Rebirth

In an unexpected way, the first episode of the season being a car wash video is quite fitting. It's a preparation of the new year, it symbolizes a rebirth of water, being purified. Then there is the fact that we've never done a car wash video before. Although this isn't a tutorial video, this sort of style it isn't out of the realm of Machine Zealots. Plus, wouldn't it be slightly insulting if we made a how-to-video on how to wash your own car? ;)
I've personally always wanted to make more videos that focused more on stylized editing. This was one of those videos that forced me to do it that way. If I had just shot a bunch of footage of me washing my car, it would be very boring. (Not saying it isn't boring now...) So what am I to do? Well, push my editing abilities!
I've always been a fan of slow motion, but not just any kind of slow motion. I've always wanted footage to be time warped, able to manipulate the speed of footage from fast to slow, and vice versa. This always makes the video look more dynamic and interesting. If you have watched any of Zack Snyder's recent movies, you'll know the style I'm talking about.
This was one of the videos I had the most fun with in a long time. Hopefully you guys enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.

The Line Up

While the winter season is slowly transitioning into spring, we are also getting into gear to create more episodes. Puyang and I have some ideas for the upcoming episodes, but Season 3 is not completely set in stone: Budget, mods, schedules, hardware upgrades, and episode ideas are just some of the things we are constantly dealing with. Machine Zealots will begin to upload new episodes this coming week. We have preview screen shots of the first three episodes.

Season 3 Episode 1 - An STI car wash

Season 3 Episode 2 - MZ Trip to Taiwan 2013

Season 3 Episode 3 - 2012 AutoX compilation

It may seem like we are starting off slow, but this is how we always start our seasons. Hopefully it will pick up soon! With the support of you guys, we are sure this season will be a great one!

Season 3 Promo

We are back for another year of content. This is just a small video trailer for the new season, hopefully you guys are able to tell that our quality is improving year by year. With better music, and access to some new cameras, we are hoping to create better content for you this year.
We have some ideas in mind for this new season, but like last season, sometimes our plans don't always work out. Hang in there guys, even we don't know how this season will turn out, but we will surely try our best.

Another Year, Another Beginning

700 Subscribers and growing. Thanks!

We made it through another year together, so happy 2013 guys and gals! Let's all make the best of the time we have. Puyang and I are back from our trip to Taiwan, and although we didn't attend any car shows this year, we still shot a lot of videos. It may be slightly different from what you are used to watching, but hopefully you guys will enjoy it regardless.

I'll be spending the next couple of days getting a Season 3 Promo out for you guys, and new videos that follow. There might not be a regular schedule for a while though, as we are still adjusting to the jet lag and life situations. Thank you for your patience!

In the meantime, check out this awesome taxi we saw in Taiwan!

A Merry Christmas Indeed

Almost 700 subscribers, and 100k video views!

I apologize in advance for the lack of news and updates this time in the season. The fact is, there are a lot of personal life changes happening right now. Without getting too much into it, I'd like to keep this post mainly on Machine Zealots' news.

The channel finally hit 100k combined video views, and both views and subscribers are still slowly increasing. Thank You for sticking around even though there hasn't been any new content for the past couple of months.

Well, the snow has finally hit us here locally, just in time for Christmas! Personally, I don't like snow, because it causes so many traffic problems, and salted roads are nasty too. However, sitting at the front door, looking out at the snow fall, it is quite beautiful.

And before you think I didn't take this opportunity to drive around in the STI, I did.

After driving around the in snow for about 40 minutes, I came to some new findings. Like everyone will tell you, AWD doesn't make you invincible. In fact, with the Dunlop winters tires coupled with the AWD system still made the car very tail happy. That's right! Tail happy! I was surprised as well. The DCCD was set to auto the entire time, but there was this one turn where my car almost spun out, I counter steered and corrected the car twice, left and right, then proceeded up the hill. It sort of surprised me, and thank God that I didn't just crash into someone or something. Maybe some video game simulation training and the autocross sessions during the summer also kicked in some reflexes, but it was still very risky. And yes, I drove slightly too fast for that turn.

If you want to play around in the snow, please be careful.

Puyang and I will be visiting Taiwan for two weeks from December 26th. When we come back, we'll get Machine Zealots up and running again. (After we recover from jet lag =P)

So eat, drink, party, love your family and friends. Be safe, and drive safe, I would like to hear from everyone after the holidays!

God Bless, and enjoy your holidays!