Redemption Avenue

Question: so I've mentioned before the idea of having a sub-company title for the video production aspect of Breakwater, and the same for the Web/Graphic Design aspect. I've been really drawn to the name "Redemption Avenue Films" or "Productions" or whatever. As far as I can tell, the only thing with that name so far is a book, so I don't think it will be a huge issue. Obviously it would be under the umbrella of "Breakwater Creative." So tell me your thoughts.

Getting Down to Business

I just registered for a "Launch your Business" free workshop done by an organization called Rich Dad Education.

Straight from their website for the registration, this is what I'll be getting info on:

LEARN WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• How to raise capital for your business
• Which business structure is right for you?
• Powerful negotiating techniques
• How to pay fewer taxes
• Effective leadership styles
• How to turn profits into more profits

http://lyb.richdadeducationseminars.com/Birmingham.cfm?source=by

One of the job-search websites I've been using sent me a notice for this in an email, and after reading through it I thought it might be a good opportunity. Hey, it's free--what's there to lose?

Keep your eyes open for any ways to be learning more about how we can be a smarter business.

Movin' On Up

I'd just like to celebrate that we're making some strides in personal achievements.  Taylor got himself a killer job and is learning all about the world wide web and how it's woven.  Lucas is makin' a big move, trying to open up some opportunities for down the road.  And just from shooting one wedding for the Rutlands, I've already had the inspiration to perhaps do some more little things like that and the new website Taylor made for me will give me an avenue to advertise.  It might even help me get permanent employment, who knows...

Anyway it's cool to be online:

http://jordanwilbanksvideo.blogspot.com

And of course, Taylor's saving the world one website at a time (I think I coined that...I'm taking credit for it anyway):

http://taylorperrin.net

There might be an establishment of Wilbanks Photo/Video in the near future, as my brother and I might team up for some more weddings.  Who knows...

OK, time to get serious about the business plan.  I need you guys to be continously checking with me to see where we're at.  Really, ask me about it often, I won't get mad.  I need to be working on it.  J-dub out.

Sample Videography from Rutland Wedding

Sorry it's taken so long to post this stuff...here is a little clip of some shots from the wedding last month.  I was impressed with the quality of this camera, the only problems are low-light situations and audio recording.  So it's still a usable piece of equipment.

Final Cut Studio 2

I now have acquisition #2: the editing bundle called Final Cut Studio 2. This includes Final Cut Pro, Motion (a 2D graphics animation and compositing program), Color (a color-correction application), Soundtrack Pro (obviously, sound editing), Compressor (for exporting finished movies as smaller files), and DVD Studio Pro (for burning DVDs with customized menus, etc). My camera is scheduled to arrive today, so hopefully I'll be able to run some test footage through these programs pretty soon.

Got any ideas? What could I start shooting, maybe even if it's just documenting us getting started?

We have the original video camera...

Friends, brethren, countrymen...

Today at 1:27 pm, I purchased my first HD video camera. It's not going to win us any awards...but it's something, and will get us started and will then work great as an alternate to a better camera down the road. It's the Canon Vixia HV30...a little hand-held HD Camcorder that packs quite a punch. It can shoot at 24p Cinema mode (won't look like a home-video), has image stabilization and a good sensor on it, and I got the package that comes with an introductory filter kit. The sound recording quality is the one pitfall, but we will be able to work around that for the time being. I've seen some footage shot by this thing, and you'd be surprised at how high the quality is.

Also, if I haven't mentioned before, I might soon (as in, next week) be aquiring Final Cut Studio 2, which includes some serious editing capabilities. Put these 2 acquisitions together, and we got ourselves some business aside from just websites. I am indeed excited.

Business Plan...

Hey guys....

Just wanted to give you a heads up.  I will be going to Mississippi at the beginning of May to visit my sis and go on a cruise.  My sister, who works for the Miss. Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce helps new businesses craft business plans and helps them make existing ones better.  Just wanted to let you know, in case you had anything to add to ours(or the thought of ours).  Jordan, I know you have been working on it some, and I plan to in the very near future.  

Anyways, she has offered to look at what we have.  I thought it would be helpful for me to go over with her what we have in person.  P.s. she absolutely loved the idea of our business, how it creates an outlet for us to put our main efforts into spreading the gospel in whatever way we can. I just wanted to let you know...you may or may not have anything to add, and that's ok.  Jordan, when you get a chance, can you send me what you have done with the business plan thus far?  

Also, I was bored the other day, therefore, that equals me making lamo BW stuff. 

Peace. 

Life Church Miami

Hey, just wanted you guys to see the new website from my church down in Miami. It was done by the same company that did one for one of the largest churches in the Miami area, called Christ Fellowship. I think it looks pretty sharp. Their "Staff" page is pretty cool, with the way they have the pictures set up and stuff. Just another piece of inspiration.

lifechurchmiami.org

Stock Footage

One idea for a service we could offer via the website:

We could begin a library of stock footage. We could have categories of different types of shots, geared more for use in ministry. Of course, stock footage would be a little more difficult to exclusively make for ministry, but that's not a problem. Our library could include all kinds of random things, like "beach footage" or "nature footage" or "people" or something like that.

Another thing that we could have to always be available to make us a little bit of money while other stuff is going on. Once we have a sufficient amount of shots for any kind of "library," that is.

Inspiration: Part Duex

So...I was just browsing through some of my files and found these. I know I have sent some of these but wasn't sure which ones. I thought it couldn't hurt to just post these...just call it Inspiration Part Duex. If you have seen them, just entertain me and act as if they are the most amazing thing you have ever seen. Basically, I know some of these are a "little inolved"...and that's ok if you feel that way. I do too. I think the main reason I'm posting these, is a source of inspiration, just like the title says. Basically, when creating these(which was gosh, probably 6 months ago), the intention was to generate logo ideas. However, looking at most of them now, I feel they could lead to other ideas of website background, letter head, watermark, advertsing, promo, video intros, flash design, maybe even some friggin sweet name tags(that was a joke), etc...

- this may seem way off, but hey who knows, but the top left and 2nd row designs I can visualize as possibly some sort of moving "transition" slide or tab(from one section of website to another). as in the wave could "crash" into the breaker as you click on it or something.

- the road pic and the last pic(one with breakwater in white, blue, red) i can see as some sort of video intro or moving background. the water could be rippling as breakwater fades in and in the other one, it could be a shot as if you we're traveling down a road as it zooms out to breakwater. not sure how it relates to breakwater but just thought it kinda looked cool.

Anyways...as I said before, take a look at these, don't feel like you have to add comments or critique or say they're awesome. Just take them for what they are and use them to think of bigger and better ideas.

As I mentioned in the email, I feel like I haven't really held up my end of the bargain when it comes to the "idea" and "birth" of BreakWater. I feel bad because, right now, one of the main things we need is a plan, whether you call it a business plan or not, we need it. With my experience in the business field or should I say business school, cause let's be honest, I work with kids for a living, i feel I have kinda let you guys down. I know one main reason I haven't put too much focus on it is frankly because I'm busy with other things. But you guys are busy too. I mean, I freaking have a Business Plan template that I created for a real company and I can't even spend a few hours to just do a rough "rough" draft. I should be more committed, and for that I am sorry. Whether you think I should be sorry or not, I feel I should so you can't do anything about...Ha.

For me personally, I think something that would help would be some sort of timeline in which we want to accomplish certainthings. I know Jordan, that you crafted something like that up but I don't have it anymore....could you send it out again? And there should be a consequence for not getting things started or done on time like we each get to hurl really sharp objects at each other if we don't get something done...ok, well not really, but maybe if we get really lazy.

And, as far as 1st draft for the 'about' section, I really think you did great job. I don't know if this was your intention but a great mission statement could be birthed out of this. I feel a combination of the first paragraph sentences could accomplish this.

Alright, well that's all i have for now, but keep thinking of bigger and better ideas on how to make this a reality.

L

Inspiration

Here's a group on links to be inspired by:

Design/Style

Crush+Lovely - "Meet the Crew Page"
Erskine Design
Pen Collective

Purpose

EchoLite Media

Logo Mockups

Here is a set of mockups that I put together. I just chose a group of colors to work with so the focus would be more on the design aspects than the colors; since those haven't been officially set-in-stone yet. Hopefully I'll be able to crank out some more ideas here pretty soon. But anyways, check'em out and hit me with some feedback. Peace.

TP