Superfletch

Thanks for the great advice, unfortunately that's a little (ok, a lot) out of my price range. I just bought this machine off of eBay to play with. It won't be generating any kind of an income for me. I've got a room full of older macs. I just needed a machine that had firewire ports so that I could hook up my camera to it. I just wanted something that would put out a nice end product for small projects and such. For now I am thinking of it as just a toy. I've never done any kind of video editing before. I used to be in the print media field. I helped start a service bureau in the Los Angeles area a long time ago. Star Link Co. I used to use my macs everyday for a living, now I just play on them occasionally and get on the internet. I would like to get back into the computers but I have been out of the game for a very long time and don't know where to start. If this machine is beefy enough to handle low end stuff then I will stick with it as is. I was just kind of wondering what other skydiving videographers out there were using and what they were doing on their machines. Specifically, the types of software and add-on software that they were using. I'd like to develop some kind of leader to our tandem videos just to dress them up a bit. We have a very small family orientated dropzone in Missouri. I'd like to bring it into the 21st century and dress it up a bit. I wish I had a high speed connection so that I could see some of the movies that you all have put out but living here in the stix my only choice is DirecPC and that is just WAY too expensive. Like $70 a month or something like that. I'll just have to visit other dropzones in person and have somebody show me their stuff while I'm there... hehehehehe I film most of my jumps which are usually tandem videos, IAD exits or student coach dives. I did get to make a fun jump last weekend. (almost forgot what those were like) I love being able to give my students video of themselves. When I was coming up we only had one video guy and he was usually pretty busy filming tandems. It made me feel so good when ever I got to be on a jump with him and he caught me on film. "Spielburg" never asked me for a dime, just gave me the video. Thanks Shawn, you inspired me! Now I'm jumping video and all my students know to bring their tapes to the DZ with them when they come. I feel like I'm giving back and it makes my day to make someone else's day. ;) Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I'm getting real bored with just dropping videos to tape with a little music. I'd like to be able to edit the jumps together and give them something a little more professional looking and plus it let's me get creative again. Something I haven't been in quite some time. Who knows, perhaps someone with a camera will start jumping at our DZ again and I'll get some footage of me. :) Then I could do a project with me as the star... that would be neat. Until then, I'll continue making the day of my students. What are some or your favorite transitions or titles that you use? Any ideas anyone could give me would be appreciated. Like I said before, I've never done anything at all like this ever, but I learn quick. I'll check into the "iMovie for Dummies" book the next time I'm in "town". (It's a 20 minute drive for me just to get to the nearest stop light. The closest book store is over an hour away. :/ Anyhow, thanks again. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I just recently purchased a Mac G4 533Mhz tower. It's an older model and I hope it will do what I'd like. I have 1.5GB of Ram, a 120GB Hard drive and a Superdrive. It came loaded with OS 10.3.7 and iLife '04. What I'd like from all you Mac users is some advice. For now I'm using iMovie4 to edit with. Is this good enough? Should I check into a different program? Is the computer itself beefy enough to handle video editing? Should I consider a processor upgrade? If so, which one? Where can I find different transitions for iMovie? Anyone got any that they would like to pass on? Is there a good book/manual for iMovie that should be considered a must read? I'm very, VERY new to computer editing and could use any help anyone would like to offer. I'd like to make a year end video of sorts from my footage of last year. Perhaps I would even like to edit tandem videos on the computer but right now it's just easier to use the soundboard and VCR method. Any suggestions for a newbie? Thanks in advance people. Inspire and inform me. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Oh Christ, anything but the old job... being temporary DZO/Manifest Bitch for a few weeks cured me... please don't ever leave me in charge again... it's going to take months to get all my friends back... ;) . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I thought you said they were bad mouthing the staff? Reverand JDThomas, yup that sounds about correct. I don't know if he's ever been kicked off any DZ's or not, probably, ha, but I've told him not to come back to ours several times and he just won't listen. Every darned weekend, there he is, looking like a little lost puppy, man without a DZ, trying to get on a load, harrassing the patrons and trying to grab peoples privates... hahahahah Oh yeah, and BTW Joe, thanks for rubbing your naked butt on my brand new rig. :/ You sick bastard... The photographs are priceless, no matter how twisted it is.... Skycop did have his head up his rear when he allowed his AAD to go off, I guess accident waiting to happen sums it up... he had his head up his rear and his AAD went off. Norm, I'm glad your alive. I'm glad you finally pulled that silver handle, even if it was a few hundred feet too late. :/ I'm glad you learned from the incident. And me, well I do need to get my teeth fixed. It's just I have this thing about dentists. Sorry SitflyBaseBoy. That drill scares ME! And as far as losing an AFF student to a cypres save. I'm not an AFF Instructor so why would I have an AFF student. I did however observe a student, cleared to jump by herself, on a coach dive throw out at 1000 feet (due to what she described as a hard pull) and simultaneously blow a reserve do to a student cypres fire. I watched the whole thing from under canopy at 3000 ft. It was horrible to watch. She scared me to death. She had her head up her rear too. But we talked about the whole incident at length afterwards and I think we managed to get her head out of her rear. We went up again this weekend and she pulled at 4000 feet instead of 1000. That made me happy. Anyway, had they said any of those things it doesn't sound like anything they haven't told us to our face or isn't common knowledge to begin with. Or perhaps you just didn't get your facts right. Oh and Bryan, if you're still out there. Thanks for the reserve pack job you did for me inbetween loads just so I could jump my brand new containter on my next jump. That was way above and beyond the call. And then to just give it to me and not charge me. Well, what can I say... thank you. You have my permission to bad mouth me anytime you want. Wait, you probably didn't bad mouth me at all did you? I bet it was the bitch. You tell her I said the next time you need to sit and use the computer she needs to move her fat ass! ;) . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Heh. Thanks for the heads up... I never claimed to be internet-literate, but I am learning everyday. What they said... TROLL. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Stewart_555 has no email address. First name is M, nickname "Martha". Has 450 jumps, been in the sport 3 years and is just now finding out about dropzone politics... I'd be willing to bet that some of you are being duped by this person. Sounds to me like someone is hiding behind some fictitous account to stir up some trouble. I wouldn't put too much more credance in what this creten has to say. And I'm not hiding from anybody. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

It's hard to say... it's pretty good. But that one is good too. I've never heard that one before... thanks. :) . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Does anyone know the name of the new skydiver song? (Just recently heard it so it's new to me.) Anyhow it's like a guy screaming "I'm a skydiver" to a very fast upbeat song. I guess you could classify it as alternative. I wish I could be more specific but I guess I was just hoping that perhaps one of you might know right off what I was talking about and be able to help me. Anyhow, let me know. thanks. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

In fact, if you know that you'll be there Thursday or Friday and would like to jump with her, give me your names and I'll tell her to ask around for you. It will be comical really... she'll think I know you and probably ask how you know me. You could make up some story of how I saved your life one time, or you saved my life one time, whatever... when she asks me about it, I'll tell her the truth and then she'll realize that she's been had... my god if there were video it would be priceless. hahahahah I know, I'm evil... Regardless, it's all for a good cause. And plan out a real good jump... I'd like her to learn from the jumps rather than just get in on a zoo load. She's got a lot of potential. :) . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Ok....she could be on DZ right now. I haven't talked to her yet... I know she is planning on going out there tomorrow and Friday for sure. I believe shes staying in Eloy. She's in town for a big Horse Show in Scottsdale I believe, so she'll be in and out. She was telling me before she left that she wasn't sure if she'd get to jump with anyone because she didn't know anyone. I assured her this would not be the case and implore all of you to seek her out and ask her to jump. Thanks. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

hahahaha... somehow I don't think she'll mind. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Actually, I don't think she would mind. However, you're right, I didn't ask for permission. hahahaha It's not my style. As long as the end result is that she meets some cool skydivers on the other side of the country, then I have done a good thing. She had a great time when we went to Zhills and met a lot of people she still talks about quite fondly. I've never been to Eloy, I don't know anyone there myself, but I have heard that you are all a top notch crowd so I thought I'd give you a chance to prove it. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

That's OK... :) As long as she doesn't have to do any solos... :) Are you from Eloy? Do me a favor and introduce yourself... She is a skydiver for sure... she only made her first jump in mid Nov and now she's licensed, even through the Missouri winter... She's a great friend and you won't regret getting to know her... she's a people person. Just walk up, ask if she's Christina, if she says yes, "Tell her you were asked to introduce yourself to her and would like to make a jump. She'll love it." ...and she really is a good jumper. You would not believe. she cuts leg turns like a pro.... :) Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Hey everyone, My Name is Gary Fletcher, IAD/I D-26145 from Freefall Express in Mt. Vernon, MO. A former student of mine, Christina Tokarczyk is going to be there sometime tomorrow night (Wednesday Feb. 23). She plans on checking in and then jumping on Thursday and Friday. She has a total of 26 jumps but you'd think she had a 150 or more. Her flying is tight. She's a natural. She just got her "A" license a few weeks ago and this will be her first jump as a licensed skydiver at a different dropzone. If you're sly, you might get beer out of her. We've jumped at Zhills together but she was just a student at the time. On her graduation dive she did all her maneuvers and then turned 3 points before break off. She's bad ass. Anyhow, to the point. Make her feel welcome. Invite her to jump with you. She's got short blonde hair and is about 5'5", 125 lbs or so and cute as a button. If you're a guy... you won't miss her. She'll probably be wearing a white Tony RW suit with grey highlights. ;) You won't be sorry. She is awesome. Just tell her Fletch told you to come up and say "hi". Thanks. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I believe the twist you are referring to is the point where the brake lines on the tail cascade down to the steering line. . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Hey that's my buddy Paxton Vinyard with you there isn't it... Tell him Fletch says "Hey". . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I remember those days... hahahaha... I can pack one in 4 minutes now. Anyway the rubber bands stretched to max won't hurt it. There are plenty of tips and tricks you can use. Next time you are at the DZ have the local packer show you some stuff. He/She'll save you tons of time with just a few tricks. The whole key to packing is controling the canopy and realizing that no matter what you do, the damn thing is going to open. When you've packed as many as I have you'll just end up stuffing the damn things in as best you can and getting on with the jumping. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Long Beach is a shit hole. Not much at all there unless you are looking to buy some crack. I used to live in Carson which is just around the corner. BTW, Carson is a shit hole too. Hahahaha Check out the beaches while you are there. I really like Hermosa Beach. The Queen Mary is interesting. There's plenty to do in LA in general and it's all connected so just decide what you'd like to do and in LA you'll have no problem finding it somewhere. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

This year I plan on getting my AFF rating. Maybe even my tandem rating. I've been wanting my AFF for a long time but I'm finally qualified. Wish me luck. :) Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

However in the meantime there are plenty of freeware, shareware programs that will do what you want. But get your hands on a copy of Photoshop. Like Quade said... you will use it all the time. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

Maybe you should just listen to music after you get on the ground... Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I've called everyone I can think of... now it's just a waiting game. I almost have to believe though that if someone had found it by now I would have received an email or a phone call or something. I suppose all I can do at this point is wait. I sure hope it turns up. If it's not to much to ask, perhaps the next time you are out there you could walk out torwards the tarmac. I went straight from the deck to the tarmac on a B-line to that pond/ditch out there and then walked around it on the right side. If I dropped it on the way out there it should be on the ground somewhere I suppose. Anyhow, thanks for your help. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

What he said... Question is: "Are you having fun?" That's all that matters. You're just over thinking it. It will come. You already know how to skydive. The rest of your life you will be trying to do it better. Don't rush it, don't think about it... one day, you'll poise off and Whala! You'll notice that you didn't kick or swim once. :) Just have fun. Perfection will come in time. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I was in DeLand on Tuesday checking in when someone I knew had a small mishap in the landing area. We went rushing out to see what happened and that's the last time I remember having my logbook. I don't know what happened to it after that. What a bummer. If you know me, then you know that I fill out everything in my logbook. It reads more like a novel than a log. I sure hope it turns up. There were a lot of memories in there. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer

I don't think that I could pick just one mentor... Steve Eggars - First Jump Course Instructor Bryan Wolford - DZO & Coach J.E. VanNatta - Instructor & Coach Gary Fletcher - My Father Steve Eggars was my first jump instructor. He made learning to skydive fun and taught me the basics of what I need and was always available to me coming up whenever I had questions. I respect him. Bryan Wolfor is my DZO. He's given me every opportunity that I have received in furthering my skydiving career. Coming up he I guess you could say "kept his eye on me" and steered me indirections to become the skydiving instuctor that I am today and will be tomorrow. J.E. VanNatta was our onsite S&TA. He always looked out for all of us and kept it a safe place to spend the weekend. He taught me how to be an instructor and gave me the confidence I needed to take the step forward and actually become one. Gary Fletcher, my father. He helped pioneer this sport and taught me that life is short and that you are never too old to have fun. He showed me that even after a 30 year lay off the draw to the sky is to great and that you eventually have to return. All these people took a personal interest in me and gave me the opportunity, wisdom, skills and knowledge to further myself in the sport. Some years ago I realized that skydiving was going to be an integral part of my life. And the people I mentioned above are who I have to thank. Thank you guys and I can't wait until we get to jump together again. Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer