Matthew A. Hawkins is available for creative design in all things media.

PHONE: 604.316.4404 EMAIL: matt@filmads.ca

Posts by: Matthew Hawkins

Taking the Shortcut

Posted on December 11, 2011

Everybody likes a shortcut. If you can get the same end result in less time, why not?!
Sometimes I think I would like to know how much time I’ve wasted not using shortcut keys and the only reason I’ve wondered that is because I’ve seen how fast using shortcut keys has made things for me.
Aside from the basics, I started learning a lot more shortcut keys in my graphic design and video editing programs to help me save a lot of time. So keep reading!!!

Let’s get the basics covered that everyone should know and can be used in pretty much all programs (CTRL is for PC users/CMD is for Apple users):

CTRL/CMD + C = COPY
CTRL/CMD + X = CUT
CTRL/CMD + V = PASTE
CTRL/CMD + A = SELECT ALL
CTRL/CMD + Z = UNDO
CTRL/CMD + S = SAVE
CTRL/CMD + SHIFT + S = SAVE AS
CTRL/CMD + P = PRINT
ALT + F4/CMD + Q = EXIT PROGRAM
CMD + W = CLOSE WINDOW

Word/WordPress/Text Shortcuts:
CTRL/CMD + B = BOLD
CTRL/CMD + U = UNDERLINE
CTRL/CMD + I = ITALICS

Internet Browsers (most use these):

CTRL/CMD + T = NEW TAB
CTRL/CMD + N = NEW WINDOW
CTRL/CMD + D = BOOKMARK
BACKPSACE = GO BACK

If you are using the Adobe Creative Suite there are countless shortcuts you can use. One of the things I love the most with Adobe products is that you can create your own shortcuts.
In Photoshop I have a number of files I use and update often so I created specific shortcuts to help me speed things up quite a bit:

CMD+SHIFT+P = PLACE
SHIFT+CMD+ALT+S = WEB SAVE
ALT+CMD+I = RESIZE IMAGE

*And if you’re really into video editing, there are keyboards you can buy with every shortcut on it.
** If you want to know what shortcuts are in Adobe, you can usually hold the mouse over the tool and it will show you the shortcut key is.

These are only a few shortcut keys, each program can have their own set or created shortcuts and it really saves a lot of time for you once you learn them.
If it takes you 3 seconds to move your mouse to the toolbar and select the tool you need to use or .5 seconds to hit your shortcut keys, that really adds up after a while.

Hope it helps.
Matthew A. Hawkins

Posted in On My Desk, rant Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Regency Chrysler

Posted on November 21, 2011

A few weeks ago I had the chance to fly up to Quesnel, in northern BC, and film an ad for an excellent auto dealership.
Amy Quarry was the person helping put everything together. She came up with the idea of new vehicles from Regency to be driving around an empty parking lot, doing fun and crazy patterns all while being played with rock a billy music. I was totally game! Not to mention I got to go 41 feet up in a boom lift and film for 4 hours on a beautiful Saturday morning.

We had a lot of fun putting together this crazy and unique ad for Regency to share online and at the Carib Theatre in Quesnel.
We had ‘pro’ drivers, donut and warm coffee all morning. So glad I got to be a part of this experience.

Being up in the lift and in temps around 0 or just below, I finished the morning freezing cold. I went straight back to my hotel and jumped into my bed with my coat still on just to warm up. I had so much fun that I actually just laughed in bed and thought about how cool the shoot was.

Later that afternoon I got to sit down with Evelyn, general manager of Regency Chrysler, and talk about a number of things, especially the amazing community involvement that Regency has started in their community of Quesnel.

Posted in filmads, Promotional, Videos Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1Day Design – November’s Designs

Posted on November 19, 2011

 

We had an awesome time in November putting together 2 great designs for clients.

The first was a logo. The client gave us some great insights of what they’d like to see in their logo. We came up with the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also worked on the 3rd ad we’ve created for Shuswap Bliss, the first one we’ve created with 1Day Design.

Make sure you sign up for our December 1Day Designs as well!
It’s a great way to get awesome design work done and give back to the community.

Cheers,
Matthew A. Hawkins

Posted in 1Day Design, filmads, Promotional, rant Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Ring Light from Rotolight

Posted on November 19, 2011

Truth be told, I was looking for a light like this because of the work that Geoff Heith did with some of my pics back in the spring and I want to create the same look in some of my videos.

Below is just an example of regular use. I’m going to try and create something a lot more crazy this weekend.

If you’re interested in getting the ring light for yourself or want more info, check out:

RotoLight

The Ring Light itself

Have fun out there!
Matthew A. Hawkins

Posted in On My Desk, Promotional Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chilliwack Municipal Vote 2011

Posted on November 18, 2011

Earlier this week I promised I would do a little write up for each of the council candidates I will be voting for this November 19th 2011. Well it didn’t work out, so I’m posting it all here and why I think they should be on council. In no particular order, they are:

Jason Lum – I wrote about him already, just check it out here.

Chuck Stam – He’s experienced and a successful, honest business man in town. I think he’s great potential to continue his work on city council.

Ken Popove – I don’t know much about Ken, but what I do know is enough for me to mark his name on my ballot. We buy all our tires from him because he’s a local business and he has some of the best customer service in town. Aside from business he’s also been heavily involved in the community.

Sue Attrill – She has 3 years of experience on council already and she has a wealth of experience in business. She’s been very involved with the community and is passionate about the work she’s done and hopes to continue to do on city council.

Ken Huttema – Ken was very well spoken both on camera and off camera for our interview. Hearing him talk about getting the library built in Sardis and all the work that’s gone into planning the downtown revitalization you could see a spark in his eyes for the work he does on council. He’s a successful business man in agriculture which I think is so important to have represented on council.

For my last choice it’s a toss up between these two. I’ll be reading more tonight to figure out who I’ll choose tomorrow.

Mitchell Nosko – I had a great interview with Mitchell for the Valley Votes website. He has a very interesting perspective on Chilliwack as he gets to deal with a lot of tourists through his flight business at the airport. I can’t say I’ve liked everything I’ve read about him saying at meetings and such, but from our 1 on 1 conversation, I was really impressed with his platform and honest opinions.

Ron Browne – Ron has an abundance of experience in the medical and administrative fields. He is soft spoken but very intelligent. This is what I gathered from our first 10 minutes together for our interview. He has a balanced approach to work on city council and a real heart to serve the citizens of Chilliwack. I appreciated his soft voice and his passion to help shape our community.

There you have it.

If you want to see the video interviews I did, check out Valley Votes here.

I’m going out to vote this November 19th. Are you?

Matthew A. Hawkins

Posted in On My Desk, rant Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,