e. gustavo petersen | cinematographer

I had read about this film some time ago.  I quickly forgot about it until this past weekend when it was all the talk at CineGear Expo.  It seems the movie started out with a few free rolls of film from Kodak some interview with some cinematographers about the job they do.  Three years and 110 interview later comes John Fauer’s 90 minute documentary, “Cinematographer Style“.

I had a chance to see the film on Tuesday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater and I have to say it’s quite good.  Some touted it as a updated version of the documentary “Visions of LIght”.  It by no means, I think, is meant to supplant “Visions of Light” but rather to expand its scope given the new technologies and the creative work that can come from those technologies in the advance of cinema grammar.  The film is at times funny and at time intellectual but always informative.  The film stays on message by allowing the cinematographers to tell their story and share their viewpoint in their own words without any cutaways.

On a couple of internet forums they’ve taken issue with the use of the word “style”.  I’m reminded of my early days when I was an assistant cameraman.  I had the privilege to have been instructed on film testing by Richard Crudo, ASC (past president of the ASC).  One thing he mentioned which as stuck to me to this day is “a cinematographer must have ‘style’, it’s something you can’t learn or be taught – it’s something that has to come from inside”.  That is certainly one of the messages of the movie.  On numerous occasions during the movie, one cinematographer might say “I always to this” followed by another saying “I’d never do this”.  It cuts to the point that each cinematographer decides things in their own way given the circumstance presented to them based on internal decision making.  These decision become the basis of the “style” of the cinematographer and his or hers work.

I’ll agree that the use of the word “style” might lack the gravitas as “Visions of Light” but it certainly delivers on what it sells.

For those interested, the film was shot on 35mm Kodak Vision stock with a DI and printed on Kodak Premier stock. 

Yeah!  It’s that time again.  That time of the year when I get a little recharged by the sights and sounds of new equipment, technologies, and creative artists reminding everyone about the artistry of cinema and not just the latest gadget.

Here are some pix that feature some of the new toys and tools that I found to be “best of show”.  I’m choosing not to write too much about these items since enough has been written by the manufactures (I’ve added a “link” to the vendor’s site if you want more information).

To support my last point in the first paragraph, I also had the opportunity to attend some panel led seminars.  I’ll try to post my notes in the coming days.  In the meantime, enjoy the toys…

Arri CSC modified 435 with a manual hand-crank (link)

Arri D-20 with the Flash Mag (link)

P+S Skater Mini & Skate Probe (link)

I was informed that I just might the first to photograph this shell outside of the case!  Cool.  This is a plastic mold for the housing of the highly anticipated camera from the founder of Oakley – the Red One camera.  (link)

C-Motion wireless (or wired) LCS (Lens Control System).  For me, this rank as one of the top three items at the show. (link)

I talked about this camera stabilization system from MK-V (the Alien Revolution) for SteadiCam rigs last year.  It’s been improved and I can’t wait to put it to use this year.  (link)

The Kinomatik MovieTube also ranked very high on my best of show list.  It allows you to mount PL, Panavision or still photography lenses on most any fixed lens camera.  Click on the image above to see a bigger image of the unit.  (link)

J.L. Fisher will soon be offering these “skater wheels” for the dolly that will allow the dolly to be mounted to the track perpendicularly as in the top picture (notice the removable shelf attachment on the right of the bottom picture).  Also notice that for weight distribution, the shelf would extend off the opposite side of the operator. (link)

Honorable mention…

Arri 416 – A really great piece of German engineering.  My only complaint, no way to electronically control the angle of shutter and no 800′ magazine (and no plans in the near future for one).  Still a fantastic redesign.

Rescue Tape – It’s a tape that’s self-bonding, air and water tight to 700 PSI, insulates 8000 volts, and resists 260°C (500°F).  A very popular purchase at the show.

Cooke – Cooke has some great new lens options.  First is an expansion to its S4 line when used with S16mm cameras.  The line is called SK4 and now includes a 6mm, 9.5mm and 12mm.  Beyond that you’d use the S4 lens 14mm – 180mm primes.  (Yes, there is a 12mm S4 lens but the SK4 is better suited for S16mm.)  They also have a new zoon in the way of the S4/i 15-40mm T2 CXX Zoom.  (A mouthful I know.)  Like the other S4 lenses, it’s a true T2 throughout the range of the zoom, no breathing, minimum focus is an astounding 7″, it covers S35mm, it’s light 3.5 Kg (7.9lbs), and it offers a LDS port on the lens for continuous electronic feedback on lens settings (useful for VFX work).

Innovision – Innovision showed off a HD Mini Probe.  A probe lens for small format cameras like the Panasonic HVX200, DVX100/B, Sony HVR-Z1U and HDR-FX1.

And finally, a curiosity…

The folks at C-Motion had this camera body carved out of wood to mount and demonstrate their products on.  Click on the image to see a larger view.  Why don’t we call this our moment of Zen.

Congratulations to Tony Hope, Toby Wallwork and everyone who worked on and supported this project on their Los Angeles Area Emmy nomination.  The short form production features Pediatric Therapy Network – an organization located in Torrance, California that helps young kids work through their special needs.  We shot this mini documentary last year.

The award will be announced on August 12th.  Wish us luck!

To view the project:
http://dv8media.net/movies/PTN_Final.mov

Check-out the nomination:
http://www.emmys.tv/awards/laareaawards_noms.php

6 June 2006

There you are, your own number on your very own door. And behind that door, your very own office! Welcome to the team, DZ-015 - from Brazil

I’m still waiting on a reply from the folks who handle enrollment into the union.  It’s been three months since I started this process.  Each time I call or visit, I get a similar response: “we have your paperwork and you should hear from us in three weeks” or “your file in on the director’s desk check back next week” or “our records show we send you a letter on such-and-such a date needing such-and-such information” and then I explain how said documents have already been hand delivered to them and should be in my file to which I get “you should hear from us in three weeks.”  Good times, good times!

Listen, this old system of yours could be on fire and I couldn’t even turn on the kitchen tap without filling out a 27b/6… Bloody paperwork.  - from Brazil

So here I am, still in limbo.  I called today… “director’s desk!”  I’ll call again later this week.

Sorry, I’m a bit of a stickler for paperwork. Where would we be if we didn’t follow the correct procedures? - from Brazil