Adobe Creative Cloud CS6

2012/05/11 / posted in tech tips / No Comments

Hell of a title.

I didn’t think I was going to subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud but I just couldn’t resist.  Also, for what I pay for updates for the Master Collection, it does actually workout to be about the same and maybe a litter bit of savings.  So far, loving it.  I’m also a Lynda.com subscriber so basically I wish there were more hours in the day to learn how to do all the things the new software does.

Right now my focus has been on Photoshop and SpeedGrade.  Both are wicked.  I’m especially looking forward to learning more about SpeedGrade although I haven’t found too much on the web.  It’ll be my Apple Color substitute now that Apple has abandoned it.  I’m looking forward to tying Premiere and all its new features, especially the image stabilization that’s similar to the wonderful version in After Effects.  Also, loving the native support of for Alexa, Red and HDSLR.

So far it’s been great.  The entire suite of products just keeps getting better and if Adobe lives up to their promise of getting upgrades out faster, it’ll be wonderful to see what improvements come next and soon.  More later.

Web pilot for Cracked.com

2012/04/29 / posted in web series / No Comments

Just shot a pilot for a web series.  The pilot was wonderfully directed by Clark Duke and for Cracked.com website.  Nothing I can discuss at this time but I did play with a few novel tools worth sharing:

Woody Dolly Kit from Wooden Nickel:
Not new and several Key Grips have made their own but this is a kit, ready to go, instead of trying to figure out the necessary parts ala cart.  Great for getting shots in tight spaces – it can make a run from 4′ to 16′.  Word to the wise:  Don’t assume it will make dolly shot set-ups faster.  The work is the work.  Also, operating from it can be a bit dodgy.  No substitute for riding with the camera on a platform.  Last note, don’t forget to order the riser.  If you don’t, when you doll back you see the tracks.  That said, worked great for us and what we needed it for.

 Camera Body Mount:

If you’ve played the video, yeah, yeah someone had to test it.

This was wonderful.  To quote the director, this visual made the show appear “to be fighting above our weight class”.  The actor wore this rig for three takes and a bunch of time while organizing a large group of extras.  We mounted a Canon 5D to it with a 15-30mm Sigma Zoom (T3.5).  In total about 5 pounds (or  2.2 kg).  The webbing in the photo is a bit loose since I mounted it to myself but on the actor it was tight and hidden behind an overcoat.  I think now I’ve got a better webbing pattern to hide it even more.

Here’s where my inner Key Grip came out.  Essentially the rig is a cheese plate with baby and 3/8 pins attached (I replaced these with eye hooks used for car mount rigs).  Swivel-Links attach the steel rods to the cheese plate and a baby spud to 1/4-20 attaches the camera.  It’s fastened to the actor using 1″ tubular webbing.  Fast, safe and light.  The shot was wonderful and did add a huge amount of production value.

The show is in post production now.  I’ll likely be doing the final color grading with Magic Bullet within Final Cut Pro (hey, it’s for the web, nothing fancy) or… I may try my hand at using Adobe CS6 SpeedGrade.  I’ll know in a couple of weeks.  Till then…

NAB 2012

2012/04/18 / posted in other / No Comments

2012-04-17 08:00 The annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for NAB has begun and once again, with my best mate Aaron, our first stop… Buffalo Bill’s in Primm on the state line.

We’ve stayed here almost since our first trip to NAB. Not much changes here but our breakfast cafe, sadly, is now a Denny’s – gentrification is spreading to Primm. We also have yet to ride the roller coaster.  Oh, someday…

As usual, I’m not highlighting the things that everyone has already talked at length about.  I think the photos I’ve posted are for things most online haven’t pointed out.↑ Profoto is know for making excellent strobe units for still photography but they’re now getting into motion image work.  While hard to see, the “beauty dish” is my favorite – it’s the one on the right with the delightful flare.  Wonderful unit for portraiture photography.

↑ CineMills been around for a long time and I’m sure I’ve used their products from time to time.  But I have to say they’ve mostly been under the radar for me.  I was re-introduced to them earlier this year during the MastersPOV conference where they were one of the sponsors.  Above are two new LED units.  The top one as you can see is in a china lamp holder but it comes with a “bird cage” diffusion and skirt.  The bottom one is a called a Razor.  I want them both.

↑ Friend and SteadiCam operator Grant Cullwell showing off a wicked ride at the Tiffen booth.  I SOOOO wanted to ride it!

↑ Zylight has a nearly production ready Fresnel LED light coming called the F8.  Here you’re seeing it with the bellow closed but when extended it changes the spread of the light (16°-70°).  I love the idea of this light for location work.

↑ For me, I think this one is the “best in show”.  It’s a company from Turkey called Edelkrone and they make camera support rigs for HDSLR and small form cameras.    They are the Transformers of camera rigs.  Writing about it doesn’t do it justice, you need to visit the site and see the videos they have of their products.  I’m totally buying one (or several) of their rigs.  I’m particularly fond of the Pocket Rig (bottom picture with the addition of handles).  Beautiful form and function.

↑ So the picture is a bit fuzzy but, hey, it’s my iPhone.  What you’re looking at is a cable support from SmallHD that clamps to the side of your camera (in this case a Canon 5D) and it hold the vile mini HDMI cable in place and protects if from getting knocked around.  Nice solution.  Personally, I’m partial to my LockPort5 since it’s so easy to find standard HDMI cables everywhere.  However, I still have a few mini HDMI cables that I’d like to see used again so I do like this solution.

What else did I like?

Well, Blackmagic Design’s new cinema camera is tantalizing.

Indisystems’s jib that uses two 2 litre bottles as counter weight has me echoing what Bill Bennett, ASC said on Twitter:

“What do you mean, you forgot the counterweights for the crane?” “Yes, but I also bought rum!”

I’m still a huge fan of the Hive lights that are using plasma as a light source.

As for grip, Kupo – part of the Mac Group (as is Profoto).  They’re just starting to make inroad in the US.  They make traditional grip equipment with a twist.  Like the C-stand arm with a milled hex stud on the end of the arm.  Good mix of still and motion grip equipment.  Very well made and thought out.

And finally the Codex digital magazine solutions are constantly getting better and more adaptable to a wider variety of productions.

A million thanks to my friend Aaron who made the trip with me yet again.  And to my friend and Gaffer from Canada, João, I hope you had a wonderful time and met some great Brazilians on your trip.  Till next time… ciao ciao.

 

bon anniversaire Doisneau

2012/04/14 / posted in other / No Comments

2012-04-14 @ 01:12 PDT:  If you’ve done a Google search today, you might have noticed the doodle above the search field.  It’s a tribute to Robert Doisneau (ro-bear dwano).  A photographer best know for his post World War II street photography of France.  Today would have been his 100th birthday.  When I walk the streets of New York with my camera, it’s his photography that I think about.  Those comedic moments so deftly expressed, so hard to find.  Merci professeur.

Click here to see some of his work.

Franken-5D

2012/03/26 / posted in narrative / 1 Comment

2012-03-25 @ 22:41 PDT: Photos from Saturday’s shoot.  Shot some 2nd Unit scenes for a TV show using my Canon 5D and a Sound Devices PIX 240.  Nice box but would have been better if the HDMI signal from the Canon 5D Mark II wasn’t crap.  

Also, got a chance to work with a friend from Chapman University.  Chris Levitus was the 2nd Unit’s director.  I haven’t DP’d for him since shooting one of his university projects on 16mm.  Wonderful time, great stuff and we made our day despite the additional shot and scene thrown on our plate.   Thanks everybody for your hard work on a burly overnight shoot.  

Paracording

2012/03/16 / posted in other, tech tips / No Comments

2012-03-16 @ 16:48 PDT: I’ve been wanting to quiet my contrast viewing filter. I ended up becoming very much fascinated with paracord knots and techniques. This will not be my last post on the subject.

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2012-03-18 @ 00:38 PDT:  I said it wouldn’t be the last of it.  I made landyard knots for my meter and pouch but this is my crowning achievement (until I do something else big).  I made Ranger beads.   I learned from the Paracordist.  He makes some AMAZING things I can only dream of having enough time in my day to do.  Still I found enough time to make this which took about two nights worth.  The best part is when your hands develop the route memory and then the work becomes easy.  Why did I make this?  Well, in part for fun and it looked like a challenge (and it was).  But also, you never know, I might need it during a recce… maybe… someday… possibly. Hmmm… now what should I make?

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“Atfer Hours” – more episodes

2012/03/10 / posted in web series / No Comments

2012-03-10 02:34 PST: More episodes of the successful Cracked.com web series are on the way.  The show keeps getting better.  With luck, the next time we shoot it’ll be with the Canon 5D Mark III.  Time will tell…

I got hacked!

2012/03/10 / posted in other / No Comments

As near as I can find out, someone in Mother Russia dropped some malware into my WordPress blog.  It’s all clean now but geez!  It took two days and nearly 8 hours to fix the problem.  All it seems to have done was redirect a visitor to another website.  The malware is being nicknamed “rr.nu” since that part of the URL it directs to but it’s been found to redirect to some 50 other websites too.  This malware has been hitting numerous WordPress sites in the last few months so I guess at least I’m not alone and also brighter minds than mine have tackled the problem first.

So what did I do to clean up this mess?  First thing that worked was a php script that cleans most of the infected files (script found here).  Thanks go to LaneHalloway.com for the link.  The script cleaned up every infected file save for one, the wp-config file.  For that I deleted a base64decode crap that was embedded in the comments section at the head of the file.  For what it’s worth, I used Dreamweaver to clean up the code and Transmit to upload the script but I could have easily used any text editor or FTP program.

So far so good.  I’m sure this won’t be the last time this happens.

Masters POV conference

2012/02/18 / posted in other / No Comments

Can’t wait for this weekend’s Masters POV conference.
Ticket: check, Light Meter: check, Open Mind: check…

UPDATE: What a fantastic weekend. Here’s a picture from the panel discussion.

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Ed Gutentag (Local 600) moderated the weekend.  Wonderful discussions by everyone and some excellent practical demonstrations by Gabriel Beristain and Karl Lindenlaub.  I also very much enjoyed Allen Daviau talking about his work with Spielberg.  Allan has a special place in my heart.  During film school, I must have watched his episode of the Kodak’s Master Class Series on (eh gads) VHS  and shot in Australia.  His segment was about shooting for black and white and it put me way ahead of other classmates on how to understand, use and interpret what I saw with my eyes with what the film would see.

The weekend wasn’t with some downsides but they were few and far between.  In all, this was the first of what I hope will be many such programs that I’m sure will only get better.

FINALLY!

2012/02/18 / posted in other, tech tips / No Comments

2012-02-18 17:23 PST: 
I’ve been looking for a durable way of clipping my light meter and pouch to my belt but more importantly to my pants (or shorts) when I can’t or don’t want to wear a belt.  Going to the restroom is the obvious reason with the fear of juggling to make sure they don’t hit the ground much less fall into the toilet bowl (specifically when a porto-potty is involved!).  But more often my pouch or meter are hitting something while riding on the dolly through doorways or any tight spaces.

So yes, finally, I did a bunch of searching and here’s what I got.  It’s a belt clip and attachment from Blade-Tech.  They predominately manufacture equipment and accessories for the military and law enforcement.  As the photos shows, I ended up getting a belt clip and MOLLE Loks.  All put together, they’re wonderful!  As silly as this is going to sound, they beautifully made.  Very rugged, easy to attach and have a certain amount of “geeky cool” I have no problem showing off.  Looking forward to my next shoot.

2012-03-10 02:03 PST: The new “bat belt” is working.  Here’s a photo from a shoot this week.  I had my meter on my belt but later put it on my pants pocket.   Love being able to clip it just about anywhere.  I actually wore shorts today and I was able to clip my meter.  I know it’s silly but it’s liberating.  To quote from Forrest Gump, “that’s good! one less thing”.

2012-03-27 @ 22:17 PDT: Update yet again.  A slight modification to my light meter case.  The MOLLE Loks are longer than the belt loop on my meter, so to prevent it from moving about I added a few cable ties.  As silly as it sounds, I’ve been looking for cable ties that weren’t zip ties.  These ties run flat instead of looping perpendicularly.  The were a bit hard to find but I ended up getting them on eBay from JEGS Performance Products.  They made for performance cars so I certain they’ll be able to withstand the day-to-day tussle of life on set.  I cut the excess with a razor and then burned it with a lighter to smooth the cut.  Works great and doesn’t snag.  The arrow on the image shows where I added another cable tie to secure the clip to the belt look more closely and reduce bouncing and play.  Had a shoot this weekend and it worked out brilliantly.

Rachel Bloom music video

2012/02/17 / posted in narrative / No Comments

Yes, that’s right, I just finished shooting another music video for Rachel Bloom. I’m so happy with the footage. With luck I can share a few more stills soon as well as the whole video when it’s done.

My Canon 5D tricked out with the Lightpanel Ringlite.  I still think portraits look awesome with ring-lights.  Very sexy!

nextLAB training.

2012/02/10 / posted in other, tech tips / No Comments

ICG offered training this weekend for FotoKem’s nextLAB – a mobile turnkey solution for file-based productions.  It offers management of camera original data, metadata and creation of reports; audio syncing; LUT and color management, as well as LTO backups.  Personally, I like it.  One stop shop.  I only attended the overview presentation – the hands-on portion was reserved for DIT, ACs and Loaders.  I did just get an invite to do the hands-on portion at FotoKen.  I’ll write more about the system after that.  Till then, I’m trying to find a project where this is a fit.

C-Stand Chart Holder

2012/02/08 / posted in tech tips / No Comments

I visited the DCS Labs website the other day and noticed their very nice chart holders.  While it’d be nice to have one, I really don’t want to find room for more stuff in my office but I did need something to hold my charts when on set.  So I took a look around at what I had on hand and made this simple chart holder.  It’s easy enough to kludge something similar from hardware and office supply store stuff.  Here it’s a baby spud with a 1/4 20 thread (purchased from FilmTools), camera plate 1/4 20 screw (from eBay), a No. 2 Bulldog clip (Amazon) and finally some rubber pads (from Target).  So far, works fantastic on my 3cP chart but it’s a tight squeeze with the DCS Labs RED chart.  I’m looking for either a thinner 1/4 20 screw head or I’ll need to find thinner rubber pads.  I might even try to dip the clip’s clamp into Plasti Dip while holding them open with a vice grip.  I’ll try that this weekend.

You can use a metal paper clip like the one below (these are easy to find).  I’d recommend using the 3 cm wide ones and getting a baby spud with a 3/8 16 threads.

I do like this little kludge because it doesn’t take up much room in my light meter case.  Try it.  Let me know if you found a better solution and send me photos of what you did.  I’ll post them there.

UPDATE: 2012-03-04: Finally got to use my little chart clip.  Below is a photo from this weekend’s shoot.   A web-series using a Canon 5D and Canon 7D.  The only change I’d make to the clip is adding a little bit of Loctite threadlocker on the screw holding the clip and maybe a rubber washer.  That should lessen the chances that the clip will rotate on the C-stand from the weight of the chart. Otherwise worked like a charm.

Completely off topic here but I have become a huge fan of Loctite.  It’s something I’ve kinda always known about but never used until late last year while building a table for our patio.  If you don’t know what Loctite is, it’s a liquid you apply on threaded bolts and nuts and it fastens and seals them together.  I now use it just about every time I reach for a screwdriver.  Really great stuff.  There’s different strengths but I almost always use blue.

Cracked.com comedy sketch…

2012/01/18 / posted in narrative, web series / No Comments

Another month another winner of the Cracked.com Comedy Sketch Competition.  We’re shooting again on the Canon 5D. Should be online in the next couple of weeks.  Great job the director, Daniel Gordh and the fantastic performances by the actors.
↑ Tricked out my 5D.  Nice.

↑ First time using an iPad slate.  LOVED IT.

“Wedding Day” – feature pick-ups

2011/12/16 / posted in narrative / No Comments

Just finished shooting some pickups on a feature I didn’t originally shoot.  Kinda fun.  Trying to mirror someone else’s thought process.  Fun playing with the Red One MX again but I have to say I am getting somewhat used to significantly smaller cameras.  We also shot a day with the 7D which to was somewhat fun (and not so fun).  I did enjoy using a slider built by Brian at Wooden Nickel.  Worked very well, very customizable and way beefier than our 7D on it (see photo below).

Can’t wait to see the footage integrated with the original footage.  One scene I’m particularly looking forward to seeing takes place in a bedroom in front of a full length mirror as one woman combs another woman’s hair.  We shot through the mirror with all the lighting coming from a balcony window that’s shaped by the window panes and sheer curtains.  Also of note was working with C. Thomas Howell on one scene.

Hopefully a trailer will online soon to share.

Fun day at the office

2011/12/12 / posted in narrative / No Comments

Shooting a doc in Santa Ynez.  Got a chance to shoot with the Panasonic AF100.  Nice but not overly impressed.  Still the images were beautiful and the stories were amazing – could have listen to our interviewee’s for many more hours.

Along with the sit down interviews, we also shot some aerial footage from a remote control helicopter using a Sony NEX-SF100.  Look forward using this rig again.  

Oh Alexa, how do I love thy…

2011/12/04 / posted in commercial / No Comments

…let me count the ways. My first Alexa shoot and I’m super pleased. The footage looks wonderful. Working with the camera is a breeze. Menu structure is just robust enough but not suffocating. While I’ve seen the camera before, I was still surprised at how small it is, not Red Epic small, but small or at least smaller than I remembered.

We ended up shooting ProRes 422 HQ in Rec. 709 for the bulk of the footage. For the few FX shots we used ProRes 4444 also in Rec. 709. Would have like to have shot Log C, but the accelerated editorial necessitated shooting in Rec. 709.

The project was for Blair Underwood’s new line of men’s suits – the BU Collection. Can’t wait for the spot to be available to share.

I want to thank the amazing crew we had led by Gaffer Josh Day and Key Grip Dwight Stone. Thank you gents! Also want to thank our amazing Steadi-Cam operators, Justin B.! One of the best I’ve worked with. Look forward to doing it all again very soon.

↑ I love this photo! From left to right: Justin B. (Steadi-Cam), James D. (2nd AC), Koji K. (1st AC) and Blair Underwood as he gets final touch-ups. Great suit!

Annoying Orange on Cartoon Network

2011/11/20 / posted in television / No Comments

WOW!  Wonderful news today.  A presentation pilot I shot earlier this year for the “Annoying Orange” show was picked up by Cartoon Network.  More to come…

Epic doco…

2011/11/18 / posted in other / No Comments

Just got back from a location scout for a documentary I’m shooting in early December.  We’re doing a number of interviews and we’re thinking the camera of choice will be two Red Epics and possibly a 5D.  Looking forward to shooting with the Epic again, especially now that the firmware has had several advances since the last time I used one for the “Annoying Orange” pilot.

Alexa thoughts…

2011/11/18 / posted in commercial, tech tips / No Comments

I have a commercial coming up and we’re gonna shoot with the Arri Alexa (at least that’s the decision as of this weekend).  Curious to hear anyone’s thoughts, comments, concerns about the camera.

The commercial is for Blair Underwood who is introducing a new line of menswear suits.

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