The Modern Cinematographer

Posted: January 2, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Video Business | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Evolution is a key word in the modern video production era. As a person creating videos you may think it’s important to always have the latest and great gear, but I would argue that it is more important to have the most ideal gear. It is imperative that you pay attention to what generates what results and what will tell the story you are trying to tell best. For instance, consider the time you will have to get a certain shot or interview, will a camera requiring a shorter set up time be necessary, or will you have a bit more time to set up something more complex.

Don’t get stuck in the gear you are comfortable with! Because if you do you’ll be shooting SD in 2013, and 1080p in 2023. Try things, rent things, learn new cameras.

We’re in a time where results can be cheaper. A small dslr on a slider can generate similar results to a large panavision on a dolly. Consider the ways you can be cost effective while generating the same results. Remember, the viewer doesn’t see what kind of lights you have or the brand name on your sandbags, all the see is what’s happening through the view finder. One creative cinematographer could do better with half the budget of a non-creative cinematographer.

Don’t be scared of the future. Instead, experiment and lead it.

Redundancies save my Life

Posted: February 23, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: On Set, Video Business | 1 Comment

Alright, so maybe ‘save my life’ is a bit extreme, but seriously redundancies while filming, is essential.

“Hey Dustin, what do you mean by redundancies?”

What we’re really looking at is definition 4.  Last week I had an interview, a quick testimonial for a piece I was putting together and the pressure was on. What pressure? The pressure that this guy, was volunteering his time and clearly wanted to be done as soon as possible. So, to accommodate him, I also, moved as quickly as possible.  Only problem, someone (me) forget to switch the audio input on my Zoom H4n recorder to ‘on board mic’ instead of ‘external mic’… oops. I didn’t realize until I got back with the footage. “Hmm.. there was supposed to be audio here.” What saved me from having to visit ‘extremely thrilled volunteer’ again? Redundancies. I had set up a shotgun mic directly into my camera as well. My intention was to use it simply to help sync the audio later, but I had taken the time to monitor it so it would be clear, and this audio turned out to be the one I would use for the piece. Phew. A lesson I had heard before, now a lesson learned.

Needless to say… Set up an extra audio feed. Do the take a second time, even if you KNOW you have it. Bring a backup camera. Redundancies, redundancies. Who knows, they could save your life… ehhh… errr…. project.

You are what you eat.

Posted: January 22, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Concepting, Video Business | Leave a comment

I was lucky enough to grow up in a christian home where we would attend church, youth group, and every other event. Many times, especially in my younger years, a sermon would be given with this basic message, “Garbage in, Garbage out”. This meant, you emulate the things you see and hear. The pastor would then move to encourage you to surround yourself with good things, things that you SHOULD emulate.

I submit that there is a similar principle in video production in two ways; what you watch and who you work with.

What you watch: Maybe this is just me, but many times when I concept videos, I know that I’m subconsciously (so I guess I mean consciously) influenced by work I have seen. The same is probably true for you… Car commercial, what do you picture? Recently I a had a client, gym looking for a web video promoting their training classes. I’d never worked with a gym before and proceeded to make a big mistake. I began looking up videos of other gyms. What I found was a bunch of ways I SHOULDN’T make a gym commercial. That was good. What was bad is I also couldn’t get these shots, the graphics, the music, out of my head. It may sound weird, but be careful what you watch, it can subconsciously influence your work. ‘Garbage in, Garbage out’.

Who you work with: I recently started working with some truly great filmmakers at Gnarly Bay Productions. In several months I truly see a huge change in my thought process, work flow, and my final product. Why is this? Great filmmakers. Surround yourself with people that are better than you, people you can learn from. Learn to take criticism, listen to the suggestions of people you respect. The people you surround yourself with will affect your work. Find people you respect, and try to work with them, emulate their work. Find people who can teach you, people who are GOOD! ‘Greatness in, Greatness out’.

 

Get out there.

Posted: January 20, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Video Business | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

I’ve searched for a formula for how production companies, ad agencies, multimedia companies “get out there”. How do they make it big?

I’ve read the blogs, I’ve worked in the environments, and the answer has been right under my nose the whole time. That’s because it was right in my own question… “How do I GET OUT THERE?”.

Getting out there.
Create. This is what I love to do. I love to plan over, work on, refine, and then show, video. It’s simple. Get all the projects you can. Unpaid, Paid, Bartered, whatever it takes to fine tune your skills and create a product that drops jaws. Don’t look for that ‘big client’ that will take you on a ride to the top. Make a products that draws clients to want to ride your work to the top. That’s what we do anyway right? Make our clients look good? So make other things look good, and the ‘people with the money’ will want to be one of those things that you make look good.

Click Picture For Video.