Summer Blockbuster

[ragboy]

Over the last couple of years I have been trying to work on the best way to make memories, and not waste time doing it. We have done well on the still image department with our Canon XT Rebel and Apple Aperture software.

I have used several video cameras over the years, but nothing works well, without taking WAY too much time. I had a DV camera, hate tapes, and capturing into iMovie takes a long time. I periodically do large video projects, and so have the complete Final Cut Pro studio, but want to be able to shoot great footage, and just throw together great looking edits in short time. I also tried a mini-dv camera. Only slightly better than tape, and hard to edit natively.

At the beginning of this summer, I bought a new camera, a Sony HDR-SR1. It was premature, because no one really had good editing software for the new AVCHD format. I got it anyway.

Well, Apple released a COMPLETELY redesigned iMovie 08. It handles just about any format natively, and even AVCHD. I took some great HD footage and quickly imported into iMovie. It imports lightning fast, not like waiting in real time with DV tape. So I ran iMovie 08 through its paces and took a few hours to build a quick movie of our summer. It needs a little more WB footage at the end, but it looks great. If you have a mac, upgrade to iLife 08. If you don't, get an iMac. Incredibly fast and simple. If you want to see the movie, CLICK HERE (http://gallery.mac.com/ragboy#100000). Make sure you have plenty of bandwidth for the large one. It is at 960x540, which is HALF the native size of the camera.

I Love making memories! Let me know what you think.

[anhaney]

Nice Video. It sure make buying a boat worth it when you see the kids get out and do this stuff. I noticed you are involved in the INT League. What does it take to get into that? I have been reading about it a little. :D

[spharis]

One of my best friends from one of my other sports purchased one of those cameras. His only complaint was the AVCHD format and the lack of support. Amazing picture for consumer grade. We shoot a few climbing videos. He spends 4 months in Tuolumne managing the supply store every year.

[LovinPowell]

Kudos to you Ragboy. You've done something that I have always had on my list of things to get done, but have not taken the time to put together such a nice production. You've inspired me to get on the ball and get something done, because after you're back from the lake, the memories are all that remain. You've done a great job of capturing those memories, years from now your kids will watch that video 100 times and the joy that it brings to them will be priceless.

GREAT JOB.

[CP3]

How much did the imovie cost you?

[Tige'20i]

OUTSTANDING!! for the video and what you and your wife have done for your kids. I read your story on the Tige web page and to see your little one jessica jumping off the platform, you can see the therpy in action. Nothing better then a smile to make your day and there is a lot of them on your Tige...Keep up the great work and Thank You for the Inspiration

[CP3]

I would like to state for the record that ragboys little girl was able to drop the rope and free ride WAY before da

[talltigeguy]

That was very cool! Thanks for sharing that. I noticed after 10 minutes my cheeks were sore because I was smiling the whole time.

I love the yellow Loogie surfboard. LovinPowell has one, and it definitely is a good one.

He is so close on that backroll, if he hasn't landed it yet, he will have it next spring I bet.

I often joke that I bought a 55 thousand dollar boat just so that I can drive to the middle of the lake and have my kids climb in, jump out, climb in, jump out...Priceless!

Nice selection of music as well, great work.

[ragboy]

One of my best friends from one of my other sports purchased one of those cameras. His only complaint was the AVCHD format and the lack of support. Amazing picture for consumer grade. We shoot a few climbing videos. He spends 4 months in Tuolumne managing the supply store every year.

Not a problem anymore with iMovie 08.

[ragboy]

How much did the imovie cost you?

iLife 08 is a suite of products from Apple.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/

It comes free on any new Mac. It is ONLY $79 if you have a mac from before. I got the $99 family pack, since we have several macs and it allows license for up to 5. You can install the $79 version on several also, but technically not supposed to.

[ragboy]

I would like to state for the record that ragboys little girl was able to drop the rope and free ride WAY before da

ROTFLMAO!

[ragboy]

That was very cool! Thanks for sharing that. I noticed after 10 minutes my cheeks were sore because I was smiling the whole time.

I love the yellow Loogie surfboard. LovinPowell has one, and it definitely is a good one.

He is so close on that backroll, if he hasn't landed it yet, he will have it next spring I bet.

I often joke that I bought a 55 thousand dollar boat just so that I can drive to the middle of the lake and have my kids climb in, jump out, climb in, jump out...Priceless!

Nice selection of music as well, great work.

I have had a lot of people think I am nuts for the way I spend my money. I always tell them, how do you put a price on a memory? Since the kids were little, we have always done nothing but look for ways to build them. I know some day, I am going to be that old guy, sitting on his porch, kids all gone.... wife next to me.... both just staring out.... half smile on the face and a glisten in the eye. No need to speak, just remember together.

[ragboy]

Nice Video. It sure make buying a boat worth it when you see the kids get out and do this stuff. I noticed you are involved in the INT League. What does it take to get into that? I have been reading about it a little. :D

You go the INT site, socal for you:

http://www.intleague.com/scalifornia/event_schedule.html

Register and go to an event. Thats it. Look at the trick lists to figure out which class for you kids. Its a ton of fun, and the best part, is it inspires your kids, and they will want to go on the boat more to practice. Best thing we did this summer other then pick up the Tige.

[slacker661]

great video,something like that is great to show your kids in years to come

[CP3]

Rag your son might want to try doing a progressive back roll instead of a mexican back roll. I started with the progressive becuase the wake really throws the trick for you.

[ragboy]

How could a Garcia NOT do a mexican backroll? ;-)

[da.bell]

I would like to state for the record that ragboys little girl was able to drop the rope and free ride WAY before da

Hey, that isn't fair.... A little girl beat me..... :( Oh well, I will get it sometime and learn but maybe I can get some tips from her???? Just have to drive up there to get them now.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[da.bell]

Great video. Will definitely need to come up to Oroville before the summer is over to get some tips from your children and wakesurfing.

My hat goes off to you for taking in a special needs child. I know first hand how difficult raising a special need children is. It takes a lot of time and patience and dedication.

[ragboy]

UPDATE: I didn't realize the high resolution didn't get uploaded. My connection must have burped over night or something. If you go to the gallery now, you can see the high rez version (960x540), if you have the bandwidth. Its worth it.

CLICK HERE (http://gallery.mac.com/ragboy#100000) to view movie.

[ragboy]

In their effort to keep the story short, they didn't quite get it right, no offense to Tige. Its close, but when I get some time I will share it, because it is amazing what those kids came from, and where they are now, especially Jessica. She was not just born with a problem with her legs. She was born addicted to meth, and we were told she may not ever walk or talk. It has been an amazing thing to see. To see a child go from virtually mush, and addiction, to being almost completely normal. There is still constant work, and therapy, but its amazing. When you get to a child this young, you can actually do the equivalent of brain surgery with love and proper stimulation. Parts of the brain that didn't work, and connections lost actually can reconnect.

[wannabewakeboarder]

How could a Garcia NOT do a mexican backroll? ;-)

LMAO:D;)

[da.bell]

In their effort to keep the story short, they didn't quite get it right, no offense to Tige. Its close, but when I get some time I will share it, because it is amazing what those kids came from, and where they are now, especially Jessica. She was not just born with a problem with her legs. She was born addicted to meth, and we were told she may not ever walk or talk. It has been an amazing thing to see. To see a child go from virtually mush, and addiction, to being almost completely normal. There is still constant work, and therapy, but its amazing. When you get to a child this young, you can actually do the equivalent of brain surgery with love and proper stimulation. Parts of the brain that didn't work, and connections lost actually can reconnect.

I am a believer that its the boat that stimulates their brain. It is a therapy to them. My youngest son has been diagnoses with mild to moderate autism and every time we get him on the boat and that wind blows in his hair, we just puts the biggest smile on his face and acts like "This autism isn't going to get the best of me". He truly seems to come out of an autistic state. Just simply amazing... Words can NOT explain it... :ro: :ro: :ro:

[xpjim1]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. My kids can learn from that.

Thanks again.

[talltigeguy]

How could a Garcia NOT do a mexican backroll? ;-)

Plus, he IS in California, better known as Mexifornia.

Can someone explain how the Mexican backroll is different from the 'regular' backroll? :ot: The difference never sticks with me.

[slacker661]

the regular backroll does just that "it sticks with you ".the mexican backroll makes you wipe..........................out more

[dogbert]

I Love making memories! Let me know what you think.

Can I hang out with you guys? You're having way too much fun! Nice job on the video! :ro:

[ragboy]

Can I hang out with you guys? You're having way too much fun! Nice job on the video! :ro:

Thats why we got the 24Ve, room for friends. Come on over! We will create a monster surf wake.

[dogbert]

Thats why we got the 24Ve, room for friends. Come on over! We will create a monster surf wake.

Well, if you're ever in Austin, let me know. Speaking from experience, you probably don't get much ride time.

[ragboy]

My brother lives outside of Dallas in Rockwall. May get out there sometime. I thought about visiting on his lake, but decided not to when I read about the stumps, alligators, and poisonous cottonmouths.