the funklab

Alright, a special treat for you kiddies. Here’s a rare look behind the curtain of what editing a promo looks like. The program is After effects 6.5. The computer is an 20” Apple iMac 2.1.
You need a bit of patience to do this sort of thing, as you make a change, wait for a render preview, make a change, wait for a render preview, etc.

But the product looks great at the end.

well, just letting the world know, michelle is pregnant. the little dude (or dudette) is due in july and we are all excited.

woo hoo.

bye bye life.

All right, here we are. Things have been really busy here at the Funk Lab. We’ve just finished 2 projects, the Malvan Dancers presentation DVD and a great wedding DVD of Callum and Lauren.

The big news is completion of principle shooting of Heaven and Hell. Everything went great. The Direction of Chad and Mark was excellent, coupled with Caleb’s camera op really made the process amazing.

Our actors, Don Bridges and David Spencer brought some maturaty and excellence to the production, not to mention commitment after smoking 16+ cigars during takes! Thanks heaps guys.

Also props to Ian Walter for letting us use his house and building a set for us. You really helped us out big time when we needed it!

Other people involved were Costume designer Mel Davie, James Kilpatrick as grip, Corey as Sound designer, Julie as Judy and Jolane, Nathan, Michelle, and Erica for hanging around. Thanks to all of you.

Well, the shoot is over. Stared at 7:00pm and shot through the night. We finished packing everything up at 6:10am and were really stuffed. Mark, Chad, Fearn, Julie and Todd put in the whole time, while I accidently fell asleep behind the camera! Thanks to Nath Balbony and Mel for helping us out during the night as well. Check out the rest of the photos on flickr.

We at the Funk Lab are currently working on a great short film written by local hero Chad Lofits. Mark Davie and Chad are Co-Directing it with myself as Producer. Caleb Folkes is Camera operator, but due to his other work commitiments, can’t be with us on our first shoot day this Friday night. Instead i will be behind the PD 150.

A couple of locations fell through for us, so as a backup, the Funk Lab offices are becoming our set. So, a couple of hours moving furniture, and we have a ready to go set.

Stay tuned for updates…

These are a few photos from the Sons of Korah shoot. 4 Sony HDV Z1’s and a mini jib on a dolly. Lots of fun.



Shout out to Marco, Robbie and Caleb for Camera Ops, Johnny Rhama for the extra footage and djp for Producing.

Well, this is the FunkLab. My very first blog.
A big shoutout to Jolane and our big friend djp for setting this up.
Now I can work my niche in this web and move in the great footsteps of those that have gone before me, like John C Divorak, Kevin Rose, and Adam Christianson.
ha ha.

To start off, a little about myself.
I’m Simon McRae, married, 25 and working as a DVD Producer. Film and video are my bread and butter, and anything techy I love. I guess my likes and dislikes will come out more in this blog.

And now the washing has to be put out.

we here at The FunkLab pride ourselves at being a one stop HQ for all your moving image needs.

at the moment we are hard at work on a live DVD for the band Sons Of Korah.

our other current projects include:
music video for US hip-hop artist Playdough
music video for Aussie hip-hop group Brethren
production of a short film for local writer/director Chad Loftis
plus a wedding video highlight music DVD

so stay in touch
there’s a lot happening!