Adam McDaid

FlowCine Gravity One & Alexa Adaption Plate / $4000 OBO

Gravity One: The G-1 is the perfect companion to your Easyrig. It helps with common problems such as the string “fight back force” and also helps stabilizing your shots when moving. It also helps correcting for rotation jitter in both the roll and tilt axis.

Alexa Adaption Plate: The adaption plate is a super slim top cheese plate that will enable you to put the balancing stage anywhere on top of your Arri Alexa/XT. The Slide In option, will let you easily slide on and off the Arri top handle or the Gravity One.

If interested, contact me at adammcdaid@gmail.com.

You got that right!! :D

Could you be a bit more specific?

Thanks,

A.

Not bad. Nice rendition by the camera. I feel as I see this example and others that use lens adapters as if it is less about the cinematography and more the effect of the adapter as if it's a sales pitch for the adapter. Adapters are nice but they don't make good cinematography, a good eye does. Lens adapters only make mundane images more interesting, but strung together the inconsistencies in the artist is very noticeable.

Good eyes can be trained. You have some good compositions but some that are inconstant. Practice the art and stop worrying about the lens adapter.

 

My sugestion for many is shoot with a camera plain as it is and learn more about seeing, then add the lens adapter later on once you've leanred to see consistancy in shots and theme.

Walter, thanks for the critique, although it was brief as the majority of your comments focused on adapters. I understand your point of view regarding adapters but I'm not trying to market them. As a cinematographer, I've shot many projects on 35mm, Super16 and HD. This particular project had a very limited budget, thus restricting us to shooting an EX1 with an adapter and primes and not film. The decision to shoot with an adapter was a technical choice and I felt that it was the best tool to achieve a film-like depth of field. To help achieve this look, I also dropped a Tru Pola and enough ND to shoot the exteriors at a 2.8. Sometimes budgets dictate format. I appreciate your comments and understand your views on keeping it simple when starting out and learning the craft.

Best,

Adam

This is a spec commercial I shot recently on a Sony EX1 with a PS Technik Pro35 adapter, Zeiss Superspeeds and a 135mm Standard Speed. Would love some critique about the spot. Please keep in mind, this is not full res, needs some color correction and the SFX at the end are still rough.

http://www.microwavablepeople.com/fantasy.mov

Thanks,

Adam

Hello.

I am interested in serious feedback and critique on my reel.

Heres the link..

Ben's Real Reel

I think its a little long... Opinions please. Don't be shy, I can take it like a man...

The link also contains a couple recent videos I shot in their entirety...

 

And hey.. I really appreciate your time. Seriously.

 

Cheers,

Ben,

You have some really great work in your reel but, as you said, it's too long. Try to cut it down to your best stuff and about 3 minutes in length. It's difficult sometimes to make those cuts but you'll be better served by making them. There's some particularly good stuff towards the end, but most won't viewers get there because your reel is more than 8 minutes. Again, great work.

Best,

Adam

Adam you are wrong its all via a 2K DI . And the lighting sucks ,cant say it all again.

Hey John,

I'm not wrong. I was Janusz Kaminski's camera intern for the show and our day started everyday at Technicolor, where Janusz gave timing notes to his colorist everyday for three months. The DI was done at the end for certain scenes and not the entire film - it was a combination of the two. While The Crystal Skull may be some of Janusz's less inspired work, it hardly sucks. It looks good. Plus, he had Diving Bell to show how creative and innovative he can be when given the story.

Best,

Adam

Hmm, I expected a production of this level to get a 4K DI\filmout...

All of you guys are mistaken about this film being a DI that was then a film out. The only parts of the film that went through a DI were the effects shots that contained background plates composited over blue screen for some of the more epic exterior and interior shots (i.e. The Temple sequence when the gang's being chased by the warriors). By and large (85%), this film was timed photochemically. It amazes me how much Janusz bashing is going on in this thread. For the most part, I believe the work is a pretty good match to the others. There are moments where we see some signature Janusz moments (i.e. intense back lights, diffusion, etc). I like the choices Janusz made in this film because they were respectful of the previous work, but, at the same time, he made some choices that set it apart. For me, this worked. Especially the shiny depiction of the 50s and the idea that this was perceived to be a more idyllic time.

Damien,

Thanks for the kind words and notes I really appreciate it. In regards to the close up of the guitar and the strum, I agree. I shot a CU of that moment, but the director decided to cut it this way, which, ultimately is his choice. The scene in the field was shot at Topanga State Park in Los Angeles. We scouted that location and shot that particular shot at sunrise. We lucked out that morning with some fog, which really helped in bringing out the rays of sunshine. The rest of the shots for that scene were cheated and I did my best to disguise the changing sun. I shot the project on a Panavised Arri 435 with a set of Primo lenses. It was a really nice camera set up. I also used a variety of film stocks - daylight: Kodak 5205 (250D) and 5201 (50D); and tungsten: 5218 (500T) and 5217 (200T). It's difficult to say what the budget was for this project because most of the gear, film and processing were donations. We really lucked out here. I know the director still ended up paying close to 10K for food, permits, gas, production vehicles, etc. It was a fun project.

Best,

Adam

Here's a 35mm short called The Rocker and the Pixie that I shot this earlier this year. The project's finally finished, so iI thought I'd share and, hopefully, get some feedback.

http://microwavablepeople.com/film.html

Thanks,

Adam

so right, pars are always more bang for the (electrical) buck.

 

what about shooting 5229 and pushing a stop? that'll give you a little more to work with, and you don't really pick up much grain in 35, esp if you're shooting for telecine... i've even heard of people pushng a stop and rating at 1000, but i haven't been gutsy enough to try that yet!

Joe,

I shot a film a few years back where I rated the stock 1000 and pushed one full stop. The stock was 5218 and it held up remarkably well - not nearly as grainy as I hoped/thought it would be. I also shot an interior scene, which was a punk rock show in a club, where I rated the stock the same because I wanted to be consistent with the grain structure. Even with a back light that was 6 1/2 sops over key, the stock held up and wasn't nearly as grainy as I expected. With 5218, it seemed as though I could really abuse the stock and get some good results and, like you said, the telecine will help you as well. I think if you follow the suggestions David and Robert, you'll be in good shape with the lighting.

Best,

Adam

We'd be happy to talk to you about your camera rental. For gels & such, Kits & Expendables is the place to go. We stock some camera department expendables, but they are the place for everything else.

Mitch, thanks for the help. I'll make sure the producer contacts you about our camera needs. Do you regularly offer student discounts? Have to ask because, as with all student films, they have the tiniest of budgets.

Thanks,

Adam

what's up Adam!

 

Great to hear about the short man... when are you shooting? Maybe I can come down from mtl. and help out. I have a couple friends at Columbia doing the film thing who can probably point you in the right direction. I'll track down some numbers and email them to you. When are you heading out east? Oh yeah, talk to Robbie Vroom as well, he shot a short in NYC last year. Talk soon man...

 

Bobby Shore

DP

LA/Montreal

What up dude! So good to hear from you man. It would be amazing if you could come down and help. Maybe I can just hire you as the gaffer and we can run around NYC and NJ like fools with an ARRI SR on my shoulder. Any numbers from your Columbia friends would be great. I appreciate it.

Best,

Adam

I'm going to NYC to shoot a short film in February and, being from Los Angeles, I'm very unfamiliar with the New York film community. I'm trying my best to responsible to the limited budget we're working with and was hoping any NY based DPs, Gaffers or Best Boys could recommend a good place to buy expendables. In Los Angeles, I go to place called the Expendable Recycler where you can buy partial rolls of gel ad diffusion at deeply discounted rates. Is there a place similar this in New York that anyone knows about?

I'm also looking for recommendations of good camera houses. The show is Super 16 and I'm looking to rent a set of Zeiss T1.3 Superspeeds. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Adam McDaid

This is just something I put together while testing a new tool called the IndiSlider...basically it goes between the tripod head and legs and you can slide the head (with the camera on there, obviously) a total of 3 feet across, emulating a dolly tracking shot...

 

http://www.pinelakefilms.com/snowmotion.html

So all of the moves in your piece were accomplished with this Inslider? I really enjoyed the piece. It's a great concempt that's executed really well. It was very beautiful and lyrical. L loved the tone. Nice work.

I think they forgot to nominate Janusz Kaminski for Diving Bell. That's a pretty big oversight.

I am a Director looking for some reel submissions from DP's in the Bay Area of San Francisco. I am hoping to shoot this film on 35mm and enter in various festivals. If you have experience please email me a link of your work or let me know if you need to send a hard copy.

 

I prefer DP's that have worked in 35mm previously. There is pay involved but I am still working out the budget and with an experienced DP I can lock that down.

 

James

James,

I'd like to be considered for you project. To see examples of work and my resume, go to www.adammcdaid.com. I have extensive experience in all formats. Hope to hear from you so I can learn more about your project.

Best ,

Adam McDaid

323.286.8868

adammcdaid@gmail.com

Found one of those inspiring locations and this is what came from it. While the audio edit is not complete, the cinematography/video edit is. An honest opinion on the cinematography would be greatly appreciated. Any questions are welcome.

 

Because this is an incomplete title, it will only be up till December 7th. Thank you for your thoughts.

Abandoned Memories

I just watched Abandoned Memories and I thought it was really beautiful work. You had a wonderful location and really took advantage of the natural light - really inspired work. I'm curious about the format you shot because it's hard to judge footage on youtube.

Best,

Adam

that looks really good. How long have you been workng in this field?

Thanks Hasan, I'm glad you liked it. I've been shooting now for about five years.

Best,

Adam

The overall feel of the video was good. I especially like the way you opened. I think that as you introduced the pixie, the energy fell with the slower cuts. There didn't seem to be enough information being conveyed to merit some of the longer shots.

 

You have some very good things going for this video, but I believe you can make it better by having a little more happen in the second half of it.

Thanks for the notes. I agree that it kind of lost a little steam in the second half. I'll work on a new cut to try to match the pace of the opening. Also, I think that change in pace will make more sense once the rest of the piece is cut together because there's a specific pattern to the pace that accompanies the beats of the story.

Again, thanks for the notes; I appreciate it.

-Adam

I made some changes to my site and the link is now the following:

http://adammcdaid.com/The%20Rocker%20and%20The%20Pixie.html

Again, I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Adam

Here's a very rough cut of a new project I shot recently and I was hoping to get some feedback.

It was a 35 project I shot in early November that's kind of a mix between a music video and short film. The completed version will have a complete arc. The story and beat changes will be communicated via sound design and a musical score where the different characters will have unique musical themes. This rough cut is the first scene that introduces the characters and the device that will lead our hero through the rest of the story. I'll post the completed version it's cut.

Here's the link:

http://adammcdaid.com/Recent%20Work.html

Thanks,

Adam

For me, this was the most inspired work of the year.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and No Country for Old Men by Roger Deakins

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Janusz Kminski

American Gangster by Harris Savides

There Will Be Blood by Robert Elswit

It would be great to see any of these cinematographers win. But man, Mr. Deakins had quite the year. I think that Jesse James may be his most inspired work yet.

Has anyone here been through the AFI cinematography program, or have any information on it?

 

Thanks!

dt

Hey Denny T,

I recently finished my MFA in cinematography at AFI. Shoot me an email if you have specific questions about the program.

Best,

Adam

adammcdaid@gmail.com

Looking for a DP for my year end thesis student film. Its a short comedy called the "Wingman" visit popthecorkproductions.com for a brief synopsis. Entire film takes place in a club, we are shooting on a Panasonic HVX200, preferably looking for someone with experience using this camera and 35mm lens adapter.

Hey Neil,

I read your post and I would like to be considered for the job. If you'd like to see some examples of my work, please go to the following sites: http://www.thinklab.com/video/alexandra/ and http://www.adammcdaid.com/. Also, from the adammcdaid.com site, you'll find a link to my contact information and resume, which details my experience, training and references. Hope to hear from you soon so I can learn more about the project.

Best,

Adam

Nick,

 

This is really nice work. There's a nice progression from more interesting/abstract framings into movement and finally great wide/vista shots. I also loved the color palette (more desaturated/bleached out tones) and the subtle use of grad filters. Really nice stuff. I'd hire you.

 

Best,

Adam

Nick,

One other note about the piece, I think you could have filled in the actor a little bit during the car interior. He gets lost a little bit in shadow because the contrast ratio is so dramatic between the exterior and the interior in the car. Maybe you can tweak it a little bit with a little more color correction. But again, really strong work.

Best,

Adam