Filsonian Blog

iPro Lens for Artemis Unboxing

2013-09-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased iPro Lens for Artemis and I put together an unboxing video. If you are not familiar with the Artemis, it is an app for DPs, cinematographers, and directors that lets them turn their iPhone into a director's viewfinder. I started using this app several years ago when I shot Sound of the Spirit.

The app was great, however there were some limitations. The iPhone's built in camera is only 30mm (iPhone 4), thus you could not fully preview the framing for anything wider than the built in camera, say an 18mm lens. Around that time I contacted Chemical Wedding and asked if they had thought about using lens adapters to allow for the use of wide angle visualization. They responded and said they had, and asked what lens system for iPhone I recommended. I suggested the iPro Lens system from Schneider Optics.

A couple years of later the makers of the Artemis App finally worked out a deal to create a special calibrated iPro Lens system for Artemis. You can purchase your own lens system here. I hope this video is helpful!

Observations on Management by Vincent LaForet

2013-06-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

I just read this this blog post by Vincent LaForet on his blog and thought his observations were particularly helpful. Check out his blog for more great information.

On Friendship, Managing, Respect and the Director/Actor dynamic.

Recently I just witnessed something on a TV show that reminded me of one of the most important series of lessons I’ve learned over the past decade, and I think it’s a great opportunity to highlight those difficult lessons on this blog. The TV show involved a bar owner who was running his bar with a bunch of his friends… and it was failing because they were too busy having fun together as opposed to running an effective bar. Then he had to make a few tough decisions…and it went downhill from there in a flash. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I figured that by writing this post I might save a few of you a lot of the tough lessons that I had to learn first hand (a.k.a. the HARD way) over the past decade, as I went from being a freelance photographer, to running a commercial photography business and eventually to managing people on small, to large sets as a DP and eventually a Director and Producer.

So here we go…

As you move into the world of managing others, of being a "department head" a "boss" or God-forbid a "leader" you realize that those titles come with a certain amount of responsibility (naturally) but also with one unwelcome caveat: when you are in charge of a group or an employee, making the right decisions takes priority over being their friend.

That sounds harsh doesn’t it?

But truth be told, making the right decisions – and often the tough ones that may not be pleasant – will benefit everyone in the long term. The problem is that you only tend to learn that lesson over time and with the perspective you gain following tough failures…

This is an especially difficult lesson, if you started off as friends prior to the relationship evolving into a employer/employee relationship.

But once this happens, the nature of the relationship changes – and things are different for as long as that dynamic exists – like it or not.

For the employer/employee relationship to work for BOTH parties, the correct dynamic needs be set from the start. The employer hands out specific tasks and the employee executes them with their expertise. It’s pretty straightforward – and not an ego thing. If egos enter the picture, and if that dynamic is challenged by either party, things will break down at lightning speed.

There needs to be respect for the above fact - and mutual respect between both parties.

Why is this necessary? Well once respect is lost in a relationship, it’s almost IMPOSSIBLE to regain. That’s another tough lesson. Just as it takes years to establish a good reputation, one isolated incident can destroy it in seconds. Same goes for respect & credibility in any relationship. Building a damaged reputation back up takes a tremendous amount of work – and it can actually be impossible to do in certain circumstances.

Respect is earned, not something you demand – another key thing to discuss in another post. But the start of any professional relationship should start with a base level of respect in both directions, with a clear understanding of the employer/employee dynamic.

Always keep in mind that "we’re all in this together" but that every group needs to have someone set clear goals, and to help keep everyone on target. And being that person, the "leader", is something a lot of people want – until they actually get their wish and see what comes with it. I’ve in fact seen quite a few people decide never to lead again once they’ve been given the opportunity to do so.

Here are a three key lessons I’ve learned over the years:

Early on in my freelance photography career (after more than a decade working solo, or as a staff photographer (i.e. employee) I often had one full time employee and several freelance employees or assistants working with me. The truth is that I always picked people that I liked – as one should – and that they were almost always very qualified. A few of them were OVER qualified for the jobs in fact, which actually requires you to be extremely vigilant about how you manage the relationship, because both parties are aware of that fact, and the dynamic of the boss/employee relationship can be very delicate.

In my early 30′s I wanted to work hard during the day, and when the job was done to let loose. One thing that I would routinely do was to play XBox games with employees, who were in fact: my friends. That was a fatal "management" mistake. The game playing in itself wasn’t the best idea (even though it was happening after the work day had ended, and out of the office), but the fact that the game invited trash talking and the need to humiliate the other player as often as possible was a recipe for disaster ;)

None of this is a problem with good friends – we dish it out and take it. The problem is that once the game is done, it has eroded certain aspects of the relationship. If both parties can go back to how it was prior to playing those games or activities together when they are on set the next day: great. But the reality is that most people can’t. And things can truly start to break down when they bring the type of "one-upmanship" or "challenge" relationship to the set, or worse: in front of clients.

It can be a mortal mistake both to the job and ultimately the professional relationship.

Having an employee talk back to you – even in a very playful way – in front of a client can break down the mood of a shoot. Suddenly you’ll find yourself as a "boss" trying to keep that person in check, or worse trying to mend your bruised ego. All you should be focused on on the set is on the job at hand: not managing relationships amongst the crew.

If you are challenged on set as a "boss" what is the worse thing you can do? Well: You can dish it back to the employee, as you naturally did on the Xbox game… The problem: you now look like a jerk, because dishing any negative or derisive comments within a boss/employee relationships reflects terribly on you as a manager.

And all of this started because you wanted to be their friend! You wanted to make them a "happier" employee in a "loose" environment. And all you’ve accomplished is created a work environment filled with stress.

This can truly come to a head when something goes wrong and you have to make things right, especially when you need to ask that person to do something that is difficult: either a tough job, longer hours, or an unpleasant task. It suddenly can become personal as opposed to being a simple request that "needs to get done" for the sake of the job or the business.

Then comes the feeling of guilt that you get as a boss. It’s tough to go from being a friend playing video games, to asking your friend to do an unpleasant task.

While at times it may be a good leadership trait to roll up your sleeves and get deep in the mud to show your employees that you are far from "above" doing that job, there are many situations where you need to let them do that job, so that you can continue to do your job of managing, and make sure that all of the other things are moving along smoothly as well. This is especially true when you are in charge of a larger crew or production that needs someone to lead multiple aspects happening simultaneously, and the job can’t afford to have the manager get involved in one specific task alone – at the expense of managing the many other tasks that need her attention.

The ultimate irony of trying to "be a friend" is that once that respect is lost, if you don’t reset the parameters very quickly and effectively by reaffirming them decisively – you may ultimately lose that friend because the relationship becomes untenable for both parties.

Worse: you may have to stop working with that person all together. And letting someone go, or firing someone is always one of the most difficult things for an employer to do. Obviously it’s even more difficult when it involves friends. Worse: it’s gut wrenching when you realize that you may have been ultimately responsible for getting the relationship to that point…

This is in fact what I had to do with one of my best friends and assistants. After several on set challenges (often made in jest) I found that the only solution was to work with someone else. The good news is that after a 1-2 year break, and my broaching the situation with that person after quite a few months of no work going their way, and clearly redefining the nature of the relationship looking forward, we’ve worked together ever since without a problem. We’re still very good friends as well.

But no more XBox games… and a clear display of mutual respect on set in front of clients and to one another.

The second lesson I learned is not to allow employees to cut corners or days short unless you know you can truly afford to do so. Again: no one wants to be the jerk boss who insists that someone stay in an office or on a job until ALL of the tasks for the day are finished. Sometimes a few dozen e-mails need to be read or sorted. At other times lenses or gear have to be cleaned, batteries charged. After a very long day, or worse a slow week – you might feel the need to let someone off early, or acquiesce when they ask.

The important distinction to make is: if it’s not a routine request, or you’re about to shut down (FOR SURE) for the weekend, and that you will be able to pick up the slack when you start up next, be cool and let them loose. But this can’t become a habit. Because if it does: everyone pays. And btw: the slack always comes back to bite you in the ….

Things will get backlogged, things will invariably fail and you ALL pay for it.

Once again: ironically, you become the bad guy when things get backlogged or the gear isn’t ready because you’re now the one "overloading" your employees with too much to do… and truth be told: while the backlog may have started with their request to cut a corner or leave early the day prior, it’s ultimately YOUR fault for mismanaging the situation. You need to know when you can afford to give the people a day off, and when you have to say no, because you know the business or the job can’t afford to fall behind.

Saying no to a perfectly reasonable request is very very difficult mind you. But you always need to put the job and/or business first for everyone’s long term benefit. That’s the hard part of being an effective "boss." And I can tell you it often sucks – to be blunt.

The third lesson I’ll share with you is geared more at people who want to be directors, and who work with other key members of their crew and notably actors.

I’ve been relatively lucky so far, because I had the fortune to learn many of these lessons when I was running a much smaller business. I’ve made, and have witnessed these mistakes on sets – and I can tell you that the lessons above are intensified to exponential degrees when you work with a larger crew/cast.

One of the biggest threats to any director on any set, is losing the respect of their crew. Often the easiest way to do this is by not being prepared, or worst not knowing what you want to achieve as a group.. but that’s for another blog post.

The lesson that I want to share here is one that is perhaps one of the more difficult ones, and one that takes the greatest of disciplines. In certain situations, particularly on medium to large productions (the bigger they are, the bigger the stakes are and the egos) you actually CANNOT be someone’s friend even if you’d love to be… At most you can express strong respect for the other person, but perhaps it’s best to leave it at that until you get through your first production together…

This is a bit more of a complicated concept, and the easiest way for me to address is, is in the director / actor relationship.

All directors get to work with tremendously talented actors. It’s not uncommon to work with actors that have far more experience than you do… and one wonders: how does one manage that relationship dynamic?

Well, it’s actually very simple. You as a director are not there to be the actor’s friend. You are there to do your job and to help create the best environment for them to do theirs and offer input whenever necessary.

Sounds pretty cold doesn’t it?

Well the truth is, each person has a set role. The actor is there to deliver the best performance possible. The director is there to help them get there – by whatever reasonable means necessary.

A few things are obvious: a director needs to have a clear vision for the film, a clear understanding of the script and story, and a strong ability to communicate those details to all of the crew and cast as concisely and precisely as possible. A director needs to make decisions in a decisive manner. One of the most surprising lessons you’ll read about in just about any top management book, is that it’s more important to make a quick decisions (even if it’s the wrong one,) then taking too much time and actually making the right one. Give that one some thought… but it’s almost universally agreed upon amongst top leaders, notably military leaders (where life and death are at stake.)

By nature, and actor looks to the director for guidance. Some of the best actors need little to no direction. Others need to have their hand held through the entire process – notably younger or less experienced actors.

The key is: the director is the ONE person on set who is there to guide them. The director is the one person who is looking at the screen on set and either "buying" or "not buying" the performance and how it will fit within the entire final product. And the director is the LAST person who can do something about the actor’s performance before it is too late and she decides to move on… the next group who will see that performance is: the audience… there’s nothing that can be done in post (short of virtuoso editing) to improve a mediocre performance (other than leaving it on the cutting room floor…)

Therefore the director is there to PROTECT and actor. And that’s where you understand that you’re not there to be their friend.

You’re there to be HONEST with them and to steer them in the right direction. And that becomes very difficult to do if you’re their friend first. If you keep a professional distance with the actor, the advice you give – ANY advice – becomes DIRECTION as opposed to advice.

The exchange becomes about getting the best performance on screen – as opposed to concentrating on keeping the friendship intact. And that applies to all department heads and even crew when it comes to being a director.

In my opinion this is one of the hardest lessons to learn: the less of a friend you are, the more professional the nature of the relationship, the more productive that relationship will be. At the end of the day, you want that actor to look like gold on the screen in front of the audience, with the performance of their lifetime.

No one will care about what take 1, take 10, or take 22 was like on set – that’s your little secret. You just need to get to take "X" that was perfect or at least very close to perfect. And even if you never became good "buds" on set, the actor will always respect you for pulling the best out of them on set for the rest of their careers: because both they and you, will watch that performance over and over again for the rest of your careers.

Some director friends of mine take this to the extreme: they never, ever go out socially with actors. They never go out with certain department heads during production. It can lead to a bit of an isolationist life. Think about this and look at a few of the top directors throughout history… many of them lived an extremely isolated life.

Personally I try to find a balance and not go to this extreme. But if you want to go off on a bender with an actor – it probably makes sense to do so AFTER you’ve wrapped production. Better yet: leave early if you’re out to dinner during the production and the alcohol is flowing. You won’t be lying to anyone if you tell them you have work to do in preparation for the next day’s shoot. Studying your notes that night will do everyone a lot of good the next day as opposed to staying out late. And it also sets a good example and a certain tone. Being hungover and not at your sharpest the next day erases any of the good will you may have created the night before. If you do however want to go out on the night on the town: never show weakness the next day. Never let them see you sweat. And never, EVER, complain about it. This goes for ALL crew members in fact. I brought the example above up because I’ve seen a lot of directors lose the respect of their colleagues in these instances – and they more often than not know it. If they make these mistakes, the best ones know how do deal with it the next day: and specifically how NOT to whine about their decisions… you don’t just make decisions on set… people are always watching you like it or not. Again another thing that comes with being a "leader."

Having a fun, relaxed set is always a goal – but that spirit is easily vanquished when the set becomes inefficient, mistakes are made, and days go one forever as a result. That’s a great way to make sure you are not only part of an unhappy crew, behind schedule, over budget – and eventually fired.

Making sure the actors hit their lines, let alone deliver amazing performances is the single best way to raise morale on set. It’s palpable.

If you keep relationships professional – and amicable of course – you will discover something very special. Even though you will be busy "leading" your crew and keeping them on target and on time by making tough and sometimes unpleasant decisions: your ability to embrace that leadership role and to do it effectively will make you a LOT of friends on set. While the relationship may not be as "buddy buddy" as you’d like – it will lead to loyalty and a cohesive crew with one common goal: making their days and hopefully ultimately making art. Because remember, the more they respect you, the harder many of them will work for you to help you achieve a common goal. And then everyone wins.

Let me know if you like these types of posts in the comment section, and if you do I’ll keep them coming. I know many of you would likely prefer to read about the latest gadget… but the truth is that no single piece of equipment can dig you out of losing an actor’s or a crew’s respect…

Source: Vincent LaForet

Redrock Micro One Man Crew Parabolic Slider - Brilliant!

2013-04-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Redrock Micro just announced a slider that is a brilliant solution for the shooter who needs to shoot interviews by himself. The One Man Crew parabolic slider is self operated and allows the shooter to gather dynamic footage – perfect for interviews and product shots. Check out this demo video:

Spectacular Gravity Teton Research 4K Areal Footage of the Bay Area

2013-04-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Here's some incredibly beautiful areal 4K Ultra footage shot on a RED Epic with GSS C520. The motion is incredibly smooth and the shots gorgeous. Check it out:

From the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz to the Bay Lights at night, see the Bay Area's most iconic locations like you've never seen them before. Shot in 4K/"Ultra-HD," Teton Gravity Research presents the first footage from their new RED Epic-equipped gyrostabilized camera platform: The GSS C520. The GSS C520 is a portable 5-axis system that houses a range of leading digital cinema cameras, like the Epic and Sony F55, while also capable of integrating future advancements in camera technology.

FreeFly Systems MōVI M10 - Rethinking Camera Stabilization

2013-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

There have been different forms of camera stabilization around for years. Most of it it is pretty expensive, heavy, and generally cumbersome. FreeFly Systems seeks to change this with MōVI M10. This unique handheld stabilization idea for today/s generation of small digital film cameras. It utilizes gimbal technology from their remote arial platforms.

MōVI in Action (Quick Video) from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Here's what FreeFly says about the MōVI M10:

Introducing a handheld 3-axis digital stabilized camera gimbal, so advanced, it redefines the possibilities for camera movement. The heart of the gimbal is Freefly’s proprietary high performance IMU and brushless direct drive system. The gimbal is 100% custom designed in-house by our engineering team. No compromises were made to accommodate off-the-shelf brushless motors, motor drives or IMUs. Creating the gimbal from scratch allowed Freefly to precisely execute our vision for the next generation of stabilized camera gimbals. In creating this camera gimbal, we aim to empower a new era of stabilized cinematography. Freefly MōVI - “The New Moving Picture.”

Additional MōVI M10 Features:
+ Majestic Mode
+ Translation Compensation
+ Live wireless tuning & graphing
+ Remote Firmware Updatable
+ Drift Free Horizon
+ Silent Drive
+ Shot Recorder
+ Custom Direct Drive Motors
+ User adjustable shakey cam

Vincent LaForet shot a short film that showcases this technology:

MōVI from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

MōVI BTS from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Here is another video showing off FreeFly's remote arial platform:

ROAM from Freefly on Vimeo.

Black Magic Announces Pocket Cinema Camera

2013-04-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Black Magic Designs announces a new "pocket" sized cinema camera. I am excited not only about the size of this little beauty, but about the affordability. I believe this little camera will once again prove to be a game changer and a boon to independent filmmakers and content creators. Here's what what Black Magic says:

Introducing the pocket sized Super 16 digital film camera that's small enough to keep with you at all times, so you'll never miss a shot! Get true digital film images with feature film style 13 stops of dynamic range, Super 16 sensor size, high quality lossless CinemaDNG RAW and Apple ProRes™ recording and the flexibility of an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount, all packed into an incredibly tiny size! The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera records 1080HD resolution ProRes 422 (HQ) files direct to fast SD cards, so you can immediately edit or color correct your media on your laptop. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is everything you need to bring cinematic film look shooting to the most difficult and remote locations, perfect for documentaries, independent films, photo journalism, music festivals, ENG, protest marches and even war zones.

Stan Winston Studios Releases footage of Engineers building Jurassic Park's T-Rex

2013-04-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me a link from The Verge on Stan Winston Studios building of the mechanical T-Rex. The videos and interviews are fascinating. Check it out:

Jurassic Park may have helped revolutionize modern CG animation in movie-making, but out of the 14 minutes of dinosaurs in the movie, only four were completely generated by computers. Practical effects played a huge role, and none so much as a monstrous 40-foot long, 9,000-pound tyrannosaurus rex that the team built out of good old steel and hydraulics.

Stan Winston Studios was the effects house behind the animatronic creatures for the film, and it’s released 12 minutes of archival footage of the T. rex build, featuring commentary from engineers who worked on the project. “I don’t think anything has ever been attempted before or since that is as ambitious,” says Richard Landon, the project’s mechanical department coordinator. Granted, it’s a menacing sight in the workshop, but if you want to see the creature in all its glory, we’d recommend heading to an IMAX theater this week for a showing of Jurassic Park 3D.

The Broken Road and Jascha Updike

2013-04-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Jascha Updike pass away last week. I am saddened by this news, but have fond memories of the summer I spent with Jascha in 2006 making The Broken Road. He worked hard and gave of his talents to make the movie a success. One thing I will always remember about Jascha was his kindness to children and love for music. Jascha is immortalized in this film and I will always be thankful for his contribution in telling the story of Miles and his journey to find himself and his relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you Jascha. We will miss you!

Jules - A short story by Ben Kreis

2013-03-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Ben Kreis just finished writing a wonderful short story titled Jules. He is giving it away for FREE for a limited time - get it now! Download it for Kindle here. If you don't already have a kindle, then you can get a kindle reader for your smart phone or computer here. Let me know what you think! Do you want to read more by this author?

Kickstarter: Luxi - Incident light meter adapter for iPhone

2013-03-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a cool little accessory for your iPhone that turns it into an incident light meter.

Check out this kickstarter project:

What is Luxi?
Luxi is a small diffusion dome that fits securely over your iPhone’s front-facing camera. When attached and used with a light meter app, Luxi will help you determine the best settings for your DSLR or other camera so that you can take perfectly exposed pictures.

What does it do?
With Luxi, your iPhone becomes a convenient and easy to use incident light meter. Professional light meters with the same features can cost several hundred dollars and require you to carry a whole separate device.

Incident light meters, like Luxi, measure the amount of light falling on the subject you are photographing, not the light reflected by the subject. Incident light meter readings are independent of the subject's reflectance and cannot be fooled by tricky lighting situations like back-lit subjects (e.g. sunset portraits).

Why do I need this?
"I already have a light meter built into my camera; why do I need a separate device?"

The light meter built into all cameras measures reflected light. A reflected light meter shows an appropriate setting for an average of the whole scene. If you are taking a picture of a scene that does not have an average lighting situation, your camera's built-in light meter will not be accurate. Usually, that causes an overexposed or underexposed picture.

ProCutX - FCPX Control on the iPad

2013-02-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Pixel Film Studios released an app called PROCUTX that turns your iPad into a control surface for FCPX.

Here's what Heath McKnight (doddleNEWS) says about it:

"Pixel Film Studios, a pro film and photo studio that specialize in wedding, sports and commercial production, and whose work has been seen on FX and TNT, also happen to be Final Cut Pro X plug-in and app developers. And they have released PROCUTX, an app that allows you to remotely control FCP X from your iPad. This is pretty cool stuff!

The app was developed with LightWORK (not the NLE), and is $24.99 for a limited time and then $39.99 thereafter (direct link to iTunes), allows you to use the touchscreen of the iPad (I recommend the iPad 3 or 4 with its high-res retina display) to control Final Cut Pro X, without using your mouse/trackpad and keyboard. You can do timeline scrubbing, precision cuts with all the edit tools, color grading and more. This is pretty awesome!

Here are details from their site:

PROCUTX breaks free from the menus and tabs to streamline editor tasks. This application gives users control over all the FCPX editing tools in one clean interface, eliminating the need for clicking and searching through the Final Cut Pro X menus. From import to export, PROCUTX can control every step of the FCPX editing process.

Features Include:

• Precision Timeline Scrubbing
• Quick Retiming
• Auto-Correct Color
• Color Grading
• Compound Clip Editing
• Import, Export, and Rendering shortcuts
• Quick Keywording
• Fast access to Tools
• System Volume Control
• Timeline Zooming
• Audio Enhancements
• Record Voiceovers

According the AppleInsider, they will take advantage of voice commands, multiple iPads and more, in future updates. Pixel Film Studios also has a variety of Final Cut Pro X plug-ins, including film looks and color grading filters. Check them out here. Also, visit their website for details on what they do."

The story behind SmallHD: "Big Winners: The SmallHD Story"

2013-02-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

Shane Hurlbut recently directed a short documentary about one of the hurlblog's sponsor's SmallHD. I have worked with the now discontinued SmallHD DP6 on my last movie: "The Sound of the Spirit" and appreciated the quality and durability of the monitor. After watching the documentary short, I was thrilled to see how supportive and involved Wes' Dad is in his son's vision and projects. I am inspired by their story, innovation, and perseverance. Well done!

Here's what Julien Lasseur on the hurlblog says:

"While I was working at Hurlbut Visuals, Lydia came up with the idea of interviewing our sponsors for the blog and gave me the opportunity to direct those spots, as it was my dream to direct.

Our vision was to tell the story of the people who create the tools that we use to tell our own stories. So the quest began! I stumbled across the very unique story of two of our sponsors, Wes Phillips and Dale Backus from SmallHD. During our discussions of how we were going to conduct the interview, being that they were located all the way out in North Carolina, I heard the incredible story of how they succeeded in winning the legendary “Doritos: Crash The Superbowl Contest” not once… but twice and then how they used their earnings to fund the growth of SmallHD! Wow… as soon as Wes told me the whole story, I called Lydia and said, “We gotta make a documentary about this!” and she was all in.

A couple of months after my discussion with Wes, I found myself flying to North Carolina with a 5DMkII, a 24-70mm l series, a 70-200mm l series, some batteries, cards… and that was it! Managing the very small budget I had to work with, the funds that SmallHD provided went towards a motel, airfare, and a rental car.

Barrett, Wes’ brother and also the head of video marketing for SmallHD, along with Tim, another SmallHD employee, served as my entire crew. Only using one joker light with a chimera and a Lowell pro light, we scrounged up what gear SmallHD had and began interviewing everyone from the guys who worked in the shop to Wes and Barrett’s father, who is now working for the company.

If there is anything I took away from this experience, it was that everyone at SmallHD really loved working there. It was like being welcomed by this big family that is striving to constantly innovate and push their products to the next level. With indie filmmaking, your team and your support is absolutely crucial and SmallHD opened their doors and made the filmmaking process into something very enjoyable. Even the interview subjects had to be substitute gaffers. If anything can be said about indie filmmaking, it is that if you have the support of people like SmallHD and Hurlbut Visuals, you can tell great stories."

CTRL Console: Take control of Final Cut, Premiere and Lightroom with your iPhone, iPod or iPad.

2012-11-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Imagine being able to use your iPad as a control surface for editing. That would not only be cool, but really practical. Jeff Chow has come up with a creative concept called CTRL+Console and is using Kickstarter to fund the project. Consider jumping in and helping out with this innovative app development - the future is here!

Doug TanNapel and The Sketchbook Archives Kickstarter Project

2012-10-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

Doug TenNapel is an artist and graphic novelist and does some incredible work. I have a friend, Ben Kreis who is doing the book layout design for The Sketchbook Archives Kickstarter project. Consider supporting this project. Here is the official kickstarted description and a few videos:

My name is Doug TenNapel and I have created video games, animated TV shows and graphic novels. But they don't start as games and TV shows, of course, they start as doodles in my sketchbooks. Since I was in 6th grade, I've maintained a discipline of drawing ideas in these books.

They don't just document the birth of characters you've heard of like Earthworm Jim, The Neverhood, Catscratch and Creature Tech, but HUNDREDS of characters and worlds that have never been seen by the public... until now.

I've taken the best drawings from my 42 sketchbooks and put them together into one 250 page, hard bound volume called the Sketchbook Archives. This isn't just a collection of drawings, but it is a useful tool on how to create characters, worlds and story lines for anything from video games to graphic novels and television shows.

Camera Pocket Guides

2012-10-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Black and The Blue just released a new set of camera pocket guides. If you are a DP or camera assistant, these might be helpful for you.

Screenwriting with Zagg Keys Pro Plus

2012-10-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

I don't own an iPad yet, but I hope to in the near future. As a filmmaker I see great value in the apps and flexibility that an iPad provides. Zagg just released the Zagg Keys Pro Plus - a backlit bluetooth keyboard designed for an iPad. I could see how this could be very useful in screenwriting and other key intensive applications. It also acts as a screen protector! If any of you own one, let me know what you think.

Here is Zagg's official description and video:

The ZAGGkeys® PRO™ and PROplus™ are ultra-thin Bluetooth® keyboard accessories that accentuate the utility and convenience of the Apple® iPad® 2 or 3. The lightweight and durable aluminum construction of the ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus match the look and feel of the iPad 2/3. The ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus utilize an innovative magnet closure to secure the iPad and protect the screen from scratches and damage.
The patented, ultrathin keyboard design provides one of the thinnest tablet keyboard accessories on the market. The ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus deliver a natural typing experience in a compact layout, with dedicated function keys to operate specific iPad 2/3 features. The integrated stand holds the iPad at an optimal viewing angle to promote ease of use and decrease eye fatigue, in landscape or portrait orientation.
The ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus feature: Bluetooth™ 3.0 wireless connectivity; Patented, compact keyboard design with island-style keys for fast and accurate typing; Intuitive built-in stand holds iPad at optimum viewing angle; Innovative magnetic closure; Auto on/off magnet for quick start up and shut down; Rechargeable built-in keyboard battery lasts months between charges.
The ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus are compatible with the Apple iPad 2 or iPad 3rd Gen.

Evernote Smart Notebook by Moleskine

2012-10-05T06:41:00.001-07:00

Evernote is a great tool for organizing projects, research, going paperless, and in general just remembering things.

I have been using Evernote for awhile now and it has been valuable for storing and organizing research and inspiration for my next movie script which I am currently working on writing.

Evernote recently partnered with the legendary notebook maker Moleskine to create the Evernote Smart Notebook. Check out this video to see it in action.

Comparing Black Magic Cinema Camera & Canon 5D Mk III

2012-10-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

There has been much speculation and discussion on the new Black Magic Cinema Camera (BMCC) how it will perform and how it compares to current DSLR cameras on the market. Marco Solorio from One River Media has done a test to see how it holds up to the new Canon 5D Mk III. Here's his description of this video:

After several DAYS of trying to upload this video to Vimeo, we've ultimately had to reduce the bit-rate compression down to 18mbps (Vimeo recommends 5mbps, ha!), which is down from our minimum quality level of 40mbps. This means the SOURCE file you can download will also inhibit some amount of compression blocking and smearing, even in the Cinema Camera footage, which doesn't originally exist in our ProRes master file. We've tried EVERYTHING, multiple types of uploads, different encoding methods, you name it. This is as best as it will get unless someone can host our 40mbps H.264 file (about 3GB) on their server that the world can download from.

Although the downloadable source file is a little better than the streaming version, it still doesn't compare to the original ProRes source file which imposes no banding, compression artifacts, or chrominance sub-sampling (down from 4:4:4 to H.264's 4:2:0 space). Please keep this in mind when viewing.

Unfortunately Vimeo only allows 100 downloads per day, so check back to download the 2GB file if the queue is filled. And remember to always watch in FULL 1080 HD or you will have added scaling and moiré issues on some of the tests than what is already been added by Vimeo and our horrid bit-rate restrictions.

Background: This video compares the Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera and the Canon 5D Mark III in several tests. This includes dynamic range, sharpness, pushing levels, banding, artifacts, rolling shutter, chromakeying, wide/telephoto lengths, DOF (depth of field), low light, macro blocking, contrast, and more.

Thanks for watching. Hope this is as informative for you as it was for me making it.

Marco Solorio

DIY Jony Jib Grommet Repair

2012-09-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

As with any equipment, there are times when you need to make repairs. I own a Jony Jib Pro and one of the most common problems I have encountered is the plastic grommets that protect and provide spacing for the pass through assembly bolts tend to pop out. The factory adhesive for these grommets on my unit seems to be pretty weak. I've tried several methods of gluing these grommets back on with varying degrees of success.

I'd like to provide a brief DIY tutorial on the best method for repairing these that I've found.

1. Workspace

Find a flat area on which you can work. I am using a work table that I made out of a discarded pair of folding table legs and a closet door. Choose an area suitable for metal/plastic dust and possible glue drips – your kitchen counter probably isn't the best place for this repair.

2. Hole Surface Prep Part 1

Use a Dremel or other rotary tool with a small medium grit sanding drum to remove the black powder coating around the grommet hole as well as inside the hole. Be careful to only remove the powder coating underneath where the grommet will sit. You don't want to see bare metal when you glue the grommet back onto the jib section. You could do this with sandpaper, but the rotary tool makes it much easier to get a clean surface for which epoxy to adhere.

When you are finished sanding the hole should look something like what is pictured above. Most of the time you can see the outline of the old glue to use as a guide when sanding down to the metal. I had over 10 grommets to fix on various jib sections and I sanded all the holes before moving to the next step.

3. Hole Surface Prep Part 2

Use isopropyl alcohol and some paper towels to further clean the metal shavings and any other residue from around the holes.

Isopropyl alcohol works wonderfully because it evaporates leaving clean surface for which the epoxy to strongly bond. After cleaning your hole should look something like what is pictured above.

4. Grommet Surface Prep Part 1

If you haven't lost any of the grommets that fell out and still have the originals, they may look like the one pictured on the left. Or you might have some new grommets like the one pictured on the right. John Huffman at Jony Jib has been very helpful in providing me with spare and replacement parts for my jib. Either way, the grommets will still need surface preparation just like the holes we just completed.

Use the same methods as were used for the hole surface preparation. Make sure to move your clean jib sections away from your work area so you won't get plastic dust all over what you just cleaned, or just wait to clean everything at once. Use the same rotary tool and small medium grit sanding drum to "rough up" the plastic surface.

Be sure to sand the flat underside of the grommet as well as the inside edge. You want the strongest possible bond.

Once finished your grommet should look like what is pictured above. Observe how the surface is roughened up.

5. Grommet Surface Prep Part 2

Clean all grommets with isopropyl alcohol same as the jib section holes. Pay attention to cleaning all surfaces.

6. Glue

I chose to use epoxy because of its superior bonding power. There are many different types of epoxy however, I chose to use a clear, quick setting, flexible epoxy.

I had tried different types of glue in the past, but I have found that the flexible type works best for this application.

Use a piece of cardboard to protect your table and use as a mixing surface for the epoxy. Follow the directions for mixing that came with the epoxy.

I used toothpicks to apply the epoxy to a grommet. I found that placing the grommet on my little finger was the easiest way to keep my hands out of the glue and to place the grommet in the hole on the jib section. Work with only one grommet at a time. Make sure to apply the epoxy evenly as possible to all plastic surfaces that come in contact with the metal on the jib section.

It is important to apply just the right amount of epoxy to the grommet so that when the grommet is placed in the hole the epoxy "squishes out" just a little, but not too much.

7. Finishing & Cleaning

After the grommet is set you may want to wait a minuet or two until the epoxy is starting to set – sometimes it makes cleaning easier.

Use a paper towel and isopropyl alcohol to smooth the "squished out" epoxy and clean the surrounding area for a nice finish. Use clean paper towels and be careful not to smear the epoxy over the surrounding area of the jib section.

If you have quick setting epoxy you will need to work quickly and only mix small amounts of epoxy that can be used before hardening.

The final result should look something like what is pictured above. To date I have not had any of my grommets that were fixed using this method fall out.

As always you are responsible for your actions, equipment, and the care thereof. I hope this was helpful to all you Jonny Jib owners. Please leave a comment if this was helpful!

Alison & Michael's Wedding Montage

2012-09-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

I found this montage clip from a wedding I shot a few years ago - probably the last project I shot on my beloved Canon XL-1. The Canon XL-1 was a workers and a very good camera that I used for over 10 years. Any other camera that was made around the same time did not have as long of a work life as that camera. It had a great body design and a really great lens. I will always fondly remember my first professional grade camera.

Ryan & Megan Wedding Video Clip

2012-09-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a video I did a little while ago for my cousin's wedding. What you see here is just the intro to the wedding video. It was a beautiful wedding and I was privileged to shoot this wedding with the help of my friend Craig Calkins. I had a great lens package from borrow lenses and shot with two Canon 5d Mark II cameras and one Sony NEX 5.

Shattered

2012-09-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

I recently ran across this short film by Tyler Stableford that showcases the Nikon 1DX. The landscapes of Colorado are amazing and the cinematography is captures the winter well. The description for his short reads:

When you've given everything, what do you have left?
After achieving his dream summit, an elite climber finds himself empty. Broken and untethered, he searches for a fulfillment more lasting than a faraway peak.

Shattered

Here are three behind the scenes featurettes:

Shattered Behind the Scenes: Episode 1-An Idea is Born

Shattered Behind the Scenes: Episode 2-Putting the Idea into Motion

Shattered Behind the Scenes: Episode 3-The Movie Making Begins

Home4Birth Video

2012-09-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished editing a video for a midwife service called Home4Birth. This is the first in a short series for Home4Birth's website. This has been a fun project, but it has been a challenge working with a limited budget. I would have loved to have multiple cameras with crew and a controlled environment to shoot the interviews and extra source materials. This unfortunately was not the case and I had to deal with the circumstances given me, which meant shooting on location in windy conditions, noisy environment, having a single camera and myself as the only crew. Let me know what you think and leave a comment below.

The Hobbit Production Diary 8 Released & More

2012-08-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Peter Jackson has been busy over the past several years with the production of The Hobbit. The first installment titled The Hobbit an unexpected Journey is set to be released December 13, 2012.

On July 24th another installment of the hobbit production diaries was released. More of the diaries can be viewed on Peter Jackson's YouTube channel, or the official Hobbit Blog.

If you haven't seen the official trailer yet here it is:

Side by Side the documentary is avaliable for rental on VOD today!

2012-08-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Side by Side a documentary by Keanu Reeves is released today on VOD services like iTunes, amazon, and vudu.