500,000 and counting…

Well, May was certainly the month of the Pulp Muppets.  It’s hard to say exactly how many people watched it last month, but I think 500,000 is a fair estimate.
Most loved it.  Some hated it.  But those were obviously some very bitter, bitter people.  Let’s have a moment of pity for them… (Sighs, with an understanding look on face.)
There were a few cameos that people caught, such as some Fraggles, Guy Smiley and Alf.  But no one mentioned Rizzo the Rat or poor ol’  Snuffleupagus.  I guess people still can’t see him.

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The Month of Pulp Muppets!

Looks like May is going to be the month of the Muppets… Pulp Muppets that is!

– I always thought Pulp Muppets was one of those quirky little movies that could go viral, but after 6 months of very modest traffic on YouTube, I was losing hope.  Suddenly, in just this past week it has exploded all over the Internet.  Just Google it and you’ll see.  So long as the series of tubes that the Internet is constructed from can hold out, we can expect Pulp Muppets to pop up in all sorts of places. For the remainder of this month I’m going to post any Pulp Muppet sightings of note…

– I can’t be sure, but I think what started it all was a list of the top 10 Pulp Fiction Parodies on YouTube posted on 10 Zen Monkeys, April 26.  I don’t know if the list is in any particular order, but thanks for putting us at #1, guys.

Film Threat put this flattering item on their front page:

Aw, you’re making us blush!

– Pulp Muppets will be mentioned in an upcoming issue of Rockstar magazine.

– This one blows my mind.  I don’t even know what it is, ’cause I don’t speak German.  But some hot chick does a web-news piece on Pulp Muppets.  If anyone can translate this for me, I’d love to know what she’s saying.  All I can make out is, “Muppets” and “mit Kermit und Fozzie Bear.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZJw3S1CYr0

– I now have a translation of the above German web-news piece.  The previous news piece had something to do with aggressive children, so they used our gun toting images of the Muppets to make this joke…

“By the way: the best way to prevent aggressive behaviour of children is to NOT let them watch violent movies. Most suitable (is to show) only such funny things like the Muppets. For many years this helps best. It is nearly impossible to do anything wrong with (by showing) Kermit and Fozzie Bear (to children). “

Big thanks to Rolf Brandt for the translation.

 – eBaums World has kidnapped Pulp Muppets and is generating more hits than YouTube.

– The chicks seem to really dig Pulp Muppets.  Maria Sansone of Yahoo TV did a news bite raving about the casting.

– Apparently cute(ish) Spanish speaking boys also like Pulp Muppets.  We were mentioned in this web news piece by Telurica TV.

 

– Local TV station CityTV showed clips, but never bother to mention the name of the video in the Web Bizarre segment of their WebNation show.  But they did give 416film an on screen credit and linked us on their web page.

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Pulp Muppets Goes Viral!

After incubating on YouTube for 5 months, “The Pulp Muppets Take The Internet.”  The last three days alone have seen a sudden increase of 8,000 hits, and we can only assume it’s just starting to gain speed. Watch out Star Wars Kid and Numa Numa Guy, for Pulp Muppets will strike thee down with great vengeance and FURIOUS anger!!

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What can I do to make my movies better?

Sorry, people, but there ain’t no easy answer to that!

If you want your movies to LOOK better, I would say that lighting and camera composition are the most important things.

If you want your movies to be more ENTERTAINING, I would say writing and editing are the most important things.

None of these things have simple catch-all solutions, so I recommend that you check out the Knowledge Base and the forums for some hints and tips.

And make your movie…it doesn’t get made on its own.

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What audio software/hardware should I get?

Just about any microphone on a boom (a long pole) is better than using the mic. built into your camcorder.  Directional (or shotgun) mics. are usually the best choice.  (See the Knowledge Base for more info on microphones.)

Even the cheapest audio hardware that comes standard with most computer systems is adequate for the amateur film maker.  There are higher quality audio cards that can be added to your computer, but you should only consider them if you’re really picky about the quality of your sound, or are looking to pursue a career in the audio field.

On the editing side of things, I find that most decent video editors (Final Cut, Avid, Premiere, Vegas Video) have enough audio editing and mixing tools to keep the amateur movie maker happy.

My audio knowledge is a bit weak, so if anyone wants to provide more newbie info please send me an e-mail at webmaster@416film.com.

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What effects program should I get?

Another “what can you afford” question.  Most editing programs have the ability to do simple effects, including chroma keying (green/blue screen).  However, programs dedicated to effects (or extra plug-ins you can buy for most editing programs) will do a much better job than whatever comes standard with your editing program.

After Effects is a popular choice and you can easily get help/advice from thousands of people on the web.

If you are serious about perusing a career in visual effects, Shake seems to be the big up and coming program these days.  My personal choice for the most bang for the buck is Combustion, which also has a decent foothold in professional effects studios.

Honestly, if you’re just starting to get into this whole movie making thing, I suggest you concentrate on learning how to use the basic tools to tell an entertaining story before you get caught up in the eye candy.  A visual effect should contribute to telling the story.  If you don’t know how to tell a story first, you won’t know how to make the most effective effect.

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