Modern VHS

Here at camp I’ve finally worked through my Bootstrap tutorials and created a spec site for a much larger project that I’m hoping to work on this summer. As part of my learning to code binge , I’m planning to learn the basics of Python and OpenCV to try and make an image processing application. The goal is to make a tool which would allow someone to upload still(s) from a modern movie and create a retro VHS case design. I know I can create all the cover design assets – box format, stickers, logos, and worn edges – but building the tool will be daunting. I’ve always wanted to build an image editing tool, Ryan and I have loved so many awesome ones. I have Python and OpenCV tutorials to get me started, so we’ll see how much I can figure out. The Modern VHS site’s form actually works (my new PHP skills in action), so if I ever get it working and you want to know about it – join the mailing list.

And to be good about summer camp letters to myself, I’m reporting out on my Modern VHS spec site built in Bootstrap.

I’m definitely getting a bit more comfortable with creating custom css to adapt all the various components to look the way I want them. But working with all the classes in particular the break points for columns and the offsets requires a lot of futzing. And getting the inline form to actually center, was only possible due to Stackoverflow. As well it helped with properly formatting a form inside the Jumbrotron. I just love how much sharing of solutions happens on that site. Amazing. Also, I did get my card stack of the three example VHS covers to break from three, to two, to one. I like the two columns much better than seeing three columns really narrow.

And as for campers, well no students showed yesterday but today I have one. Also, Mariana Funes and I are still keeping each other company via a Google Doc. It’s starting to become a nice little record of our learning and discourse. I definitely helps me keep going. Thanks Mariana!


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6 responses to “Modern VHS”

  1. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Awesome!!!

  2. Mohammed Avatar
    Mohammed

    INCREDIBLE WORK!!! I love the way you built the Spec site!!! Modern VHS is a great idea. keep rocking!!!

    1. mbransons Avatar

      Python tutorials have begun. Let me know at some point how the Omeka project is progressing, or blog about it! I’d love to see your reflections on the process.

  3. Jim Groom Avatar

    MBS,

    This is such an awesome project idea. I love the idea, and will be following closely given my controlling interest in the soon to be opened ReclaimVideo in Fredericksburg, VA. 🙂

    1. mbransons Avatar

      Hopefully you’ll be able to generate some artwork for the rental house. Would be kind of hilarious to have new releases section on VHS. Remember browsing that area of the store looking for the movies you were hoping would be available on tape?

      What a different time.

  4. […] the physical and virtual space for Reclaim Video. MBS wrote a post in early June about coding a VHS Cover Generator , that got me thinking Reclaim Video could be an online store of sorts as well. In fact, it could be […]