A couple reminders:

1. Please RSVP to contact@dcfcpug.org if you are coming to the December 3rd meeting.  Meeting details are here.  We are finalizing the agenda and will post it asap.
2. The DCFCPUG Forums are up and running at http://www.dcfcpug.org/bbpress.  Thanks to those who helped kick off the discussions yesterday.  Now, let’s keep building the community.  Posts about local issues and opportunities are most welcome!

(So, who’s already picturing their Thursday dinner plate?)

The DCFCPUG forums are launched!  The forums are integrated, so you can use your current DCFCPUG username and password.  Click here to drop by, introduce yourself, and join the discussion.

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What’s better than a great FCP plugin?  A free, great FCP plugin.  The “Dual Flicker” plugin beta is available for free download here.

The plugin provides a flicker effect to your clip, and is called Dual “not only because it provides both constant and random flicker effects but because it can help to create camera flash and lightning effects as well as flash transitions and light strobe effects.”

Be sure to watch the short but compelling demo, available here and also linked from the download page.

And keep your eye on the lucasplugins blog for future plugins (which may or may not be available at so friendly a price).

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The DCFCPUG has your FREE PASS to the Government Expo Exhibit Hall Floor, and up to $100 off conference rates!

Also, we have adjusted the meeting time, which now runs from:

• 5:30pm - 8:00pm
• December 3rd
• Washington Convention Center, Room 204B.

If you are coming to the DCFCPUG meeting, please RSVP by email to contact@dcfcpug.org, because space is limited.

Sign up for the Expo, check out the exhibits for FREE.  Don’t miss the DCFCPUG meeting, which starts at 5:30pm.

Quick and Easy Steps to follow:

1. Sign up for the EXPO (exhibits only) for FREE using our DCFCPUG Special Guest code on the FREE pass.
2. Print off the FREE Guest Pass on the link provided above. It has the room location on it!
3. Food and Refreshments will be provided!
4. Use step 1 to save yourself time so you don’t have to visit the onsite WCC counter folks!
5. RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount

See you all at the EXPO/DCFCPUG event!

DCFCPUG Team

Ok, cutter-blogger-author-wanna-be’s, here’s your chance.  We can’t compete with the Apple Discussion Forums, and we aren’t Creative Cows.  But it’s time to get a little local FCP chatter going.  So, if you fit any of the categories below, please email us so we can get these forums running.  We have a couple interested takers, but we need a critical mass (say, a dozen or so actual committed posters!) before we can go public with any dignity.

Moderator:  You like checking in to the forum frequently and doing everything from adding substantive content to putting the hose on nasty virtual feuds.  You should have experience and skill with FCP, so you can at least pretend to be an expert.

Contributor:  You are willing to spend some time on the forums, at least initially.  You want to fire off some original posts as well as responses to other contributors.  Experience and skill with FCP is a bonus, but all you really need is an internet connection, a willingness to post/beta-test and an understanding of the QWERTY keyboard.

Web Dude/Dudette:  Some back-end help is always appreciated, especially once we start identifying forum bugs.  If you have skills and understanding related to WordPress, BB Press forums and related “behind the scenes” issues, your help is most welcome.  There will be more serious vetting for these positions.

So, those are the openings.  Surely, there are FCP’ophiles interested in building their local DC metro area community.

Email us with your desired position today!  (As in, right now!  Why wait?)

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As a user of 4 Zacuto kits (documentary, cine, handheld, and handheld studio), this is an interesting part of filmmaking coming into its own. What do you think of this developing market?

Steve Weiss, Jens Bogehegn and Scott Lynch of Zacuto USA walk you through how to use your DSLR camera for digital cinematography. See what equipment you need to get great tripod and handheld shots using the new Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90 for HD video cinematography. Observe the team Zacutoize each camera package with traditional filmmaking accessories such as a follow focus, matte box, on-board monitor, handgrips, Beachtek audio adapter and more. Zacuto DSLR baseplate kits (Docu, Cine, Newsman, Indie and Filmmaker) are shown which allow you to create a feature styled balanced camera package. Learn how to handle audio using a DSLR with boom and wireless mics. Witness DSLR camera packages go from case, to tripod, to handheld in less than a minute by transporting the camera package fully assembled. See these new 35mm depth of field cameras that are going to revolutionize the independent filmmaking industry everyone is talking about.

Zacuto will be at the Government Video Technology Expo 2008, Booth #318 if you want to talk to Steve Weiss or Jens Bogehegn on this topic.

Check out the videos:

http://vimeo.com/2223602    ”Introducing DSLR Cinematography”

http://zacutovideo.com          ”For more Zacuto videos”

See pics and info on Zacuto DSLR setups: www.zacutoDSLR.com

Visit Steve Weiss’ filmmaking blog: http://zacuto.blogspot.com
Add us at Zacuto’s Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zacutofilms
Check us out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/zacutofilms
View our Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zacuto/

Rodney