Blu-Ray Now Available

We are pleased to announce that we have the ability to burn to Blu-Ray disc.This means that any HD production that we produce can be delivered to you via BD as well as in digital media and standard definition DVD.

Also available is the ability to duplicate BD discs that you author.

Custom BD authoring is still in development and will be available soon.

Blessings,

Chris.

McKenna Video Services is Located in Puyallup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKenna Video Services today confirmed that they are located in Puyallup, WA, and not the rural town of McKenna.

"We hope that any confusion regarding the location of our business does not dissuade anyone from calling on us for services," explains Chris McKenna, owner of McKenna Video.

The company says that they have had many people question their location over their seven years of operation. McKenna Video is named after their owner and founders of the company and not after any specific location that they operate in. 

Chris McKenna adds "we have worked with customers as far away as New York and Florida, and those customers have had no problem working with us, regardless of where we are located. So we hope that the name 'McKenna,' does not keep a local customer from calling and talking with any of us because they believe we are located in a small, rural town."

McKenna Video Services is an award winning video studio offering services that include video production, home movie transfer to DVD, and CD and DVD duplication. In 2008, McKenna Video added professional photography to the their offerings and markets those services under the name Chris McKenna Photography.

For more information, contact Chris McKenna at info@mckennavideo.com or (253) 539-3438 or visit their website at mckennavideo.com .

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Final Cut Pro X FCPX

I don't normally do this, but I thought that it was worth mentioning for all my editor friends.

As you know, I am a big proponent of Apple products. I exclusively use Final Cut Pro for editing, with a splash of Adobe's Photoshop and After Effects thrown in. I have been very happy with them, despite the high learning curve and the lack of an integrated workflow between the two software packages. We have integrated all Apple products into our workflow and as a studio we work with them all very well.

Now, Apple has decided to take the proverbial two steps backward with yesterdays release of Final Cut Pro X, a complete rewrite Final Cut Pro . Despite the lower price point and its 64-bit architecture, which we all like, the product has been "dumbed down" to appeal to a much broader audience and is missing several key features that professional editors such as myself NEED and have been accustomed to.

I am not going to rehash what everyone else has been saying (link to a great blog posting will appear below), but I will say, Apple, if you are listening, you missed the mark with this one and have seriously damaged your reputation amongst people like myself. I have been a loyal Apple supporter since 1991, but if I can't do my job anymore because of where you went with FCPX, then I will be forced to migrate my studio over to a windows platform and use Adobe's Creative Suite. I cannot go backwards with my editing, and by using FCPX, I will be doing just that.

Like one guy said, we will now see "the best birthday party videos ever" since you created a product for the amateur. You ignored your true customer and damaged your reputation and image amongst us.

Can anyone say Lemon.

Chris.

Link to great blog review

16mm Film Transfer to DVD

I have not taken to bash the competition--that is something that I just don't do. I let others, primarily my customers, do it for me.

Case in point, I received an email today from a former client regarding a 16mm film to DVD transfer that they were currently working on. Here is what it said:

"Hi Chris, 

You transferred a bunch of 8mm film for us a couple years ago, and now we are hoping you might be able to do a couple of 16mm reels. One is a 9" reel and I believe the other is an 11" reel.

I sent both reels to (name withheld but you can probably guess who it is), but the company that transfers film for them cropped the images, making it so we cannot see the subtitles or the credits in full. It is essential that we see the subtitles as part of the film is narrated in Chehalis (the films are about the Nisqually and Chehalis tribes) and the translations are as important to me as the narration itself. The (name withheld) company has said I could send the film back, but if you are willing to take on the project, I would rather send the film to you, knowing what a great job you did with our 8mm film, and the fact that it is more likely you would check to see if the image is cropped properly before transferring it. 

Thanks for your help! I hope to hear from you soon." 

Ok, I don't know why they didn't bring me their film to begin with except that they didn't know that I also transfer 16mm film or that some of the competition may be a little cheaper-I will be honest about that. Nevertheless, there is a reason that they are cheaper.

First and foremost, the quality of their transfer is substandard. The picture quality cannot compare to the transfer that we offer and things like what this customer says happen. I hear it all the time. They just don't care about the quality of their transfers and it shows in the product they deliver. Now, if quality doesn't matter to you, then by all means go to the cheaper guys. You know that you get what you pay for. :-)

Secondly, that company also sells pizza and dog food. That company doesn't specialize in anything and can spread their operating costs over all the other items that they sell, including the aforementioned products and their car tires, garage tools, bakery items, frozen meat, breakfast cereal, books, dvd's--well, you get the point.

And third, they are intent on destroying the small business. Ok, I know, sour grapes, but I genuinely believe that this company doesn't care who they hurt and why and what the ramifications are, they just want to dominate and will use the resource of their big corporation to drive the small guys out of the market, whatever market that may be. They got their paws in so many different things, many of which they shouldn't. The only rationale explanation that I can come up with is because "they can."

Now that I am done with my complaint for the year, I urge you to consider having your film transferred by someone whose sole business is in the video and photo services industry. As you are aware, we treat every project as if it were our own and not just another order.

And for those that don't know what the quality difference looks like, enjoy the following video.

Blessings,

Chris.

Crisis Management Consulting

Hey Everyone,

So I created a video promotion for my good friend, Jan Decker, of Crisis Management Consulting last year. However, I believe that I neglected to post it here. Of course, since McKenna Video also plays a close role with Jan in the development of training media (video) for some of her clients, we added a bit about ourselves in there. So here it is...

And now about Jan and her company.

Crisis Management Consulting is a product and services business targeted at the small to medium size organization who is seeking help, tools, templates and guidance in developing their own emergency/crisis plans, training programs and rolling out the program throughout the organization.

They have been in business since 1997 and recently completely revamped how they do business in order to provide very affordable and effective products and services to public, private and not-for-profit organizations throughout the U.S.

CMC currently provides CPG 101 format-based Emergency Operations Plan templates – for order. They also have safety videos, informational videos and are developing our prepared media broadcasts scenarios for Table Top Exercises.

Jan provides 1-2 day on site consulting services at affordable rates to help an organization get started, get an Emergency Operations Plan or a Crisis Plan developed and prepare training and exercise programs. She also facilitates training, are certified in the HSEEP program to support public agencies, and are experts in helping with Executive Training, Department/Business Unit Training, Emergency Operations Center Training, field exercise training and program review and recommendations.

Please visit her website at www.crisismanagementconsulting.com for more information.

Blessings,

Chris.

Are You Following Us on Facebook and Twitter?

I love the blogging, but it is very hard for me to carve out time to write them all the time (I have 3 blog sites that must be maintained and updated). Over the last 6 months it has been very difficult for me to find the time to write and get things posted. I have found that social media is where its at these days. A quick post, a random thought, a link not worth of a full blog posting end up on our social media pages.

Having said that, if you are not following us on Facebook and Twitter, maybe you should? I have posted a couple of links here that will take you directly to our pages. Go ahead, click on the links, like us on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. And if you follow us on Facebook, I promise not to bombard your wall with all kinds of random stuff like others do.

You won't be disappointed.

http://www.facebook.com/mckennavideophoto
http://twitter.com/chris_m_mckenna

Blessings,

Chris.

Home Movie Film to DVD Transfer

I got a lot of questions last week regarding 16mm and 8mm Home Movie Film Transfer to DVD so I thought that I would post a blog today answering some of those questions.

But first the pitch...

Simply put, our film transfer service is the best way to enjoy your 8mm film, Super 8 film, and 16mm film all over again! Sure, you can drag out your old projector and watch them like you used to-40 years ago. But why do you want to risk ruing the film with a super hot bulb or damaging sprocket drivers--thereby ensuring that no one can enjoy the film ever again. And do you really want to be changing a reel every 3 to 10 minutes? Of course not. And sure you can have the big discount warehouses and superstores transfer your film to DVD, but do you want to have a transfer that produces a lower quality image with dull and muted colors and fuzzy images or includes all the leader or film with no images? Or worse yet having your film sent to Mexico or India for transfer and run the risk that it will be lost in transit, lost in factory, or switched with the customer from Biloxi, Mississippi, or Barcelona, Spain? Of course not, so you NEED to bring McKenna Video your film to transfer.

We bring your old home movies back to life by transferring them to DVD. We use the latest digital frame-by-frame transfer method, which produces stunning, ultra high quality DVDs with an extremely clear and crisp picture (relative to the quality of your film to start with). We add background music (at no extra cost to you!) to produce truly heart-warming results. We can also put your film on VHS tapes if you prefer (I don't recommend this as VHS is about 1/2 the resolution of DVD). These images of your family are irreplaceable. We understand that and will treat them as if they were our own. Don't settle for inferior transfer methods like direct capture or "project and record"! Let McKenna Video Services digitally master your home movies and preserve them for generations to come.

Here's what to do:

1) Gather your home movies. Go ahead! Venture into the attic, basement, or closet and retrieve that dusty box of home movies;

2) Put them in order that you would like to view them on your disc. Alternatively, we can randomize the order if you prefer;

3) Call McKenna Video Services to schedule a time to bring them to our studio (mail order also available);

4) Bring or send your films to McKenna Video Services. We'll accept your film and your payment and give you an estimated time to complete the transfer;

5) When complete, you'll pick up your film and new DVD and bring them home with a bag of popcorn for viewing in the comfort of your living room.


And now, here are some of the more common questions that we get regarding film to DVD transfer.

HOW MUCH FILM DO I HAVE?

There are 3 common reel sizes, although other sizes were sometimes used. A 3-inch reel will hold 50-feet of film, a 5-inch reel holds 200-feet, and a 7-inch reel holds 400-feet.


CAN I EDIT MY FILM BEFORE IT IS TRANSFERRED?

If you wish to edit your film prior to bringing it to us you are free to do so. Once we receive the film, we process every foot we receive. Once transferred into a digital format, we will normally edit out excessive periods of under or overexposed film if there are no viewable images before we master a final disc.

If you wish to edit your content further, we can assist with that after we digitize the film. We can have you back into the studio for editing and sometimes we provide a "preview disc" with instructions for you to take home and view before sitting down with us to edit.


I WANT TO EDIT MY OWN FILM AND MASTER MY OWN DVD-WHAT CAN YOU DO?

A lot of our customers want to master their own DVDs-we just need to know that at the onset. Once digitized, we can transfer your unedited film to a mini-dv tape or a hard-drive as a Quicktime .mov (preferred) or Window Media .wmv file. We can even create mp4's if you wish to share your film on Facebook, youtube or other social media sites.


I HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS FOR MY MENUS, CHAPTERS, TITLES, BACKGROUND MUSIC, ETC. CAN YOU HELP WITH THAT?

Certainly. Our goal is provide you with exactly what you want-something our competition won't do. We will conform your disc to your exact specifications.


HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Film transfer is a time consuming process. We normally ask for about 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your requirements, how much film you have, and what we have in queue. We do offer rush services if needed.


IS IT SAFE? WILL I RECEIVE MY FILM BACK?

Film is not destroyed or damaged in the process. We return everything that you bring to us: film, reels, cans.


CAN YOU TRANSFER TO BLU-RAY?

Yes, we can transfer to blu-ray disc for you, but it does not increase the quality of the film. Home movie film never offered high resolution, so using a high-def transfer is not worth the added expense, in my opinion. Blu-ray offers the ability to store much great amounts of film on one disc, instead of many.


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Exact pricing depends of the type of film you have and the services that you order. Please call us at (253) 539-3438 for an estimate.


I hope this helps you understand the film conversion to DVD process a little bit better. As always, don't hesitate to call or send an email for more information.

Blessings,

Chris