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Free Software for Movie Production?
Ploum asks: " Like some folks, I like to take my mini-dv camera to make films. First, I was using Premiere, then Avid Xpress on Windows. But now I want to make [a movie] on my Debian box.
Everybody says that video under Linux is not possible but I want to do it! I want to write the scenario on Linux (maybe with a set of Latex commands or SGML?). When all is in the box, I want to put it on my computer. Dvgrab does a perfect job! Now I'm looking for a video editor. Cinelerra
is nice but it doesn't read files from dvgrab. When it's time to have fun with FX, I was using Adobe After Effect, but [are there similar programs for Linux]? Film Gimp? Jahshaka?"
I'm posting this anonymously because I'm chicken: I'm about to say some stuff that could probably be construed as libel, and I don't need that kind of headache. But I don't feel right keeping this stuff to myself either.
I know the guy behind Jahshaka. He's a Jamaican fellow named Karsten Becker. At the time I knew him, he was involved with-- running, owning, or just working for, I forget-- a Miami-based company called Visions Media FX. I met him several times at NAB, in 1998 and 1999 I think.
Basically he set out to write his own version of Flame. The inspiration is obvious when you look at the UI. In fact, I think "inspiration" might be an understatement, if you know what I mean.
The basic deal with Karsten is that he's a gigantic pothead, and has been involved in some extremely shady dealings. One of his business partners was deported back to Jamaica, and it was common knowledge that his company was involved in some operations that were not remotely legal. They accepted payments from customers, for example, and then never paid vendors on those customers' accounts, basically taking the money and running. There were rumors of involvement with drugs and drug trafficking as well, and while I personally believe those rumors based on some events that I witnessed in Karsten's and Ian's presence at NAB, I leave it up to everybody else to make up their own minds.
There were some very good people involved in Visions; in particular, one young guy who worked for them was just brilliant. But Karsten himself and his immediate business partners were extremely scary guys. Kind of like the Sopranos with more weed and less personal charisma.
My point is simply this: don't do business with Karsten, or any of the guys behind Jahshaka. If you want to take their software and run with it, fine. But don't get involved with them in any way; don't give them any personal information of any kind, and definitely don't ever give them any money. It's just advice. Take it for what it's worth.
If you want to check my facts, or pick a fight with me or whatever, feel free to post a reply. I'll check back periodically and respond as best I can to convince you guys that I'm on the up-and-up. I just don't want to see anybody make a serious mistake.