CineDeck: The Recorder that makes the camera

The Cinedeck turns a 4:2:0 8bit 35mb/per sec camera into a truely film camera. See photo for workflow.

LEDs, Divas, FS100, and 4:2:2 equals a great key out.

Video taping  on a green cyclorama isn’t hard-it’s all the keying out that sucks! That is, unless, you have soft-even lighting, and a 4:2:2 color sampling. The new focus controlled light panels we used worked great to create a soft-even light. Our light set-up included two kino-flo divas for the cyc and four light panels for the subject.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The FS100 camera recording to the Nano flash made recording 4:2:2 possible.  Another must-have buy is Red Giant’s Keyer ProSuite 2011. It runs $799 from the manufacturer but we found it on ebay for $225.

Video Aerials and beer cozy’s…

…What do they have in common? Well, a lot. The extreme altitude turbulence and vibrations of the helicopter might cause the video hard drives to miswrite and drop frames. Stick with solid state recorders or else you’ll be building your own beer cozy cocoon in whatever colors look the best (pink camouflage, not sure it was the best choice). 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Now after the beer drinking, the beer cozy’s, and the barfing we actually got some great footage…See the link (un-color corrected footage): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNS0HpWX6c

Adding Some Class to your Resume’: How a good school can make all the difference.

While the deffinition of multimedia may be wide and elaborate, the end result is always the same-a happy client. Whether you’re creating a linear instructional DVD or a multifaceted website, it’s important to understand the needed tools, and how to plan a project through correctly.

There’s Nothing Wrong With the Box.

It’s a phrase I hear constantly: Think outside of the box. You’ll hear it in classifieds and set-list shot sheets. Anyone who fancies themselves a director or supervisor of some sort will offer it as a creed of how they want things done. They want things previously not thought of; ideas that aren’t run-of-the-mill. Something creative. Something different. Well, who doesn’t want that? We all want creativity and life from our employees, be they camera operators or PAs. But don’t go throwing the box under the bus just yet.

From tape to tapeless: a guide to storing video images

Hopefully the first installment helped clear up any questions regarding wires and cables.

Memory Storage devices

If not, feel free to write or even do some investigating of your own. This time we’ll be looking at how those precious video images are stored and saved for later viewing pleasure-because it’s always a pleasure. The science behind capturing a moving image (is a subject for another time, and) is simpler than people think, going back to the late 1800′s. If you’re at-all interested in video production, you owe it to yourself to look into the history of first film. Since I’m aiming this article more at non-hollywood types, I’m going to skip the subject of film and begin with video tape.

Video for the non-nerd: What’s that even mean?

USB 3 mini

It’s official: USB 3.0 is here, and in addition to USB-1 (see editor’s note), 1.2, USB 2, TURBO, USB micro, USB mini-not to mention Fire Wire and it’s variants, it’s not uncommon for novice and pro alike to question what exactly they need for the situation. This post will briefly explain some terms you may hear when investigating the wide world of video. First, we’ll take a look at the cables.

Chasing Matt Damon: Keys to being a great extra.

In a conversation with a friend, he mentioned that as far as acting went, he’d be happy ‘just being that guy who chases Matt Damon around in all his movies.” Sure enough, most of Mr. Damon’s movies involve him running from someone or multiple someones-many never even having a speaking role. They’re simply an extra, a nonspeaking role-but an important role, nonetheless.
My friend hit on an interesting subject: that in most movies, there are supporting roles that need to be filled. We all think of Matt Damon as the hero type beating up the generic bad guys and running from unnamed agents, but without those agents and officers, the movie would be pretty boring. One of his newer films, The Adjustment Bureau, proves that point: take out the chase scenes and you lose half of the film. Landing a gig as an extra can be fun in itself, but if you want to get called back for more, or even a greater role, there are a few things you can do to get out of the background and start chasing Matt Damon.

The World of Video: School vs. the Real World

Kiarra here, discussing the differences I see between what I’m learning in school and what I’m experiencing from my internship in a video production house.

In school students learn how to operate a professional camera manually. They learn the functions of different things such as Neutral Density Filters, White Balance, Iris, Focus, Audio Controls and etc. Students gain a full understanding of what each function is for and why it’s needed. Students learn multiple camera angles and the protocols for each. They gain a clear understanding of how to record each shot and implement them into a video properly. Students also learn the proper way of recording video and audio for an interview, as well as proper lighting techniques for brightening interview subjects.

Keeping the Dream Alive: Hot tips for a Cold market

It’s inevitable; you’ll have your slow days. Occasionally those days spread out, creating a blanket of despondency and low morale. The phone isn’t ringing. The emails dry up. Even the spam begins to look like potential clients. You’re calling and writing and hitting all the social events-but your cards go unheeded and your bills are piling up. Maybe it’s a sign; throw in the towel, kick the bucket. But maybe it’s a sign of something else.