HTML5 is here, baby!

As you'd know, if you've been to the site recently, we have a new video player (again!) And it's in pure HTML5! No plug-ins, no slow Flash loading, no Flash in general. This is exciting news, not only because you can view our website on the iPad, but because it works natively with your browser, meaning it loads faster and runs smoother. There is one drawback, however, but it's only pertaining to Firefox users: OGG. Let me just say that this is quite possibly the worst codec I've had the displeasure of using. It's barely supported and hard to find encoders/decoders for. And, much to my luck, is the only codec Firefox can use for HTML5 videos. Safari and Chrome can use the (dare I say it) better h.264 codec, which makes it super easy for me on my Mac. Some people will argue that Mozilla's choice was for the best because it's an open-source codec and has no license or royalty fees, and for that they are correct, but what the choice has left us with is a far inferior and little-known codec. What is the point I'm trying to make with this? Simple. Most of our videos converted to OGG Theora just fine. All but one: Speedy. I'm not sure of the reason behind this, but I've taken most of the day to try and figure it out to no avail, so I've given up. This is no reason to fret, however, for all of our videos are up and running in amazing quality on YouTube. That and Mozilla is working a new codec into Firefox: WebM. Most of you probably haven't heard of it, but that's okay, you will in due time. For now, though, until the horrible OGG situation is fixed, we'll have to wait. Hopefully that time is soon. Until then, here's looking at you, kid...



-Overlord T.J.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

UPDATE 2/19/10

A MAJOR update has taken place on the OP site, even though nothing seems changed. It has, believe me. I have made two significant changes that should be addressed. Firstly: our video player has changed. This was done in an act to try and speed up our content delivery, for as all two of you know, our videos sometimes loaded incredibly slow. Well, that has changed for the better. We are now using the Bittorrent DNA-enabled player. This means that the player harnesses the speed and power of peer-to-peer technology and standard web streaming to bring you our videos significantly faster. However, this added speed (ironically enough) will only be available to Windows users, which most of the people, besides me, who visit the site use. The only thing you have to do to benefit from this wondrous advancement is install a small plug-in to your browser once. You can, of course, opt to not, but as I've illustrated you WILL NOT see an improvement in speed if you don't.

Anyways, enough of that chatter. The second, more minor update that I did to the site was replace the film "Esc". I went back to the drawing board and completely re-edited the whole thing. I did this because, no matter how much I loved the original edit, I felt it needed some more polish. So I did this and, unlike previously where I would have multiple versions of the same film up, I decided to just outright replace the old with the new. I feel it is now the film it was meant to be and I want you all to see it!

Well, figuring all this out has sure got me tired, so I'm gonna go and pass out in my nice warm bed. Yours truly signing out.


Overlord T.J.

UPDATE 11/8

Holy fucking Moses, Batman! It's been a while since I've updated you all (yes, all two of you) on the meager comings and goings of the big OP. For the last few months some small changes have occurred, one being a change of address. Another being we're becoming more active in our film-making, we've got some cool things in store that should see light before the beginning of 2010, two of said ideas having to do with music (in ways we've never explored before). Hopefully I'll remember to update this in the coming weeks when I have more news. Until then, ta ta! Yours truly,




-Overlord T.J.


P.S. I forgot to mention, but due to production difficulties, "Summer of the Porch" won't be seeing light until late next year (mostly due to the fact that we have to re-shoot a bunch and can't do that until next summer). Rest assured that we haven't scrapped it (or the TV show for that matter), we've just had to push the schedule around a bit, albeit a wee bit more than we'd like but tough tittie for us!

UPDATE 6/23

Holy shit it's been a while! I mean a whole month has gone by in almost an instant. I guess that's what happens when you've been as busy as we have here at OP. But it's all been good, since we're almost ready to start shooting "Summer of the Porch". Yes! I said it! We're actually prepared! This past month hasn't been us just twiddling our thumbs and playing with our assholes, nay, we've been writing and revising the script (which is about one look-over from being completely complete), gathering cast and crew, and scheduling like a motherfucker. But it will all have been worth it.
That being said, I have other good OP news for you! It involves us and TV! Again, yes! I said it! TV! We've been kicking about the idea of going on public broadcast for a while now, and it looks like a chance might be opening up for us! More details later when all has been ironed out more fully.
With that all out of the way, I want to talk about distribution. I know it's a bit early, but I want everyone to know that we'll be releasing a DVD (Sundance or no) and an HD download. A date has not been set yet, for we need to know if we'll be going to Sundance, but at the latest probably around Feb. of next year, but it could always be sooner. Again, we'll give more details later when all is said and done. One thing I would like to flesh out about the distribution, though, would be a few small details. One of which is that the DVD is being planned as we speak to be loaded with extras. I mean so much you probably won't know what to do with it all. And, the HD download will be full 1080p, the complete film, and be completely free. Yes, free! Why, you ask? Because we don't want to see our films pirated, so we want to share the best quality version possible to the people who want it that way, legally! And because we're fairly certain that if the people really like it, they'll buy it. If not for the film, for the extras.
And with that final remark I shall say au revoir. Yours truly signing out.


-Overlord T.J.

UPDATE 5/25

Sorry for the horribly long wait, but I've been quite busy these past two months. I have a fair share of news, so sit down, relax, and fucking listen! First of all, have you seen the new site? I've just finished completely overhauling it and giving it an overdue face lift that Joan Rivers herself would be astonished by. We have a clean, modern layout that reflects our style, and a NEW LOGO!! We've been trying for a new logo for a while now and we've finally delivered! Praise is welcome. Please stop by the site and give it a looksie (if you haven't seen it already, that is). If you love it, send an email. If you hate it, send an email. We'd love to hear feedback.
Also (some big news here so get ready), we're going to Sundance this year, well, hopefully. This is good news for we thought it wasn't going to happen, but we've come up with a surefire way to try and be part of one of the biggest indie gatherings in the world. And it doesn't include "dull." It's heartbreaking, for us and you, to have to say that, but it's just not possible. We don't have any preparations ready for it at all, including script. But next year is our goal!
So what are we going to take, you ask? Very good question that I'll be pleased to answer. It's going to be a 20-40 min. short titled: "Summer of the Porch". It's a film loosely based on Jared's childhood, and is sure to please all of you.
I think that about wraps it up, so without further adieu, I shall bid you adieu. Yours truly signing out.


-Overlord T.J.

UPDATE 3/29

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've updated you all on the progress on "dull." We're still in the process of writing it, in fact, we're starting from scratch. Jared and I both agreed that the original thought and flow of it was that of the short film still and didn't fit the feature concept, so we're going back to the drawing board. This means two things for all of you: 1. delay and 2. a WAY better film that will be definitely worth the wait. True, the delay will be nerve wracking for you (and us of OP), but it will be worthwhile in the end. From what we have planned so far I can tell you that you will be ever more blown away by the film than what we had before. It will address many of our congruency issues and add in a few things to develop the characters more fully. So I ask of you to bear with us and wait as long as needed for us to make this the best film possible. Thanks in advance.

With that said, I would like to mention that we won't be not doing ANY films until then meaning: we have some shit planned to whet (and somewhat appease) your appetite in the meanwhile. Keep updated on our site for we have a new HD cam and sizzling and sparking creative minds oozing on the edge of insanity (of creativity, that is). Film will happen. Just not anything
the caliber of "dull." They will probably be shorts. More news on them in the coming months.

Thanks for reading and adieu.

Overlord T.J.

UPDATE 3/9

Tomorrow, OP will break the near horizon and fulfill our advent prophecy! If you didn't understand that, what I meant to say was: Tomorrow I'm ordering our new HD cam! It's actually happening! This is great news for all you mindless followers out there for "dull." is coming along greatly as well. Perfect picture, perfect story. It's an awesome marriage. We're all excited here at OP for it.

In other news, when we get the camera and all, we're going to do a bunch of tests and cool shit (some of which is planned for the "dull." DVD!). That brings me to my next truth nugget of news: we're going to be a part of Out of Hand Festival. If you haven't heard of it, it's a multimedia festival geared towards content for mobile devices. We have a great idea for a submission that's going to make you all laugh your asses right the fuck off. And that's no lie.

Anyways, keep on the lookout for new content 'cause it's coming like a shitstorm on Tuesday! With that said, I shall take my leave for your anticipation must be matured further before more truth can sate it. Yours truly signing off.



Overlord T.J.