Mayor Fenty Brings in Gearshift to Shoot Campaign 2010 Kick-Off

Gearshift was on location at the Donatelli residence for the 2010 campaign Kick-Off/Birthday Party for Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Jim Folliard
www.gearshift.tv

BBC London Hires Gearshift Producer

Washington, DC is the place for Politics, but it's also known as the East Coast Hollywood, more than 200 plus films have had scenes shot in Washington, D.C. The city has not only the political intrigue, military strategies and investigative journalism, but also all those immediately recognizable monuments and memorials. BBC London hired Gearshift Producer Don Napoleon on their recent documentary film production to assist with location shots. So if you are coming to Washington, DC to shoot a film or documentary and if you need permits, locations and more, Don is the local Fixer, Location Scout and possibly a Driver for your production.

Don Napoleon
don@gearshift.tv

Gizelle Shoots Her First Commercial With Mommy

GiGi and Shuggie were selected through Carlyn Davis Casting to appear in a commercial/PSA for eating healthy. Daddy was behind the scenes to capture some photos and HD video. Hopefully the commercial will be out soon!

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography
http://www.gearshift.tv/

Mad Brenda (Rock Band) and Gearshift Make Music Video

It was a hot day on the train tracks for the shoot of "Psychotic Reaction" by Mad Brenda. This video was shot at 720p at variable frame rates for fast and slow motion. To watch the HD video, click on this link and go to the High Definition Video Tab.

www.gearshift.tv/video.html

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions

Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation Works With Gearshift To Produce Web Videos

In an effort to reach out to the community, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation sponsors the 4th and Life program that brings players from the Washington Redskins, face to face, with local high school football players. London Fletcher, Colt Brennan, Ken Harvey are a few of the players that have given advice to hundreds of students. Gearshift captured and compressed MP4 videos for the Foundation. www.redskins.com

Jim Folliard
http://www.gearshift.tv/

MorganFranklin Selects Gearshift To Create Web Videos

MorganFranklin has selected Gearshift Productions to shoot, edit and compress several web videos for their re-designed website at http://www.morganfranklin.com/. Gearshift shot in HD at 1920x1080p at 30fps.

Gearshift Captures R&B Singer "Usher" at Remy Martin Event

Usher showed up at Zanzibar the day after the election to celebrate Obama's victory. Gearshift was there to capture Usher up-close. This shot is from a Nikon D300 with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

Jim Folliard
http://www.gearshift.tv/

Gearshift Photographs Barack Obama

What an amazing acceptance speech Obama gave in Chicago. It is good to see the world dancing in the streets.

Jim Folliard

UDC Selects Gearshift to Develop Recruiting and Marketing Videos

The University of the District of Columbia has turned to Gearshift for assistance in getting the message out about all of the courses, activities, campus life and programs that the school has to offer. Most people outside the city have never heard of UDC. The school has a great nursing, law, aeronautics and engineering program. Jim Folliard and Don Napoleon have spent countless hours capturing the inner world of UDC in amazing high definition 1080p/30p format, look for videos to start airing in October on DC Cable, the UDC website and in the Gearshift HD Portfolio.

Jim Folliard
http://www.gearshift.tv/

Don Napoleon Works with MPT to Produce Videos

Last year, Gearshift TV Producer, Don Napoleon worked with (MPT) Maryland Production Television on the "Bob the Vid Tech Show" Series and "The Missing Pizza" as the Line Producer. After several hot long shooting days at Larriland Farms in MD and several edit sessions, the show Airs September 22 at 9am and repeats September 26 at 11:30am & October 7 at 4:30pm on MPT, Check it out..

http://mpt.org/kidsfamily/vidkid/pizza/home.shtml

Don Napoleon- Producer
Gearshift Productions LLC
www.Gearshift.tv
don@gearshift.tv

Baby James is Born!

James Arthur Folliard III has arrived, he was born at Reston Hospital Center in Reston, VA at 3:00pm on August 25th, 2008. He is 19.75 inches long and 7.9 pounds. Parents Shuggie and Jim Jr. and sister Gizelle are so happy about our new addition to the family!

Jim Folliard
jim@gearshift.tv

Sony EX1 HD Footage to Review in WMV format

Wow, I was amazed when I first saw how easy the workflow was to create a clip in HD through Adobe Premiere CS3. Here are (3) videos shot in 1080/30p. Let me know what you think.

http://www.gearshift.tv/hd/1080p30p_ezralael.wmv (30MB)

http://www.gearshift.tv/hd/1080p30p_reston.wmv (60MB)

http://www.gearshift.tv/hd/1080p30p_easterns_redskinsrides.wmv (300MB)

Jim Folliard
HD Video Specialist
http://www.gearshift.tv/

Gearshift Goes HD

Gearshift Productions now captures in full HD formats such as 1080/30p, 1080/24p, 1080/60i, 720/24p & 720/30p. With the new Sony EX1 shooting on the Tapeless XDCAM EX format.

Jim Folliard
http://www.gearshiftvideo.com/

Mie N Yu Restaurant in Georgetown & Red Bull bring in Gearshift for Photography of the Silk Road Event

Gearshift has been capturing great imagery for Mie N Yu in Georgetown for several years. Last week was no exception. There are a lot of great photos from the night at this link, check it out: http://www.gearshift.tv/photos/200807mienyu

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography
http://www.gearshiftphotography.com/

Chris Cooley, Clinton Portis, Jason Campbell & Antwaan Randle El Shoot New Commercials with Easterns & Gearshift

Clinton Portis should have a future in Hollywood, he is a funny dude and was the ring leader of the infamous "Shaving Cream" commercial that we shot in the locker room of Eastern's studio. All of the players were very cool and we should have some funny spot airing in the DC area in a few weeks.

Jim Folliard jim@gearshift.tv

How Can I Shoot Better Video?

How can I shoot better video is the question. Start with keeping the shot steady. Hold your breath when you record and keep the video clips short, abut 5 seconds. Then move to a new spot, stop walking, hold your breath and record again. Use light to your advantage, stand near windows and shoot in to the room, the same direction that the light is traveling. Use an on camera light. Learn you camera settings so that you can adjust in various lighting situations. If you have questions about video production just ask me jim@gearshift.tv

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions

Senator Reid on "Meet the Bloggers" BNF Hires Gearshift Producer Don Napoleon

Brave New Films launched a new weekly show, Meet the Bloggers, Gearshift TV Producer, Don Napoleon, was hired as the on-site videographer at the US Capitol in Washington, DC assisting with a live on-line teleconference with Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) topics of question, weigh in on the price of gas, its politics, and what the political response should be.

Don Napoleon - Producer
Gearshift Productions LLC
don@gearshift.tv

http://www.myspace.com/producernapoleon

How To Watch High Quality YouTube Video

You can paste the following text to the end of any YouTube video link and it will play the highest quality version of the video if one is available. So many videos look like crappy shit on YouTube due to the re-compression that is performed upon upload but that has changed for the better.

Here is the magical text: &fmt=18

Click these two links for a sample to see if you can tell a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdvAdKqul4 (low quality)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdvAdKqul4&fmt=18 (high quality)

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Video
jim@gearshift.tv

Gearshift works with NFL Players and Kids

The Hampton Roads Youth Foundation hosted this year's annual football camp on the campus of Christopher Newport University in VA. Many current and retired NFL Players and Coaches give their time and knowledge to teach kids some important lessons and experiences. Mike Tomlin (Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers), Aaron Brooks (Retired NFL QB) were a few of the big names in attendance. Gearshift's job is to create a mini documentary that helps to explain the mission of the Foundation. Visit http://www.hryf.org/

Jim Folliard
jim@gearshift.tv

What Kind of Digital SLR Camera Should I Buy?

There are a lot of good cameras on the market, in fact most digital slr cameras will be able to produce a great image. With that said, I would focus on getting different lenses. Lens variety is the key to developing great photographs and my first recommendation is to get a 50mm 1.4f lens. This image was shot with a Nikon D80 in natural light with the 50mm 1.4f lens.

Jim Folliard
http://www.gearshiftphotography.com/

Gearshift goes Behind the Scenes with Easterns & The Washington Redskins

In preparation for the upcoming season of football programming, the Redskins sent out their production team to create some pieces with players and their cars. Chris Cooley, Fred Smoot, Mike Sellers and others made it to the studio for the shoot.

Visit Chris's Blog "The Cooley Zone" http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/

Jim Folliard

Gearshift Photography

Don Napoleon of Gearshift work on set for "Night at the Museum 2"

Gearshift producer Don Napoleon recently completed working on "Night at the Museum 2" with Ben Stiller, a few scenes were shot in Washington, DC; May 2008

Don Napoleon- Producer
Gearshift Productions LLC
240-605-6537 (c)
703-783-0071 - (fax)

http://www.myspace.com/producernapoleon

Rolling Thunder comes to DC

It is always a pleasure to hear the sound of thousands of Harley's accelerating down Constitution Ave. This year was no different as over 500,000 bikes swarmed DC over Memorial Day Weekend.

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography
703-928-8257

LaVar Arrington works with Gearshift for Photography

Gearshift was called in to capture images of LaVar Arrington's new restaurant "The Sideline Sports Bar" at 880 Capital Centre Blvd., Largo, MD 20744.

I shot LaVar's wedding video in 2005 so it is nice to be working with him again!

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography

Gearshift Selected by Georgetown Hotel Savoy Suites to Shoot New Promotional Images

You CAN have it all! Stunning views, a premiere Washington, DC address, Jacuzzi suites, kitchenettes, and a staff that strives to meet your every need—all at prices that won’t break your budget! AND, parking is always FREE!

Walk down the charming, tree-lined streets of historic Georgetown and rub elbows with prestigious neighbors like the vice president of the United States, international embassies and the National Cathedral.

Images were shot by Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography

Julie & Tripp's Wedding in Richmond

Gearshift captured the wedding weekend for Julie & Tripp last weekend. The weather held up and there were a lot of great moments.

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography

Gearshift Shoots New Commercials for Easterns with Harland Williams

Actor and comedian Harland Williams made us all laugh as we captured him in various costumes and personalities for the latest round of Easterns commercials. Look for the commercials to air this Spring.

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Video

Leesburg Bike Race produces Amazing Photos

Plum Grove Cyclery hosted the 2nd Annual Leesburg Baker's Dozen 13 Hour Bike Race on Saturday. The weather was perfect as over 350 racers hit the trail.

View the on-line gallery at www.gearshift.tv/plumgrove

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Photography

Gearshift Covers Launch Party of SurReal Vodka at the Latvian Embassy

SurReal Vodka is a family business, owned and operated by a father-son team. SurReal is unique - a premium vodka with an extraordinarily steady taste. Gearshift was hired to capture the event with both photography and video.

http://www.surrealvodka.com/

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions LLC

Gearshift Covers the Capital Ques & Kid Capri Event

Gearshift TV was selected to cover the Annual LGG Mardi Gras event with Special Guest DJ Kid Capri, the Men of Lambda Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated held their Annual "BlaQue To the Old School" ~ QUE MARDI GRAS event @ the Crystal City Hilton.

Don Napoleon
Gearshift Productions LLC
Freelance Field/Package Producer
don@gearshift.tv
240-605-6537- business

Photo of the Week

I shot this picture of an Anhinga in Florida.Nicknamed the water turkey, they have also been variously called snake-bird and darter. Anhingas dive deep under water to catch fish, their main food staple. Beautifully illustrated, this anhinga displays its striking characteristics of a slight tinge of iridescent metallic green sheen on its glosssy black plummage.The 'water turkey' does not have waterproofing on its feathers as do many other birds and therefore can often be seen with their wings spread out drying in the warm sun.

Jim Folliard

Gearshift Producer works on Feature Film "State of Play"

Gearshift TV Producer Don Napoleon was selected to work in the Locations Department for the Feature Film "State of Play" Directed by Kevin Macdonald with actors: Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Robin Wright Penn. Based on the BBC mini-series of the same title, a team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. The film was shot in Washington, DC.

Don Napoleon
Gearshift Productions

Smithsonian National Museum of African America History & Culture Selects Gearshift

Gearshift Productions LLC has been selected to provide video production services for nationwide seminars in relation to the building of The New National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum will be built on a five-acre tract of land adjacent to the Washington Monument on the National Mall. NMAAHC will be holding key seminars in several states around the country and Gearshift will be there to capture these milestone moments as Historians around the country share their views about how to build the museum.

Visit http://www.nmaahc.si.edu/

Don Napoleon
Gearshift Productions

Gearshift to provide Photography for Plum Grove Cyclery (13 Hour Bike Race) in Leesburg

If you like mountain biking then you will love the environment in Leesburg for the Annual Leesburg Baker's Dozen Mountain Bike Race. This year marks the 2nd year that Plum Grove Cyclery will be hosting this 13 hour race from 11am to midnight on Saturday April 19th.

Watch this video to see what last year race was like. www.gearshiftvideo.com/plumgrove

Gizelle is adorable!

Looking very mature for her age, this 15 month old totally looks like an 18 month old.

What does Gearshift Do?

Gearshift produces videos www.gearshiftvideo.com
Gearshift captures images www.gearshiftphotography.com
Gearshift designs websites www.gearshiftwebdesign.com

Gearshift TV Producer - Don Napoleon - Works on Feature Film "Eagle Eye"

Gearshift TV Producer Don Napoleon on Location on set at the Pentagon in Washington, DC during the Filming of "Eagle Eye". The Black hawk in this shot was being used in one of the scenes for this Feature film. "Eagle Eye" Plot Synopsis: Shia Labeouf reteams with "Disturbia" director D.J. Caruso playing a young slacker whose twin brother has died mysteriously. Rachel (Monaghan) finds that her child is missing, and soon the two strangers realize that they have been framed as terrorists. Forced to become members of a cell that has plans to carry out a political assassination, they must work together to extricate themselves while being led by a mysterious voice. Some of Eagle Eye Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thorton, Eric Chistian Olsen, Ethan Embry, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie and more....

Don Napoleon
Gearshift Productions LLC
Freelance Field/Package Producer
don@gearshift.tv
240-605-6537

Watch the 2007 Air & Sea Show in HD produced by Gearshift

Gearsift releases one of its first High Definition productions. You will see an amazing display of our military's muscle. It is a 13 minute piece that should expose you to flying and aerial acrobatics not often seen.

Click here to watch the video www.gearshiftvideo.com/airshow

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions LLC

Gearshift updates Blog from Phone

I just sent an important technology update to my website from my phone.

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions LLC

Gearshift produces Catering Video for The Park @ 14th

The Park @ 14th hired Gearshift to shoot both video and photography for their "catering video" used to show the layout and ambience of their venue. Watch the video at www.gearshiftvideo.com/theparkcatering

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions LLC

Gearshift Launches Scion Progressive Video

Scion contacted Gearshift to cover their 2008 Winter Roundtable Meeting at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. We covered 2 days of activities and events and put together a 12 minute re-cap. You can watch the video at www.gearshiftvideo.com/scion

Jim Folliard
Gearshift Productions LLC

It's all about the lens

Most of the images throughout the Gearshift sites were shot with a Nikon D80 but it was the assortment of lenses that was the main factor in why the pictures look nice. So my advice is to not worry so much about the camera body but about the lens you attach to it.

http://www.gearshiftphotography.com/

Jim Folliard

Barack Obama

I captured Barack Obama at the Hoop Dreams Congressional Reception in April 2007.

Jim Folliard