A project in Pasadina, California. It consisted of 4 locations shoot within 5 hours prior to settling in at the reception. It was a race but Jovan and Tiana booked far enough in advance to review several plans and find one that maximized effectively capturing the moments most important to them. It was a privilege to work with them.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Film - SCOTT + CARRIE
Feature film from Scott and Carrie's wedding. They chose San Diego as their destination so their grandmother could attend. A touching story and wonderful couple. A challenge was post ceremony which started at 5pm with sunset at 4:30pm. Being a small reception we didn't want to daunt it with light. We elected to shoot at 2.8 or lower and deal with DOF issues rather then risk ruining the ambiance.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Technique - Illumination by Hurlbut Visuals - Terminator Salvation
The other week I was privileged to attend Shane Hurlbut’s Illumination seminar on light. Some recent films where he was DP include Terminator Salvation, Need for Speed, Game of Thrones (TV Series) and upcoming Fathers and Daughters in 2015.
I look forward to applying his lighting techniques in an upcoming promo film for a high end beauty consulting company. On the wedding side however it can be hard to obtain time, money or even manpower to construct lighting found on production sets. Additionally, while production lights create beautiful effects they can also detract from the ambiance of the couple’s big day for anyone outside the cameras field of view.
Nevertheless, the principles of light and shaping light as Shane demonstrates are cornerstones for any film or video. Shane explains the first thing he does on set it to plop down a camera. From there his first stroke on the canvas is the key light weather a light, bounce or something else like a road flare. The principles from his seminar are demonstrated in his Master Class Videos.
I look forward to attending more of Shane’s seminars. www.hurlbutvisuals.com
I look forward to applying his lighting techniques in an upcoming promo film for a high end beauty consulting company. On the wedding side however it can be hard to obtain time, money or even manpower to construct lighting found on production sets. Additionally, while production lights create beautiful effects they can also detract from the ambiance of the couple’s big day for anyone outside the cameras field of view.
Nevertheless, the principles of light and shaping light as Shane demonstrates are cornerstones for any film or video. Shane explains the first thing he does on set it to plop down a camera. From there his first stroke on the canvas is the key light weather a light, bounce or something else like a road flare. The principles from his seminar are demonstrated in his Master Class Videos.
I look forward to attending more of Shane’s seminars. www.hurlbutvisuals.com
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Technique - Lessons From The Big Bang Theory Set
Recently I had the opportunity to visit one of my friend and camera operator at Warner Brothers Studios on The Big Bang Theory set in LA.
It was a great privilege touring the set meeting production staff. Cinematographer Steven Silver, ASC brings the show to life with his color pallet and choice in lighting configuration.
Big Bang uses three Panavision F55 cameras and shoots entire scenes at one time. This allows them to avoid for the most part taking an establishment shot followed by take 2,3,4... for coverage. They won an Emmy for their camera work seen below. This multi-camera technique is similar to filming a wedding ceremony.
At Center Motion we use 3 cameras for weddings. Similar to Big Bang Theory we take (a) establishing shots, and (b) coverage such as over the shoulder at the same time. This is great since couples never respond well if asked to do take 2 of the ceremony...
It was a great privilege touring the set meeting production staff. Cinematographer Steven Silver, ASC brings the show to life with his color pallet and choice in lighting configuration.
Big Bang uses three Panavision F55 cameras and shoots entire scenes at one time. This allows them to avoid for the most part taking an establishment shot followed by take 2,3,4... for coverage. They won an Emmy for their camera work seen below. This multi-camera technique is similar to filming a wedding ceremony.
At Center Motion we use 3 cameras for weddings. Similar to Big Bang Theory we take (a) establishing shots, and (b) coverage such as over the shoulder at the same time. This is great since couples never respond well if asked to do take 2 of the ceremony...
Monday, October 27, 2014
Gear - Travel Lean
Lean is good but don’t cut all the fat. Same with film tools. For leisure international adventures where you want to run and gun, can’t check bags, travel between extreme temperatures within a few days then minimal gear helps.
See the link below to my recent China trip shot with a medium size tripod/mono-pod, two inexpensive canon lenses ($100 each), a Canon T3i and a iPhone 5. Checking bags was not a option and I wanted gear I wouldn't cry myself to sleep if destroyed. This isn't production grade but it does show what you can do with a few tricks.
(1) iPod / Iphone / GoPro against glass. Press the device firm against a car, airplane, train or gondola window… Excellent for steady truck or dolly type shots. Clean the glass and your lenses. Make sure it’s level unless you’re going for a specific effect.
(2) Install Magic Lantern if you use Canon DSLRs. No need to carry an intervalometer for time laps.
(3) Get a H1 recorder, it’s small and records much better audio then on your camera mic. You can mount it on a hot shoe or hold it in your hand. Great for audio samples and recording ambiance.
(4) Use IS lenses (Image Stabilized) it produces smoother hand held shots. If you have unstable footage consider using the Warp Stabilizer in Adobe Premier or similar program.
(5) Go with a lean compact tripod that dubs as a monopod such as Dolica Proline. If you don't need tripod features and are ok spending a bit more the Manfroto MVM500A is your friend. A mono pod can also be used to get camas somewhere you can’t such as eye level with a statue or sign. The weight is a bit much for to use for selfies in which case a GoPo or Smart Phone is a option for hard to reach shots.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26vydg_china2014_travel
See the link below to my recent China trip shot with a medium size tripod/mono-pod, two inexpensive canon lenses ($100 each), a Canon T3i and a iPhone 5. Checking bags was not a option and I wanted gear I wouldn't cry myself to sleep if destroyed. This isn't production grade but it does show what you can do with a few tricks.
(1) iPod / Iphone / GoPro against glass. Press the device firm against a car, airplane, train or gondola window… Excellent for steady truck or dolly type shots. Clean the glass and your lenses. Make sure it’s level unless you’re going for a specific effect.
(2) Install Magic Lantern if you use Canon DSLRs. No need to carry an intervalometer for time laps.
(3) Get a H1 recorder, it’s small and records much better audio then on your camera mic. You can mount it on a hot shoe or hold it in your hand. Great for audio samples and recording ambiance.
(4) Use IS lenses (Image Stabilized) it produces smoother hand held shots. If you have unstable footage consider using the Warp Stabilizer in Adobe Premier or similar program.
(5) Go with a lean compact tripod that dubs as a monopod such as Dolica Proline. If you don't need tripod features and are ok spending a bit more the Manfroto MVM500A is your friend. A mono pod can also be used to get camas somewhere you can’t such as eye level with a statue or sign. The weight is a bit much for to use for selfies in which case a GoPo or Smart Phone is a option for hard to reach shots.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26vydg_china2014_travel
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Business - Why Center Motion
Why center? Why Center Motion. Over the years videoagraphers have been dubbed human tripods of weddings. Sometimes a slider or stedicam is tossed in. Footage is sliced, diced, sprinkled with effects, spread with savory music and wola! You have a turkey sandwich. The process repeats, turkey sandwich. Again, turkey sandwich. Nothing wrong with turkey but you say hey I like pastrami, grilled cheese, pesto chicken! What's going on here?
A unique story is cut down to a square peg even though excellent cinematography is used. It starts with making assumptions and neglecting a rule: What is traditionally perceived as important may not be important and to capture what is important requires getting to the center of each story. I’ll say it again, what is perceived as traditionally important may not be important to the story. How does one start to discover what is important?
Focus on parts of the story that matter most to the client. For example, cutting the cake at weddings, important? Perhaps, but it depends on the couple. Maybe they would rather emphasize the meal prepared by their five star chef and good friend who introduced them to each other. Getting to the center of the story will focus filming like a script does in feature film production.
Finally, why motion? Motion is what cinematographers use to tell their stories though the capture of light. There you have it Center Motion. Share a story with the world.
A unique story is cut down to a square peg even though excellent cinematography is used. It starts with making assumptions and neglecting a rule: What is traditionally perceived as important may not be important and to capture what is important requires getting to the center of each story. I’ll say it again, what is perceived as traditionally important may not be important to the story. How does one start to discover what is important?
Focus on parts of the story that matter most to the client. For example, cutting the cake at weddings, important? Perhaps, but it depends on the couple. Maybe they would rather emphasize the meal prepared by their five star chef and good friend who introduced them to each other. Getting to the center of the story will focus filming like a script does in feature film production.
Finally, why motion? Motion is what cinematographers use to tell their stories though the capture of light. There you have it Center Motion. Share a story with the world.
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