From time to time we do find videos on YouTube which are not a silly waste of time. A reader of SWIFT who goes by "zigb" commented on the lense flare item in the February 22nd issue and provided a link to Captain Disillusion's YouTube page. Being the curious person that I am of course I had to click the link and have a look.
Being a video editor myself I was hoping that the quality would be better than 90% of the regular YouTube stuff. To my pleasent surprise not only is the content of this video fantastic but the editing, storyline, character, effects, let's just say everything is top quality. The videos are geared towards children but I must say I know of many many adults who would benefit from watching these videos.
The example you see here is a great examination of the "Fire Angel" video that has been circulating YouTube. This video is by far one of, if not the best, video explanations of lens flare we have seen. In the video Captain Disillusion shows the actual Fire Angel video and examines it showing why it is in fact lens flare and not an angel.
Make sure that you watch all of the videos on his channel. They are very well done. Also subscribe and pass these videos along to everyone you know. These are valuable resources.
The production values are very good. However, I disagree strongly about the quality of explanation. I thought it was very poor. He didn't even quickly point out the matching symmetrical placement of the fire and the flare as the camera moved around. And his snarky Mr. Flare didn't behave at all like lens flare does. Very confusing, even misleading.
In another of his videos, the one about the faked penguin slap, he says that the faker wad "adding an element of humiliation and hostile behavior". That describes Captain D.'s own actions.
If the opponent makes snarky or ad hominem remarks, by all means bombs away. But not until then.
I'm a skeptic but the contempt in Captain D's video is repellent and will be ultimately self-defeating.
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... written by baryogenesis,
February 28, 2008
It's interesting how people see things so very differently. I have to agree with Mr. Montalvo and strongly disagree with nearly everything JimC had to say. How quickly is "quickly"? What was snarky? When was the last time Jim hung out with kids and how repressed is his "inner child"? Ha! How's that for ad hominems. Who in fact was Capt. D attacking. Oh, sorry... Santa Claus.
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... written by admin,
February 28, 2008
He didn't even quickly point out the matching symmetrical placement of the fire and the flare as the camera moved around. And his snarky Mr. Flare didn't behave at all like lens flare does. Very confusing, even misleading.
If you watch the video again at 2:04 Captain Disillusion says "Aside from the fact that it (lens flare) moves in concert with the camera". Not only that but he also says that if you look carefully you can see that it's just a flipped image of the fire itself. He didn't use the exact word symetrical but doesn't that pretty much cover your complaint?
How is that at all misleading. Maybe you don't agree with how Mr Flare or Captain Disillusion go about wording their points but I hope you can agree that the video keeps your attention and is informative. I was glued to it, why? Because it was interesting and had a bit of humor added to it.
JimC if you don't mind me asking, what do you think about Penn & Teller's show BULLs**t!
Rich Montalvo Media Manager James Randi Educational Foundation.
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... written by diablo,
March 02, 2008
How does he do the floating video effect?
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... written by Andres Villarreal,
March 03, 2008
The floating video is one of the simplest effects. The Captain holds a cardboard of the right proportions and a clearly distinguishable color, usually green or blue. The video is digitally superimposed on the colored space.
Neat and simple software routines tilt and move the video images to match the movement of the cardboard.
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... written by diablo,
March 03, 2008
Can you give an example of a software application that would let you do this?
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... written by admin,
March 03, 2008
Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Express Pro, Final Cut Express, Sony Vegas. Actually all entry level video editing programs have this capability. You can do this the hard way with Keying and Key Framing or use something like Adobe After Affects and doing tracking.
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... written by Paul Erickson,
March 04, 2008
They need to give this guy his own prime-time TV program. He is funny and informative. With all of the BS going on out there (television programs especially), he could be on the air for years debunking garbage.
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... written by anthrosciguy,
March 04, 2008
I have to disagree with JimC as well; I thought the part of the video at the time Capt D said "Aside from the fact that it (lens flare) moves in concert with the camera" was especially well done. He used a simple and easy to see set of lines to show that the flare was in fact moving exactly with the camera. It highlighted it in such a way that it was not just easy to see in an intellectual manner, but on a visceral less conscious level as well. This really helps impress on the mind what you're seeing.
This guy could definitely do TV. I don't know anything about him, but his YouTube stuff is at Bill Nye levels already. Why is it, and this is obviously rhetorical, we only get characters like Mr. Wizard and Bill Nye once every 30 years?
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... written by chillwell,
March 04, 2008
Wow, totally impressed with Capt.D. Decided to check out the comments and BAM!, the first one is from some A-Hole who just doesn't get it. I'm sorry, I just hate to think of the "JimC Type" as a fellow skeptic. More like skeptool.
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... written by Careyp74,
March 12, 2008
I went to the CD site, and there was a guy talking about the Reptile woman. Anyone see this video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZGh5cCiEF8 A normal low grade video that shows a woman going about her day. You don't notice a thing wrong, but then they show you what you should have noticed. That she is changing faces and her skin changes between scales and skin. If you get as upset as I did when you watch it, just read the comments for a good laugh.
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... written by peter,
March 25, 2008
I find it interesting that you and your organization spends so much time trying to dispell Uri Geller. I believe it is because you have convinced only a few sheep. The reason you have convinced only a few is because you have yet to duplicate any of Gellers feats. Take for instance the compass trick. You did nt use the same type of compass because you know you can not do it with the same compass as Geller used. You used a very cheap compass and told everyone see i did the same thing. But you did not do it under the same conditions. This is why legit psychics do not take you up on your challange. Because no matter what you will always have a reason not to pay. You have always dispelled others with out duplicating under the same conditions or explaining with the same conditions. It is my opinion that you are the biggest fraud in the psychic and sceptic world. Take me up on my challenge, prove people wrong with the same conditions. Do not say you have, because you have not. Just look at your own clippings. Is Uri Geller a fraud? Some say yes, some say no. He is a showman. But I know that you are the bigger fake, fraud, and phoney. But of course that is your grand illusion. To convince others that you are a legit debunker, when you actually have not debunked anyone. I wonder how long you will keep this comment on your own website.
[Admin] Why not post your comment in the appropriate place or actually why not send it to Randi directly.
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In another of his videos, the one about the faked penguin slap, he says that the faker wad "adding an element of humiliation and hostile behavior". That describes Captain D.'s own actions.
If the opponent makes snarky or ad hominem remarks, by all means bombs away. But not until then.
I'm a skeptic but the contempt in Captain D's video is repellent and will be ultimately self-defeating.