Vyclone

Hullo and a happy friday to all the loyal Vycloners out there!  Given the success of last weeks "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge" theme, we thought we'd kick off this week with another theme and series of video highlights: Sports!

Now sports and multi-cameras set ups go hand in hand together - it just makes the most sense.  Whether its a basketball court or the soccer pitch, every player is always doing something very specific for a very specific reason.  Without multiple cameras, it's nearly impossible to see the level of detail needed to fully appreciate these games.

While you may not have a multi-million dollar crane to get aerial shots, I bet you do have a smart phone.  Don't be afraid to try out new and interesting camera set ups - maybe have one player carry a camera, or put one on the rim of a basketball hoop.  The possibilities are endless, so let's see what you've got, and upload it to Vyclone with the hash tag #Sports!

Oh dear.

We've caught a recent bit of attention following our comments regarding Kate Bush's request that fans leave their phones in their pocket during her performances.  Some has been positive, some negative, but what's clear is that concert goers feel strongly regarding the matter.  

Let us start by saying that as massive Kate Bush fans, we meant absolutely no disrespect to the British star - I'm actually listening to Babooshka on repeat as I write this.  But the central argument against filming with concerts seems to be that it somehow lessens the viewing experience for the person filming, or that looking out into a "sea of screens" lessens the connection between performer and fan.  

I'd argue the exact opposite - filming a performance transforms the fan from passive to active.  Rather than simply standby, the fan interacts with the performer, consciously choosing how to capture and view the experience.  And in a larger sense, filming with other people with Vyclone asks individual members of a crowd to connect, to collaborate, to contribute their individual perspective to a larger picture - one that you'd miss out on if you were privy to only your viewpoint. 

Furthermore it seems a bit unfair to claim that someone filming a concert with their cell phone is somehow having a diminished experience.  Music is an absolutely subjective medium, and paying concert-goers have every right to experience it however they'd like.  Some like to mosh: 

Some like to tap their toes: 

And others like to swing flaming lengths of kevlar around in a process known as "Fire Poi", a deadly and decadent display that combines the sanctity of dance with the primal wonder of flame:

Do be careful with that last one... The point is, you're entitled to experience the music in whatever fashion allows you the greatest connection with the music, so long as it's not reducing anyone else's enjoyment.

Finally - concerts really are special.  In the case of artists who are making a grand return to the stage after years of absence (like Ms. Bush), they can be really special.  True, there is something to be said for being at legendary once in a lifetime performances - but is there anything wrong with wanting to capture them?  Is it really wrong to want to be able to relive these moments, or to share them with our friends?

Unless you've been living underneath a rock for the past couple weeks, you've certainly seen one of the countless videos of people taking the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge".  However, for the confused few who are flabbergasted as to why everyone from Lebron James to Homer Simpson are dousing themselves with icy water, we'll explain.  

Participants in the ALS Ice Bucket challenge donate whatever amount of money they feel comfortable with to an ALS charity of their choosing.  They then dump a bucket of ice water on their head, and nominate a couple of their friends to do the same.  Simple concept, right?  But then why has it become so popular?  Are people just now realizing how refreshing ice water is?

We have another theory.  The Ice Bucket Challenge is support of a great cause - and people do really like to help out, especially when it's in a way that's creative and fun.  The ALS Ice Bucket challenge is getting people to create a video that lets them really interact with their friends.  People are working together to make videos and encouraging others to do the same, all in the name of a great cause - and they're having a blast doing it.  They're not just putting up a picture and asking for likes, or retweets, or attention: they're creating something noteworthy, inspiring and challenging others to do the same.  In essence, it's putting the "social" back in "social media".  

This is the kind of thing that we believe Vyclone is uniquely positioned to excel at - getting people to get together and collaborate in making a movie.  Already we've had lots of users creating some incredible Ice Bucket videos - or in one case, an Ice TRACTOR video.  Check them out below!

And if you'd like to take the Ice Bucket Challenge with Vyclone, go for it!  Just tag your video with #ALS, and we'll collect all the videos together.  Oh, and don't forget to donate - we've pasted a couple of noteworthy ALS charities below.  Happy icing!

Cheers

http://www.alsa.org/donate/

We're pleased to announce that Vyclone is one of the featured apps in the app store today in their "Split-Second Video" editorial. Very nice too. 

We like being featured in editorials, it makes us go all peacocky, our feathers are out and we're parading around the grounds, in good company too. We're happy to see that our friends over at #Horizon and #Cinematic are also featured. 

We're pleased to announce that Gavin Degraw will be filming using Vyclone during his sold out show this evening at Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids.

Fans have been asked to film 'Best I Ever Had' using Vyclone. Before uploading and having their footage automatically cut together with other fans filming at the show. 

Vyclone's big spotlight on So You Think You Can Dance, featuring user submitted dance videos by Vyclone users.

If you'd like your dance moves to have a chance to be featured on the next episode of So You Think You Can Dance, download the Vyclone app, click the sidebar button in the top left, tap events from the sidebar, and join in to record yourself dance! Within moments you'll get back a video of you dancing with one of the shows all stars. Each week we'll release a new dancer, a new song, and a new chance to have your moves seen on TV.

Listen to Nigel explain it here: bit.ly/vyclonesytycd

Wednesday July 9th is the night!  At 8 PM, or (7 PM for our central-time-zoned-spaced-fans), Cat Deeley, Nigel Lythgoe, and the whole So You Think You Can Dance team will be letting some of the talented fans of the show a chance to guest star!  Fans submitted videos of themselves dancing along with the song of the week, and the judge's favorites will be presented on the show.  This awesome chance for fans is made possible by the magic of (drum roll please...)

VYYYYYYCLOOOONE!

Be sure to tune into the show to see if you made it on!  Even cooler, check out the "So You Think You Can Dance" event in Vyclone for this week's new song.  Dance along, and you'll get back an awesome video of you dancing with the stars along with a chance to make it on the show!

Listen to Nigel explain it in the link below.  Get ready to Vyclone, and join in the Dance Party!

If you are in the United States, like to dance, and fancy getting on TV, we have great news! (If you are outside the US, carry on and keep calm and hopefully we’ll have something especially for you very soon!)

We’re very happy to announce that we’ve been hard at work over the past few months getting ready for a brand new campaign and we want YOU to be part of it. We’re working with So You Think You Can Dance to give viewers the opportunity to join in with the show. This is your chance to show the world your best dance moves. 

Here’s how to take part. Tap the events button in the app (that’s new and you can find it in the side menu), select SYTYCD and JOIN IN. The camera will open and when you hit record, music will play. You have 30 seconds to show the world what you’ve got. Vyclone will take your video and automatically mix it with dancers from the show. 

Nigel from the show explains it pretty well below;

We're excited to see what you come up with - dance like you mean it. 

See more at http://bit.ly/vyclonesytycd

Alright, you’ve made it here. You are probably excited to record your SYTYCD routine. We thought you’d like few handy pointers to get you started. Here’s our top 10.

10. Make sure you film in landscape - so turn your phone horizontally on it’s side - your video should look like it will work on TV.

9. Cover up all branding. We don’t want to see Nuke, Poma, Croacka-Cola or Heinekiln anywhere in the video. If you do include something that is branded you won’t make it on to the show.

8. Turn up your phone volume. We need to hear the music to sycn your video.

7. Record your routine in a well lit space. Make sure there is no glare and that you can see your face.

6. Keep your hand still when filming or use a tripod - these videos need to be amazing and the steadier your mix, the more chance people will love what you are doing!!

5. Make sure your video is fully uploaded before leaving the app. If it’s not you won’t get anything back.

4. Share, share, share. Get your video out there and get your friends liking it!! This is your chance to be on the big stage.

3. After submitting your routine you’ll get a few emails. Read these carefully as there are some important things you need to be aware of.

2. If you are on iphone or Windows phone you can remix the videos on the device. Just tap remix. Android users will need to visit the Vyclone website to make a remix.

We're excited to announce that we've teamed up with the amazing Kiesza to create a fan generated version of her recent single 'Hideaway' 

By singing and dancing along to the song while filming with Vyclone your point of view will be mashed together with other fans around the world doing the same thing. We're going for a record here. We want people in as many countries around the world as possible taking part. Here's what you need to do to join in: 

1) Download Vyclone 

2) If you are using IOS you can tap the lipsync button in the camera on Vyclone. Then select Kiesza and done from the top. Hit record and the music will play while you film. 

If you are on Windows phone or Android simply play the song on your speakers and film yourself doing what you do best. 

3) Tag your video #Kiesza and upload. 

4) Once your video is uploaded we'll auto generate a video mixed together with Kiesza's video and other fans around the world. 

5) Share the video with your friends and get them to join in with the fun. 

We're pleased to announce the launch of phase 1 of Vyclone events. Vyclone events allows our users to create an event based on a time and location. This can be a gig, a wedding, a school play - you name it. Create your event at http://vyclone.com/events/list. 

Once your event is created share the page with your friends and invite them to download Vyclone to use during your event. Every video that is shot with Vyclone will be automatically hashtagged and added to your event page. You'll also note that the hashtag will appear in the camera as you are filming. 

We're working on some very cool features for phase 2 and should have an announcement in the coming weeks. Watch this space. 

What’s the deal with the Heartbleed bug?  There’s no heart, there’s no blood!  [Cue laugh track].

It’s not that George Costanza is not good at anything – it’s that he is bad at everything.   He trusts his gut when it comes to decision-making, and has come to the sudden realization that every decision he has made in his life has been wrong.  Just look at his love life – every day he asks out the beautiful girl down the hall.  George’s daily calendar of rejection looks as follows:. 

Monday: “Would you like to grab dinner some time?”  The door slams in his face.

Tuesday: “Would you like to grab dinner some time?”  The door slams in his face.

Wednesday: “Would you like to grab dinner some time?” The door slams in his face.

Time and time again, George’s repetitive questioning yields the exact same result.  Let’s call this the Heartbeat.  After Jerry and Elaine urge George to do the exact opposite of whatever he thinks he should do, he works up the courage to ask her out one more time.

Thursday: “My name is George.  I’m unemployed and I live with my parents.  We should do dinner tonight.”  She instantly swoons for him, and they’re married within a month.

By slightly tweaking his response, George gets the girl: this is the Heartbleed.  Except instead of getting a girlfriend, the Heartbleed bug would result in someone gaining access to all your proprietary information, passwords, and private e-mails. 

Francis Underwood here, but y’all can just call me Frank.  As House Majority Whip, I see people in one of two ways: those who understand the Heartbleed bug, and those who don’t.  It might seem like a lot of techno mumbo-jumbo, but don’t you worry.  If a good old boy like me can understand it, we can sure teach you a thing or two. 

Now Michael Kern was a fiery young man, hand picked by President Walker to be our next Secretary of State.  I’m afraid that didn’t exactly fall in line with my plans for ascension, so he had to go.  I politely asked, “Senator Kern, will you step down?” and he rejected me. 

I had my nosy little journalist Zoe ask,  “Senator Kern, will you step down?” 

Catherine Durant, next-in-line, asked him, “Senator Kern, will you step down?”

Let’s just call this reasonable repeated request the Heartbleed.  And each time Senator Kern refused to play – so we decided to take his ball away.

Representative Peter Russo did a little “investigative journalism”, and surprise, surprise, Michael Kern published some rather unsavoury articles in his youth.  The next time I walked into Michael Kern’s office, I slapped a copy of it on his desk and looked him square in the eye.  “Senator Kern, you will step down.”

My younger cousin is an avid anime fan, so I tried to have him describe an episode to me.  Halfway through I got rather bored and walked off, so forgive me if this Heartbleed analogy isn’t up to snuff.

Our hero is the legendary Super-Saiyin Goku, who must defeat the cruel alien galactic overlord Frieza, in order to get access to the final dragon ball which will allow him to make one wish.  To defeat Frieza, he must use his forbidden “Spirit Bomb Technique”, which requires him to send out a telekinetic message that says “Living souls of Earth…Lend me your energy”.  Goku gathers everyone’s energy  into a massive fireball which he launches at  Frieza… which is totally useless.  Uh-oh.

We can think of Goku’s call for energy as the Heartbeat.

Thinking fast, Goku slightly alters his telekinetic message.  He sends it out again, but this time he contacts all the “Living souls of Namek” – a much larger planet, obviously.  This time, Frieza is unable to resist the cumulative spirit energy and is banished to the death-realm.  With Frieza defeated, Goku gains access to the final hidden Dragon Ball.