked the most is "what is your favorite video that you've made?". I really don't know. I have different reasons to like my videos. There are some that are a lot more well done than others, but I don't like them as much. There are some that I worked so hard on and planned so meticulously, but they turned out so horrid, that I cannot even bear to watch them. There are some that aren't particularly special in any way, but I just get a kick out of them for no reason whatsoever.
I have created a top ten lis (in no particular order):
Kilts and Stilts
This one I actually managed to wrangle my brother and his friends into helping me (I had to bribe them). I just really like this song, it's hilarious with all the cultures' stereotypes and such. I just love it. Brady and his buds are so funny with their unenthusiasm in the background too. Also, my costumes and props are top notch! ;P (I didn't have any haggis on hand, that is a steak).
The Senses
Animaniacs songs are the best! I already had all the costumes put together from a photo shoot I did earlier. I was so happy to finally do a song. I really enjoy seeing all the costumes together in motion for a hilarious song.
This video gives me such joy! I've watched it a thousand times and it never gets old. I adore seeing my whole family dancing together and being silly. Brady's robotic moves, Afton's stupid outfit, me and mom in the car, Dad's… whatever. Then the guest appearances by Chuck and Troy! I love it so much!
Chip On My Shoulder
Edited version:
I worked my butt off on this! Weeks of planning! And I think it really paid off. It's nearly a ten minute song. I had a story board and screen plays for each of the characters so that I wouldn't miss filming a part for any of them (because I tend to do that). I picked out the outfits for each scene and had them laid out. I think this was the most props I had involved for a video. I had to set up that vanity/desk with all of Elle's beauty products on it. Also, I had to purchase a blonde wig because you can't have Legally Blonde without being blonde. I think I look good as a blonde ;P
There was some debate over the language in the song after I finished. It's nothing too strong or outrageous, and I think most people when listening would not mind it (as I did). However, when seeing it coming out of my mouth, it might come as a shock. I created an edited version for the sensitive. There's nothing wrong with that and I do respect that if you don't want to hear it. The edited version is perfectly fine and still enjoyable. However, if you really want the full effect, I recommend the original "director's cut".
Pizza Angel
I think this might have been my first project on the green screen. This is probably my favorite VeggieTales song which may be one of the reasons I like this video so much. I just love how over-dramatic I made it (in theme with the song, of course). The camera pans, the slow motion, the staring into the distance, the dramatic turns of the head, all that good stuff. I get a kick out of it.
Devil Went Down to Georgia
This song is so awesome! Love that fiddle! (Also, you'll note from watching this video, I don't know how to play the fiddle at all). The costumes are my favorite. My stupid little violin that came without a bow (yes, I'm using a drumstick). The song is really what makes it awesome though, just seeing characters put to it only adds to it.
Donuts for Benny
I still have no idea why I like this one so much. It's just whenever I'm asked to show some videos, this is one I want to show. I can't really figure it out though. There's something about it that's kind of endearing. I like my costumes for sure. I used my natural bed-head for the mangy dog look. The song is kind of funny (but it's not my favorite). I did enjoy stuffing my face with donuts! :D (I got Afton to help me out with that part. That's her hand you see feeding me).
Blues With Larry
This one cracks me up. I love the guitar player in the background getting so annoyed. Also the colors. This video also produced one of my most classic bloopers where I dropped the ice cream on the green screen. There's still a brown spot there to this day. I actually didn't have this song fully memorized when I filmed it, but I went for it anyways.
Noel
Another Animaniacs song. You can't go wrong with their songs. As soon as I heard this song, I wanted to make a video for it, but I decided to wait for Christmas to come around. Finally in the middle of December, I put it together. It all went pretty quickly except for Yakko's part at the beginning when he's writing "Santa" on the white board. I could not write it fast enough in synch with the song. I kid you not, it took me about 20-30 takes. But I really like the result. I especially like the end with the card.
They're Coming to Take Me Away
Ahahaha! I know this video freaks people out, so I know I did it well. That was my intention. Again, I used my natural bedhead (and ratted it up a bit more), used eyeshadow under my eyes to make myself look gaunt, and simply wore PJs. There, mental patient. The straitjacket is just a white sweatshirt on backwards. I had a lot of fun being creepy. And I think the kaleidoscope background totally makes it. Plus the little touches like the moment with the knife, the group therapy setting, and stuff like that just adds to the enjoyment.
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