Friday, September 05, 2008

Too Much Data!

In a world where tape is disappearing, how do I inexpensively backup all my data shoots?

I’m going into a RED shoot this weekend and I’ve realized my hard drives are full. Now what?

Editing •
Post Production •
Production • (1) Comments • Most recent comments by: RC Fisher, • Permalink

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Secret of P2 Slating

Do this to see your editor weep with joy

Yesterday I shot a political spot with Simon Sommerfeld, a friend who saved the day after I pitched the concept for this no-budget spot to an agency that then said, “We’ll take it--make it as fast as you can for no money.”

Post Production •
Production • (0) Comments • • Permalink

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Composition Occurs in both Space and Time

No shot stands alone. A little planning makes all compositions stronger.

I first became aware of composition over time while watching the film The Hit.

Production • (0) Comments • • Permalink

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Wired Magazine Gets the RED Totally Wrong

Did anyone fact check this article, or is that just old-fashioned?

I’d like to encourage everyone reading this to pick up a copy of this month’s Wired magazine (Sept. 2008, page 128) and read the article. Then I’d like you to write to both Wired magazine’s editorial department () and the article’s author (Michael Behar, whose email address is listed at the end of the article).

This is one of the SLOPPIEST pieces of journalism I have ever read pertaining to the film industry. Here is the email I just sent to both the author and the editorial department:

Cameras •
Production • (11) Comments • Most recent comments by: David S, ProLost, Art Adams, billS, bjonsson, Julian Banos, Art Adams, Julian Banos, Art Adams, Art Adams, • Permalink

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Swing of Things

Using tilt/shift lenses for good instead of evil

I recently shot a museum project where the style required almost exclusive use of tilt/shift lenses. (We occasionally used a Zeiss 14mm prime, but that was rare.) It was a lot of fun, but I remember how tilt/shifts were a considerable mystery before I used them for the first time. Here’s the nickel tour of how to use these lenses.

Cameras •
Production •
Training • (2) Comments • Most recent comments by: billS, billS, • Permalink

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Advice to a Camera Trainee

What I’d tell someone who starts a job as a camera PA--tomorrow!

A film student, who I’ve been mentoring, landed a job on a low-budget RED project as camera PA. He sent me an email saying he’s starting the job tomorrow, and what should he know? Here’s the email I sent him to prep him for his first real camera department job:

Cameras •
Production •
Training • (0) Comments • • Permalink

Thursday, August 07, 2008

The Fine Art of Negotiating

I should learn how to do it sometime.

I received a cryptic email the other day: “A director we’ve hired asked for you. Please tell us your rates and fees for a one day corporate project.”

Production • (2) Comments • Most recent comments by: davhud, Stephan, • Permalink

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Make the Entrance Pupil Your Friend

Eliminate parallax errors on pans and tilts (for fun and profit)

I’m helping a friend build a three RED camera panoramic camera system that will shoot a 180 image, combining three 60 degree images in post. One of the more important things to consider when doing this kind of work is finding, and aligning, the “pivot point” of each lens to eliminate parallax errors that can occur during panning and tilting.

Cameras •
Hardware •
Production •
Training • (2) Comments • Most recent comments by: billS, Scott Gentry, • Permalink

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