Freedom: The Second Revolution From New Tek By Mike Danger

ince first unveiling the Digi-view some years ago New Tek has been a leader in the desk top video industry. Since the conception and birth of the Video Toaster, this company has started a revolution in the affordable video production sector. If you sit down and think about it your Video Toaster may be one of the older pieces of gizmotry you use and own but still it has withstood the test of time (test one, test two can you hear me?). Do you remember the ultra cool demo video they put out called "Revolution" and how a lot of other video production companies offerings were compared to this one? This tape which is perhaps the most given item of its kind in history now has a sucessor and sequel in 1997.

"Freedom" for which the new tape is appropriately named is comepletely done with the Video Toaster Flyer and encompassed the very software available in LightWave. Hey mom, look no added gear. The effects are Stunning and features the very Woodstockish Richie Havens tune "Freedom" to add a certain touch and keep you tapping your toes and singing along throughout the whole digitized video event. Popcorn anyone?

Included in the very affordable price of this visual product are a host of "who's who" in the toaster community, toaster- monials by people that have found the freedom to express themselves using their toaster and flyer to create where no man has created before and that voice that we remember so well from the first released demo tape. But let's not forget the ever- reappearing sitcom king Dick Van Dyke who just like the scene in the movie "Groundhog Day" makes numerous appearances. Boy, am I a spokesperson or what?

Also included in the ever so low purchase price are commercial clips that all have one thing in common. If you guessed that they all are high profile companies you're partially right. What I was fishing for was the fact that all the companies as Carnival Cruise Lines, Gatorade, Duracell batteries and M & M's, and all experience the thrill and satisfaction of knowing that their spot was of the highest visual excellence without costing them an arm or a leg (remember, when you shop at limbcrafters, your arm and leg won't cost you an arm or a leg).

One other thing that my eyes were opened to by this celebration of tape was how many people and companies use the Video Toaster, Video Flyer and LightWave to produce some really incredible stuff! True confessionals are provided by such noteables as Ron Thorton, Noel Marquis, Matt McDonald from Blue Sky software, Ken Wilder from OCS/Freeze Frame, John Gross from Digital Muse, David Stipes from Paramount, Gina Dibari from Area 51, Mr. Bill, and John Allardice, Alan Chan, Greg Teegarden, Meni Tsirbas, Grant Boucher all from Digital Domain. Wow, what a cast!

With all kidding aside, this video totally excited me enough to get my system up and animate to my heart's content. One thing I did realize is that NewTek is a force that will have to be reckoned with in the video world for many years to come. While many companies will PLAY NewTek and follow in their foot steps all say is that it's been done and at this very moment the future is being created in a building in Topeka, Kansas. By the way, while many other companies may offer you the world with video products, NewTek gives it to you on more choices of platforms that fill up your hand if you counted them. All at a very affordable price. For more information you can contact your nearest dealer or drop me a note at imdanger@amaranth.com. In the words of that Darth guy, "May the freedom be with you!".

Mike Danger

phone: (904) 478-1110
e-mail: imdanger@amaranth.com
web page: http://www.amaranth.com/~imdanger
snail mail: PO Box 11802, Pensacola, Fl 32424

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