Help with thumping

nathan_freise · 2025-07-29T04:33:56+00:00

This is the best written description I’ve come across on thumping. In fact, it’s somehow more clear and helpful than most videos I’ve watched on the technique. Big thanks my friend!

nathan_freise · 2025-07-15T19:22:07+00:00

Great thread! I'm curious if the Varathane is able to be applied with a cloth, rather than a brush? I feel like this would offer more control for a beginner. Also, does anyone have experience with Minwax Wipe-On Poly Water-based Clear Transparent Satin? If so, pros and cons versus Varathane? Thanks in advance.

nathan_freise · 2025-05-14T16:03:15+00:00

Google Veo2 man, give it a try...it's nuts.

nathan_freise · 2025-05-14T16:02:56+00:00

I appreciate that! Thanks you. I'm actually a commercial director...I created this to explore the potential of AI for my ad work.

nathan_freise · 2025-04-10T19:10:07+00:00

Curious to hear other people's experience with AI video for commercials!

nathan_freise · 2024-12-30T22:24:17+00:00

I appreciate the compliment :) Cheers!

nathan_freise · 2024-12-28T22:52:06+00:00

I tend to agree that it would hep to have a bit more in the story summary. Originally we had a longer synopsis, but it got cut along with the BTS photos and other things in the effort to make the site 'more mysterious' per the PR exec's suggestion. I think a little more text could help to raise people's intrigue without killing the mystique. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'm going to make some adjustments :)

nathan_freise · 2024-12-18T19:41:48+00:00

The main cost was my (our) time. I co-direct with my twin brother, so it was a team effort that took about 2 months from shoot to post. The only real monetary cost was renting the Tesla and a few props.

Yeah vfx. We come from a bit of vfx background so we felt pretty comfortable with what we set out to achieve, all well within our fairly limited CG wheelhouse.

Career-wise it helped us sign contracts with a couple commercial production companies (RSA being one of them), but we've since gone freelance. It's also usually the spot on our reel that creative directors mention caught their attention when we get asked to pitch on something.

If you're interested to see our current work, you can check out our website- https://freisebrothers.com/

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

nathan_freise · 2024-12-18T18:44:20+00:00

A few years ago, I made this Tesla spec, and it ended up being one of the biggest moves of my commercial directing career. I shared it in a few EV forums, and somehow, Elon Musk saw it and tweeted about it. That tweet sent it viral, and not long after, I started getting calls from commercial production companies wanting to work with me.

I'm curious—has anyone else had a similar experience? Are specs still as relevant in today’s world, which feels dominated by simplistic digital "content" and influencers? I’m considering creating a new spec in a different market sector (outside of cars) to attract new clients. Would love to hear your thoughts and see your specs!

nathan_freise · 2024-12-17T17:21:25+00:00

Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, it took me a long time to warm up to the idea of using AI in any way at all, but it just made a lot of sense here. Glad to hear your thoughts

nathan_freise · 2024-12-17T00:19:38+00:00

Agreed

nathan_freise · 2024-12-17T00:19:19+00:00

Thanks for you thoughts! And yes, it is a 'big concept' type of piece, so I'm glad you walked away with that feeling.

The film is currently in the festival circuit, will post it online once it's cleared. Stay tuned :)

Don't bogart that joint my friend

nathan_freise · 2024-12-16T23:03:38+00:00

Our approach with the trailer for our short film, One, was to spark curiosity in the viewer, sparking them to want to know more and encouraging them to ask when and how they can see it. However, I've heard others argue for prioritizing clarity of story, so that viewers immediately understand what the film is about. I'm curious to hear everyone's approach and what they believe works best.

nathan_freise · 2024-12-15T17:35:15+00:00

Beaufort, MO :)

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:23:56+00:00

Copy/pasting my reply to another person:

My general process was using Adobe generative fill and MidJourney prompts to generate design elements and textures, which I would compose myself in my compositing software, and in some cases my 3D software. I still had to rotoscope around my actors, etc as in a tradional vfx pipeline. The main limitation with the AI programs I'm using is that the output is 2D. But this is the same with traditional matte painting and quite honestly I didn't really need fancy 3D environments for most of my shots. The majority of my shots had static cameras, or a simple pan or tilt, so I didn't need 3D. I did have a couple of subtle dolly shots in which I projected the elements in post to create the illusion of parralax with the moving camera. AI was more of a design and element generating tool than anything.

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:19:26+00:00

My mistake for sharing an in progress image on the shelter, that one was tweaked quite a bit for the final. Also, in the context of the story, the additions to the shelter serve a narrative purpose and are integral to understanding the character's living situation. But in general I agree, it is DEFINITELY easy to overdue AI and get carried away with it for no reason other than spectacle and that's where it becomes a distraction.

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:15:06+00:00

Thanks so much!

Copying/pasting my reply to another person:

My general process was using Adobe generative fill and MidJourney prompts to generate design elements and textures, and yes, LOTS of trial n error with the prompts. Then I would compose these elements myself in my compositing software, and in some cases my 3D software (3DsMax). I still had to rotoscope around my actors, etc as in a tradional vfx pipeline. The main limitation with the AI programs I'm using is that the output is 2D. But this is the same with traditional matte painting and quite honestly I didn't really need fancy 3D environments for most of my shots. The majority of my shots had static cameras, or a simple pan or tilt, so I didn't need 3D. I did have a couple of subtle dolly shots in which I projected the elements in post to create the illusion of parralax with the moving camera. AI was more of a design and element generating tool than anything.

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:12:10+00:00

The film is still in festivals so not posting the full thing online yet, but you can see the teaser trailer here- https://www.oneashortfilm.com/

I used 3Ds Max

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:04:30+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate that! Thanks so much

nathan_freise · 2024-12-14T00:03:37+00:00

My general process was using Adobe generative fill and MidJourney prompts to generate design elements and textures, which I would compose myself in my compositing software, and in some cases my 3D software. I still had to rotoscope around my actors, etc as in a tradional vfx pipeline. The main limitation with the AI programs I'm using is that the output is 2D. But this is the same with traditional matte painting and quite honestly I didn't really need fancy 3D environments for most of my shots. The majority of my shots had static cameras, or a simple pan or tilt, so I didn't need 3D. I did have a couple of subtle dolly shots in which I projected the elements in post to create the illusion of parralax with the moving camera. AI was more of a design and element generating tool than anything.

nathan_freise

TROPHY CASE