Monday, February 9, 2009
LessAcounting.com
LessAccounting is a free, web-based app that was designed for small businesses. You can create proposals and invoices with your company's logo and track all business expenses. What is also great is that you are able to assign tax categories to your expenses that will help you at tax time. The best part I think is the weekly emailer. You can have LessAccounting send you a weekly email reminding you of upcoming bills as well as invoices that might be past due. This helps you get paid! If your looking for an easy to use, no fuss accounting software - this should be on the list of choices. For more information and to signup, visit LessAccounting.com
Monday, February 2, 2009
Interview with Scott Brannan
Each month we'll ask some questions to top graphic designers, media specialists, communication directors, and others about who they are, what they do, and to share tips and resources with us.
Scott,
What are your tools of the trade (Computer, Monitor, Scanner, Cameras, etc.)?
Several macs, running fcp, after effects, photoshop, pro tools. You know the basic staples of the trade.
What is your favorite tool?
I have worked with several in my career, most were at my other church! Really, I would have to say I love after effects. I tried motion for a while, but I have found that AE pops so much better than motion. I know that it is all preference, but I'm sold.
Favorite Resource(s)?
videocopilot.net, collide mag, churchmarketingsucks.com
Who, what, or where do you get your inspiration?
I like to see what is going on with secular tv and print. They know how to distract people with "stuff". Why does the church not at that same level? Most churches use clip art and cheesy powerpoint presentations and then question why they are not being effective.
If you could have one thing what would it be? Why?
An assistant! I have made too much work for lay people and for myself!
What are the primary goals of the church as it relates to your position?
To provide technical excellence to our members and guests.
What is your favorite trick or technique and would you consider giving an example?
Making a church choir sound bigger than they are. You would look like a hero in any church with a choir if people can hear them, understand them and they sound HUGE. I like to pan my choir hard left and right and have a praise team fill the middle.
How did you get started in your profession?
My wife was in a group in college that toured NC, when we got married, I was kind of roped into running sound for them. Nothing glamerous, I can not remember how bad it was, but I'm sure it was bad!
Up first, is Scott Brannan. We used to work together in Charlotte, NC and he is now the Minister of Media at First Baptist Church Merritt Island, Florida. He handles all production elements for worship services and major/minor productions. So let's get started.
Scott,
What are your tools of the trade (Computer, Monitor, Scanner, Cameras, etc.)?
Several macs, running fcp, after effects, photoshop, pro tools. You know the basic staples of the trade.
What is your favorite tool?
I have worked with several in my career, most were at my other church! Really, I would have to say I love after effects. I tried motion for a while, but I have found that AE pops so much better than motion. I know that it is all preference, but I'm sold.
Favorite Resource(s)?
videocopilot.net, collide mag, churchmarketingsucks.com
Who, what, or where do you get your inspiration?
I like to see what is going on with secular tv and print. They know how to distract people with "stuff". Why does the church not at that same level? Most churches use clip art and cheesy powerpoint presentations and then question why they are not being effective.
If you could have one thing what would it be? Why?
An assistant! I have made too much work for lay people and for myself!
What are the primary goals of the church as it relates to your position?
To provide technical excellence to our members and guests.
What is your favorite trick or technique and would you consider giving an example?
Making a church choir sound bigger than they are. You would look like a hero in any church with a choir if people can hear them, understand them and they sound HUGE. I like to pan my choir hard left and right and have a praise team fill the middle.
How did you get started in your profession?
My wife was in a group in college that toured NC, when we got married, I was kind of roped into running sound for them. Nothing glamerous, I can not remember how bad it was, but I'm sure it was bad!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Free Photoshop Brushes
I came across a great website that offers free photoshop brushes. I have included examples of some of the brushes but you should look over the website yourself. Lots of great brushes and if you can't find something you like, send them an email and they will do there best to find or make something for you.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Current Project: Perrock Entertainment
Perrock Entertainment is an event planning, production, and musical service business. Its located in Mint Hill, NC and I was asked to develop a logo for the new company.
Perrock Entertainment offers event production, event planning, and turn-key solutions for corporate, musical, and private events such as business meetings, employee incentives, music concerts, music instruction, parties, and conferences.
I had an initial meeting with the owner, Joe Perrock, about his wants and needs and what was required for the logo. Here are three concepts.
Concept 1
Concept 2
Final
The Perrock Entertainment logo uses three colors with RGB values as follows:
Color 1 - R=168 G=69 B=49
Color 2 - R=230 G=229 B=208
Color 3 - R=146 G=149 B=131
Along with RGB, I have provided CMYK, and grayscale values in the formats of .eps, .tiff, and .jpg.
Perrock Entertainment offers event production, event planning, and turn-key solutions for corporate, musical, and private events such as business meetings, employee incentives, music concerts, music instruction, parties, and conferences.
I had an initial meeting with the owner, Joe Perrock, about his wants and needs and what was required for the logo. Here are three concepts.
Concept 1
Concept 2
Final
The Perrock Entertainment logo uses three colors with RGB values as follows:
Color 1 - R=168 G=69 B=49
Color 2 - R=230 G=229 B=208
Color 3 - R=146 G=149 B=131
Along with RGB, I have provided CMYK, and grayscale values in the formats of .eps, .tiff, and .jpg.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Pulse Beta
Adobe Kuler has introduced a way to explore the global Kuler community through Community Pulse. Once you sign in you can experiment with locations, time periods, and tags. This beta application shows a visual representation of color usage. Kuler is a very useful tool for creative professionals.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Competition
Does the church get it? Are we competing against each other or against the world? I recently read an article in the magazine "Church Production" titled "Capturing and Cataloguing Media Content". Bare with me. At the end of this article, Butch Whitmore, pastor of creative arts at Granger Community Church, made a statement - 'The big thing that churches need to be aware of is that we don't compete with the church; we compete with the entertainment industry'. I agree 100%! I believe that some churches have lost and maybe never knew the true enemy. Some churches believe that the competition comes from the other denomination or even the same denomination that just happens to be down the road. Churches need to start getting it right. We need to come together and fight as one against the true enemy - Satan. We have been confused and placing our resources in the wrong areas for to long. The church must be better at entertaining than the world. No, it's not just about "entertaining" someone, but it is however about capturing the hearts and minds of unbelievers and telling them the truth about Jesus Christ. And the church needs to do that with whatever it takes! Reach people at whatever the cost!
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