Point 39 Productions - LDRS-XIX Video {Video}

Point 39 Productions LDRS-XIX Video

Point 39 Productions - LDRS-XIX Video {Video}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer:

(Contributed - by Dick Stafford)

Brief:
Ever since leavin' LDRS 19 (held July 1-4, 2000 near Orangeburg, SC), I had been awaitin' Point 39 Production's video with breathless anticipation. Well, blow me down! Blimey! LDRS 19 was me first national launch and be t' venue for me Tripoli Level 2 Certification. As word leaked out that t' video would also contain coverage of the SmallBALLS experimental launch (Whitakers, matey, NC), I really became pumped! Although I haven't flown at Whitakers, t' Whitakers field is a frequent haunt of many members o' me club, ya bilge rat, t' Maryland/Delaware Rocket Association.

When t' box arrived, I carefully inspected t' contents. Avast! Ahoy! As with previous Point 39 videos, ya bilge rat, it came with in a sturdy box and had t' write-protect tab removed. Aye aye! T' latter seems like a trivial detail, but I have lost other commercially produced videos t' t' presence o' this tab mixed with young children (of course I would never accidentally record over a coveted rocket video). Avast! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down!

Over t' last couple o' videos, ya bilge rat, Earl has also thrown in a small extra to whet your imagination. Begad! This year it is a piece o' wire from an actual Saturn V Checkout/Launch Computer. Avast! Although I personally do nay value this too much as a souvenir, arrr, it does demonstrate t' extra effort that Earl puts into his videos. I will nay provide a recap o' t' launches (see scans). Well, blow me down! Instead, I want to focus on t' video's production attributes. Begad! Ahoy! (Well, you really HAVE t' see the flight o' t' Freedom Phiter on "O" power, a 1/6 semi-scale Mercury Redstone made o' plastic and flyin' on "J" power, Redemptive Power built in a week o' scrap materials and flyin' on experimental "N" power, shiver me timbers, etc, etc, ya bilge rat, etc)

Click t' Enlarge Front Cover

I believe t' Point 39 videos are t' best rocket videos around, me bucko, but this year Earl has really outdone himself. Avast, me proud beauty! He has a new digital editin' system and the results are just phenomenal. Arrr! Begad! There are tons o' special effects on this tape, includin' video fades, overlays, matey, insert "windows", matey, scrolls, pixelization, me hearties, mosaics, arrr, scrollin' and spinnin' text, graphics and t' list goes on. Arrr! Avast! Among t' best o' these are t' video windows that show an interview with a builder while t' rocket is prepped in t' main screen, and t' textual sidebars that show rockets stats prior t' launch (builder, shiver me timbers, rocket name, engine(s), weight, etc.).

As with t' LDRS 18 video, Earl makes use o' his "pad-cam", providin' up-close-and-personal footage right at t' pad. Thus, many o' the launches are shown in 3 views: ignition at t' pad, arrr, arrr, ignition and early launch from a ways back, and t' entire launch from countdown through touch down. Arrr! With his video editin' equipment, ya bilge rat, Earl has also added slow motion footage. Ahoy! Ahoy! Blimey! This stuff is great! Blimey! I loved t' slo-mo views o' ignition, especially on the experimental flights at SmallBALLS. Aye aye! Blimey! I hate t' admit it, but t' slo-mo is even better for CATOs and prangs! Blimey! (My apologies t' those fliers.)

T' followin' excerpt is from "Extreme Rocketry". Well, blow me down! T' intention is t' allow guests t' get a basic feelin' about a kit. Arrr! We strongly suggest that you get a copy o' t' referenced Extreme Rocketry and read t' entire article. Arrr! Inside you will find many helpful hints in construction as well as other useful information. Avast, me proud beauty! For more information, use t' link above.

(Extreme Rocketry - May/June 2001 - page 44-5 - by Tim Quigg)

"T' coverage of LDRS 19 is...the best work he has done so far."
"T' first ten minutes or so o' t' tape Earl uses for an introductory piece."
"Most notable about t' LDRS 19 video be t' overall visual quality...."
"T' ever-present "Pad Cam" is back...."
"Flights are kept well in frame from launch t' touch down...."
"T' personal interviews are very well done, holdin' viewers interest."
"Another new feature...is t' addition o' captions along side each o' the larger featured projects before their launch."
"T' coverage o' t' Small BALLS launch in Whitakers is also well done...."

Overall, the article suggests that is a very well done video.

Other Reviews

Point 39 Productions LDRS-XIX Video By John Eric Thompson (November 16, 2016)
The Point 39 Productions video tapes of the LDRS events are the best by far. I had every VHS tape he ever produced and is well worth the time to search for them. You can get them converted from VHS to DVD if necessary but it is well worth doing.

Comments:

J.S. (January 1, 2001)

I really enjoyed this video..it's excellent. The creative editing and effects add a professional edge to the whole thing. I especially liked that CATO scene; with the close up view of the Bomarc on the pad while the large white rocket "whistles" in ballistic behind it. The Am/Ex event in Whitakers/NC was icing on the cake. Loved the sound of those "N" motors with the cows "mooing".

M.R-S. (February 1, 2001)

I've watched the growth of Point 39 Productions, owning every single one of Earl's tapes. I can say with some authority that the LDRS XIX video is certainly his best work. All the digital upgrades are evident, but not overdone or overused. They continue the professional quality while adding a bit of extra production value. Earl is a master at his craft. His unobtrusive, southern manner puts everyone at ease whether their first time on camera or old pro's in front of the lens. The 'padcam' is not only visually exciting, but the sound quality adds a bit of drama to a close-up angle that few rocketeers have ever seen. Add this video to your collection...you won't be disappointed.

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